The production of vinyl records may seem straightforward: sound waves are imprinted on a lacquer plate, which is then coated in metal to create a stamp. The metal plates are placed into a press, and a PVC disc is pressed into a record. But despite the simplicity of the process, the record industry is facing serious challenges.

The trouble began with lacquer plates. In 2020, Apolla Masters in California, a major lacquer plate manufacturer, was destroyed in a fire, creating a global shortage. With Apolla Masters producing 70 to 80 percent of the world＊s lacquer plates, according to Forbes, the loss was a huge blow to the supply chain. Today, only one manufacturer remains: MDC in Japan.

The shortage has forced record manufacturing plants to stockpile plates, creating strain on the market and even affecting the quality of some records. While some European countries avoided the problem by using direct metal mastering, U.S. manufacturers face growing pressure and risk outsourcing production, which could weaken the American record market.

With vinyl record popularity continuing to rise, and supply chain challenges persisting; the future of the record industry remains uncertain.