Guide
How to start a record label
A practical, no-fluff guide to launching a record label in 2026 — from picking a name to delivering your first release worldwide. Whether you register a full company or launch under a custom imprint, these are the steps that actually matter.
01
Define what your label stands for
Before paperwork, define the sound, the story, and the artists your label is for. A clear identity makes every later decision — name, artwork, roster, marketing — easier. Write one sentence that describes what a Rizzivr-style imprint should feel like to a listener.
02
Pick a label name (and make sure it's usable)
Search Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, Instagram, and a trademark database for your top three names. Make sure the .com or a strong alternative domain is free. The name will appear on every release forever — treat it like a brand, not a username.
03
Register the business (or partner with a label that handles it)
In most countries you can start as a sole proprietor and upgrade later to an LLC or GmbH. If you don't want to deal with company formation, accounting, and VAT, this is where a custom imprint model like Rizzivr's shortcut the process — you release under your own label name without having to register a company on day one.
04
Sort out publishing and rights
Register your songs with a performance rights organization (ASCAP, BMI, GEMA, PRS, SACEM) and, if you're releasing recordings, with a neighboring-rights society. Own your masters. If a distributor or label asks for master ownership as a condition, that's your sign to walk.
05
Choose a distributor
A distributor delivers your release to Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, TIDAL, Deezer, TikTok, SoundCloud, Beatport, Tencent and the 7digital network. Compare royalty splits, upfront fees, delivery speed, and whether they support a custom label name on every release — many cheap options force their own label on your metadata.
06
Prepare your first release
You need: mastered audio (WAV, 16-bit or 24-bit), cover art (3000×3000 px, RGB), ISRCs, a UPC, songwriter and producer splits, and metadata (title, artist, label, release date, genre). Lock a release date at least 4 weeks out so playlist pitching has room to breathe.
07
Pitch, release, and keep momentum
Pitch to Spotify editorial via Spotify for Artists at least 7 days before release. Set up pre-saves. Plan short-form video for TikTok and Reels. After release day, keep publishing — one single is a launch, a catalog is a label.
The shortcut: a custom imprint on Rizzivr Record
Most artists don't want to spend six months on paperwork before releasing music. Rizzivr Record's custom imprint model gives you your own label name on every release, keeps your masters in your hands, and handles global distribution to Spotify, Apple Music, TIDAL, Beatport, Tencent, the 7digital network, and more. You focus on the music; we handle the plumbing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start a record label?+
You can start with essentially zero if you release under a custom imprint through a partner label. If you incorporate, expect a few hundred euros/dollars in registration and accounting fees. The real cost is production, mastering, artwork, and marketing — usually the biggest line items per release.
Do I need to register a company to have a record label?+
Not to release music. You need a company to sign other artists, hold trademarks, or take on investors. Many artists start with a custom imprint on a partner label, then incorporate once revenue justifies it.
Can I keep my masters if I release through a label?+
Yes — at Rizzivr Record artists keep 100% of their masters. Any label asking you to sign over masters for a debut single is not offering a modern deal. Master ownership stays with you.
How long does it take to get a release on Spotify and Apple Music?+
Delivery itself takes hours; DSP processing takes 2–7 days. Plan 3–4 weeks between finishing masters and release day so you have time to pitch editorial, prepare artwork, and set up pre-saves.
What's the difference between a distributor and a record label?+
A distributor delivers audio and metadata to DSPs. A label builds an identity, invests in artists, and shapes releases. Rizzivr Record's custom imprint model combines both: your own label name for identity, plus global distribution behind it.
Ready to release under your own label name? hello@rizzivr.de