Now Spinning Music Magazine – Vinyl, CDs – Boxsets Reviews Now Spinning Music Magazine – Vinyl, CDs – Boxsets Reviews

Physical Media Design Consultancy

Physical Media Design Consultancy for Record Labels
Helping you create CD and vinyl editions music collectors truly want to buy.

For years across Now Spinning Magazine, I’ve reviewed hundreds of deluxe box sets, vinyl reissues, CD editions, and multi-format collections. One recurring theme has emerged:

Great music deserves great presentation — and collectors notice every detail.
From packaging design to booklet content…
From sleeve inserts to disc sequencing…
From poly-lined inners (or lack of them) to how a box feels when opened…

These elements directly influence:

  • sales
  • reviews
  • collector goodwill
  • unboxing satisfaction
  • brand perception
  • return rates
  • fan loyalty

I look at every release through the eyes of a lifelong collector — the person standing in the shop, hovering over “Add to Cart,” or sharing an unboxing online. Over the years I’ve highlighted what works brilliantly, but also where many labels unintentionally leave value on the table.

Now, I’m offering this insight directly to Record labels, PR Agencies and Artists.

How I Can Help

1. Pre-Release Design Review

  • A confidential expert assessment of your upcoming physical edition, focusing on:
  • Packaging construction
  • Inner sleeves
  • Booklet quality and content
  • Photography and archival material
  • CD/vinyl housing and disc protection
  • Sequencing and format flow
  • User experience (the unboxing journey)
  • Collector expectations vs. real-world execution
  • You receive a clear, actionable recommendations report.

2. “Fan-Perspective” Consultancy
A unique service few can offer:

I represent the mindset of the collector — the customer who actually buys these sets.
This includes what adds perceived value, what creates disappointment, and what design choices make a release feel premium.

3. Benchmarking and Best Practices
I can compare your planned release against:
industry leaders (Madfish, InsideOut, Cherry Red/Esoteric, BMG, Sony Legacy, etc.)
successful box sets from similar artists
the expectations of collectors in your genre
This ensures your edition stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the best on the market.

4. Post-Release Analysis
If you’d like insight into how your edition was received, I can provide:
community feedback
comparison with previous editions
what was praised
where improvements could be made next time

5. Exclusive Workshops for Label Teams
Short sessions (virtual or in-person) on:
The psychology of collectors
Why physical media still sells
What Gen Z buyers now expect
Avoiding the common pitfalls in box set design
How to turn a good edition into a great one

Why Work With Me?
I run one of the UK’s most trusted physical-media communities.
I speak daily with collectors across all age groups.
My reviews regularly prompt labels to refine future editions.
Artists and label reps already use my feedback informally.
I understand the full journey: design → collector experience → purchase behaviour.
Above all, I care deeply about physical music and want to help ensure it thrives.

Who I Work With

  • Independent labels
  • Major label catalogue departments
  • Reissue specialists
  • Archivists
  • Packaging/design teams
  • Artist management
  • Project managers
  • Vinyl/CD production teams

Whether you’re producing a single LP, a lavish 20-CD archive box, or a hybrid audio-visual set, I can help ensure your physical edition meets — and exceeds — collector expectations.

Pricing & Approach
Every project is different, and physical releases vary widely in scope, scale and ambition. For that reason, consultancy work is priced by project rather than by the hour.

As a guide:

  • Single album or vinyl reissue reviews start from £350
  • Deluxe and box set consultancy typically ranges from £1,000–£2,500
    Larger archive projects and ongoing advisory work are quoted individually
    All enquiries begin with a short, no-obligation conversation to understand your project and ensure I can add genuine value.

Let’s Talk
If you’d like to improve the design, execution, and collector-appeal of your physical releases, let’s have a conversation.
📩 phil@nowspinningmagazine.co.uk
🌐 nowspinningmagazine.co.uk

Physical Media Design Consultancy