Release Checklist: Everything to Do Before You Hit Publish
Most release mistakes aren't about the music. They're about the details that happen before distribution — metadata, registrations, artwork, and timing. Here's the full checklist.
Use this checklist for every release — singles, EPs, and albums. The more releases you do, the more automatic this becomes. But skipping steps, especially early on, is how royalties get lost and releases get delayed.
4+ Weeks Before Release
Audio files:
Final mix approved — no more changes after this point
Master delivered as WAV, 16-bit/44.1kHz minimum (24-bit/48kHz preferred)
High-resolution archive master saved (24-bit/96kHz WAV) — store this permanently
Instrumental/TV mix created if you plan to pursue sync licensing
Loudness target: -14 LUFS integrated for streaming
Artwork:
Cover art at 3000 × 3000 px minimum, JPG or PNG, RGB color mode
No web addresses, social handles, or promotional text in the artwork
Artist profile photo ready (3000 × 3000 px)
Banner image ready if updating streaming profiles (2048 × 1152 px)
Splits and ownership:
Split sheet signed by all co-writers (even informal ones)
All co-writers' legal names, IPI numbers, and PRO affiliations documented
Publishing shares agreed upon and documented
3–4 Weeks Before Release
Submit to your distributor:
Song title (exactly as you want it to appear — capitalization matters)
Artist name (consistent with all other releases)
Release date confirmed
Genre and sub-genre selected
Explicit content flagged correctly
Featured artist credits added if applicable
Songwriter and producer credits entered in the metadata
UPC (for the release) and ISRC (for each track) recorded — your distributor assigns these
℗ and © lines entered correctly with the year and rights holder name
PRO registration:
Song registered with your PRO (ASCAP or BMI) with all writer and publisher IPIs
ISRC included in the PRO registration
MLC registration:
Song registered at themlc.com with title, all writer and publisher IPIs, splits, and ISRC
2–3 Weeks Before Release
Once the release is approved by your distributor:
Pre-save link created and shared with fans
Spotify editorial playlist pitch submitted (must be done at least 7 days before release)
Social content calendar mapped out through release week and the week after
Press contacts and playlist curators notified if applicable
Release Week
In the days leading up:
Tease the release on social media — short clips, behind-the-scenes, countdowns
Confirm the release is showing as “upcoming” on Spotify (visible via Spotify for Artists)
Prepare links for the day-of share (link aggregator like Linktree or smartURL recommended)
On release day:
Confirm the release is live across all platforms
Share everywhere — don't assume the algorithm does the work on day one
Ask fans, friends, and family to save, share, and add to playlists
After Release
Within the first week:
Claim or update your Spotify for Artists profile with new bio, photo, and pinned release
Claim or update your Apple Music for Artists profile
Verify the release appears correctly on all platforms — title, artwork, credits
Pitch to independent playlist curators
Ongoing:
Monitor streams and saves in Spotify for Artists and Apple Music for Artists
Check MLC account for unmatched royalties
Archive all files: final audio, artwork, metadata, split sheet, registration confirmations
Every item on this list exists because someone, at some point, skipped it and paid for it later. The artists who build sustainable careers are the ones who treat each release like a professional project — because that's exactly what it is.
Want DistroDad to walk through this checklist with you before your next release? Tell us about your project.