HOT WAX provides an automated, multi-channel distribution system that makes your vinyl records immediately available across global direct-to-consumer (DTC) storefronts and physical record stores.

• Multi-Channel DTC Sales: We launch your release simultaneously across the HOT WAX store, your own website, Bandcamp, Instagram, and Facebook. Placing your vinyl where fans already discover your music eliminates purchase friction and boosts conversions.
• Physical Record Store Retail: Your catalog is exposed directly to a growing network of independent brick-and-mortar record stores worldwide via B2B wholesale platforms like Faire, letting shops easily stock your physical records.
• Automated Global Fulfillment: Every order is automatically picked, packed, and shipped worldwide out of our central US warehouse with prepaid customs duties (DDP), ensuring seamless doorstep delivery to fans in over 220 countries.

HOT WAX manages the entire post-sales cycle so you never have to touch a box or handle customer service.

The Sales & Fulfillment Cycle: We store your inventory in our central hub, list your release across our multi-channel DTC and retail network, and process fan payments at checkout. When an order is placed, our warehouse picks, packs, and ships the record directly to the buyer with automated tracking notifications.

How Payouts Work: You retain 100% of your master rights, fan data, and net album earnings. Your payout is the retail sales price minus two basic operational line items:

• Payment Processing (~3%): Standard credit card fees charged by payment gateways (Stripe/Shopify).
• Flat Distribution & Fulfillment Fee (15%, minimum $5.00): Covers professional pick-and-pack labor, heavy-duty damage-resistant vinyl mailers, global customer support, and sales tax/duty compliance.

Yes, 100%. HOT WAX operates as a technology, manufacturing, and logistics partner, not a legacy record label or restrictive distributor.

• 100% Master & Catalog Ownership: You retain full control of your masters & publishing rights.
• Complete Fan Data Access: We provide contact info of fans that opt into receiving marketing emails from you.
• Non-Exclusive Partnership: There are no long-term distribution lock-ins, exclusivity traps, or rights land-grabs. You maintain complete freedom over how, where, and when your music is released.

All vinyl records are stored in a secure, climate-controlled, commercial-grade fulfillment facility centrally located in Tennessee. This central US hub optimizes distribution routes to deliver faster transit times and significantly lower shipping costs nationwide and globally. Professionally managed using enterprise-level warehouse management software, our facility guarantees high-precision inventory tracking, automated pick-and-pack fulfillment, and pristine storage conditions for your releases.

HOT WAX ships vinyl directly to fans in over 220 countries using Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) shipping. This means all import taxes, customs duties, and local VAT are calculated and collected upfront during online checkout.

• How It Benefits Your Fans:Zero Surprise Fees: Fans know their exact total cost at checkout. They will never receive a surprise bill or have to pay unexpected customs fees at their local post office to release their vinyl.Faster Doorstep Delivery: Packages clear international border checks automatically because duties are pre-paid through our system, eliminating customs holds and transit delays.
• How It Benefits You (The Artist):Higher International Sales Conversions: Clear, upfront pricing gives foreign fans the confidence to complete their purchase, drastically reducing cart abandonment and returned or refused packages.Zero Tax Administration: HOT WAX handles all cross-border tax compliance, customs documentation, and IOSS/VAT filings. You grow a global fanbase without ever filling out international tax forms or managing overseas registrations.

Yes. Think of HOT WAX as your personal warehouse and logistics team - the inventory is yours to do what you like.

If you need 50 records shipped to a tour venue, delivered to a local record shop, or sent to PR contacts, you never have to pack a box yourself:

• Let your concierge know about the request. Our warehouse team packs, labels, and ships your inventory straight to the venue or store door. You only pay the self-directed fulfillment rates and commercial shipping rates.