How to properly size album art and put music on Spotify?

Understanding the nuances of album art size and the steps to get your music on Spotify can elevate your music career significantly. This article will guide you through the specifics of creating the perfect album cover and the logistics of submitting your music to one of the largest digital streaming platforms in the world.

Understanding Album Art Size

Album art isn't just a visual thumbnail for your listeners. It often serves as an extension of your brand and can attract new listeners when done correctly. But beyond aesthetics, there are technical requirements that you need to meet to ensure your album art looks its best on Spotify. Let's dive into these specifications:

• Dimensions: Spotify recommends a size of 3000 x 3000 pixels. This ensures that the album art looks sharp on every device, from smartphones to desktop monitors.
• File Type: Accepted formats include JPEG and PNG. These formats provide high-quality images without large file sizes.
• File Size: The recommended file size is less than 10 MB to ensure quick loading and optimal performance across the platform.
• Color Space: Use RGB color space to match the digital screens that Spotify users are viewing the image on.

Design Tips

Beyond the technical requirements, consider these design tips to make your album art stand out:

• Keep It Simple: Busy designs can lose their impact when scaled down to thumbnail size on mobile devices.
• Readable Text: If your design includes text, make sure it's legible without straining the eyes.
• Avoid Overuse of Colors: A cohesive color palette can make your album art more visually appealing and professional.

How Do You Put Music on Spotify?

Putting your music on Spotify involves several steps, from preparing your audio files to selecting a distribution platform like SoundOn. Here's an essential guide to help you navigate the process:

Step 1: Prepare Your Music

Before you upload your tracks, ensure your audio files are in the proper format. Spotify prefers .mp3 files with a minimum bitrate of 320 kbps. This strikes the right balance between quality and file size. Additionally, ensure your track's metadata, including artist name, album name, and release date, are correctly embedded in the files.

Step 2: Choose a Distribution Platform

Spotify doesn't accept music submissions directly from artists. You'll need to use a third-party distributor to get your music onto the platform. There are several distributors to choose from, including SoundOn, Amuse, Distrokid, and CD Baby.

SoundOn is an excellent choice, offering an all-in-one platform for marketing and distribution. It helps artists get their music on Spotify, scale their careers, and discover new fans through exclusive partnerships and global distribution services.

Step 3: Upload Your Music

Once you've chosen your distributor, the next step is to upload your audio files and album art. Most distribution platforms have a user-friendly interface that guides you through the process of uploading your tracks, entering metadata, and selecting a release date.

Step 4: Promotion and Playlisting

After your music is live on Spotify, promotional efforts become crucial. Pitching your track to Spotify's curated playlists can dramatically increase its visibility and streams. To do this, you typically submit key information about your track to the DSP curators. If accepted, getting playlisted can serve as a significant boost to your fan base and income.

Step 5: Monitor Your Performance

Once your music is on Spotify, it's important to monitor its performance. Spotify for Artists provides valuable insights into your listener demographics, stream counts, and playlist placements. Use this data to refine your marketing strategies and engage with your growing fan base.

Conclusion

Perfect album art and seamless music distribution strategies can be pivotal in your music career. With the right size and quality of album art, alongside a reliable distribution platform like SoundOn, you can effectively place your music on Spotify and reach a larger audience. Follow the outlined steps for uploading and promoting your music and don't forget to monitor your performance regularly. Happy distributing!

Get Started with SoundOn

Ready to take the next step in your music career? Sign up with SoundOn today and start distributing your music to Spotify and other popular digital streaming platforms.