Getting Started in Velveteen: Your First Release
Updated June 12, 2026
Getting started in Velveteen means creating an artist, drafting a release, attaching tracks with audio and credits, passing the Release Readiness panel, and using Submit for Review. Velveteen then reviews the package and moves it through the delivery pipeline toward your consumer release date.
This workflow section walks the first-release path in product order. Each spoke below goes deeper on one step. Concept articles under Artists, Releases, and Tracks explain individual fields in more detail.
The first-release path
- 1
Create an artist
Go to Catalog > Artists > New Artist. Link Spotify or Apple Music, or mark the artist as new, then wait for approval if required. - 2
Create a release
Go to Catalog > Releases > New Release. Velveteen creates a DRAFT release and opens the release detail page. - 3
Add tracks and audio
On the release Tracks tab, use Add Track, upload audio, and complete track metadata, credits, performers, and shareholders. - 4
Check readiness
On the release Overview tab, use Release Readiness until the panel shows All set. - 5
Submit for review
Click Submit for Review, confirm rights, and Velveteen moves the release to PENDING and locks linked tracks. - 6
Track what happens next
Follow release state from PENDING through review and delivery. Pitching and royalties are separate follow-on workflows.
What this section covers
Create your first artist
New Artist flow, DSP identifiers, new-artist flag, plan limits, and approval status.
Create your first release
New Release form, DRAFT state, label assignment, and release-level metadata.
Add tracks and audio
Attach tracks, upload audio, previews, ISRCs, and credits on each recording.
Check readiness
Release Readiness panel, validation errors, and auto-fix actions.
Submit for distribution
Submit for Review, subscription gate, rights confirmation, and label approval paths.
After your release is submitted
Post-submit states, locked edits, review timing, and next steps.
Plan gates to know early
You can draft catalog items before every gate is open, but submission requires an active paid plan for independent accounts. Managed label users inherit the label plan.
Artist plan limits also apply when creating artists: Artist allows 1 artist, Pro allows 5, and Label is unlimited.
Tip
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an artist before creating a release?+
Yes. Velveteen blocks release creation until you have at least one artist on your account.
Can I submit on the Free plan?+
No. Submitting a release requires an active paid subscription unless you are a managed label user inheriting the label plan.
Where do I see if my release is ready?+
Open the DRAFT release and check the Release Readiness panel on the Overview tab.
Does submitting send music to stores immediately?+
No. Submit for Review moves the release into Velveteen review. Store delivery happens later through the release state pipeline.
Is pitching part of this workflow?+
No. Pitching is optional and separate. You can pitch after your release date and metadata are far enough along.
Related articles
Create your first artist
Catalog > Artists > New Artist: name, DSP identifiers, new-artist flag, terms, and approval status.
Create your first release
Catalog > Releases > New Release: title, display artist, format, genre, dates, copyright lines, and label assignment.
Add tracks and audio
Use Add Track on the release, upload audio (30+ seconds), then complete ISRC, credits, performers, and AI declaration on each track.
Check readiness
The Release Readiness panel on a DRAFT release: issue count, jump links, auto-fixes, and the checks behind Submit for Review.
Submit for distribution
When readiness passes, use Submit for Review. Velveteen locks the release and tracks and moves the package into review.
After your release is submitted
Post-submit states, locked edits, Velveteen review, delivery timing, and what to do while you wait.