Release-Level Readiness Checks in Velveteen
Updated June 13, 2026
At the release level, Velveteen requires a name, display artist, artwork, label, genre, explicit setting, copyright lines, release format, a UPC or auto-generation, at least one track, a primary artist, DSP identifiers for each artist, valid release dates, accepted invitations, and approved, cleared artists.
These are the checks that apply to the release as a whole. Track-level checks are covered separately.
Core metadata
Name and display artist
Both are required.
Artwork
A cover image is required.
Label
The release must have a label.
Genre
A primary genre is required, and all genre fields must be unique.
Explicit setting
The explicit choice must be set.
Copyright lines
Both the copyright year and text and the production year and text are required.
Format and UPC
Single, EP, or Album must be set, and a UPC is required unless auto-generation is on.
Artists and dates
Primary artist
At least one primary artist is required.
DSP identifiers
Each artist needs a linked DSP profile or must be marked as a new artist.
Consumer release date
Required, and at least one week in the future.
Original release date
Required, and not after the consumer release date.
Pre-order date
If set, it must be before the consumer release date.
Approvals and invitations
Every artist on the release must be approved. An artist that is still in setup, under review, needs work, or was rejected blocks submission.
Each artist must also have cleared its fraud and trust declaration, and any pending collaborator invitations must be accepted first.
Heads up
Frequently asked questions
Why is my release date rejected?+
The consumer release date must be at least one week in the future, and the original release date cannot be after it.
Do I need a UPC?+
Only if you turn off auto-generation. With auto-generation on, Velveteen assigns one for you.
Why is an artist blocking submission?+
An artist must be approved and have cleared its trust declaration. Artists in setup, under review, needs work, or rejected block the release.
What if an artist has no DSP identifier?+
Link the artist's Spotify or other DSP profile, or mark them as a new artist.
Related articles
Overview
The readiness panel and the full set of release-level and track-level checks Velveteen runs before a release can leave draft, plus quick fixes and common blockers.
Track-level checks
Title, audio file and 30-second minimum, genre, language, copyright, ISRC, preview window, contributors and composer or lyricist, performers, and the AI declaration.
Common blockers
The blockers that come up most: artist approval, DSP identifiers, release dates, the AI declaration, contributors, and the single-track genre match.