TuneCore Upload Checklist for Release Day

Before you start a TuneCore upload, gather one final audio master, the artwork file you will actually submit, and the release information. Review those exact items together so you do not pair a final title with an old cover or an earlier mix.

This checklist covers file and metadata preparation. It does not guarantee approval or a release date; use the current TuneCore guidance and your submission status for those decisions.

1. Make sure the cover art passes before you think about style

TuneCore’s current artwork requirements are specific enough that there is no reason to guess. The file can be JPG, PNG, or GIF, it needs to be a perfect square, at least 1600 x 1600 pixels, no larger than 3000 x 3000 pixels, under 10 MB, and exported in RGB. TuneCore also says the artwork can include only the artist name and release title exactly as entered in the release metadata, or no text at all.

That last part matters more than most artists realize. A cover can look good and still become a release headache if the text on the image does not match the title being submitted, or if the design includes extra copy that makes the file look like an ad instead of release artwork.

• Remove URLs, email addresses, social handles, prices, and QR codes.
• Do not mention store names or drop platform logos into the cover.
• Keep the artist name and release title identical to the metadata if you use text at all.
• Check the image at thumbnail size before upload, not just full-screen.

If the thumbnail looks crowded, compare a simpler version before spending credits or replacing the artwork. Preserve the original so you can undo the change.

2. Confirm the audio file you are uploading is really the final master

TuneCore recommends 24-bit, 192 kHz WAV files and also accepts 16-bit, 44.1 kHz WAV files. In practice, the bigger problem is not the spec sheet. It is version confusion. Teams often export a clean master, a louder ref, an instrumental, and a stem print in the same folder, then upload the wrong file when the release window gets tight.

Before anyone uploads, listen to the exact file that is going into TuneCore. Confirm the song start, fade, loudness, and spacing. Make sure the filename is clean, and make sure the artwork and metadata are being matched to the final master rather than an earlier draft.

3. Treat titles, artist names, and contributor fields like release-critical details

TuneCore’s formatting rules are stricter than artists often expect. Artist names need to stay consistent across releases. Release titles and track titles need to be entered in the platform-approved format. Contributors and featured artists should be credited in the right fields instead of being shoved loosely into the title because it looks easier in the moment.

TuneCore also notes that featured artists should be added as contributors rather than dropped into the song title by habit. That small decision can save a release from looking messy across stores and can reduce the odds of mapping or credit problems later.

• Use the same artist-name formatting you use on every other release.
• Double-check any featured artist, remixer, or producer credit before submission.
• Make sure version language like live, deluxe, or radio edit follows distributor formatting rules.
• Keep the cover text and metadata aligned character for character wherever possible.

4. Check the release like a storefront, not just a form

A clean TuneCore submission is not the same thing as a strong release package. Once the release is approved, the cover still has to sit on small screens, next to other records, under playlist thumbnails, and inside social teasers. That is why a smart upload checklist includes a quick storefront test before submission.

Ask three blunt questions. Does the title still read cleanly at small size? Does the image feel intentional next to current releases in the same lane? If the release went live tonight, would you actually feel confident pushing traffic into it tomorrow morning?

If the thumbnail review exposes a legibility problem, adjust the design and review it again. Visual preference alone does not establish that TuneCore will reject a file.

5. Keep a final submission record

Save the final artwork and audio filenames, entered titles and contributor roles, the review date, and the person responsible for signoff. After submitting, check TuneCore’s actual status and respond to any requested corrections; do not assume the checklist guarantees acceptance.

For a concrete credit-field example, see featured artists and cover text. For file inspection, use the artwork export checklist. If you need a new visual direction, Covermatic Studio can help you explore one; it does not complete your metadata or guarantee distribution approval.

Official TuneCore sources worth checking

• TuneCore cover art formatting requirements
• TuneCore audio upload guidance
• TuneCore title and artist-name formatting rules
• TuneCore contributor credit guidance