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How to Create an Artist Press Kit

Learn how to create an artist press kit that gets you noticed. Includes examples, templates, and expert tips for musicians, performers, and visual artists.

Introduction

Press kits are essential for displaying an artist’s work to industry professionals and the general public. In just a few steps, creating one isn’t as hard as it may appear! 

This guide will show you exactly what you should include in your digital press kit (DPK) and how we at TREND use them to stand out. 

What is an Artist Press Kit?

An artist’s press kit is a collection of information that represents an artist to reach industry professionals, the media, and other artists who may be interested in collaborating. They’re used for musicians, performers, and visual artists.  Details on music, press coverage, ways to get in contact, artist achievements, music videos, interviews, and more can be found in this kit. Some materials to consider including in your personal kit are professional photos, an artist bio, press coverage, social media information, links to music and music videos, and info about upcoming shows/tours.  No matter what kind of art you make, a press kit gives you the capability to arrange your work in an orderly fashion. They serve as one of the main ways to get noticed in your career.   Stay consistent in your branding and have a clear image.

Why Every Artist Needs a Press Kit

A well-crafted press kit is essential for promoting your music, visuals, and performances to industry professionals. It not only elevates your credibility but also helps you stand out among other independent artists.  Benefits of a Press Kit: 
  • Opens doors to new opportunities and broader promotion
  • Offers a quick snapshot of your work and achievements
  • Serves as a strong digital first impression
  • Showcases your unique value as an artist
Want your press kit to stand out? At TREND, we create personalized digital press kits for each artist, designed to showcase their unique identity and work.  Connect with us to explore how we can amplify your artist press kit.

Digital vs. Physical Press Kits

Type What It Includes Best For Advantages
Both Digital & Physical Artist bio, professional photos, press coverage, tour history, contact info, music/video links Any press kit delivery – both formats contain the same core components Offers comprehensive insight into the artist’s brand and achievements
Digital Press Kits Delivered via PDF, website, or cloud link Email pitches, blog submissions, digital interviews, streaming outlets Convenient, widely accepted, easy to update, and distribute
Physical Press Kits Printed materials in a folder, often including a CD or USB, a one-sheet, and printed photos In-person meetings, album launches, showcases, radio stations, or major career milestones Memorable, tangible, and impactful; can stand out due to rarity in today’s digital-first landscape

Key Components of an Artist Press Kit

Whether you’re an emerging artist or an established act, a well-organized Digital Press Kit (DPK) is essential for showcasing your brand to press, blogs, curators, venues, and industry professionals. Think of it as your digital resume; it tells your story, highlights your achievements, and makes it easy for others to cover or book you.

A strong press kit typically includes these five essential elements: press highlights, professional photos, music and music video links, and contact information.

Let’s break them down:

  • Press Highlights: Include quotes from reviews, playlist placements, media mentions, notable collaborations, or endorsements. These highlights help you build credibility.
  • Professional Photos: Top-notch and high-quality images that represent your current look and vibe. Album art is important to include if you are in the midst of promoting a release. 
  • Links to Specific Songs: Have 2-3 of your best, most recent songs. Choosing tracks that capture your sound as an artist is key here. Quality over quantity. 
  • Music Video Links: Add official music videos or standout visual content to showcase your artistic style and performance presence. Keep it current and aligned with your latest work.
  • Contact Information: Make it easy for industry professionals to reach you. Include your email, phone number, and the contact for your manager or publicist if applicable.
A well-organized press kit isn’t just a portfolio; it’s your first impression. Make it count.

How to Build an Effective Artist Press Kit

Creating a standout press kit is essential for sharing your story, music, and brand with the industry. Follow these steps to ensure your kit is polished, compelling, and ready to make an impression:

Step 1: Define Your Artist Identity

  • Clarify the image and message you want to project.
  • Ensure your tone, aesthetic, and storytelling are consistent throughout your materials.
  • Tailor your bio to reflect your sound, values, and target audience.

Step 2: Write a Compelling Bio

  • Focus on what makes your journey unique.
  • Highlight career milestones and artistic themes.
  • Keep it concise—around 150–300 words.

Step 3: Select Standout Music

  • Include your most distinctive tracks that reflect your brand.
  • Use private streaming links (SoundCloud or Dropbox) if the music is unreleased.
  • Add context around each track (e.g., release date, inspiration, collaborators).

Step 4: Gather High-Quality Visual Assets

  • Use professional photos that match your aesthetic (press shots, cover art, live images).
  • Label images clearly and include photographer credits.
  • Format for both web and print use (hi-res JPGs/PNGs).

Step 5: Showcase Achievements & Press

  • Include press quotes, blog features, interviews, playlist placements, or awards.
  • Keep entries short and include publication names with clickable links.

Step 6: Provide Easy Contact Info

  • List your email, management contact (if any), and social media handles.
  • Include links to your website, streaming platforms, and YouTube channel.
  • Optional: Add a clickable PDF one-sheet or Dropbox folder for convenience.

Step 7: Customize Based on Medium

  • Musicians: Focus on narrative, brand alignment, and audio/video presentation.
  • Performers: Highlight past shows, press features, and any unique performance elements.
  • Visual Artists: > Include an artist statement, portfolio link, and select testimonials or reviews.

Ready to Build Your Press Kit?

Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to elevate your existing materials, TREND can help you craft a professional, eye-catching press kit that opens doors. Reach out to learn how we can support your next release with expert design, copywriting, and strategic distribution.

Artist Press Kit Examples

Here are some examples of effective press kits we created at TREND: https://music.trendpr.com/
KARD/a>
https://music.trendpr.com/oliviareid
https://music.trendpr.com/kongos

Best Practices for Designing an Effective Artist Press Kit

No matter your medium, music, performance, or visual art, your press kit should be clean, cohesive, and strategically designed to showcase your strengths. Think of it as your professional highlight reel: the goal is to make it easy for media outlets, venues, or collaborators to learn who you are, what you do, and why they should care. A strong press kit isn’t just informative, it’s persuasive.

Below are best practices tailored specifically for musicians, but the core structure applies to artists across disciplines:

  • Stay organized and make sure to put your information in an order that makes sense. Present your content in a logical order that flows naturally and highlights your strengths. 
  • Incorporate an artist bio that makes you stand out and captures the attention of potential readers. The first sentence should be captivating and unique to your story. 
  • Keep it brief and include the prime information that you want to show. Concise details will help you gain recognition. Break down all of the achievements, songs, art, photos, etc., that you include. 
  • Use recent content to show your current art and achievements. 
  • Know your target audience and who you normally cater to. Tailor your press kit by keeping in mind who’s likely to view it, whether it’s media, venues, or potential collaborators.
  • Include upcoming performance information. Drop the dates and what cities you will be in. This helps with local coverage and shows that you are currently functioning in the industry.
  • Have direct links that lead to where your music can be streamed, for example,  Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, etc. Faster access to your content makes it easier to hold attention. 
If you’d like help designing a press kit that opens doors, TREND PR can craft one for you that’s polished, personalized, and press-ready. From copywriting to layout to distribution, we make sure your first impression is unforgettable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Let’s break down some of the most common questions:

Is a Press Kit the Same as an EPK?
While they serve the same purpose, a press kit and an EPK (Electronic Press Kit) are not exactly the same. A press kit, especially back in the day, refers to a physical package that may include printed materials, CDs, DVDs, photos, bios, press releases, and other promotional items.
An EPK, on the other hand, is the digital version typically hosted online or shared as a downloadable file. It’s more accessible and convenient, allowing industry professionals to view your materials anytime without needing a physical copy.
There are several different formats that an artist’s press kit can be in: 

Website PDF Email Content can be shown in a specific link curated by the artist or their team. The link will have all of your desired content available when people access it.  With PDFs, the distribution process is extremely easy, as they are compatible with all devices.  PDFs also let the artist have complete control over the work they wish to publish.  Emails are an extremely convenient and inexpensive way to distribute a press kit.  Delivering a press kit through email also gives you the ability to trace the engagement that you receive. 
Two types of artist bios are typically included in a press kit. One is a longer description of the artist, while the other is a more condensed, shorter version.

  1. A short bio could be anywhere from 150-300 words, typically located towards the start of the press kit, near the headline.
  2. A long bio could be anywhere from 250-350 words, located within the main information section in the press kit, near the middle.
Some of the best software for creating a professional press kit includes:
  • Canva
  • Adobe Express
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Spark
  • Visme
  • Notion 

Conclusion

An effective press kit can significantly elevate your music career. By showcasing your achievements, refining your image, and keeping your materials clear and concise, you set yourself apart in a crowded industry. A well-crafted, personalized press kit not only makes a strong first impression but also opens doors to new opportunities and greater visibility.

Ready to create a standout press kit tailored to your brand? At TREND, we specialize in helping artists grow their careers through strategic PR, digital branding, social media marketing, playlist pitching, and artist development. Whether you’re a rising independent act or a legacy artist reintroducing yourself to a new generation, we tailor our services to amplify your story, expand your audience, and get your music heard by the right people. Contact TREND today and let us help you craft a professional press kit that gets results.

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