Hi Taos and Haze,
White labels can also be promo release , it is quite common to circulate white labels around a while before a larger release and a certain kudos value accrues to them.
This is the same with
an acetate. When you go to get a record cut, they cut it to a laquer. This is then used to make the metal plaates that press the vinyl. An acetate is harder than a laquer and is what a producer cuts when he wants to test a track in a club. An acetate is not as hard as vinyl and wears out after 10 -20 plays. Acetates are expensive , around £35 . So if someone gives you an acetate , its a gift .
In the UK to get your track to vinyl go to a local mastering house. In London try Porky's - Shaftesbury Ave , The Exchange - Camden , Heathmans Mastering - Fulham .... for a few.
They will cut your track to laquer which you then take to a pressing plant. UK is expensive ... most people use the continent ... france being popular. Try MPO .
Alternatively if all this sounds to much hassle , go to Impress ( Camden , London ) and they handle the whole thing for you including sending the cut and sending your product to the distributors .... but they cost ££££ .
What can you expect to pay ... around £150 for the master to laquer , £120 for the plates , £30 for 10 TPs ( white label test pressings ), 40 - 50 p per record after that , and those funny little expenses that always make the whole thing more expensive than you planned.
Some advice ... don't go to press untill you have a distributor willing to buy. A laquer degrades after a couple of weeks and going to plate is alot of money to spend if a distributor likes the first track but not the second.