You’ve locked picture, finished the grade, and signed off the sound. Then comes the question: How long will the DCP take?
For a clean, properly prepared feature, a professional DCP can usually be created, checked, and ready for delivery within 2–3 working days. You need to factor that time in so your project isn’t unduly rushed at the last crucial stage. For urgent projects, a 24-hour express service may also be available at an additional cost, depending on the source files and project requirements.
The biggest cause of delays is usually the source file itself. Source problems, subtitle changes, audio corrections, late revisions, and missing encryption details can all extend the timeline beyond 2–3 days.
If you’re preparing for a cinema screening or film festival, planning helps you avoid last-minute problems and set a realistic delivery date. At DCP-Solutions, we’d rather you know the timeline before you start than discover it the week of your premiere.
Need your DCP fast? Confirm your deadline with us today.
What happens when we master a DCP?
Here’s the journey your film takes from master to cinema-ready package:
- Source check: we check the source file for frame rate, resolution, colour space, aspect ratio, audio layout, and sync. If the master is clean, the process is straightforward. If there are problems, that’s where delays can happen.
- Preparation: the picture and sound are prepared for digital cinema.
- Encoding and packaging: the film is encoded into the DCP format and the package is created.
- Quality control: the finished package is checked for picture, sound, sync, subtitles, and playback integrity in our screening rooms.
- Delivery: once approved, it can be delivered by secure download, SSD, or CRU drive, with KDMs created if encryption is required.
These stages are indicative rather than guaranteed processing times. For an accurate schedule, we confirm the expected completion and delivery dates when you book.
| Service | What to expect |
| Standard turnaround | 2–3 working days for a clean, properly prepared master, including creation, quality control, and preparation for delivery |
| Express service | A 24-hour service may be available at an additional cost, depending on source files, project requirements, and availability |
| Delivery | After approval: secure download, SSD, or CRU drive, with KDMs created if encryption is required |
What affects DCP mastering time?
Several factors influence how long your DCP takes. Understanding these five helps you avoid delays and plan your film mastering timeline more effectively.
1. Source file quality and format
A properly exported master moves through preparation smoothly, which is why the source file is the number one cause of delays. Damaged media, variable frame rates, missing audio channels, or incorrect picture dimensions may need extra work before mastering can continue.
Common source formats include ProRes 422 HQ, DNxHD, DPX image sequences, and TIFF image sequences. We check the source file, resolution, frame rate, aspect ratio, and other technical details before production begins, and frame-rate conversion may need extra processing and careful review.
2. Film length and resolution
A feature generally takes longer to process and check than a short film. Higher-resolution files can also need more processing and storage, depending on the system and workflow. The Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) specification defines standard 2K picture dimensions of 2048 × 1080 pixels and 4K dimensions of 4096 × 2160 pixels, and the right choice depends on your delivery requirements and screening venue.
3. Audio and subtitle requirements
Audio problems can extend turnaround. Incorrect channel mapping, clipping, sync issues, or missing tracks may need correcting before approval. Confirm whether your film needs stereo or 5.1 audio, and provide a suitable final audio master, such as 48 kHz / 24-bit WAV where required.
Subtitles need careful checking too. Timing and synchronisation, spelling, character encoding, and positioning can all affect the schedule, and festival DCP preparation may involve extra language versions or accessibility requirements. Audio and subtitle problems also feature heavily among the top 10 DCP errors that get films rejected.
4. Quality control and revisions
Quality control (QC) checks picture, audio, synchronisation, subtitles, playback integrity, and package integrity in our screening rooms. We also review the DCP metadata and confirm that the package meets the relevant technical requirements, with DCI compliance and cinema server compatibility checks helping to reduce playback problems.
A late picture edit, replacement sound mix, or revised subtitle file can delay delivery. Depending on the change, the DCP may need to be encoded again and the relevant QC checks repeated, which is why locking your edit before you send it makes such a difference.
Let our QC team verify your DCP package.
5. Delivery, encryption, and KDMs
A finished DCP still has to reach the cinema, and the delivery method affects your schedule. Secure download is the quickest route, while a physical SSD or CRU drive adds transit time that depends on the destination and courier. Delivery is on top of the mastering time, so build it into your plan.
If the venue requires an encrypted DCP, each screening also needs a Key Delivery Message (KDM) generated for the right cinema server certificate and playback dates. A late certificate, a changed screening date, or a mismatched version can hold up the KDM and, with it, your screening, so confirm these details early. Our guide to what a KDM is explains how they work.
Before you book, ask the festival or cinema which delivery method they accept, whether encryption is required, and which dates and servers each KDM needs to cover.
How much does DCP mastering cost in the UK?
Costs depend on film duration, resolution, and additional services. Our unencrypted 2K DCPs range from £70 for films under 15 minutes to £290 for 150–180 minutes, and 4K, extra KDMs, extra versions, and delivery are priced separately. The standard turnaround is 2–3 working days, subject to project requirements. For the full breakdown, see our guide to DCP mastering costs and what affects the price.
Prices last checked: [add date]. See our terms and conditions for the latest figures.
How to avoid DCP mastering delays
If you’re working towards a festival submission deadline or cinema screening, preparation can save valuable time. Before sending your film, make sure you have:
- locked the picture edit and approved the colour grade
- finalised the sound mix and checked synchronisation
- checked the master for problems with frame rate, resolution, and aspect ratio
- reviewed subtitle timing, spelling, and formatting
- checked the festival or cinema’s DCP specifications
- confirmed encryption and KDM requirements, including certificates and dates
- allowed time for delivery and any necessary corrections.
On colour, your source may use Rec. 709, while the final DCP needs the appropriate XYZ colour encoding. Your mastering provider should confirm the correct conversion rather than assume every source needs the same treatment. If you’re unsure which files to send at each stage, read our guide to DCP vs ProRes vs H.264, and if you’re new to the format, start with what a DCP is.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to create a DCP from ProRes?
A clean ProRes master can generally fit within our standard 2–3 working-day turnaround. The actual time depends on film length, resolution, technical requirements, and QC.
How long does DCP quality control take?
QC time varies with film length, package complexity, and the checks required. We confirm the expected completion date when you book.
Is 24-hour express DCP mastering available?
A 24-hour express service may be available at an additional cost. Availability depends on the source files, project requirements, and workload, so confirm your deadline with us before booking.
What happens if my DCP fails technical checks?
We investigate the problem and decide whether the package needs correcting or rebuilding. The extra time depends on the fault and on whether replacement source files are needed.
How far ahead should I order my DCP?
Order as soon as your picture, sound, and subtitles are locked, and allow more than the standard turnaround. Leave time for corrections, delivery, and any testing at the venue, rather than planning to use every day of the 2–3 working days.
Does a 4K DCP take longer than a 2K DCP?
It can. Higher-resolution files may need more processing and storage, depending on the system and workflow, so tell us your resolution requirements when you request a quote.
How long does DCP delivery take?
Secure download follows approval of the finished package. A physical SSD or CRU drive is available on request, and transit time depends on the destination, so confirm your delivery method and deadline when you book.
What can delay my DCP?
The most common causes are source file problems, late edits or replacement sound mixes, audio and subtitle corrections, and missing encryption or KDM details. Locking your master and confirming the venue’s requirements early prevents most of them.
Get your DCP ready for delivery
A reliable DCP schedule starts with a final, technically sound master and enough time for encoding, quality control, and delivery. For a straightforward project, our typical turnaround is 2–3 working days, with express options potentially available for urgent bookings.
Getting your film onto the big screen shouldn’t be complicated. It just needs to be done properly.
Contact DCP-Solutions to discuss your film and deadline, or review our DCP services.