How much does a DCP cost? The honest answer is: it depends. Five things affect price: your film’s runtime, resolution, audio format, additional versions, and delivery deadline.
The short answer: our unencrypted 2K DCPs start at £70 for films under 15 minutes. A 90–120-minute feature costs £240, and a 4K upgrade costs 50% more than the equivalent 2K package. Subtitles, extra versions, KDMs, and delivery are priced separately, and every quote is tailored to your film.
Prices last checked: [22/10/26]. See our terms and conditions for the latest figures. Prices are subject to change. Please contact DCP Solutions for current pricing.
Understanding these factors helps you set a realistic budget and choose only the services your film needs. Here’s how DCP-Solutions prices its work and what to think about before you request a quote.
How much does a digital cinema package cost in the UK?
The cost of a digital cinema package depends on your film’s runtime and technical requirements. These are our published prices for unencrypted 2K DCPs:
| Film runtime | 2K DCP price (unencrypted) |
| Under 15 minutes | £70 |
| 15–29 minutes | £94 |
| 30–59 minutes | £120 |
| 60–89 minutes | £214 |
| 90–120 minutes | £240 |
| 120–150 minutes | £265 |
| 150–180 minutes | £290 |
Source: DCP-Solutions terms and conditions. Check the published terms for current prices and service details.
These rates cover the listed unencrypted 2K packages. Additional services may apply depending on your requirements, so confirm the full scope before approving your order. If your film sits close to a runtime boundary, tell us and we’ll confirm the correct price band.
Get your exact DCP price from our team.
5 Factors that affect DCP mastering costs
DCP mastering costs depend on several technical and delivery requirements, not just your film’s runtime. These five factors explain most of the difference between one quote and another.
1. Film runtime and DCP cost per minute
Runtime is a key factor. Longer films contain more picture and audio data to process and check, so a 5-minute short and a 120-minute feature are very different jobs.
We use fixed runtime bands rather than a single DCP cost per minute, so the published price for a short film differs from that for a feature. Mention trailers, opening sequences, and any additional content up front when requesting a quote, because these can need separate preparation depending on how you intend to screen them.
2. Resolution, frame Rate, and picture format
Your source files determine much of the work involved in professional DCP mastering. Before creating the package, we check the resolution, aspect ratio, frame rate, and colour space. The Digital Cinema Initiatives specification defines the technical requirements for digital cinema systems, and DCP creation involves JPEG 2000 image encoding and conversion to the X’Y’Z’ colour space.
A 4K upgrade costs 50% more than the equivalent 2K package. For example, a 90–120-minute unencrypted 2K DCP costs £240, so the published upgrade rate gives a 4K price of £360 before any additional services.
Unusual source frame rates may need conversion, depending on the intended presentation, so confirm your cinema or festival specifications before ordering to avoid unnecessary processing. Picture and frame-rate mismatches are also among the most common DCP errors that get films rejected.
Tip: only pay for 4K if you really need it. Choose it when your source material and screening requirements justify the upgrade, because a suitable 2K package may meet your needs without it.
3. Audio channels and processing
Your audio format affects the preparation and quality-control work a DCP needs. Stereo is the simplest route. 5.1 means six correctly mapped channels to verify, 7.1 SDDS uses a different channel layout, and Dolby Atmos needs a suitable workflow and compatible equipment.
Some productions also supply separate audio stems or a 16-channel Wild Track Format, so we verify the supplied material and confirm it matches the intended cinema configuration. Clean, correctly labelled stems and a confirmed channel layout before mastering begins keep things fast and safe.
4. Subtitles, encryption, and additional versions
Subtitles, dubbed audio, captions, and alternate edits each add mastering and quality-control work, and every version must match the correct picture and soundtrack.
A version file (VF) DCP can reuse unchanged material from an original version (OV) package, which can simplify versioning when the requested changes are compatible with the existing package. Versions built from the same master are often more efficient, so share the full picture early. Our published prices for additional services are:
| Additional service | Published price |
| 4K upgrade | 50% above the equivalent 2K price |
| Additional KDM per venue | £20 |
| Additional VF DCP | £50 |
| Additional language VF | £25 per language |
| Subtitle VF DCP | £50 |
| Closed-caption (CCAP) VF DCP | £50 |
| Audio replacement VF | £50–£75 |
| Secure digital download | £30 |
Source: DCP Solutions terms and conditions. Confirm the applicable charges for your project.
DCP encryption protects content during distribution. A Key Delivery Message (KDM) authorises playback on a compatible cinema server during a specified period, and an additional KDM costs £20 per venue.
A DKDM (Distribution KDM) serves a different purpose within key-management workflows, supporting controlled distribution and later KDM generation. If your project involves encrypted content or specialist key handling, explain your requirements when requesting a quote.
Subtitle specifications matter too. A compatible SMPTE subtitle format may suit your workflow, while custom subtitle files could need conversion or correction, so confirm which subtitle services your package includes. If your film needs a 3D presentation, ask us to confirm the price rather than assuming the standard 2D rate applies.
Ready to master your film? Explore our DCP creation services.
5. Turnaround time and delivery
Your deadline affects how we can schedule your project. Standard turnaround is two to three business days after we receive the final materials and project confirmation. Express work may be available when your screening date is close, but it means reshuffling schedules, so additional charges may apply. Please confirm availability and cost with us directly. You can read more about how long DCP mastering takes.
Even a few extra days of lead time can make a real difference to the price you pay, and booking early gives us more time to check your source files and resolve technical problems before your screening.
Delivery arrangements matter too. Secure digital download is £30, and if you need a physical drive or another delivery method, we’ll confirm the options and any applicable charges.
Why do we have a fixed price list but also offer flexibility?
No two films are the same. That’s why we publish our base prices openly, then devise tailor-made packages for every client, so you pay for what your film actually needs, with no padding.
How to calculate your DCP mastering subtotal
Start with the relevant base package, then add the published services your project requires. For example, an unencrypted 2K DCP with a runtime of 90–120 minutes and one additional VF is calculated like this:
- base 2K DCP package: £240
- additional VF DCP: £50
- Total: £290
This example uses our published prices and excludes any other services. Additional charges depend on your requirements and the applicable terms.
What to have ready before you request a quote
Preparing these details up front speeds up your quote and helps us identify the right services:
- film runtime, including any trailers
- source resolution, aspect ratio, frame rate, and colour space
- audio format and channel layout
- required languages, subtitles, captions, and alternate edits
- whether you need an OV package, a VF package, or both
- encryption and KDM requirements
- cinema or festival delivery specifications
- preferred delivery method and deadline.
Missing something? Send what you’ve got and we’ll help fill in the gaps.
Why professional DCP mastering matters
A DCP must meet the technical requirements of its intended cinema presentation. Professional mastering involves preparing the files, checking picture and audio, packaging the content, and carrying out the agreed quality-control checks. The US Library of Congress overview of DCP explains the package structure, including picture and sound files, supporting information, and file-integrity checks.
Understanding these requirements helps you avoid problems later. If you’re deciding which files to prepare for a festival, read our guide to DCP vs ProRes vs H.264, and if you’re new to the format, start with what a DCP is. Ask any provider which checks are included and whether your source files need corrections before mastering.
Get a quote from DCP-Solutions
Runtime, resolution, audio, additional versions, and delivery requirements all influence the work involved. We offer DCP creation, mastering, quality control, encryption, KDM generation, and secure delivery for cinema screenings. Tell us about your film and we’ll build a technical package around it: no padding, just a clear, tailored quote.
Contact DCP-Solutions for a tailored quote and get clear guidance on your requirements and the applicable published charges before your next cinema screening.
DCP cost FAQs
How much does a DCP cost?
An unencrypted 2K DCP costs £70–£290, depending on the film’s runtime. A 4K upgrade costs 50% more than the equivalent 2K package, and extras such as subtitles, KDMs, and extra versions are priced separately.
How much does a simple DCP cost?
A basic, unencrypted 2K DCP costs £70 for a film under 15 minutes. The price increases with runtime and with any additional requirements.
How much does it cost to get a DCP for a short film?
An unencrypted 2K DCP costs £70 for films under 15 minutes, £94 for 15–29 minutes, and £120 for 30–59 minutes. Additional services may cost extra.
Does a 4K DCP cost more than a 2K DCP?
Yes. A 4K upgrade costs 50% more than the equivalent 2K package. For example, a 90–120-minute 2K DCP costs £240, so the 4K price is £360 before additional services. Only choose 4K if your source material and screening requirements justify it.
How much does a KDM cost?
An additional KDM costs £20 per screening venue. A KDM authorises an encrypted DCP to play on a specific cinema server during a defined period.
How long does it take to make a DCP?
Standard turnaround is two to three business days after we receive the final materials and project confirmation. Express work may be available for an additional charge, so confirm availability with us first.
What affects the price of a DCP?
Runtime, resolution, audio format, versions and languages, and turnaround are the five main factors, along with encryption, KDMs, and delivery method.
How can I keep my DCP costs down?
Choose 4K only if you need it, supply clean and clearly labelled audio stems, share all the versions and languages you need up front, confirm the festival’s specifications early, and allow extra lead time instead of ordering a express job.