Vinyl Glossary: Terms and Definitions

10"

A vinyl record size that typically plays at 33⅓ RPM or 45 RPM, commonly used for dance singles, remixes and EPs.

12"

A standard size for LP records, usually playing at 33⅓ RPM, used for full albums and some maxi-singles and EPs.

7"

A smaller vinyl record, typically playing at 45 RPM, used for singles.

Adapter

A small insert or disc used to play 7" records with large centre holes on turntables with standard spindles. 

Alternate Sleeve

A different version of the original album cover, often released for special editions or reissues.

Audiophile Pressing

High-quality vinyl pressing aimed at audiophiles, typically using superior materials and production techniques for enhanced sound.

Blister Pack

A type of packaging for vinyl records where the record is enclosed in a clear plastic casing attached to a backing card.

Bonus Track / Hidden Track

An additional song included on a vinyl release that wasn't part of the original album.

Bonus Disc

An extra disc included with a vinyl album, featuring additional content like bonus tracks, live recordings, or remixes. Often prized by collectors for their rarity so keep safe.

Box Set

A collection, or set, of multiple vinyl records packaged together, typically in a box (now you get it), often including additional material like booklets, and posters.

Catalogue Number / Cat Number

A unique identifier assigned to each vinyl release by the record label for cataloguing and inventory purposes. Super important when deciphering what edition you have in your hands.

Coloured Vinyl / Colourway

Vinyl records pressed in colours other than standard black, often used for special editions. As well as standard colours. Vinyl comes in all shades and effects including splatter vinyl, split clour, colour in colour, yolk, transparent, marbled and more.

Company Sleeve

A generic sleeve provided by the record label, usually bearing the company’s logo and branding.

Dead Wax

The area on a vinyl record between the end of the last track and the label, often containing etched information.

Deleted

A term indicating that a vinyl record is no longer in production. See also OOP / Out Of Print.

Demo

A preliminary recording or sample of a song, often used for promotional purposes.

Die-cut Sleeve

A record sleeve with cut-out sections, revealing the beauty within (or inner sleeve beneath).

Digipak

A type of packaging made from cardboard or other heavy paper, often used for special edition vinyl and CD releases.

DJ-only

Vinyl records produced exclusively for radio and live DJs, often containing remixes, instrumentals, or extended versions.

Double Groove / Multisided Record

A vinyl record with two separate grooves on one side, allowing two different tracks to play depending on where the needle is placed.

Double LP / LPx2

A release consisting of two 12” vinyl records, often used for longer albums or special editions.

Download Code

A code included with vinyl records that allows the buyer to download a digital version of the album. Often delivered on separate card.

Dust Sleeve

See inner sleeve.

Embossed Sleeve

A sleeve with raised designs or text, adding a tactile dimension to the packaging.

EP

An Extended Play record, typically containing more tracks than a single but fewer than an album.

Envelope Picture Sleeve

A paper or cardboard sleeve with a picture or design, used to protect and present a vinyl record.

Etched Disc / Etchings / Etched Side

A vinyl record side without music, featuring etched artwork or designs instead.

First Pressing

The initial run of a vinyl record release, often considered more valuable by collectors.

Flexidisc

A thin, flexible vinyl record, often used for promotional purposes or included with magazines.

Gatefold Sleeve

A type of record sleeve that folds open like a book, often used for double LPs and featuring additional artwork or information.

Half-speed Mastering

A mastering process where the source is played back at half speed, allowing for more precise and higher quality vinyl pressings. This technique is used a lot in modern mastering and often used in the remastering process.

Import

A vinyl record imported from another country, often sought after for unique pressings or exclusive content. Keep an eye out for imports from our friends in US and EU.

Indies-only / Indie Exclusive

Vinyl releases available exclusively through independent record stores, often in limited editions.

Inlay

A paper insert included with a vinyl record, usually containing lyrics, credits, or additional artwork.

Inner Sleeve

A sleeve placed inside the outer sleeve of a vinyl record, protecting the record from dust and scratches. Also known as dust sleeves.

Insert

Additional materials included with a vinyl record, such as posters, booklets, or photographs.

Interview Disc

A vinyl record containing recorded interviews, often with the artists or producers.

Jacket

Another term for the outer cover of a vinyl record, usually made of cardboard and featuring artwork and information.

Jewel Case

A type of plastic case used for packaging CDs. The classic CD case design, with all it’s fragile plastic parts.

Jukebox Centre

The large center hole found on 7” records, designed for use in jukeboxes.

Label (or 'Label Area')

The printed area in the center of a vinyl record, displaying information like the artist, album title, and track listing

Lathe Cut

A method of producing vinyl records by cutting grooves directly into a blank disc, often for short-run or custom pressings. You can imagine how labour intensive this is, so anything lathe cut is very exclusive and very limited.

Laminated Sleeve

A sleeve coated with a thin layer of plastic for added durability and a glossy finish.

Lead-in Groove

The outermost groove on a vinyl record, guiding the needle to the starting point of the first track.

Liner notes

The writings found on the sleeves of LP record albums and in booklets.

LP

A Long Player record, typically a 12” vinyl playing at 33⅓ RPM, used for full-length albums.

LPx2 / LPx3 etc.

Designations indicating the number of vinyl records included in a release, such as double LP (2 records) or triple LP (3 records).

Mastering

The process of preparing and transferring recorded audio to a format suitable for vinyl pressing.

Matrix Number

A unique identifier etched into the dead wax area of a vinyl record, indicating the specific pressing. Very important to collectors when verifying the edition.

Maxi-Single

A 12” vinyl single featuring extended or multiple versions of a track.

Mispressing

A vinyl record with an error in the pressing process, often making it a collectible item. 

Mono

Audio recorded or played back in a single channel, as opposed to two-channel (stereo). The debate over which playback sounds better will always go on, but what is undisputed is the idea that mono allows the listener to hear the recording as the producer intended at all times.

Numbered / Hand-numbered

Vinyl releases with a unique number assigned to each copy, often indicating limited editions. ‘Hand-numbered’ can either be stamped or hand-written.

OBI / Obi-strip

A paper strip wrapped around a vinyl record sleeve, typically found on Japanese releases, providing additional information and branding. These are prized by collectors looking for unique imports and are admired for their own style and designs. The OBI can come as a strip band or a fold around the spine.

OOP / Out Of Print

A term indicating that a vinyl record is no longer being produced or available for sale. See also “Deleted”. These titles tend to appreciate in value as they are no longer being released. Unless they’re just not very good.

One-sided Disc

A vinyl record with music on only one side, the other side typically being blank or etched.

Picture Disc

A vinyl record with images embedded in the playing surface, often collectible but sometimes lower in sound quality.

Press Kit

A package of promotional materials provided to media and retailers, often including a vinyl record, press release, and photos.

Printed Inner / Printed Inner-Sleeve

An inner sleeve with an image or design printed on it. That one was easy.

Private Press / Private Pressing

Vinyl records produced in small quantities, often independently by artists or small labels.

Push-out Centre

A type of centre hole in 7” records that can be removed for use in jukeboxes.

Quadrophonic

Move over mono and stereo. A four-channel audio format, providing a more immersive sound experience than traditional stereo.

Record Store Day / RSD

Some may say it’s the best day of the year. We would never be so biased. An annual event where limited edition vinyl records are released exclusively to independent record stores, whilst free events and live music happen all over the world. It’s hands down the best day of the year.

Re-recording

A new recording of previously released material, often with updated arrangements or production.

Reissue

A new release of a previously available vinyl record, often with remastered audio or additional content.

Remaster

The process of enhancing the audio quality of an existing recording for a new release.

Repress

A subsequent pressing of a vinyl record, often identical to the original release.

Reverse Board Sleeve

A type of sleeve where the uncoated side of the cardboard is printed on, giving a matte, textured finish.

Rough Trade Exclusive

Editions with a feature only available from Rough Trade. This can be a vinyl colour, a signed edition or bonus material.

RPM

Revolutions Per Minute, the speed at which a vinyl record is played, commonly 33⅓, 45, or 78 RPM.

Sampler

A vinyl record featuring selected tracks from an album or various artists or often a label, used for promotional purposes.

Sealed

A vinyl record that is still in its original, unopened packaging.

Shaped Disc

A vinyl record cut into a shape other than the standard circular form, often for collectible or promotional purposes.

Shellac

An older format of records made from shellac resin, commonly used before the advent of vinyl. This fragile material is known to break at just the idea of being dropped.

Shrink Wrap

Plastic wrapping around a vinyl record’s sleeve, used for protection and to indicate an unopened product.

Slipmat

A mat placed on the turntable platter, providing a smooth surface for the vinyl record to spin on. Originally made so DJs could slip-cue track, without damaging the record or turntable motor / belt and as scratching developed, slipmats became even more common.

Spine

The edge of a vinyl record sleeve, often displaying the artist’s name, album title, and catalogue number.

Stereo

Audio recorded or played back using two channels, providing a sense of spatial dimension, as opposed to mono (let’s not start this again).

Test Pressing

An initial run of a vinyl record used to check the quality of the pressing before mass production.

Tri-fold

A type of sleeve that folds out into three panels, often used for deluxe or special edition releases.

Tip-on Sleeve

A high-quality sleeve where printed artwork is adhered to a sturdy cardboard base, often used for vintage or reissue releases.

Uncut Picture Disc

A picture disc that hasn’t been cut into its final shape, usually square or rectangular with the circular record visible.

Unissued

A vinyl record that was prepared for release but never officially distributed. Gold.

Vinyl

The big one. The material used to make records, known for its durability and sound quality. Short for polyvinyl chloride. But what we know as those magic plastic discs with some of the greatest moments in art attached to them.

Virgin Vinyl

Vinyl made from pure, un-recycled material, often resulting in higher audio fidelity and fewer impurities compared to recycled vinyl.

Warp

A distortion in the shape of a vinyl record, caused by heat or pressure, resulting in an uneven or wavy surface, which can affect playback quality.

White Label

A vinyl record with a plain white label, often used for promotional copies, test pressings, or DJ releases.

Zoetrope

A vinyl record with multiple, repeated images printed on it that create the illusion of a moving image.