Opplagsnummer

Opplagsnummer is a term used in Norwegian publishing and bibliographic practice to denote the number assigned to a particular print run of a publication, i.e., a specific production batch within an edition. The concept complements opplag (the total number of copies printed) by identifying the sequential printing within the same edition, which can occur when small changes are made between printings.

Usage and scope: Opplagsnummer is used to track production history and stock, and to differentiate between multiple printings of the same edition. The number may appear on the copyright page or in internal catalogs, but its use is not standardized across publishers and may be omitted in many modern records.

Relation to other identifiers: The opplagsnummer is distinct from ISBN, which identifies a specific edition for commercial distribution. The opplagsnummer is typically more granular and often publisher- or region-specific, focusing on the printing run rather than the edition as a whole. In bibliographic notation, references to different trykk (prints) within the same opplag may be noted.

Practical notes: Because publishers vary in practice, not every book carries an opplagsnummer. In cataloging work, editors may document edition and print history using edition statements and publication data rather than relying on an explicit opplagsnummer.