Pressings

Pressings are specific production runs of a vinyl record produced by a record pressing plant. A pressing includes the master recording as it was cut into a lacquer, the creation of metal stampers from that lacquer, and the actual pressing of vinyl onto records. Different pressings can exist for the same release as the master can be re-cut, reformulated vinyl used, or new stampers created. The term is mainly used for vinyl; other formats have separate designation such as editions or reissues.

Identifying a pressing involves examining the runout groove and label. The runout area (dead wax) often contains matrix numbers and plant codes that indicate the stamper and pressing plant. Label text, country of manufacture, and catalog number also help distinguish pressings. Differences between pressings may include different mastering versions, lacquer cuts, or vinyl formulations. Collectors often seek first pressings or early editions because they may differ sonically or visually from later repressings; however, the sound difference can be subtle and controversial.

Reissues and repressings occur for ongoing demand, anniversary editions, or legal rights changes. They may use remastered analog or digital sources, new artwork, and colored or picture discs. In cataloging, pressings are tracked by label, catalog number, mastering engineer, pressing plant, and country of origin; sound quality varies with the source material and manufacturing process. The term pressings thus serves as a practical shorthand for the physical incarnation of a release, distinct from the musical content itself.