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Stevie Nicks - White Winged Dove (12-Inch Lime Green Vinyl Test Pressing)
Regular price £44.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per -
Cyndi Lauper - Yeah! (12-Inch Vinyl Test Pressing)
Regular price £44.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per -
Thin Lizzy - Wild-Eyed Boys (12-Inch Vinyl Test Pressing)
Regular price £44.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per -
Siouxsie And The Banshees - Sins In The Netherlands (12-Inch Vinyl Test Pressing)
Regular price £44.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per
WHITE LABEL TEST PRESSINGS History
White label test pressings are vinyl records manufactured before the main commercial pressing of a release. They are typically produced so that the artist, record label or pressing plant can check the finished record for problems before approving full-scale production.
The term “white label” comes from the plain or minimally printed labels traditionally used on these records. Rather than featuring the finished artwork found on a commercial release, a test pressing may have blank white labels, handwritten information, catalogue numbers, pressing plant details or other basic identification.
Test pressings are normally made in smaller quantities than the commercial run because only a limited number are needed for evaluation. The number varies between releases and pressing plants; it should be established from the particular record’s documentation rather than assumed.
A test pressing’s collecting interest depends on the artist, recording, condition and provenance. Plain labels alone do not establish either authenticity or value. A documented production copy can be useful evidence of how a particular release reached manufacture.
White labels are not always test pressings. Some promotional records, advance copies, DJ releases and unofficial pressings can also feature plain labels, so collectors should consider the matrix numbers, catalogue information, packaging and provenance when identifying a record.
Test pressings are particularly interesting because they represent an early stage in the creation of a vinyl release. In some cases they may feature different mastering, track sequences or other variations from the final commercial edition, although this should never be assumed without evidence for the specific pressing.
When identifying a white label, compare its run-out markings with the catalogue information and any accompanying sleeve or production paperwork. Keep those items together: they may explain which release the disc belongs to and why it was made. Listen for the documented recording or mastering version rather than assuming that a test pressing contains different music.
The term “white label” comes from the plain or minimally printed labels traditionally used on these records. Rather than featuring the finished artwork found on a commercial release, a test pressing may have blank white labels, handwritten information, catalogue numbers, pressing plant details or other basic identification.
Test pressings are normally made in smaller quantities than the commercial run because only a limited number are needed for evaluation. The number varies between releases and pressing plants; it should be established from the particular record’s documentation rather than assumed.
A test pressing’s collecting interest depends on the artist, recording, condition and provenance. Plain labels alone do not establish either authenticity or value. A documented production copy can be useful evidence of how a particular release reached manufacture.
White labels are not always test pressings. Some promotional records, advance copies, DJ releases and unofficial pressings can also feature plain labels, so collectors should consider the matrix numbers, catalogue information, packaging and provenance when identifying a record.
Test pressings are particularly interesting because they represent an early stage in the creation of a vinyl release. In some cases they may feature different mastering, track sequences or other variations from the final commercial edition, although this should never be assumed without evidence for the specific pressing.
When identifying a white label, compare its run-out markings with the catalogue information and any accompanying sleeve or production paperwork. Keep those items together: they may explain which release the disc belongs to and why it was made. Listen for the documented recording or mastering version rather than assuming that a test pressing contains different music.