like, the actual label or sticker that's on the vinyl.

custom or specially-designed meaning the label or sticker has special graphic elements created specifically for the work at hand.

for example, in 1984 WB's standard issue record label or sticker design looked like this:

http://www.dio.net/pictures_lp/the_last_in_line_us_label_big.jpg

but Prince's Purple Rain album, released in 1984 on WB featured a custom design:

http://www.vinylrecords.ch/P/PR/Prince/Purple/IMG_8138.jpg

...why?

how do record labels (the companies) decide which releases get a custom sticker? do the artists decide? do they have to pay more $ for a custom sticker?

do you have any favorite custom stickers?

fuck you.

fuck you.

You'll miss it if you don't look close: http://www.discogs.com/viewimages?release=1970776


``i know you are fake. . . 'cause man, i'm the same.``
"king of rain." http://bit.ly/GNVnDp
"untitled 4." http://bit.ly/1772QTW
"doctor who nursery rhyme." http://bit.ly/18oC1gH
"1.5.2.0" http://bit.ly/18UMv7A
"for vini." http://bit.ly/19HQbtF

fuck you.

for instance, latter versions of Purple Rain feature this label: http://i.imgur.com/imMXB0f.jpg

For repressings, the unique labels are most likely finished and they will not press up new ones specifically for a record anymore. It's the same reason why a lot of repressings don't have gatefold when there originall was one or have the original innersleeve replaced with a "generic" one and so on.

Exceptions would be anniversary editions or other special "prestigious" reissues. However, your regular budget/"nice price" reissue rarely get special treatment which is partially why I never liked those-they look/feel so bland. Even the pressings can be different in quality.

However, all albums don't get this special treatment on the first pressing.

all pressings of the album in the USA that i've seen have the custom label.

fuck you.

but didn't happen w/PR as far as i know.

fuck you.

Michael Jackson "bad" is my least favorite.
it was my first indication that i didn't like the album as much.

i had daydreamed about unwrapping it and seeing the epic logo,
and was disappointed to find it wasn't there. it still bugs me.
i felt slightly better when i saw the cursive "epic" writing in small lettering at the bottom.

still.



anyway... what i hate is when you get a vinyl reissue
that CHANGES the label you're familiar with. it makes me not buy the reissue.
i've never seen an improvement.

i want the reprise logo on hendrix albums...
not some new custom made bullshit.
it will never happen, though.

i too disliked the custom label for 'Bad'. that was actually my introduction to custom labels - i'd never seen one before. it freaked me out at first. and then i didn't like the design. and i too missed that classic Epic logo spinning around.

but then by the time of 'Dangerous' i was very familiar w/custom labels and was disappointed when i saw the 'Dangerous' record didn't have one (i bought the CD but saw the records).

fuck you.

i can't imagine warner brothers saying...
this album should have dried flowers on it.

so it would have to be the artist or whoever did graphic design for the album.
I'd guess the additional cost of making another label would come out of the same part of the album budget that the graphic design for the album cover comes out of.


^ a guess pulled completely out of my ass.

Artist pays choose to pay for it. If they choose not to there's always the label's default.

█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

fuck you.