What Is The Difference Between A Reissue And A Repress?

A reissue is a re-release of an album, often with changes like remastering, new packaging, or bonus tracks, usually years after the original. A repress is a new production of an album using the same master and artwork as the original, with no content changes. Both terms affect a record's value and appeal to collectors.

A reissue is when an album is released again, often with updated packaging, remastering, or bonus content, and generally years after its original release. It might feature new liner notes or additional tracks.

A repress is a straightforward re-manufacturing of an album using the original master recordings, with no changes in content or packaging. It usually happens when an album goes out of stock, but demand remains high, and the same version is produced again to meet that demand.

Knowing the difference between a reissue and a repress is useful for collectors and sellers because it affects the value and rarity of a record. Reissues often have different artwork or remastering, which can make them more desirable to certain collectors, while represses are usually pretty much identical to the original but offer a more accessible option for those who missed out.

When people refer to an "original" release, they mean the very first version of an album or single that was pressed and distributed at the time of its initial release. It’s the earliest production run, with original packaging, mastering, and pressing from when the album first came out. For collectors, an original release holds special value due to its historical significance and rarity compared to later reissues or represses, which may differ in sound quality or design.

An original release is often referred to as a first press or first pressing. This term indicates that the record was part of the very first batch produced when the album was initially released. First presses are highly valued by collectors for their authenticity and, in some cases, superior sound quality due to the fresh condition of the master stamper used in the pressing process. These records are usually more limited and can be more valuable than later presses or reissues.

We see hundreds of different records every month, including many very interesting reissues and represses. Here are some of our most recent favourites.

This Steve Hackett reissue has been pressed on the blue Charisma label. Earlier UK issues of this album were pressed on Charisma's 'Mad Hatter' label, and this label difference indicates the changes in label design Charisma saw throughout the years. The very earliest Charisma labels are known as "pink scroll" labels and can be highly desirable on the right album.

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Despite being a repress, this version of Paranoid by Black Sabbath is still rather rare and collectible. This repress was pressed in 1971, the year after the original release. Being so close to the initial release, it comes with the iconic Vertigo swirl label and inner sleeve which is what helps to command its desirability.