Catalogue Number

A catalog number is the identification number a record label assigns to a release. It is used for tracking purposes by both the label and the distributor. Catalog numbers are typically printed on the spine of a CD and on the back of record sleeves, but you sometimes you'll find them in other places on the artwork - and sometimes on the CD and the info label on the record itself.

I have made my own catalogue number up FYC08 -This will be included on my didgi-pak on the spine.

There aren't any rules as to how a label decides to set its catalog numbers, but once you develop a system, it makes sense to stick with it. Catalog numbers typically include both numbers and letters - often some portion of the record label name combined with numbers that signify the number of the release for that label. For instance, label XYZ might assign their first release the catalog number "XYZ01," their second release "XYZ02" and so on. In this way, you can often trace a label's history by looking at their catalog numbers.