Discogs allows the entering of all editions of a release (such as
reissues, different country pressings etc), as well as significant
versions of each edition (such as white labels, different artwork,
format variations, colored vinyl etc). In order for these to be
accepted, you must provide enough information to distinguish the
different versions of a release. It may be important to provide as much
information as possible, such as barcodes, matrix numbers,
publishing/copyright dates, and any other identifiable marks. This is
possible in the release notes field.
If the difference is subtle, you must explain the difference in the
release notes, or with images, or by any other effective means, in order
that future users can tell their versions apart by referring to the
entry in Discogs. For example; reissues that cannot be told apart from
the original issue cannot be entered as a unique release - unique
releases must have a means of identifying them as such.
Items can be submitted before the release date, but you must always
have the physical copy in your possession when submitting.
Items such as cut outs (where a normal release has a section of the
sleeve cut, denoting a price cut item), items that have otherwise been
marked or altered after release, differences in releases with hand-made
artwork that are part of the same edition, and individually numbered
items on otherwise identical copies will not be allowed as unique
releases.
Manufacturing variations should not usually be counted as a unique
release. For example; different stampers / matrix numbers for the same
edition, manufacturing tolerance based variations in the shades of label
paper or ink color etc, would not constitute a unique release (such
variations can be mentioned in the notes field). However, where such
variations are of significant importance to collectors and fans, a
unique release can be created - evidence of the significance and / or
discussion and general agreement between Discogs users is required for
such cases to be accepted.