Step 1: Read the matrix and runout codes
Hold the record at an angle under a lamp and read the etched codes in the dead wax on both sides. Note every character: the catalogue prefix, the matrix suffix (such as -1, -2 indicating the stamper generation) and any plant initials or engineer signatures.
Compare what you find to a known-good original. A genuine UK pressing usually combines machine-stamped numbers with hand-etched marks, while photo-etched, uniform-depth runouts point to a counterfeit. This single step filters out a large share of fakes.
Step 2: Inspect the label
Examine the label's font, colour, layout and rim text. Each label and era has a documented look: an early-70s Atlantic, a 1967 mono Parlophone or an Island pink-rim 'palm tree' all have specific characteristics.
Check that the catalogue number on the label matches the matrix and the sleeve. Mismatches, wrong fonts, faded colour or missing rights-society text are classic tells. Small, crisp print is normal on originals; soft or thickened lettering suggests a reprint.
Step 3: Assess the vinyl itself
Weigh the disc if you can and feel its thickness. Compare the surface gloss and edge colour to what you would expect from the era. Many counterfeits use thin, lightweight or dull-looking vinyl.
Listen for tell-tale audio problems too. Fakes pressed from second- or third-generation sources, or from a CD, often sound flat, harsh or noticeably noisy compared with a master-cut original.
Step 4: Examine the sleeve and inserts
Look closely at print quality. Reproduced sleeves show soft text, colour shifts and pixelated barcodes. Confirm the card stock weight, the spine text and the gatefold gluing all feel right for an original.
Account for every insert: posters, lyric sheets, printed inners and stickers. Missing or crudely copied inserts are common on fakes because they are costly to reproduce accurately.
Step 5: Cross-reference against Discogs and references
Find the exact release on Discogs and compare the documented matrix numbers, label images and pressing details with what you are holding. Pay attention to user notes flagging known counterfeits for that title.
If two or more of your checks disagree with the documented original, treat the record as suspect. When you want a faster verdict, a dedicated authentication tool such as Vinyl Guard can compare your photos against known counterfeit patterns in seconds.