When building a release on elasticStage, the Release Metadata page defines the legal, commercial, and store information for your vinyl or CD.

This information appears on your product page, identifies your release globally, and ensures your rights are properly recorded.

Below is a complete explanation of every field on the Release Metadata page.

The official name of your release (album, EP, or single).

This is how your release will appear in your store and across elasticStage.

The main artist or group responsible for the release.

Important: Only enter one primary artist name in this field.

For compilation albums or soundtracks, use Various Artists. Individual performers should be entered at the track level.

Use this field to add collaborators such as:

Add one artist at a time and assign their role correctly. Do not add extra text such as “feat.” or performance descriptions here.

Select where your release will be available for sale.

We recommend choosing Worldwide unless:

Only customers in enabled territories will see your release.

Set the maximum number of copies you want to sell.

Even though elasticStage manufactures on demand, you can still offer a fixed edition size. Once the quantity is reached, your release will automatically display as Sold Out.

This allows you to create limited drops without manufacturing inventory upfront.

Only complete this field if your release has been previously released.

If left blank, we will use the Release Date.

This determines how your discography appears on your Page.

The date your release will go live in the elasticStage store.

Releases go live at 00:00 (midnight) UTC on the selected date.

An internal reference number for your release.

Commonly used by labels to organise their catalogue (e.g., ES001, LP-2026-01).

If left blank, your EAN-13 barcode will be used as the reference.

Every release requires a unique barcode.

A UPC barcode is a 12-digit code primarily used in North America. They are very common in digital music distribution (DistroKid, TuneCore, etc.)

An EAN-13 barcode is a 13-digit code used internationally.

Because elasticStage is a UK-based company selling worldwide, we require a 13-digit EAN. 12-digit UPC codes cannot be used on our platform.

No.

If you leave the barcode field empty, elasticStage will generate a free EAN-13 barcode for your release.

You may also enter your own EAN if you already have one (for example, purchased through GS1).

No.

EAN codes generated by elasticStage:

Each unique product version requires its own unique barcode.

You also cannot reuse an EAN that has already been assigned to another release within elasticStage — even if the tracklist is identical.

Barcodes uniquely identify a specific product configuration (format, version, edition).

The label name associated with your release.

This does not need to be a registered company.

If you do not have a label, you can use your artist name or create your own imprint name.

Make sure you are not using someone else’s protected trademark.

The person or company that owns the sound recording rights.

In most independent cases, this is:

If you paid for and own the recording, you are typically the ℗ holder.

The year the sound recording was first released or published.

The person or company that owns the artwork copyright.

If you created the artwork yourself, you are the © holder. If a designer created it, ownership depends on your agreement.

Do not use artwork downloaded from the internet unless you have a licence.

The year the artwork copyright applies.

Choose between available pricing tiers (e.g., Low, Medium, High).

This sets the retail price across territories and determines your potential royalty.

Internal notes for your own reference.

This field is not visible to customers.

Release Metadata applies to the entire product (vinyl or CD).

Track Metadata (added in the Tracks tab) applies to individual songs, including:

Make sure both sections are completed accurately before locking your release.