The short answer
Colored records are almost as old as the disc format itself. It is generally accepted that the label Vocalion pressed the first colored 78 RPM record, in a maroon color, in the late 1910s (some sources say closer to 1920). Those early discs were made of shellac, not vinyl. Colored vinyl in the strict sense came later, after vinyl began replacing shellac in the 1940s. Exact “firsts” are hard to prove, so you will see slightly different answers depending on the source.
Colored shellac records
Early records were mostly black. Some labels used color to stand out from competitors:
- Vocalion advertised its reddish records from the late 1910s onward.
- Perfect Records produced a similar color.
- Columbia released a short-lived series of “Royal Blue” 78s in the early 1930s, during the Great Depression, in an attempt to boost sales.
These colored shellac discs were occasional releases and special editions, not a standard practice across the industry.
RCA Victor’s color-coded 45s
After the Second World War, vinyl was adopted for records, which made them lighter and less fragile than shellac. In 1949 RCA Victor introduced the 7-inch 45 RPM single and launched it with different colors of vinyl for different types of music, such as green for country and western and yellow for children’s records. Sources differ slightly on the exact color list. The scheme did not last long, partly because of the cost and practicality of pressing in so many colors.
Why black became the standard
Once the novelty faded, the industry mostly settled on black. Commonly given reasons include:
- Practicality and cost. Pressing one color is simpler and more efficient.
- Visibility of damage. Dust and scratches can be easier to see on black.
- Static and dust. Some say the carbon used in black vinyl helps reduce static, though this is a claim you will see repeated more than proven.
Colored vinyl from the 1950s to the 1970s
Color never disappeared. In the 1950s, labels pressed jazz, exotica and children’s records on colored vinyl, and some early stereo demonstration records were colorful too. In the 1960s, colored vinyl was often used on promotional singles to get the attention of radio DJs. A wave of creative and punk-era colored pressings followed in the 1970s, and colored editions are now common for new releases and reissues.
Splatter and multicolor pressings
Splatter and multicolor records are made by mixing pellets of different colors, so each disc comes out slightly different. Standard colored vinyl is made in the same way as black, just using colored material. Some sources say multicolor 78s appeared as early as the 1940s, though this is a detail worth treating cautiously. If you are curious about how records are pressed in general, our other articles on how records are made go deeper.
Are colored records rare or worth more?
It depends on the record:
- Modern colored editions are often pressed in large numbers, and many are limited only by what a label decides to make. They are not automatically rare.
- Older colored pressings, especially promos or small-run releases, can be genuinely scarce.
- Value still comes mainly from demand, rarity and condition. A colored pressing may attract a premium if collectors want that specific version. For the wider picture, see sought after vinyl records, and for how wear affects price, our guide to vinyl record condition and grading.
As for the single “rarest vinyl of all time”, there is no definitive answer. Lists vary, and the very rarest items are usually unique test pressings or withdrawn releases rather than colored records as such.
Care notes
Some collectors report that certain colored or translucent records can sound slightly noisier or show discoloration over time, though experiences vary. Store colored records as you would any other: upright, clean and away from heat.