white label

See also: white-label

English

Alternative forms

white-label

Etymology

A white label record

US, 20th century. Originally used for musical vinyl records whose labels had been torn off or covered with a white label by competing DJs to conceal which records they were using.

Adjective

white label (not comparable)

(marketing) A rebranded product – a generically manufactured product, branded with the marketer's or retailer's trade dress.
(computing) An unbranded product – a brand name product which has had a white label applied to remove branding so that it can be resold for cheaper without undercutting the value of the brand.[1]
(music) A vinyl record with a white label or white background (rather than artwork), typically used for test records or promotion.
- 2014, Chris Cunningham, quoted in Piers Martin, Aphex Twin: ‘His music is a perfect mix of mystery and adrenaline’ (in The Guardian)
  I started going to the record exchange in Camden two or three times a week to look for the Rephlex white labels or test pressings that would end up there. I actually got one of the original Caustic Window vinyl LPs from there.

Synonyms

(a generically manufactured product):

private label

Translations

a generically manufactured product

German: No-Name-, Eigenmarke f (noun)

Spanish: marca blanca f (noun)

Coordinate terms

(a generically manufactured product):

generic product

(cheap computer parts):

OEM
off lease
open box
recertified
refurbished
system pull

References

Item Condition at 3B Tech: "White Label"

[1] Item Condition at 3B Tech: "White Label"