PUNCHED HOLE

Punched holes on CDs or records are done when an item was either deleted from inventory by the record company, or issued as a demo copy.  What this meant is that the artist was not paid for this item as it was not considered sold or saleable.   These holes are purely cosmetic and don't affect the CD or record in any way.


Below are two samples from the back of CD inserts.

Click on image for a larger view.

The following are two samples from records. 
In the case of a record, the hole is always in a corner and goes through the front and back of the cover.

 

Click on image for a larger view.