Disc Golf X-Outs, Misprints and Factory Seconds
You have likely seen or heard about an option for buying discs. They are known as misprints and x-outs (factory seconds). In this blog we will cover what those terms mean, and how you can search for them, so you can save a few bucks. We’ll start with X-outs.
X-Outs or Factory Seconds
X-outs and factory seconds are discs that have minor blemishes. They just don’t quite meet the manufacturers standards for a disc that can be sold at full price. Because of that, they are cheaper than a ‘perfect’ disc.
What Makes it an X-Out?
There are several possible reasons that a disc gets classified as an x-out. Here are some of the most common defects:
- Air Bubbles
- Poor Flashing Removal
- Unusual indentations in rim
- Excessive dome
- Puddle Top
- Wavey Flight Plate
- Foreign Particles in the Plastic
There are many x-out discs that look perfect to us. For some reason, the manufacturer felt like it was not good enough to sell for full price. It could have possibly came from a batch that had flaws, and the entire batch was labeled as x-outs. Whatever the reason, they look like regular discs.
The Flight of an X-Out
There are some defects that end up affecting the flight. If you are looking for an exact flight, light for a backup or replacement disc, you might want to pay the regular price so you can be sure the get the flight you are looking for. Here are a few defects that could affect the flight:
- Indentation in the rim
- Extra dome
- Deep puddle top
Typically, manufactures won’t sell discs that are too far out of spec. Instead, they will grind those discs and use them to make new discs. That’s where Echo Star or recycled plastics come from. Infinite’s own I-Blend is an example of using ground up discs to make a new plastic type. Check out your favorite mold to see if it is available in a recycled plastic.
Click here to check out our X-Out discs
Misprint Discs
In the case of misprints, the disc itself is good, but the stamp has issues. Sometimes the stamp has errors, such as drop outs (where the foil has parts that don’t stick to the disc), mislabeled discs (example: Innova famously stamped a batch of Thunderbird discs as Savant discs. They then stamped them again in a humorous attempt to ‘cover up’ their mistake.)
Another reason misprints may occur is when a hot machine used to stamp discs is first set up with a particular batch of discs. The person stamping may need to do a few test stamps to get the temperature and pressure properly set for the molds and plastic type. Additional reasons might include misaligned prints or double stamped discs,
Regardless of the reason, misprint discs are a bit cheaper to purchase, yet fly the same as a perfectly-stamped disc. Plus, some misprint stamps look pretty good! They are an especially great option for people who dye their discs, since many people are going to wipe the stamp off anyway.
Check out our misprint discs HERE
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Infinite Discs with double stamps x-outs or misprints?
They could be either, but most of the times a double stamp will be a misprint. If there is a stamping error where there was dropout or the disc wasn’t aligned properly, to ensure that our inventory team knows it’s a misprint, the stamp team simply stamps the disc again a second time. Other brands like Dynamic Discs seem to do the same thing to signify a misprint.
What does X Out mean in disc golf?
X-Out is simply a term used for a factory second. There is no universal term used among the different disc golf brands so in some cases the terminology will vary. When Innova manufactures a disc that doesn’t meet their quality guidelines, they manually mark it with an X on the top of the flight plate. An X-Out is a disc that meets the criteria for sale but falls short of the full retail standard, resulting in a discounted price and designation as an X-Out.
How can I tell if an X-out Infinite Disc is actually just a Misprint?
When we get factory second discs from Innova, they are always marked with a small X on the top of the flight plate. While we often stamp these F2’s with fun stamps, the X marked underneath the stamp indicates that the disc didn’t pass the manufacturing guidelines.
The nice thing is that whether it’s a factory second or a misprint, it’s always going to be less expensive than the blemished version.
Are MVP “Factory Misprints” factory seconds or Misprints?
MVP has two different blemished discs stamps that they use. When the discs have the “lab seconds” stamp, it is a manufacturing error.
When the discs have the “Factory Misprint” stamp these are misprint errors rather than manufacturing. Because MVP does the second “factory misprint” stamp on top of the original fallout stamp, it’s sometimes hard to see the original stamp blemish. This is the case for MVP, Axiom, and Streamline discs that I’ve observed.
Are Factory Seconds as durable as other discs?
Yes. At least usually. Factory second discs share the same plastic variations as their standard counterparts. However, there are instances where manufacturers may switch between plastic varieties, resulting in occasional differences. These unique blends might not match the durability of pure polymers.
Are Factory Seconds PDGA Approved?
Yes. Factory Second discs are PDGA approved, meaning they meet the standards set by the Professional Disc Golf Association for disc golf size, weight, dimensions, and flexibility. While factory seconds may have minor cosmetic blemishes or variations, their approval shape aligns with the regulations, allowing disc golfers to confidently use them in PDGA-sanctioned events without any concerns about compliance. If a disc a manufacturer makes will not align with PDGA standards, then they should not release them to the public.
What is an Innova F2?
Innova often uses a F2 stamp on their factory second discs. As a result, you might see the F2 stamp on a number of different molds. This can be confusing if someone thought the F2 was a specific mold.
Why do some discs have double or even multiple stamps?
Stamping discs is a bit of an art. When our creative team at Infinite Discs set up the stamp machines, they often use a factory second disc for practice runs. It ensures the settings are spot-on and that each stamp plate hits just right before pulling out the full price discs. This is why you might spot certain stamps on factory seconds that don’t match the actual disc. It’s also another reason you can get some unique collectable discs by shopping through X-Outs.
Conclusion
Factory seconds or x-outs, with their slight defects, offer an affordable alternative for disc purchases. Misprints add character with flaws arising during the stamping process. Our guide has not only explained the nature of these discs but also provides practical insights into finding and purchasing them. From economic advantages to suitability for practice and the allure of collectability, factory seconds and misprints emerge as valuable choices for players, practitioners, and collectors alike. Delve into the world of disc golf X-Outs and misprints with our Advanced search option on InfiniteDiscs.com.
