2. Catalog codes
2.1. Catalog name and Catalog code automatically
There are quite a lot catalogs of cigar bands. It is currently impossible to include and foresee all of these. It would no longer be workable
The contributors will leave the 'Catalog name' field on the (currently) only choice in the list: 'Colnect codes'. Then leave the 'Catalog code' field empty for each item to be added. Colnect will automatically generate and assign its own catalog code (unique code).
This is a choice from the first hour, but can change later.
If anyone knows about a global catalog, type Michel like with stamps, don't keep that science to yourself but share it (with us here on Colnect, of course)
2.2. Specific catalog and catalog number
If you have a specific catalog of cigar bands in which you can find a catalog code for the item to be added, please place this in the 'description' field. Then clearly state in which catalog. This way important information is not lost, and this information can be retrieved later if necessary.
You can also search in the description field for the items that have already appeared on Colnect.
2.3. A 'new' country in Cigar bands
If you want to add cigar bands from a country that does not yet appear on Colnect, you have to take an additional step.
Create a NIF for that country with one item to add. Now fill in the field 'Catalog code' with the code XX-00001. XX = the letter code for the country.
Eg. for Russia (but in the meantime a band has already been added for this country) you will be in the field 'Colnect code' RU-00001.
Once the tape appears on Colnect ... see 2.1.
If you are unsure about the letter code, take a look behind the wall in the Stamps category. Select a country and a stamp underneath. You will see that code there 
Remark: wrong country code
Make sure you use the correct country code. Because the Colnect Catalog Codes are automatically assigned, a regular editor cannot change this afterwards. Only the coordinator can do that ... and it is time consuming. Time that can be spent more useful now, isn't it?
Remark: doubles
Before adding cigar bands, make sure that they are not yet included on Colnect. It is extremely difficult to detect duplicates, and it is equally difficult to spin them out (merge).
For such preparatory research it is extremely important that the 'themes' are well filled. Themes is a very powerful search method, but the themes must be filled in to use them ...