Record albums are rarely produced by record companies, which makes them extremely valuable. If you are a vinyl aficionado or own a record shop, you may have wondered about the proper methods to store and ship records.
A vinyl record is an investment. Many people enjoy the hobby of collecting vinyls as a hobby, both for their potential as an investment as well as for the listening experience they provide. By taking good care of your records when storing, and choosing the right record album packaging when shipping, your investment will maintain it’s value for a very long time.
Storing
Vintage records have several potent enemies: dirt, moisture, pressure, and extreme temperatures. Dirt and dust in the grooves can scratch your vinyl and deteriorate the stylus of your record player over time. Additionally, insects can eat the shellac on vinyl as well as the cardboard sleeves and packaging. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to clean your records before storage and put them into new sleeves.
You should always avoid getting your records wet. In fact, even high humidity can damage your records. Paper or cardboard sleeves absorb moisture which can promote the growth of mold. So try to keep the records as dry as possible.
Finally, avoid storing records flat, as the compression pressure can cause grains of sand and debris in the sleeves or record grooves to distort the vinyl surface. Try to keep records fully upright, in temperatures not exceeding 75 degrees Fahrenheit. If they are allowed to lean it can cause warping.
Shipping
Shipping any type of damageable item can be a perilous process. Whether you own a record shop or are an avid investor, it’s important to protect your investment. Whenever you ship records, there’s simply no safer bet than record album (LP) shipping boxes to keep your albums safe. These multi-depth corrugated boxes come in cases of fifty and are an inch wide to accommodate multiple records and bubble wrap for extra cushioning.
Additionally, bubble wrap comes in 150 feet rolls that are perforated into 12 inch sheets. These make for the perfect cushioning for record album packaging. By taking these precautions to, your records should arrive at their destination in pristine condition.