How to Pack and Ship LP Records
For sellers of records, it is very important to know how to pack them properly. You can reduce the number that break or suffer cover damage if you follow a few tips. If you do it right, you should be able to ship thousands of LPs a year with little or not damage.
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Things You'll Need
- U Line or similar record shipping boxes (200-pound strength)
- Clear packing tape
- Small bubble wrap
- 12-inch cardboard pads
- Plastic polybags
Instructions
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Acquire your materials. Don't use just any old boxes you have laying around just because you can fit a record inside. If you use a box that's too big, you'll pay more in shipping fees due to the weight. Also, the record could slide around inside and get damaged. Several companies make similarly designed boxes that are ideal for shipping records. Keep an eye on your expenses, and aim for about $1 per package including box, bubble, polybag, tape, and cardboard pads.
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Place your record in a polybag. The common 2 mil bags work, but 3 mil are better if you don't mind paying more. The bag is a good way to keep the record and the cover separate. Many collectors prefer that the vinyl not move around inside the cover during shipping, as this can rub a hole through the edges. Older records are more likely to be damaged in this way, so you should get in the habit of packing all pre-1975 records in a polybag with the record in its paper inner sleeve, outside the cover. Late 70s and later records can be placed in the package without a polybag or separating the cover and vinyl.
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Apply bubble wrap around the record. This cushions the spine and right edge and keeps it from moving around inside the box. For more valuable records, use the 12inch cardboard pads to stiffen the box. Place these on top and bottom of the record, outside the bubble. They are very light and add almost no weight to the package but will give you peace of mind when you ship an expensive item. On more common records that sell for $20 or less, don't use the cardboard. The odds of it being damaged are very small and you can easily replace it or refund the customer. Not so much on a rare $100 record.
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Fold up and tape the box. Record mailer boxes are great because they are the exact size to comfortably fit one to six LPs (depending on style) and don't require any creative cardboard cutting. Just fold up the flaps, apply tape at the three seams and you're done. If you're shipping a larger quantity of LPs, use a size-appropriate box. Several are available, and you should be sure to use more bubble wrap and pads on heavier packages. Don't create a "brick" that's so dense and heavy it will be damaged when dropped. Keep larger shipments to about 35 LPs per box, unless you can really cushion all sides, top, and bottom. Remember that several people will be handling it, and if it's too heavy, it could be dropped.
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Address your package. Apply the recipient's address and stamp or write "fragile" in several obvious places.
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Tips & Warnings
Use appropriate LP shipping boxes
Pack with cushioning material like bubble wrap (small variety)
Reinforce with cardboard pads for valuable shipments
Don't create a makeshift or sloppy package
Don't allow the record to slide around inside
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