How to Pack Vinyl Record Albums
You can protect the value of vinyl record albums by packing them correctly before storage or shipment. Exposure to light, heat, moisture and pressure may damage an album and make it unplayable. The paper covers and sleeves on records provide little cushioning for the fragile vinyl discs inside. Support and extra padding makes vinyl records more resistant to environmental factors whether they are in transport or put away as part of a private collection.
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Things You'll Need
- Turntable
- Carbon bristle brush
- Acid-free sleeves
- Foam pads or corrugated cardboard squares
- Bubble wrap
- Packaging tape
- Record mailing boxes
- Newspaper
- Permanent marker
Instructions
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1
Remove the vinyl record from its original sleeve and place it on a turntable. Discard the old paper inner sleeve (if it is generic and blank with no printed lyrics or information connected to the album.) Remove and discard any shrink wrap on the outside of the cover.
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2
Turn the turntable on its lowest speed before lowering the carbon fiber bristles of a brush gently into the grooves of the record. Clean both sides of the record in this fashion without brushing across the direction of the grooves.
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3
Slide the clean vinyl record into a new acid-free paper sleeve. If you have decided to retain it, stack the old sleeve on top of the new one. Insert the record into the original cover with the open end on the sleeve facing up.
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4
Stack records together with squares of sturdy foam or corrugated cardboard sandwiched in between. This will add stability and prevent rubbing.
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Wrap the stack of vinyl record albums with a single layer of bubble wrap on all sides. Do not allow adhesive from packaging tape used to secure the bubble wrap to come into contact with the surface of any of the album covers.
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Lower the bubble-wrapped stack of vinyl records into a cardboard box. Fill any empty space in the box with wads of newspaper to keep the records from shifting during storage or on the road.
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Secure the record box with strong packaging tape. Tape along corners and seams to add strength to the box. Label the box with a permanent marker so you know what is inside.
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Tips & Warnings
Carbon fiber record cleaning brushes have an anti-static quality. They do not charge up the vinyl to attract new dust. They are available at most record and audio specialty stores.
Climate-controlled storage and shipment is ideal for vinyl record albums. Long-term storage temperatures of between 50 and 70 degrees F are suggested by many collectors. Temperatures higher than 80 degrees F may cause the vinyl to melt and warp.
When selecting storage boxes, remember large boxes allow the records to tumble around inside. That may bend corners on the covers.
References
- Photo Credit Close up of old Vinyl Records - focus on the record image by Andrew Brown from Fotolia.com
