How to Pack and Ship Vinyl Records

Unlike many other outdated formats, vinyl records haven’t become obsolete; quite the opposite, in fact. There has been a resurgence in their popularity in recent years. Tens of millions of vinyl records are sold every year in the U.S. alone, and a large percentage of them are mailed to buyers. If you sell vinyl records on eBay or want to mail one to a friend as a gift, it’s important to know how to pack them for shipping so they don’t get damaged in transit.

One mistake many people make is shipping vinyl records in their original jackets. This can lead to damage because the record will move around inside the jacket while in transit. Remove the record from its outer jacket and place it in a poly-lined inner sleeve. Then, place the record on top of the jacket and put both into a plastic or paper sleeve.

Now, add some extra padding to protect the record against shock and vibrations during transit. For example, you can wrap the bundle in foam sheets or bubble wrap and secure it with tape. However, cardboard provides more reliable protection. Place the record between two stiffeners made of cardboard and secure them in place with tape.

The next step is choosing the correct mailer or box. Envelops, even padded ones, are a no go because they won’t offer enough protection. If you need to mail only one record, we recommend using a cardboard vinyl record mailer, which you can get from Amazon. These mailers come in several sizes depending on the type of the record and may include additional padding inside. When mailing several record in one package, opt for a sturdy corrugated box.

Place the record in the mailer, adding more cardboard stiffeners if there is any remaining space. If using a box, line the bottom with packing peanuts or bubble wrap. Place the record(s) inside, then fill any remaining space with more padding. Tape the mailer or box shut using strong packing tape. We strongly recommend reinforcing the edges to protect them from external pressure and prevent deformation.

Now, you should label your package as fragile. You can use special stickers or packing tape that say “Fragile,” or simply write “Fragile Do Not Bend” with a black permanent marker on the box. While this does not guarantee that your package will not be damaged during transit, it improves the likelihood that it will be handled with care.

The next step is to purchase and print a shipping label. You can ship vinyl records via the United States Postal Service (USPS) or a courier service, such as UPS or FedEx. Choose whichever offers the best combination of cost and speed. Make sure your shipping option includes tracking so you can monitor your package’s progress and know its whereabouts. Although tracking is a standard feature in most shipping options, it won’t hurt to double-check.

USPS Media Mail is the most cost-effective option for shipping vinyl records, but it has its downsides. Delivery takes longer than with USPS Ground Advantage, and it is not available for international shipments. In addition, not all shipping label platforms sell Media Mail labels, so you might have to purchase one from the counter at a post office.

After purchasing a shipping label, print it and attach it securely to the package. You can print shipping labels on regular paper and secure them with clear tape. Just make sure not to tape over the barcode, as the reflective surface of the tape might make it harder to scan.

If the default insurance coverage included in the shipping price is not enough to ensure you are compensated in case of loss or damage, you should consider purchasing additional insurance for rare and/or expensive records.