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Learn how to safely ship vinyl records using the right packaging materials and shipping carriers to prevent scratches and warps during transit.
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Vinyl album sales in the United States hit 49 million in 2023. That’s a huge increase from the annual sales of less than five million that persisted between 1995 and 2010. Record collectors often turn to online stores to discover vinyl albums—and they’re buying everything from Taylor Swift’s latest to Tracy Chapman’s debut.
Those who sell records online must protect these delicate discs so they arrive safely to buyers. That’s easier said than done. The journey is fraught with risks that could turn a pristine record into an unplayable piece of plastic.
From sourcing shipping boxes to packaging best practices, here’s how to ship vinyl records to ensure that when the needle drops, it’s music to your customer’s ears.
Below, find vinyl record shipping tips and the step-by-step process for how to ship vinyl records safely:
If you’re selling used or new records that are unsealed, remove the vinyl record from its jacket and wrap it in an inner paper or plastic sheet. This minimizes movement and lowers the risk of scratches.
If you’ve separated an unsealed record from its outer jacket, set it on top of the jacket and slip the bundle into a clean paper or plastic outer sleeve.
💡Tip: Separating the record from its jacket and placing both in a protective paper or plastic outer sleeve is one of the best ways to protect vinyl records during shipping. Protective sleeves keep each record safe from dust and scratches, and separating the two avoids seam splits and helps with a bumpy shipping journey.
Next, wrap the record, jacket, and outer sleeve in bubble wrap and/or foam sheets, securing the ends with tape to keep the wrap from unfolding. If you’ve kept a new, sealed record intact, you’ll want to bubble wrap the entire thing to keep it safe in transit.
This extra padding acts as a cushion to absorb shocks and vibrations during transit. Protecting records during transit like this is crucial to maintaining quality. The grooves pressed into vinyl are essential for its ability to reproduce sound, so if any grooves get damaged, that creates a negative experience for your buyers.
There are two types of shipping options for sending records:
Between these two options, the best packaging for vinyl records is going to be whatever works best for your business when it comes to shipping costs, average order size, and the types of records you’re shipping. For example, if you’re shipping EPs instead of LPs, you’ll need to source mailers or boxes with smaller dimensions to properly accommodate those smaller and just-as-delicate records with a secure fit. Alternatively, you could use the same size mailers as you would for LPs and carefully add more padding around the EP.
Place the bubble-wrapped record inside the mailer or box, ensuring it’s snug but not too tight to avoid putting pressure on the record. Fill any excess space in the mailer with additional bubble wrap or foam inserts to prevent the record from shifting during transit. This additional padding is particularly important at the corners, which are most susceptible to impact. Even if the record itself arrives intact, it can be a very disappointing experience to receive an album sleeve with bent corners. Protecting every aspect of the records you sell is particularly important when record collectors are your target audience.
Seal the box or mailer with strong packing tape, reinforcing the edges, where stress is most likely. Clearly label the package with the recipient’s address and a return address. Then, add bold lettering or stickers to mark the box with “FRAGILE” and “DO NOT BEND.” This alerts handlers that the contents are delicate, which can encourage more careful handling.
The choice of carrier can affect the safety, cost, and shipping speeds. Not all carriers offer the same services or rates, especially when dealing with specialized items like records. Here are factors to consider when choosing a shipping service, including for when you’re sending multiple vinyl records in the same package:
When considering how to ship a vinyl record, pricing is critical. The weight of a vinyl record and padding can increase the cost. If you’re shipping multiple records or an entire record collection, costs can add up quickly.
Compare shipping services to find the cheapest ways to ship packages without compromising on safety. Look for carriers that offer flat-rate options or discounts for bulk shipments, which can both be economical when you ship vinyl.
Consider shipping insurance when shipping precious cargo like vinyl records to safeguard your goods during transit. The more records you ship, the higher the potential risk.
Some carriers include insurance up to a certain amount with the purchase of a shipping label. Most other carriers offer insurance for an additional fee. Evaluate the value of your records against the insurance options available—particularly for rare or first pressings, where the replacement cost could be significantly higher than the average record cost.
Tracking services offer peace of mind by allowing you to monitor your shipment’s progress. Reliable tracking ensures you and your customers can oversee the journey of your records, whether you’re sending a single vinyl record or multiple records. Most carriers now provide tracking as a standard feature.
When shipping records internationally, consider delivery speed, customs handling, and your carrier’s geographic reach. For international deliveries, the weight of the vinyl record can significantly impact pricing. Carriers may also have different limitations or services for shipments containing multiple records. Choose a service with a robust global network and international shipping options.
Here are popular carriers for shipping vinyl records safely:
USPS Ground Advantage is a newer shipping service from USPS. With affordable prices and shipping speed of two to five business days, this is a great, affordable option for businesses looking to reduce shipping costs. Packages can weigh up to 70 pounds.
USPS Media Mail specializes in shipping educational and media items, making it an economical choice for vinyl records. With shipping between two to eight business days, this service is slower than others by USPS. It may not be the best choice if you prioritize expedience, but the prices can fit most budgets. Packages sent through Media Mail can weigh up to 70 pounds.
Priority Mail by USPS is meant for more urgent shipments, providing quicker delivery times for your vinyl records. With shipping between one to three business days, this service ensures rapid delivery while maintaining the utmost security for your items. Priority Mail packages can weigh up to 70 pounds, so this mailing option is best suited for those looking to ship more substantial record collections.
FedEx offers reliable and fast delivery services, ideal for time-sensitive shipments or high-value vinyl records. It offers a range of shipping options, including Ground, Home Delivery, Expediated, International, Same-Day, and Flat-Rate shipping, catering to various needs and budgets. FedEx's tracking system and additional service options make it a good choice for businesses looking for more than just basic shipping.
UPS is a good choice for shipping vinyl records if you need reliable service with tracking and international shipping options. It provides various shipping speeds, from standard to express deliveries, and is known for dependable transit times. UPS also offers a range of value-added services, like Proof of Delivery (POD), which you can share with customers to help them keep track of their shipments.
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A single 12-inch vinyl record with its sleeve typically weighs around 230 grams to 360 grams. Don’t forget that you need to account for the weight of all the packaging inserts that come with a record as well.
Yes, you can ship vinyl records internationally. Use sturdy mailers with padding and place the record outside the album sleeve to prevent damage. Complete customs forms accurately and check for any import restrictions in the destination country. Shipping costs and times vary, so calculate rates in advance, and consider purchasing insurance, if not already included in the shipping rate, for added protection.
Yes, you can ship multiple vinyl records together. To do so safely, use a larger, sturdy record mailer designed for multi-record shipments. Stack the records flat, separating them with cardboard stiffeners to prevent bending, and place each record outside its jacket in a protective inner sleeve to avoid seam splits. Wrap the stack in a protective outer sleeve and bubble wrap, and fill any gaps in the package with padding to prevent movement during transit. Secure the box with strong tape, label it "FRAGILE," and make sure to provide the customer with tracking information.
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