Are plastic sleeves good for records?

With more than 5,000 reviews and a near-perfect rating of 4.8 stars, these Invest In Vinyl outer sleeves are definitely the fan-favorite option. They use thick, 3 mil polyethylene to protect single LP, double LP, and gatefold vinyl jackets — all with a snug fit that results in no excess plastic at the top.

What sleeves are best for vinyl?

Should you keep plastic on vinyl records?

The most important things to protect against are moisture and dust when storing records. In addition to the inner sleeve protecting the record itself, you will want to purchase a plastic vinyl record sleeve to protect the cover as well. It is recommended to buy an outer sleeve made of polyethylene or polyester.

Is it better to store records outside of sleeve?

Outer Sleeves Are Just As Important For Preserving Your Vinyl Records. Not only do plastic outer sleeves help to keep the jacket cover of records in good shape for much longer, they also provide another layer of defense against dust and light.

Is it OK to store vinyl records flat?

Records shouldn't be stored horizontally, or flat. As you will see, archival record boxes are designed for the records to be stood and stored vertically. Storing vinyl records flat can place too much pressure on the records lower in the stack causing damage over time.

Do Not Use PVC Outer Sleeves For Your Vinyl Collection - Here Is Why with video evidence!

Should you keep records in paper sleeves?

They are made of anti-static paper or plastic and help to keep dust from collecting on your vinyl. Records will typically come with a paper sleeve, but the plastic ones are far superior. In fact, using paper sleeves can actually scratch your records over time. Avoid them if you're able to and opt for plastic instead.

Are polypropylene record sleeves safe?

Material quality is the most important factor in choosing record sleeves, and while polyethylene is perfectly safe, there's nothing quite like the clarity of polypropylene to really make an album cover pop.

What are vinyl sleeves made of?

A record sleeve can be made of paper, cardboard, rice paper, polypropylene, etc. It may be acid-free or anti-static and also contain an inner liner (polylined). A record sleeve can be full or have a cut-out center hole for viewing the labels without having to remove the record from the sleeve.

Are poly lined inner sleeves good?

Polyethylene Lined Paper Sleeves

Polyethylene is by far the best inner sleeve material, offering safe antistatic storage for your most precious records. The combination of paper and polyethylene adds extra protection from scratches and dust while also helping the record glide in and out without scuffing the surface.

Are inner record sleeves necessary?

When you're putting your vinyl records away, using an intact inner sleeve is critical to its preservation. When records are slipped back into their album covers without a sleeve, they collect dust and static, and are more likely to scratch, crack, and split.

Do PVC outer sleeves damage vinyl?

These hard PVC sleeves represent a hazard to rare vinyl. It is ironic that something designed to protect collectors' items seems implicated in damaging them. I now keep my LPs without an outer sleeve unless the cover is very fragile, in which case I use a 400gm polythene outer.

Are PVC outer sleeves bad for records?

To answer the OPs question, yes, PVC damages your vinyl. I never filed my albums in PVC sleeves, opting for the safer material instead, but a few I bought in PVC outer sleeves, I left them on and regret it now.

How should I store my vinyl records?

Vinyl records need to be stored in an upright position to ensure they stay in good condition. Records that have been stored at a slant for an extended period of time can warp because of the uneven pressure that has been placed on them. This is why records are often kept in crates that position them upright.

Is polyethylene safe for vinyl records?

LDPE does not interact well with vinyl records and can even stick to the record and leave marks. HDPE sleeves are identifiable due to their frosted appearance and very smooth satiny feel. Because of this very smooth texture, there is no friction when sliding records in and out of the sleeve, so no static is introduced.

How do you know if your sleeve is PVC?

Basically, if it's the thicker / stiffer /clearer/ smellier (beach ball) type then I just use those for books, comics etc. I don't use them for records, no way. The thinner / floppier / slightly cloudier sleeves are ok. They are polythene.

Why do people store vinyl outside sleeves?

It reduces the risk of ring wear and minimises the potential damage, that could come from simply putting the vinyl into the inner sleeve, which in turn could easily get scuffed or creased just putting it back in the album cover.

Is it bad to stack vinyl records?

Always keep your records stored vertically. Don't stack records on top of each other or keep them laid flat. You might think that laying them down will help keep them flat, but stacking adds pressure that can warp and damage them. Keeping them vertical is the key, but this proper mode of storage comes with rules.

Will a warped record still play?

Playing a warped record may damage the record further if the warp causes the stylus to skip. A skipping stylus can scratch the record grooves causing irreparable damage. So, if you want to protect your records, don't play them when warped.

Are records supposed to wobble?

Are record players supposed to wobble? Record players are not designed to have any wobbling in the turntable at all. However in real life most every player will have some amount of wobbling in it. As long as the movement isn't causing your record to jump or skip, the wobble really isn't anything to worry about.

How long do vinyl records last?

Some people will say with good use and good care, records can last in a good state for 100 years plus. Others will say less. If you're speaking of how long before records decompose, it could be 1000 years or more.

Why do you store records upright?

The best method of storing your records is upright in the supplied sleeves and outer jacket, preferably in a poly sleeve. If you do not store them upright, you run the risk of warping or damaging your vinyl records. Storing them upright in a poly sleeve also prevents ring wear to the outer sleeve.