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How to Prep a Vinyl Record for Shipping

Shipping vinyl records should be done with great care. If records aren't handled properly, they can get scratched or torn. This can ruin the value of a record if you are a collector and can render your record unplayable. You can take simple measures to prepare a vinyl record before you ship it.

Things You'll Need

  • Cardboard
  • Cardboard box
  • Craft knife
  • Packing tape
  • Packing foam
  • Permanent marker
  • Ruler
  • Record sleeves
  • Album jackets
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the record into its paper sleeve and then into its jacket. Use the original sleeve and album jacket if they are intact. If you do not have a usable sleeve and jacket, you can purchase replacements from a music store or online music supply business.

    • 2

      Place a piece of sturdy, corrugated cardboard on a flat surface and place the record on top of it.

    • 3

      Trace a square around the record, using a ruler.

    • 4

      Cut the square out of the piece of cardboard using a craft knife.

    • 5

      Produce three more cardboard squares, using your first square as a template.

    • 6

      Place one cardboard square on top of another square. Position the squares so that the grooves in the cardboard are pointing in opposite directions.

    • 7

      Position one or more records on top of the two squares. Do not stack over 10 records together. If you are stacking multiple records, each one should be in its own sleeve and jacket cover.

    • 8

      Place two cardboard squares on top of the records. Position these squares with the grooves running in opposite directions, just like the squares on the bottom of the stack.

    • 9

      Tape the top and bottom squares together with packing tape to keep the records from sliding.

    • 10

      Fill a cardboard box half full of foam packing material.

    • 11

      Lay the records flat on top of the packing material.

    • 12

      Place enough foam packing material on top of the records to fill the box.

    • 13

      Tape the cardboard box shut from both directions so that the tape forms an "x" over the top of the box.

    • 14

      Use a permanent marker to write, "Fragile: Handle with care," on the top and sides of the cardboard box.

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