Vinyl album sales in the United States hit 49 million in 2023. That’s a huge boost 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 trip 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.
How to safely package your vinyl records
Below, discover vinyl record shipping tips and the step-by-step procedure for how to ship vinyl records safely:
- divide and wrap the vinyl records
- Put the records in protective sleeves
- Choose the correct mailer or box
- Secure the records
- Seal and label
1. divide and wrap the vinyl records
If you’re selling used or recent records that are unsealed, remove the vinyl record from its jacket and wrap it in an inner document or plastic sheet. This minimizes movement and lowers the hazard of scratches.
2. Put the records in protective sleeves
If you’ve separated an unsealed record from its outer jacket, set it on top of the jacket and slip the bundle into a tidy document or plastic outer sleeve.
💡Tip: Separating the record from its jacket and placing both in a protective document or plastic outer sleeve is one of the best ways to protect vinyl records during shipping. Protective sleeves keep each record secure from dust and scratches, and separating the two avoids seam splits and helps with a bumpy shipping trip.
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 recent, sealed record intact, you’ll desire to bubble wrap the entire thing to keep it secure 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 standard. The grooves pressed into vinyl are essential for its ability to reproduce sound, so if any grooves get damaged, that creates a negative encounter for your buyers.
3. Choose the correct mailer or box
There are two types of shipping options for sending records:
- Vinyl record mailer. Vinyl record shipping supplies like vinyl record mailers are specifically designed to ship records and often include extra padding. Standard mailers for vinyl records usually assess about 13 inches by 13 inches by 1 inch. Those dimensions ensure a tight fit for the typical 12-inch LP album and reduce the hazard of movement until it reaches its goal. Plus, cardboard stiffeners propose a rigid protective shell around the records, helping them arrive safely.
- Sturdy box. You can also use a cardboard box. Choose a sturdy, corrugated box, ensuring it accommodates the record and essential padding. Line the bottom of the box with bubble wrap or packing peanuts, place the record in the center, then fill the remaining space with more cushioning. This keeps the record in place while absorbing any external pressure or impact.
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 require 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.
4. Secure the records
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 significant at the corners, which are most susceptible to impact. Even if the record itself arrives intact, it can be a very disappointing encounter to receive an album sleeve with bent corners. Protecting every facet of the records you sell is particularly significant when record collectors are your target spectators.
5. Seal and label
Seal the box or mailer with powerful packing tape, reinforcing the edges, where stress is most likely. Clearly label the package with the recipient’s address and a yield 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 inspire more careful handling.
Factors for choosing the correct carrier
The selection of carrier can affect the safety, expense, and shipping speeds. Not all carriers propose 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:
Pricing
When considering how to ship a vinyl record, pricing is critical. The weight of a vinyl record and padding can boost the expense. If you’re shipping multiple records or an entire record collection, costs can add up quickly.
contrast shipping services to discover the cheapest ways to ship packages without compromising on safety. Look for carriers that propose flat-rate options or discounts for bulk shipments, which can both be economical when you ship vinyl.
Insurance
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 hazard.
Some carriers include insurance up to a sure amount with the purchase of a shipping label. Most other carriers propose insurance for an additional fee. assess the worth of your records against the insurance options available—particularly for rare or first pressings, where the replacement expense could be significantly higher than the average record expense.
Tracking
Tracking services propose tranquility of mind by allowing you to monitor your shipment’s advancement. Reliable tracking ensures you and your customers can oversee the trip of your records, whether you’re sending a single vinyl record or multiple records. Most carriers now provide tracking as a standard characteristic.
International deliveries
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.
Carrier options for vinyl record shippers
Here are popular carriers for shipping vinyl records safely:
USPS Ground Advantage
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 alternative for businesses looking to reduce shipping costs. Packages can weigh up to 70 pounds.
- Pricing: Prices commence at $5.40 in person at the post office, but you can get lower commercial rates if you use the enhanced Click-n-Ship service online.
- Insurance: Up to $100 insurance is included for outbound and yield shipments. Insurance coverage for merchandise deficit or damage is available for purchase up to a maximum worth of $5,000.
- Tracking: Included in the worth.
- International deliveries: Not available. This is a domestic service.
USPS Media Mail
USPS Media Mail specializes in shipping educational and media items, making it an economical selection 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 selection if you prioritize expedience, but the prices can fit most budgets. Packages sent through Media Mail can weigh up to 70 pounds.
- Pricing: Prices commence at $4.63 at a post office.
- Insurance: No insurance included. Insurance coverage for merchandise deficit or damage is available for purchase up to a maximum worth of $5,000.
- Tracking: Available.
- International deliveries: Not available. This is a domestic service.
USPS Priority Mail
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 safety for your items. Priority Mail packages can weigh up to 70 pounds, so this mailing alternative is best suited for those looking to ship more substantial record collections.
- Pricing: Prices commence at $9.65 at a post office, but you can get lower commercial rates if you use the enhanced Click-n-Ship service online.
- Insurance: Up to $100 insurance included for most shipments. Additional insurance coverage for merchandise deficit or damage is available for purchase, up to a maximum worth of $5,000.
- Tracking: Included for most shipments.
- International deliveries: Priority Mail International offers options for shipping records internationally to more than 180 countries.
FedEx
FedEx offers reliable and quick delivery services, ideal for period-sensitive shipments or high-worth 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 structure and additional service options make it a excellent selection for businesses looking for more than just basic shipping.
- Pricing: Varies depending on package size, weight, and chosen delivery speed.
- Insurance: Additional declared worth coverage can be purchased.
- Tracking: Detailed and frequent tracking updates.
- International deliveries: Express and regular shipments are available to more than 220 countries and territories.
UPS
UPS is a excellent selection for shipping vinyl records if you require 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 worth-added services, like Proof of Delivery (POD), which you can distribute with customers to assist them keep track of their shipments.
- Pricing: Determined by package dimensions, weight, and speed of delivery.
- Insurance: Standard debt coverage is included, with additional insurance available for purchase.
- Tracking: Advanced tracking structure for all shipments.
- International deliveries: Broad international shipping solutions with packed tracking capabilities.
Ship confidently with Shopify
Shipping vinyl records safely and professionally is key to growing a trustworthy, profitable ecommerce vinyl records business. Streamline the procedure with Shopify’s shipping tools. From calculating accurate rates to printing labels and tracking orders, manage your shipping procedure—and every other facet of your online store—all in one place.
Save up to 88% on shipping rates, fulfill orders quickly with Shopify’s built-in shipping software, and send off those vinyl records without missing a beat.
How to ship vinyl records FAQ
How much does a vinyl record weigh for shipping?
A single 12-inch vinyl record with its sleeve typically weighs around 230 grams to 360 grams. Don’t overlook that you require to account for the weight of all the packaging inserts that arrive with a record as well.
Can I ship vinyl records internationally?
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 goal country. Shipping costs and times vary, so compute rates in advance, and consider purchasing insurance, if not already included in the shipping rate, for added protection.
Can I ship multiple vinyl records together?
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 powerful tape, label it “FRAGILE,” and make sure to provide the customer with tracking information.
