How should I store vinyl records?

Question

I have just started collecting records again and don't know how to best store my vinyl. Many times I am mailed the record next to but not inside the jacket. Is there a reason for this? Will the jacket get a circular imprint from the record? Should I store my records outside their jackets? What's the best temperature for storing vinyl? Are there products for audiophiles that are worth buying, that improve vinyl storage? Thanks.

Answer 1

Vinyl records should be stored sitting upright, inside their sleeves, with the inner dust jacket turned so that it opens at the top (90 degrees from the opening of the sleeve), and with the "spine" of the sleeve (opposite the opening) facing out; at a comfortable room temperature, without excess humidity, away from any sources of heat or cold. I do not understand why you are mailed records outside their sleeves; the sleeves are designed for holding the records and should be used for that purpose. The sleeves may develop a circular "wear-mark" on the outside if they are subject to excessive wear, otherwise they should be fine. Collectors will often use plastic outer-sleeves to protect the sleeves, but they may be a bit harder to find nowadays than they were back in my day. A good record-cleaning system (such as DiscWasher) can extend the life of your vinyl quite a bit, and improve the sound as well. Record-storage cases are available from music stores and other outlets for DJ supplies, otherwise, a bookcase with at least 14 inches between shelves and with shelves at least 13 inches deep will do nicely (or an old "Peach Crate"-type record rack; you can pick those up at thrift stores and garage sales pretty cheaply).

Welcome back to vinyl ! ! !

Answer 2

You will see people mail the record outside of the jacket so that the record isn't sliding around inside the jacket while in transit. This keeps the edge of the record from splitting the sides of the jacket.

You always want to store your records upright. The shelfs should be full so that the records do not lean too much to the side... like a 45 degree angle. You want you shelf full enough to keep the records vertical but not so tight that you cannot easily slide a record in or out of the row.

Answer 3

I've got quite a large vinyl collection. I store them in their jackets, upright, in a cool mostly dust free environment. I turn the dust sleeves up, inside the jackets to further protect them from dust. Many of mine are also in collector boxes but stored inside them in the same way. I've never had a problem.

Answer 4

I store my records in a brand new white sleeve and put this sleeve along with the original factory sleeve inside a 3mil plastic outer sleeve. Storing the record outside of its original sleeve reduces the potential for damage to the original when removing/replacing the record. Do this and you shouldn't have problems with ringwear or split seams. Also a lot of factory inner sleeves are cheap paper and if they are crinkled at all you risk damaging your record when removing from said inner sleeve.