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How to ship vinyl records without breaking or warping them

The right mailer size, a packing method that stops seam splits and cracks, and how to pick the cheapest way to ship one LP or a whole stack.

Most broken records don't break from being dropped. They break because the package bends. A thin envelope folds around a corner on a conveyor, the disc flexes, and it cracks or comes out with a warp. The other common damage, a split jacket seam, happens when the disc slides around inside the cover and punches through the edge. Every step below is about stopping one of those two things.

Vinyl record mailer sizes

A standard 12-inch LP jacket measures about 12.4 inches square. Mailers are made just slightly bigger so the record, sleeves, and cardboard pads slide in snugly without room to shift.

Measure your packed record (with the pads and sleeves) before you buy supplies. An inch of extra room is enough for a record to slide and split a seam.

How to pack a vinyl record for shipping

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Step 1. Keep the disc in its inner sleeve, outside the jacket, to stop seam splits.

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Step 2. Lay it between cardboard pads in an LP mailer.

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Step 3. Close the mailer and tape every edge.

This is the method record sellers use for a single opened LP. It takes about two minutes once you have the supplies.

1. Check the record and jacket. Note any existing seam splits or ring wear in your listing so the buyer isn't surprised and you're covered if they claim shipping damage.
2. Take the disc out of the jacket. Keep it in its inner sleeve. This is the single most important step. A disc left inside the jacket is what causes seam splits.
3. Put both in an outer poly sleeve. Slide the jacket into a clear outer sleeve and place the disc (still in its inner sleeve) behind the jacket, inside the same outer sleeve. Turn the inner sleeve's opening so it faces up or sideways, not toward the outer sleeve's opening, so the disc can't slip out.
4. Sandwich it between two cardboard pads. Corrugated pads cut to LP size (about 12.25 inches square) go on the front and back. They're what keeps the package from bending, which is what keeps the record from cracking or warping.
5. Slide it into the LP mailer. Fold the flaps around it. If anything moves when you shake it gently, add another pad or a sheet of filler.
6. Tape every edge. Seal all open sides with packing tape, not just the main flap, so nothing catches on sorting equipment.
7. Label it. A "Fragile, do not bend" note is optional. It can help, but don't count on it. The pads are what actually protect the record.

Sealed records

Don't open a sealed record to take the disc out. That ruins the "new, sealed" value. Ship it as is, with the same pads and a snug mailer. Because the disc can't be moved, a snug fit matters even more here.

Gatefolds and box sets

For gatefold jackets, take out each disc and put a cardboard pad inside the fold to support the spine. Box sets with their own sturdy box usually ship best inside a slightly bigger shipping box with padding on every side.

Shipping multiple vinyl records

For two or three LPs, a multi-depth LP mailer works well. Put a cardboard pad between each record and on the outside of the stack. Don't force extra records into a mailer built for one, because a bulging mailer flexes more, not less.

For four or more, switch to a box. Line the bottom with padding, stand the records upright like books on a shelf, put a pad between them, and fill every gap so the stack can't lean or shift. A box that's too big is the most common problem with record lots, so measure the packed stack first.

Common mistakes that break or warp records

• Shipping in a bubble mailer alone. Bubble wrap cushions bumps but does nothing to stop bending. A record in a padded envelope can bend in half. Always use a rigid mailer with pads.
• Leaving the disc inside the jacket. This is the number one cause of split seams. It takes five seconds to fix.
• Too much empty space. A record that can slide inside the package builds up force with every bump. Snug is safe.
• Letting it sit in the heat. Vinyl warps with heat. Don't leave packed records in a hot car, on a sunny porch, or in a mailbox all afternoon in summer. Drop them off rather than leaving them out for pickup when it's hot.
• Adding non-media items to a Media Mail package. A free sticker, pin, or T-shirt makes the whole package ineligible for Media Mail. Ship merch separately, or use a different service.

Cheapest way to ship vinyl records

Vinyl records count as sound recordings, so they qualify for USPS Media Mail. It's the go-to service for record sellers because it's priced by weight only, not by distance, so a record costs the same to ship across the street or across the country. A few rules come with it:

For a single light LP going a short distance, USPS Ground Advantage is sometimes about the same price and faster. eBay and Etsy both show you the rates for each service at checkout, so compare them there. Once you're shipping two or more records, Media Mail usually wins. For bigger record lots in a box, it's also worth checking Priority Mail Cubic pricing.

For rare or expensive records, consider paying for insurance, or a service that includes some coverage, and always use tracking.

Supplies checklist

If you sell records regularly, buying these in bulk brings the cost per shipment down to pennies.

• LP mailers, about 12.5 x 12.5 inches, in a fold-around style
• Corrugated cardboard pads, about 12.25 x 12.25 inches. The most important item on the list.
• Outer poly sleeves to protect the jacket from scuffs and moisture
• Inner sleeves (paper, poly-lined, or anti-static) to replace worn ones
• 7-inch mailers if you sell singles
• Packing tape and a tape gun
• Boxes for larger lots

Frequently asked questions