How I Learned to Ship Vinyl Records Without Worry: A Practical Guide to Vinyl Record Mailers

When I first started selling records online, shipping them felt like rolling the dice. One time, a customer sent me a picture of a cracked Dark Side of the Moon LP—heartbreaking for both of us. That’s when I realized: a proper vinyl record mailer isn’t optional; it’s essential.

If you’re in the business of shipping vinyl—whether as a seller, label, or collector—you know these aren’t just items. They’re memories, culture, and sometimes even investments.

What Makes a Vinyl Mailer Different?
Vinyl records aren’t forgiving. They don’t bend well. They don’t like pressure. They hate moisture. A generic shipping envelope won’t cut it.

Here’s what I look for now when choosing mailers for 12" LPs or 7" singles:

Stiff, layered cardboard that doesn’t flex easily.

Protective flaps or folds to shield corners (where most damage happens).

Snug fit so the record doesn’t slide around inside.

Expandable depth, in case I’m shipping two or three records together.

Easy seal—because fiddling with tape every day gets old fast.

Over time, I’ve settled into using some packaging solutions that check these boxes, and suppliers like Jiaropack (who also carry poly and bubble mailers) happen to have a few reliable options.

Tips I Wish I Knew Earlier
Let me pass along a few lessons that saved me some refunds:

Take the record out of the jacket. Always. Otherwise, the record can punch through the sleeve during shipping.

Slip it into a plastic inner sleeve, then wrap it lightly in kraft or bubble wrap if it’s rare or pricey.

Don’t leave extra space inside the mailer. Add a cardboard insert or filler if needed.

Mark the package “Fragile - Vinyl Record” even if it only helps a little. Every bit matters.

For Anyone Starting Out
If you’re just beginning to sell on platforms like Shopify, Discogs, or Etsy, it’s tempting to save a few cents per package. I did that at first. But between damaged items, re-shipments, and bad reviews, I learned the hard way: the cost of poor packaging adds up fast.

Vinyl mailers aren’t glamorous, but they do the job. And when they’re done right, your customer opens a box and hears music, not rattling plastic.

Final Thought

Shipping vinyl is about trust. Trust that the music will arrive in one piece. Trust that what’s inside means as much to the buyer as it did to you. Get the mailer right, and the rest takes care of itself.