I'm clearing up and given my records some TLC and wanted to know what's the best way of storing them in covers and - if anyone has any good suppliers of sleeves. I've bought cardboard outers but they seem too small? you can't fit a record in a paper sleeve without folding the paper sleeve to fit it in or the paper snagging. Am I doing it all wrong and what's the best way to keep your vinyl keeping on?

I've found that card covers come in slightly different sizes,some will take a paper sleeve others won't. I usually snip the  corners of the paper sleeves at 45 degrees which makes it easier to insert into the card cover. There was a thread on here where someone recommended inner sleeves that are rounded. I bought some of these but have found the same problem, it all depends on the outer cardboard sleeve. It would appear that the few mill difference on the outer is the deciding factor. I've bought sleeves from several suppliers over the years sadly never taking notice which is the best fit. 

  I just looked ,if you put "stiff white card sleeves" in the search box you'll find some recommendations there.

I have had to cut off a few mm along the top of many paper sleeves, so they slide into the cardboard sleeves. 

I like the paper sleeves that are poly-lined then cut them to fit the card sleeves.

I never put records straight into a cardboard sleeve. Pulling the record in and out of the rough cardboard causes fine abrasive scratches after a while.

It seems there are card covers in different sizes on the market. The ones with the cut-out on top side that seem to be sold only in the UK are a bit smaller than the ones w/out cut-out that are sold on the continent. You can easily fit standard company/paper sleeves in the "continent" ones. Whereas you have to trim if you use the cut-out covers.

Agree with that. Card sleeves purchased from UK sellers seem to be getting smaller albeit we’re talking a mm or 2! Bought a pack of 200 card sleeves without the cut out years ago and still best I’ve ever found. Wish I could remember where I got them from!

think this was the reason the brown cardboard with  poly inner's were made ,trouble then they don't fit in your case only sideways  c'est la vie !!, i use sounds wholesale, some whites go in some don't, but sideways after a while they grow into the sleeve turn em round they fit ? if that makes sense

These fit inside all the card sleeves I have and are cheap

https://www.juno.co.uk/products/big-fudge-7-vinyl-record-paper-inner-sleeves/1001792-01/

A couple of recommendations:

spincare.co.uk - rounded or square inner sleeves. They can be a tight fit but records easily slide in and out. 

I prefer the square sleeves because they are stiffened with a sheet of rice paper.

For £3.95 you can purchase their Record Sleeves Sample Pack which consists of 14 different inner and outer sleeves.

I used the inner paper sleeves until one crumpled and opened the seam, which is glued! After several hours I managed to remove the glue from the playing surface of an expensive record. 

 

For the poly-lined, brown cardboard sleeves, swanflight produce an oversized record box (200 size only).

At £125.95 they aren't cheap but are built to flight case standards and available in different colours.

 

I have noticed that the white cardboard sleeves also vary in thickness.

 

I hope that the above is helpful.

 

  

On 19/02/2025 at 15:19, Sutty said:

These fit inside all the card sleeves I have and are cheap

https://www.juno.co.uk/products/big-fudge-7-vinyl-record-paper-inner-sleeves/1001792-01/

Thanks for the info , I bought some of these last year , couldn't remember for the life of me where & who , just ordered 2 packs 1/2 price or less , I know like most UK cardboard sleeves are definitely getting smaller , but these do fit just gotta be careful when putting them back in the cardboard sleeve , after all the vinyl is precious.

Thanks for all your great suggestions and going to order some of the recommended sleeves. Also tried out cutting the paper ones I have as suggested - never thought of doing that DOH! so thanks again. KOKO

55 minutes ago, Dr Ray Dj said:

Thanks for all your great suggestions and going to order some of the recommended sleeves. Also tried out cutting the paper ones I have as suggested - never thought of doing that DOH! so thanks again. KOKO

Some coloured inner sleeves I use

https://jazzmanrecords.co.uk/merchandise?format=18871%2C18992

White inner sleeves

https://www.soundswholesaleltd.co.uk/7-white-paper-record-sleeves-free-delivery.html

Coloured outer sleeves

https://neo-online.co.uk/sleeves-wraps/card-sleeves-7-single/

 

There was a guy based in the south , who sold via eBay , Folkestone rings a bell . Anyway considering how he made them by hand they where , a thing of beauty. 

3 pieces of very thin craft style card , cut by hand using a template I would guess , then very meticulously glued together, two tone record sleeves in most colours , & not that expensive either . He sold them by the dozen too , & they will fit an inner sleeve & record easily. I used them to identify a certain artist in my filing system .

Here's some in action .

On 20/02/2025 at 21:06, Happy Feet said:

Thanks for the info , I bought some of these last year , couldn't remember for the life of me where & who , just ordered 2 packs 1/2 price or less , I know like most UK cardboard sleeves are definitely getting smaller , but these do fit just gotta be careful when putting them back in the cardboard sleeve , after all the vinyl is precious.

Thanks for the recommendations I got some of these:

https://www.juno.co.uk/products/big-fudge-7-vinyl-record-paper-inner-sleeves/1001792-01/

And:


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/360459172496?itmmeta=01JQ4H2H473NDR3JJYJ7SXRN4Q&hash=item53ed0a7a90:g:XZ4AAOSwtDRfEEmC

 

Was out in Kidderminster yesterday and had to pop into Poundland, and came across these .200mm x .200mm x .200mm storage / filing , material folding absolutely perfect for vinyl storage boxes ? .

If your shelving is .210mm spacing they've perfect for storing , labels or artists , hold approximately 75 records with all sorts of sleeves & poly covers . Only £1.25 each .

I know it's Poundland & they've £1.25 , still good value .

Plain white cardboard sleeves are best but try to avoid the record rubbing against the sides as you draw it out or replace it. If you take care to squeeze the sleeve opening a few millimetres, the record should slot in without grazing the sides.

Double sleeving the records with company sleeves has become weirdly viral but these dusty relics will give vinyl hairlines.

Records for sale are often best kept in a plain white sleeve in an old cardboard sleeve, especially if only VG condition.