This kind of cassette (shell) has been widely used by several labels. Freak Animal among them. What's the source of it? Tapeline? And when did it start to appear or become available?
I havent done any research but i know i have at least releases from around 2015 on these kind of cassettes. Probably earlier...
https://i.discogs.com/Om1qJ2nRSyRXR6UTf3oxr13dBsbywEbE42zzaYdSOX8/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:337/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTY3OTUy/MDYtMTQ4NzA4MTg3/My0yMzc4LmpwZWc.jpeg
Tapeline had those all the time around 2015-2018. I didn't like them - I prefer regular screwed shells - but sometimes that's all they had unless you wanted some crazy neon glittering things. I haven't released tapes since 2019, so I'm not sure if those shells are available anymore. Hope not!
yeah, this "snap closed" tapes are cheap quality basically... As baglady says, not ideal at all, but often were only things in stock. I have no idea when they were selling them, but I think it they also did plenty of these on red shells. I think this might be also easier to do "all over print" or labels in general, so there are other places that are using tape shells that are all flat surface, no screws, etc.
Always hoped that tapes would be best that one can get, but supply or prices has not been what it used to be for many many years..