Protective sleeves for records

Started by Manhog_84, November 09, 2026, 11:14:16 AM

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Manhog_84

After a couple of moves, I started to consider getting more sleeves for CDs and LPs. I didn't care for this much previously, but it's annoying trying to pack all digipaks into moving boxes without getting them all scuffed up during the move. CDs in regular jewel cases = God-tier packaging that you can just throw into a pile and no problems!

Mostly I'm in a need for digipak sleeves. The digipaks F&V uses seem to be some standard size. They are not the biggest issue because the glossy surface is durable, but matte finished and more cardboard-like tend to get in worse shape quickly. How about bulkier and weirder sizes? Like Bomb the Daynursery 3xCD, Macronympha's Whorechestra or Mangled Clit's Erotakill.

Sarvilevyt used to sell some great LP sleeves years ago, not sure what brand they were, but they were clear and thin. I could also buy more of these if still sold somewhere.

Balor/SS1535

I use these for my digipack sleeves, and they work great: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YVVKZ3F?plpRedirect=mhFallback&ref=clp_hp_h_pc&th=1

I have found that they can shift their size a bit, so they also work for some of the "deluxe" 2CD digipacks that I have as well.
You wanna know what FFH is about? Well, it's not about "fun"! "Damn, dude, chill."

FreakAnimalFinland

I manufactured tens of thousands of sleeves in local plastic factory. In todaysa world, not really necessary.

German place protected.de is good to buy many kinds of sleeves for LP/CD/7"/10", dvds and so on. Also tip for labels who struggle to find mailers, or labels who want to silk screen to blank LP covers and so on. You can get a lot of stuff here easily.

Discoguard from holland has very nice ultra clear LP sleeves. I use some of these quite a lot. Unlike cloudy and grey'ish PP plastic sleeves, these look as clear and bright as cellophane sleeves. But a bit stronger than those sealed cellophane plastic protected is using. Also 7" sleeve here are better than protected sell. Or lets say, notch bigger so they fit more UG releases that are not standard paper single sleeve.

There are others too. Depending what I need, I choose specific supplier.

I have most of my digipak in PP plastic sleeves. Just like I got LP's in sleeves too.
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Zeno Marx

ask your local labels, or even stores, if they have them made in quantity. For instance, Havoc Records used to have them made in massive quantities because they needed them for the label, but they also sold them in their mailorder shop. They were cheaper than anywhere else. Also might find a label with an unneeded stash.
"the overindulgent machines were their children"
I only buy vinyl, d00ds.

Antihumanism

I got also always couple 100 of those digi sleeves protected is selling lying here for when new cd's arrive.

For releases like whorechestra i used 7" sleeve. Same for boxsets like Government alpha xerxes. Bigger like David Gilen in a bit thinner lp sleeve.
Different sizes stored in seperate really useful cd (50 L) boxes.

Just in case, there is planete disque in Belgium, i recommend to carefully look at prices because when ordering a little bit more stuff with protected it will be always cheaper there when keeping in mind shipping price. Planete disque is only good when don't need much because shipping cheaper there (i think also to other countries in Europe?). If i remember now like 40 lp sleeves, what are exactly same ones as protected has, are more expensive then buying 50 with protected.

There is also who's your daddy in Holland. Can't remember exactly prices now but it always turns out to be better ordering with protected.

Just order more than what you need at this moment, you will buy anyway more records because there is so much noise albums you need...physically.

holy ghost

Quote from: Balor/SS1535 on November 09, 2026, 06:44:18 PMI use these for my digipack sleeves, and they work great: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YVVKZ3F?plpRedirect=mhFallback&ref=clp_hp_h_pc&th=1

I have found that they can shift their size a bit, so they also work for some of the "deluxe" 2CD digipacks that I have as well.

I bought a similar package from Canadian amazon and it's lasted 10+ years and I still have tons left. Great buy, I really find a scuffed up digipack to be aesthetically unappealing.

I am currently re-sleeving all my LPs with nice inners... what a chore! I bought a thousand and I'm almost out, will have to order more to get everything in a quality sleeve. Thankfully I've deemed quite a few records to be not "sleeve worthy" and they're headed to the used LP graveyard....

Flames of Torture

Quote from: holy ghost on Today at 05:22:56 AM
Quote from: Balor/SS1535 on November 09, 2026, 06:44:18 PMI use these for my digipack sleeves, and they work great: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YVVKZ3F?plpRedirect=mhFallback&ref=clp_hp_h_pc&th=1

I have found that they can shift their size a bit, so they also work for some of the "deluxe" 2CD digipacks that I have as well.

I bought a similar package from Canadian amazon and it's lasted 10+ years and I still have tons left. Great buy, I really find a scuffed up digipack to be aesthetically unappealing.

I am currently re-sleeving all my LPs with nice inners... what a chore! I bought a thousand and I'm almost out, will have to order more to get everything in a quality sleeve. Thankfully I've deemed quite a few records to be not "sleeve worthy" and they're headed to the used LP graveyard....

Just ordered some digipack sleeves to Canada myself — I need to re-alphabetize my CDs, so I'll "get two birds stoned at once" and put sleeves on the digipacks.

I never thought of ordering sleeves for CDs before reading this thread. Useful advice...

Library maintenance! A worthwhile chore.

FreakAnimalFinland

For guys who absolutely lack the space and want to do something quite atrocious and unthinkable, as remove jewelcases from your CD's and pack them into plastic sleeves. There is option for that too. Sleeves where you can wallet for the disc and wallet for the inlay & booklet. Of course CD tray is unbeatable in keeping disc scratch free so I wouldnt do it.

Also, when one think about using plastic on digipaks, I think one thing to consider is, do you want sleeve with or without the flap. Stuff you storage for long time, with glue flap, why not. If album is something you pull out frequently to listen to, opening sealed flap is kind of nuisance. More importantly, I would check out in advance, is the glue in flap or in the sleeve.

as example,

glue is on flap:
https://www.discoguard.com/sleeves-double-jewel-cases-with-flap

glue is on sleeve:
https://www.discoguard.com/cd-sleeves-jewel-cases-polypropylene-with-flap

Why does it matter? Well, as guy who has operated in record store for decades and seen this issue with LP sleeves as well, if the glue is on the flap, it is basically for retail product and you will get rid of the plastic after you open it. Pulling out LP or digipak from sleeve, and having that industrial strength glue flap attaching on album cover cardboard can be damaging. When glue is on the sleeve, it is outside. Not "inside".

E-mail: fanimal +a+ cfprod,com
MAGAZINE: http://www.special-interests.net
LABEL / DISTRIBUTION: FREAK ANIMAL http://www.nhfastore.net

Manhog_84

Good replies! protected.de looks like a winner with multiple options. Adhesive sleeves also seemed like easiest to use, thin and clear, but I need to check where the glue is before ordering. Thanks for bringing that up, didn't even think about it.

One of the worst CD packaging examples are those damn cardboard covers for Paysage D'Hiver! They came in a black envelopes but I threw away because they had no title or anything. I have them all and almost each one was already bent or bulking in a weird shape out the envelope. As if the cardboard had become wet, then dried up to its current shape. The material is also the kind that gets scuffed up very easily, and the size is not even any standard that would fit to DVD size protector. Argh...

I should also get some kind of closed storage box for LPs. The regular moving boxes can be piled up in two ways: handles in so you can put them on top of each other, or handles out, so the boxes slide into each other. The horror of a moving guy accidentally piling them incorrectly and smashing the records in below box could be real!

As I also buy a lot movies and have multiple Vinegar Syndrome releases. They sell also protective cases that fit for their slipcovers: https://vinegarsyndrome.com/collections/cases Can be used with other labels that have the same standard size releases. A bit pricey, 3$ each, but those look nice on shelf. Buying import movies is expensive, and even so the prices for OOP releases, like Forgotten Gialli box for 100 €. I've started to get more covers for movies as well.

...then there's of course other collector enemies like UV light and DOGS. The kind of big dogs that do the weird head shake thing that sprays slime everywhere. It's something that I wasn't even thinking of until a I got a regular dog visitor in my household.