Vinyl; the best choice route to normailty

In these weird an uncertain times we’ve all been crying out for a bit of normality and a return to the way things used to be. Each of us has a different idea of the time we like to go back to when we just want to chill and take a break from the craziness going on around us – and that doesn’t just mean the global pandemic. Because when we settle into the new normal, we all know we’re going to start to stress and worry about the small stuff just like we did before. But, if there’s one thing lockdown has taught us, it’s the value in those moments that we shut out the negativity and just be. For music connoisseurs, this invariably means putting on some vinyl, pouring a glass of your favourite tipple and living your best life.

Vinyl’s back in and many of us are pleased to be able to buy it brand new again (whoever thought it should be banished to history!?), but for those of us who never gave up their original collection, there is the issue of looking after decades old records and the sleeves that may be looking a little jaded.

At Sleeves-n-More, we stock vinyl replacement record sleeves to help keep your prized possessions in pristine condition for the next time you need to kick back and stick two fingers up at the world. For 45 RPM record sleeves or to view our range of products dedicated to protecting real music and place an order, visit www.sleeves-n-more.co.uk

Lockdown a Great Excuse to Sort out your Vinyl Collection

Remember when lockdown began, and you had all sorts of plans for how you were going use the time for self-improvement? Well, let’s face it, most of us never got around to doing it. Instead we found ourselves procrastinating and trying to think of things we’d rather do instead. And if you’re a fan of vinyl, one of the things you’d rather be doing is probably to sort out your collection.

Vinyl record collections are about more than just the music and sorting through yours is a great way to bring back memories. Reminiscing releases feel good endorphins and reminds you of happy times, and then when you play the record…oh, you know what that’s like!

At Sleeves-n-More we understand your passion for vinyl. We feel the same way ourselves. As you go through your collection you may find 12 inch vinyl records or 7 inch vinyl records which you thought you had but can’t find, or record sleeves that need a bit of TLC. In either case we have just the thing to keep your collection tip top. We stock new vinyl records and classic vinyl records as well as record sleeves which you can use to store your most delicate records and keep them free from damage.

Whatever your vinyl requirements, we have the know-how and experience to help you find the solution. So, whether you’re looking for particular records, products to help maintain your collection or just some advice give us a call and we’ll be more than happy to help you out.

Cherished Memories with Limited Edition Records from Sleeves-n-more

Bring back those cherished memories with limited edition records from Sleeves-n-more. The music you loved in your youth never leaves you. It helps define your younger years and permeates your later life too – because it reminds you of those carefree days and the freedom of youth, and because great music is timeless

But more than just a being a memory, the music you love is part of who you are. And as you mature so does your favourite music. The more you listen, the more you appreciate it. And for those of us that remember vinyl the first time round, proper records will always have that special something that can’t be replicated.

The size of it, the feel of the record as it sides out of its plastic polythene record sleeve, the hiss, the crackle – the vibe; it simply can’t be beaten. Sure, storing music on a device is convenient. But we know you music connoisseurs want something tangible that you can display as part of the décor of your house.

For classics or limited edition vinyl, sleeves-n-more has everything you could want. So, check out www.sleeves-n-more.co.uk for all your proper music needs.

Why listening to vinyl never gets old?

Listening to new music is still wonderful today. It is simply assumed that you have to be crazy if you buy a CD. Its UK sales have been falling from year to year over the last decade. The reason is that CDs are an anachronism in a digital world in which music is reproduced and transferred over the Internet, whether legally or illegally.

Of course, that does not mean there's no worth in buying an album, such as a Blondie cd box set in physical format. Paradoxically (or not), vinyl records at stores like Sleeves-n-more have experienced a new boom among the general decline of the record industry. It is likely that you have noticed this tendency at the home of your most pretentious friends, where a collection of tattered discs with a Technics player and HDPE record Inner sleeves has sprung up from nowhere. At the very least, you will have seen these records at the fashion store of the day, or you may have even heard of current artists releasing special small vinyl or picture disc editions of their new LPs.

The rebirth of vinyl records and their poly lined record sleeves is not an anecdotal fashion anymore. People are buying more black vinyl records than decades ago. In 2013, sales increased by no less than 31%, with six million discs sold in the United States alone. In 2007, sales of this format were only one million copies.

I'm not the first, much less to comment on this boom in vinyl. The reason for this trend is another matter. People do not need to buy vinyl with their black record sleeves, and yet they choose to do so. In a world where CDs are obsolete and music exists only virtually, vinyl and any protective record offers the comforting feeling of buying something physical. If the traditional music industry does not want to disappear altogether, perhaps it would do well to examine this trend.

4 Ways to Look After Your Sleeves Records

Handle your vinyl

Vinyl records are precious objects, so you always have to handle them carefully. When you take them out of their covers, make sure you do not touch the grooves. If you leave traces on the HDPE record, they can modify the sound, which would be a pity. At the moment of manipulating the picture disc, you must only touch the edge and the middle label.

Protect the covers

The inner protective record sleeves can trap dust and over time also scratch your vinyl like sandpaper. Therefore, it is recommended to keep your discs in a special inner sleeve with an antistatic layer, to make sure they do not catch dust. Use a HDPE record Inner sleeves around the outer cover to protect it. UK experts like Sleeves-n-more do not place the disc on the outer cover, but behind it, to avoid "ringwear".

Storage

You should keep your disks straight and upright. Never place your vinyl picture disc record sleeves horizontally, and above all, do not stack them one on top of the other, because those below will end up not being able to support the weight and could even bend. A shelving system will allow you to store them vertically.

Classification

If you have an extensive collection of protective records and record sleeves, it can be frustrating not to be able to find the one you want to hear. Give your collection a little structure by sorting your albums by categories, using disk separators. Organise them by name, chronologically or alphabetically. In addition, this will make your collection look even more professional.

Guide to buy and take care of your vinyl records

In any large town or city, there are many places (even in the street) where you can get a second-hand blondie cd box set or vinyl albums, but it is always advisable to buy them new in a physical shop, or used, but in a recognised place. You can find out through recommendations or adverts in UK papers and online for the real record store goldmines, such as Sleeves-n-more.

If the vinyl records are new, there are not many details to look at, but if you go to buy them second-hand, look at the label that appears in the middle of the LP, and make sure it belongs to the record outer sleeves or is the one you are looking for. If what you are looking for is a collection disc, check that the seal distinguishes it as "first edition". Although it seems obvious, check that it is not scratched.

Cleaning and maintenance

It is recommended to clean the disc every time it is used. If it is dirty, the grooves can be damaged. To clean them, first remove the dust with a brush made of carbon fibre bristles, passing it gently over the surface. The record protective sleeves must also be well maintained.

To make a better cleaning operation, you can prepare a mixture with isopropyl alcohol, perchlorethylene (which helps remove the static), and a few drops of shampoo. Apply the spray mixture and wipe with a cotton cloth with one-way movements.

Try not to tear or bend the protective sleeves and never hold the disc by the grooves. The grease and acidity of the fingers (even if they are clean) makes the dust stick more easily and deteriorates the vinyl.

Store them in the protective record sleeves in a dry and cool place, always standing. If you stack them horizontally, the discs can be bent or left with marks.

How to Pack and send Vinyl Records

For record sellers, it is very important to know how to pack them correctly. You can reduce the number of discs that break or damage your record outer sleeves if you follow some advice. If you do it right, you should be able to send thousands of discs a year with less or no damage.

Get the materials. Do not use old boxes that you have on hand just because you can put a disc inside. If you use a box that is too big, you will have to pay more in shipping costs due to the weight. In addition, the black disc could slip inside and be damaged. Several UK companies manufacture boxes of similar design that are ideal for disc shipments. Others like Sleeves-n-more have fantastic varieties of record sleeves too.

Control your spending, and aim for around £1 per package including the box, bubbles, plastic bag, tape and cardboard pads.

Place the disc and record protective sleeves in a plastic bag. The bag is a good way to keep the disc and lid separate. Many collectors prefer that vinyl does not move inside the lid during transport, as this can rub a hole through the edges.

Place plastic bubble wrap around the disc and black record sleeves. This cushions the spine and the right edge, and prevents it from moving around inside the box. For the most valuable discs, use 12-inch (30 cm) cardboard pads to stiffen the box. Place them on the top and bottom of the disc, outside the bubble wrap. 

Close the box. The boxes for mail discs are very good because they are the exact size to place comfortably from one to six vinyl discs and record protective sleeves (depending on the style) and you do not need to cut the cardboard. Just fold the flaps, apply tape on all three seams and you're done.