I need good LP Outer sleeves - Part 2

another thread closed, I need good LP Outer sleeves
continue here...

Seriously why is so hard get the perfect or close to perfect outer sleeve for records? Still I can't find it.

here's the major problems on all:

1. Adhesive on the sleeve, I hate the adhesive, accidents can happen and over the time the adhesive stay on the flap, just see: http://i.imgur.com/9UslNHI.jpg

why not use NON flap sleeves? I like the flap, keeps the record well protected, from dust, mold...

how close the flap, just use a piece of ACID FREE TAPE.

watch: same principles for comics works for records, after all everything is paper.

2. Material
Most of the sellers offers polyester, polypropylene and polyethylene, BOPP etc... and THAT materials are not great, don't preserve anything, the real thing is MYLAR, you want know more about Mylar? just read: E. Gerber Products, LLC. - About Preservation

3. Sizes
Most sizes are wrong, too large, to short, very large etc... the company that sell sleeves with better sizes is this: Record Album Sleeves - LP Covers - Frost and Clear | ClearBags but again, not MYLAR and flap have adhesive.

and I can continue with other problems.

The thing is, this company E. Gerber Products, LLC. - Home create the best sleeves for comics in the planet. I ask for do a custom sleeves for records, but they only can make 10 000 units for custom size, so I'm not an store! I can order 10 000 sleeves. But just curious anyone here are interested in get the best sleeve for records ever made? hehe sounds funny but seriously all in the market IMO are WRONG/CRAP. Maybe if a lot people want it we can make it.

 

It's always a topic with lots of opinions. There is no 'one size fits all' solution.

I personally use the ultimate 5.0 outer sleeve from SleeveCityUsa.com,
my preference is for a think, crystal clear, easy to handle sleeve with an open top. I used to use flap sleeves, but
i don't care for them, my records are stored inside cubes, no issues with anything getting in the top.

LP outer sleeves that are strong and durable and super clear.

These sleeves come in two sizes, for double albums with thick jackets, like Music Matters, and Mobile Fidelity,
the oversize is perfect; I've asked about a slightly undersized version (slightly smaller than 12.75x 12.75 std)
for more vintage records, some 70's thin jackets are a little loose inside the roomy standard sleeve, but they
said they haven't had too many requests for that.

LP outer sleeves that are strong and durable and super clear.

It's taken a couple of years, but i've converted all my collection to these sleeves, and also use the ultimate inner
diskeeper ultimate audiophile inner sleeve

 

A BIG + 1 for the 5.0 sleeves open at the top. I get very nice ones from Acoustic Sounds. Every LP in my collection has one.

 

I agree with the sizes, but believe me you need try the clearbags sizes with flap, are just perfect fit.



No ofenses to the guys of sleevecity but I doubt that is a true MYLAR material, they say that on the page but I doubt.

I have a big question for you, the sleevecity sleeves with flap and adhesive works? I mean over the time the adhesive do stay go to the flap??? that's a major problem on all flap sleeves LIKE THIS: Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet

People think that mil size 4 or 5 or even 6 makes a difference, the thing is the quality of the sleeve not the mil size; the problem of all that sleeves is that are NOT mylar or even close, by example the Acoustic Sounds just say "a mix of polypro/polyester film". Believe is so hard find a real preservation long term sleeve, I still can't find it. I have a 2mil real mylar comics sleeves and are the best thing that I ever seen (very clear, solid, real preservation material, solid sides etc) sadly the company not make for records.

Also what's the point of a sleeve with open mouth? I mean yes is more easy to open and close but dust, mold can get into the record. I prefer with flap but again is hard find flap sleeves without adhesive tape on.

I contact Bill Cole You are being redirected... (they sell mylar sleeves for comics) to ask about sleeves for records and I got an interesting response:

"we do not have 2 mil because there is not a big call for it. If we make them, we would have to make thousands and there would not be enough sales. For years we advertised in the Goldmine magazine and the sales did not ay for the ads"

So again it seems that records collectors don't care much about the condition, comics collectors do, sad

 

For years I've been perplexed that most record collectors seem oblivious to proper established conservation techniques and that there is no market for correctly sized true Mylar type D sleeves (and explicitly sold/labelled as such). This is the first time I've ever seen someone set out exactly the same view. That said, Mylar is not as convenient to handle.

Your best bet for guaranteed archival quality is to probably ignore all records shops and record sleeve suppliers and go begging to a conservation (book / art etc.) specialist who has a welder machine and rolls of Mylar type D.

Last year I went to a renowned central London conservationists shop (well, as renowned as such places can be...) that had a batch of archival 10" sleeves. I got chatting with them and they said that I was the second customer they could think of in all the years and years they had worked there to buy any. It seems they only had them left in stock gathering dust because the elderly other customer no longer visited and had possibly passed away.

 

You understand me!
And yes to is very strange why records collectors don't care much about the condition, paper is paper and like comics can be damaged or preserved; maybe is because record collectors have tons of cheap records and don't care much about it (I jus say), in my case I have a just a few record but are top pressings in top conditions so I like preserve like a good old rare book or comic.
And yes I agree too, I think my best bet is make my own system to storage and materials; check out this place: Gaylord Archival | Archival Supplies, Exhibit & Display Cases they sell a lot great preservation materials, expensive but looks great, they have a section of boxes Gaylord Archival® Flip-Top 12" LP Record Box | Media | Gaylord Archival and some sleeves too.
Also I ask about proper conditions to storage records Proper Storage Conditions for Records? Humidity & Temperature almost no response and lastly like Bill Cole himself tell me, he don't sell anything when put ads of his sleeves in the Goldmine Mag, so! in conclusion I see records collectors are definetlly have another point of view than comics or books collectors have, interesting; thanks Shank's Pony

 

What's wrong with these?

Mylar (Polyester) Sleeves

 

I got some of these Mylar Sleeves for LP Records and to me the problem IMO is the that are too big for standard records and even for some gatefolds, the other problem is the material cracks easy is to rigid, and the 4mil even worse POLYESTER Record Sleeves is extremely solid and hard to insert the record, I can show some pics later to show what I'm talking about. I don't know where's that mylar comes or even if its real mylar; the thing is the 2mil mylar sleeves of comics that I have are just perfect material, 2 mil is more than enough for records but again is a shame those companies don't make for records, the sides never cracks and is a soft very crystal material. By the way I ask for custom sleeves of one of that company, his response is "yes but we can make just 10 000, price $4500 plus shipping" of course I can pay that, I'm not an store! lol.

 

I love this 50s educational videos of products, technology etc, very cool

 

Bags unlimited has 12.5" x 18" sleeves. It would seem you could put an album in one and fold over the top 50% or trim it to length or even trim a flap.

The fattest album I have is Donna Summer double set, and it measures 31.5cm x 31.7cm = 12.4" x 12.48" - the bags should not be too big, but rather are probably sized specifically to accommodate LP covers.

 

I've really enjoyed these, although they don't quite go over fatter double albums (they work fine on about 2/3 of my doubles). But albums slide in and out of shelves very well and albums look nice with them on. Haven't had rips or holes or anything bad. I just got the regular 2 mil sleeves.


bcw record outer sleeves | eBay

 

Airhead statement by me. I mentally lumped in gatefold with double albums as I was typing. So the basic sleeves don't work for 2/3 of double albums. Duh.....

 

I ordered some resealable "poly" sleeves on Amazon and they feel more like Mylar super crinkly but they are the weakest things you could imagine it takes a lot of effort to put an album in without splitting the sides

As said comics have this kind of protection, sports cards have advanced in sleeevs and cases so why not albums ? My assumption is the demand isn't there .....yet
With the industry booming the demand will increase but so will the fly by night made in china products

 

Yes, like I said and learn since 6 years ago of collecting vinyl, the demand on protect vinyl is not as high as comics collectors want, even you can read that Bill Cole says about goldmine magazine failed ads, he don't sell any sleeves for records at the time, so he continue just with comics.

Anyone here know what's is a backing board for comics, records should be have it too but there's no sizes for records, actually I use backing boards and mylar sleeves for comics for 7 INCHES! records but are too long, I can show pictures later.

Remember comics, posters, art are paper! records too! records have fine print paper so why not preserved and care as others?

And like I said, don't call me crazy or obsessive, I'm just an aficionado of preservation, I like everything related with, preservation of old books, fine prints, art in general.

 

anyone have tried the ELUSIVE DISC japans??? Japanese 12" Vinyl Resealable Outer Sleeves (100 Pack)-Elusive Disc
they say that is Mylar but I buy some from MusicDirect japans Japanese Resealable Vinyl LP Outer Sleeves (100) | Shop Music Direct and have the same strip with japans characters and! believe me! that is NOT mylar at all, the musicdirect are very cheap material with some "oil" on... (I can pass my finger and remove some oil material), the only good thing is that glue adhesive strip works (you can open and close as many times you want without leave residues of glue).

 

I've been using the Sleeve City resealable sleeves for a few years now, and never had an issue with the glue coming off, or not working.
They have never let me down.

 

I tested a lot sleeves in the market so why not one more. I'll try soon the only SleeveCity with Flap resealable 3 mil outer lp sleeves pack of 50 to test the adhesive strip. I don't like sleeves without flap, the record stay exposed "naked" to dust, mold etc.

Is a shame that sleeve city don't have a flap version for 7 inch 7 Inch Record Sleeves

SleveCity say in the description, material: "crystal clear polypro" so possibly is Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene Films (BOPP). Size: 12-3/4 x 12-3/4 inches so totally square. The Best sizes that I found without doubt are the ClearBags, fits great for single and gatefolds, they offer two sizes:
12 11/16" x 12 3/8" + Flap, Crystal Clear Album Sleeve, Protective Closure (100 Pieces) [BLP1]
12 13/16" x 12 3/8" + Flap, Crystal Clear Album Sleeve, Protective Closure (100 Pieces) [BLPD]

By the way I found the way of remove the adhesive strips of 2 brands of flap sleeves, so no adhesive at all, how can I close it? just a piece of acid free tape.

 

I'm curious to see what you think.

 

You don't even have to pull the adhesive strip cover off, tape or not. If the sleeve is the right size it will be airtight flap or not once the seam is closed. You can tape up ones without flaps if your hands are steady.

Oh, I think you should go for that, and become a sleeve store. Sounds like a good wholesale price. All the ones you rejected from Bags were over a buck apiece retail. You're good for 1000 yourself, right? All you have to find is 9 other people as dissatisfied as you are with the product available and you'll all get all the sleeves you'll need for half price. You can make like Neil Young, who went and begged on the Internet for money to pay for manufacturing something that he didn't want to pay for out of his own pocket, in case it stiffed.

 

If you mean try to close flap sleeve without tape just trying to insert the flap inside the sleeve, yes I try it and don't works, the flap usually goes out and don't close well; I prefer add a piece of acid free removable tape, everytime that I put out a record a remove the tape, cheap and easy.

LOL no thank you... I don't want spend $4500 + shipping on 10 000 sleeves, like I say I'm not a store or Neil Young! of course.

I start doubt that I found 9 other dissatisfied people; I see more people satisfied than dissatisfied, so maybe I'm the only dissatisfied here

Like that two Mylar sleeves providers says... they put ads on goldmine magazine during years and don't sell well... maybe people are lazy and want open and close fast the sleeves with adhesive strip taking the risk of damage and artwork or they like have his record exposed "naked" to get dust and mold with sleeves with no flap.

The simple 3 keys of find a good sleeve are based on: Material, Size and (Flap with Adhesive or no Adhesive vs No flap at all (open mouth).

Maybe... I found other source, updates soon.

 

Update on on bagsunlimited = my bad!!! (In previous post I say I don't like the bagsunlimited but! I only try the Mylar ones with no adhesive strip Mylar (Polyester) Sleeves ) I don't like that mylars because that mylar is too heavy and are too big 13x13 inch... for normal records and even too big for gatefolds, also cracks on sides very easy;

But! check in again the site, I see some some in POLYPROPYLENE 1.5 mil with adhesive strip: 12" Record Jacket SLEEVE with RESEALABLE flap. Sound sleeves.

Anyone have it those POLYPROPYLENE sleeves? if yes, my question is, the adhesive strip is easy! to open and close? pieces of glue don't go to the flap? like this: this: http://i.imgur.com/9UslNHI.jpg I can try them but if someone have it, it would be helpful know first. Thanks!

 

If they are the same resealable sleeves I have purchased from Bags in the past, they have a skinny grey plastic strip that my cat liked to eat covering the adhesive. Leave it there, and seal the flap with your acid free tape. All your problems solved.

 

yes actually I was think on that (only if the adhesive is bad like I show in my previous picture, that are from clearbags.com, maybe the adhesive is good on bagsunlimed so I use it).
soon I'll give a try on bagsunlimeted.

 

A little pic to explain what is found always for the "japanese" outer sleeves:
is hard to shoot but can you see a big bar? that is when I pass my two fingers on, the problem is that japan sleeves have some white dust (I don't know how called) is like some soft oil... the point is you can remove it with just pass your fingers.

I buy the japaneses here: Japanese Resealable Vinyl LP Outer Sleeves (100) | Shop Music Direct
and here: 100 - Vinyl Record Resealable 0.04mm LP Outer Sleeves For 12" LP Made in Japan | eBay

same problem on both, as you see both have a strip with japanese characters.

the great thing about those is the adhesive strip works, you can use it as many times you want and the glue don't loose power and always stay in place; also the materia is soft and don't crack or scratch,

but!!! yeah... due that strange white dust oil... I pass on, I feel that can damage the paper over time. I go some old and looks more cloudy over time, you can pass your fingers and make a big smile like when you draw as a kid in a window on a rainy day, not good.

 

Did the SleeveCity ones arrive yet?