Vinyl Shrink: Treasure or Trash? 

First off...cute doggie you have there! 🐶 I've never had trouble leaving the shrink on. I'm a firm believer that it all depends on the storage conditions. Heat, cold, humidity all can have an effect. Whether the shrink is on or off should not matter if the album is stored properly. Take care Matt

Shrink wrap has been around for a while. It was around In the 80's. But moreso in the commercial stores such as HMV, Virgin Records Our Price etc. In the more traditional or privately run stores you'd get them in the way you describe. I vaguely recall getting my first LP from my dad in 1987 and it was Hysteria by Def Leppard. It did have shrink wrap as I recall removing it and it had a hype sticker on it saying "featuring the song Animal". It was a round red sticker I think. And also I bought a copy of a 1981 7" single which had original shrink still on it, which was why the sleeve was in such lovely condition, however, I believe most singles did not have shrink wrap but this particular one did because you got a free fabric patch with the first 1,000 copies I believe and yes I have the patch also. That was a Def Leppard single also. So I do believe shrink was around back in the day, but just maybe not always everywhere. Cool thread topic. I do agree that I tend to always remove the shrink because it can cause damage by way of warping - I think it's primarily a shipping thing to protect the cover while it ships from the pressing plant to the store.

Hi James. Ever since I joined the VC I’ve heard conflicting information on whether to leave shrink on/off. I have not been consistent in what I do, but lately I’ve been leaving the shrink on the new vinyl purchases. 🤷‍♀️ That looks like a pretty sweet picture disc!

Interesting to hear that as a kid you were used to no shrink wrap on new records, James. Your reasoning for leaving a collectible in collectible condition is sound. The point is to enjoy the hobby, and it sounds like that’s what you’re doing. I’ll grab that new version on CD soon and give a listen, since the new White Album sounded great. Cheers! Tom

I don't use outer sleeves, so when I can, I do leave the shrink on. On gatefolds, I save any hype stickers and trash the shrink. That picture disc is better left sealed, although they don't sound as bad as they used to.

Hi. Over here in The Netherlands we had no shrinks on the records. Like you said, only a protective sleeve. But now I keep the shrink on the record if it is a single vinyl. If it is a gatefold I remove the shrink, but keep the hype sticker. I own the same Pepper picture disc from 2017 and that one is still sealed in shrinkwrap.

Hi James - I’ve always been in the habit of leaving shrinkwrap on my records in most cases, ever since I was a kid. I think I learned the practice from my Dad - he did the same thing and I apparently just adopted the practice. I still do it to this day when I buy new records. I’ve never noticed any ill effects from doing so, even after three or more decades.

Hi James To shrink or not to shrink? This is one question that I have been discussing with the label for my new release. In the U.S. albums always came shrink wrapped at least in the 60's from what I remember and for sure in the 70's when I started buying a lot of records as a teenager. I always assumed that if there was a LP without a shrink rap then I would always assume that the record was used. Shrink wrap does a good protecting the albums jacket. In storage I have never had a record warp because of shrink wrap as long as it's unopened. But you should never cut just the side, so you can pull out the LP and listen to it and then leave the shrink wrap on, this can warp you record. So once opened remove the shrink wrap. Back to my new release. The company and I decided that we will use clear protective sleeves instead of shrink wrap. Shrink wrap just ends up to often not being recycled. Just more plastic to ends up polluting our planet. best, Ron

I'm strictly shrink off. The exception would be if I found a second copy of a record I already had. If it had value and was sealed I'd probably leave it. I've made the mistake of buying new records and not getting around to playing them for a couple of month only to find them warped or having inner sleeve seam splits when I did open them. I open and check the day i get them these days even if I don't get to play them.

Hi James, choosing to start at this video to play catch up with your channel. I've been out of pocket for the past few months with life and work, and I have only, just a few days ago, been able to even launch a new video on my channel. Great topic... there are a lot of theories behind this topic. I have always had my idea of how it should go for the better "health" of keeping your vinyl perfectly playable. With most collectors choices in 'additional internal and external' covers for their records (e.g. audiophile-styled inner and outer sleeving) and those enhancements being manufactured mostly of polyethylene plastics, those materials generate and trap more heat, thus I have always removed the original shrink wrap from the jackets just in order to be as safe as possible and to keep the entire package as 'cool' as possible. On older records (used / pre-owned) if found still in the shrink and that has a 'hype sticker' that I deem as part of the collectibility and intrigue of the record, I remove the shrink wrap from the record jacket and cut-out the hype sticker (still on the shrink) and place it inside the jacket with the record to keep the record as 'complete' as possible.... kind of OCD, but it works for me. LOL. As far as keeping "absolute" collectibles (that will more than likely not be played), I think that is just a fine idea (though I like my picture discs playable just for novelty reasons. - Glad to be back watching your videos; on to your next one. Cheers - TONE

Hey James, I think it's us collectors that say we will pay extra for a copy with shrink vs. without shrink. I also take the next step and slide it into a plastic sleeve protector to keep the shrink looking nice. So if ripping off the shrink doesn't make the value of the vinyl go down, then you can call me The Ripper. Notice I didn't say Jack first😎lol.

Hi James, I'm also sure the shrink thing is a recent addition so I always take it off. Regarding The Beatles, I was under the impression that their albums were mixed for mono then roughly given a stereo mix afterwards without much thought by EMI to get with the growing stereo market. What Giles did was give Sgt. Pepper a proper stereo mix. Back to the shrink issue; I have seen someone on the VC who is especially keen on collecting sealed albums which they never open, I guess because they're more interested in records than music. A bit like those who collect famous guitars and put them behind glass never to be played again. But I do get why you'd want to keep a picture disc wrapped, from what you've said about it. Cheers, Ian

Here in North America records always came in shrink, as a kid I kept it on the ones I bought and the covers still look good today. So when I started buying new vinyl again I did the same, then started hearing about the risk of warpage in the VC. Sure enough I checked in my shelves and found a few recent ones that had been affected over time so I now remove - though I think it depends on the label and what type of shrink is used in the manufacturing process. Better safe than sorry however! If it is a used record still in shrink that appears fine after many years I think it is ok to leave it as is. Cheers James!

If an album has well placed hype stickers I like to keep the shrink on. it’s always pristine that way. Sometimes an album is so great looking I want the shrink removed just to see it better.

The only place for shrink in my humble opinion is the trash. That’s my opinion of course and I understand and appreciate everyone’s opinion on the matter. It does always grind my gears that people suddenly think their record is worth more money and can charge accordingly because it’s still in shrink.

Here in the netherlands in the70s and 80s we did not have shrink on the records, we took the album to the counter in the shop and listend to it and if we didn’t buy the record they put it back so someone else could buy the record, these days i see on youtube that american people considder an open unsealed record as "second hand".

I think I first became aware of shrinkwrap, was when I started to buy records online. Before that it was the norm to collect the record from behind the counter as you mention. I think my views on the shrinkwrap debate are well documented, so there's no point in me banging on about it again. What's on the reverse of the picture disc?

Hiya James, good little discussion. It seems like Australia was with the UK way back when with no shrink. Nowadays i mostly take the shrink off and protectively sleeve it. Interesting reasoning on not playing Pepper! Had not encountered that before. But as long as Original stereo mixes are around we won't forget what it sounded like :)

I have that Sgt Pepper Picture Disc. My friend bought it for me for my Birthday last year

The old Shrink vs no shrink. I use to keep shrink on, then everyone said no so I took it off then many said it is okay so I left it on. Now I just do it sometimes No idea lol. Thanks for not clearing this up for me hahaha. Steve

Almost always, i take the shrink off. There are a few albums on which i have left the shrink on simply because of the hype sticker. I like the way the sleeve looks like with the sticker. Those are a 50's reissue LP's, i think the sticker looks like it was meant to be there, it fits so well within the album art work, Still i haven't left them in all of them, few of them i ripped off without givin it a second thought. Like i said, mostly off. btw. i agree with you on George Martin mix. It is the one we all loved for 50 years and now i should think it's outdated? No, it's THE mix and the rest are, even if superior sounding, just additions, a companion pieces to the original mix. Pasi

Wow...I've always seen brand new albums in the shrink wrap. Cool video! New sub here!!!

Very cool that's the kind of stuff that you happens to a record collector

Thank you, that was very interesting! I remove the shrink wrap and keep the stickers and obis and so forth. Some stickers I didn't keep either, especially in the past I didn't care. I got two Johnny Cash records from a discogs dealer, both still unopened, that were quite bent by the shrink. I also have some old records where the shrink has stuck to the cover, i.e. the cover was ruined (that was the kind of "crackling" shrink). After these experiences, I decided to always remove the shrink. Of course there are exceptions, but as a rule I don't think it's a good idea to keep the shrink. If you want to protect a record, you can use a plastic sleeve... Take Care! Michael

I always take the shrink off. I seen a records that had it on and the shrink had shrunk and destroyed the cover. I always felt like the shrink was garbage. Very good video. Bill Young

Interesting to learn that records were not shrink wrapped in the UK but I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I remember going into CD shops in Europe and finding many that were not shrink wrapped. To me, it's a waste of material and if it wasn't for it being a cheap way of keeping things pristine, I could probably do without it.

The whole concept of leaving a record in the shrink is lost on me. When I started buying records as a child, part of my fond memories is of bringing that new product home and ripping the shrink off before spinning it. To me it's like leaving your couch or your TV or your dresser wrapped in cellophane or whatever. I can't think of any other product we buy and choose to leave in the disposable packaging. It's madness, I tell you! (Although, I'd probably do the same if I had that Sgt. Peppers record). I just feel that by leaving the shrink on, I'm sacrificing part of my whole vinyl listening ritual.

I never kept the shrink on but now I do keep it on more often than not. I do prefer the new Giles Martin mix. The drums and bass are so clear.

How interesting - growing up records were always in the shrink; only used records weren't, and they were still usually bagged and people really didn't look at condition.

Fascinating about your story how you all do vinyl in the UK . I don't think it is wrong but just interesting . I do like you video James you do have a great lp to do this with . …. + you know I do have the same lp and mine is still sealed as well lol . Thank you so much for doing this video I did like it a lot thanks . Take care my friend !!!!!

Hey JG, i dont buy many new albums but if i do i leave shrink on unless its a gatefold....my thinking it just keep cover clean🧤👔

HI James - the process of buying records you describe is what I remember from my four years living in Germany (87-91.) I liked not having to bother with shrink wrap, but didn't like that World of Music stuck the price tag right on the album cover. The price tags are still on those records. Not all record stores stuck the sticker on the cover though. I got a picture disc of first Grateful Dead album and it had horrible background noise - I never play it. I've never left shrink on records. That's a cool Sgt Pepper picture disc.

I'm the same, I wish they'd just leave these classic albums alone, unless there's something really wrong with them that can be improved so they can be enjoyed otherwise if they sound fine leave them, I think it cheapens the whole album if there's so many different versions of it. I want to hear it in it's original version, couldn't care less about any re mixes. When do you stop?, you could continue tweaking forever.

What I find weird is when I find a shrink wrapped 20/30/40 year old record. Unless of course they belonged to you Mr.Griffiths?

I'm too much of an album art enthusiast to leave it on, especially, of course, if it's a gatefold. Although I know the shrink wrap keeps the cover protected, I'd just rather see it without a thin layer of plastic over it, although I have left them on in a few cases if I was out of plastic sleeves. There have been a few instances when someone showed me a copy of a gatefold album I hadn't seen before and they keep it in shrink, and I was a bit frustrated because I wanted so badly to see that gatefold!

Hi James. Your experience is very similar to me. Never knew it existed. Expection was when it was a present, they put a schrink around it, so it was possible to return it. Also put a warning post-it on it, so it won't be used as a frisbee ;) Cheers. /Paul

I love the Giles Martin remix of Pepper and I also love the Pepper picture disc which I also have. I too am not one who normally buys picture discs but I knew I just had to have Martin’s remix disc and it sounds terrific. My gosh, James, give Martin’s Pepper remix a listen if for no other reason than to hear George Harrison’s incredible vocal brought to the foreground on “Within You, Without You.” Do it now!!! 😉. Oh, and as for the shrink wrap, it comes off. But I am guilty of putting hype stickers back on the album sleeve which I know would horrify collectors but I’m not a collector, thank heaven.

Shrink off as soon as possible, it looks ugly and it can harm your vinyl. Why having a picture disc without the possibility to look at it? It is a "picture", don´t you wanna see it? I don't get this......

Hey James, Good catching up with you here. Well I guess it depends on the condition of the shrink...if it's barely 'hanging on', it's coming off...if it's on pretty tight and solid, will usually leave it on. If it's a double record of course it's gotta go. :-) There's a fellow on YT called Manic Mark who makes sort of a show of tearing the shrink off his records and flinging it away with mock disgust, ha. Very interesting on that Beatles piece. Good seeing you again and looking forward to catching up further soon. -Carm

Hey James. I got some Leon Russell albums for you. When will you be making another video? Or on Face book again?

Why and how is the Giles Martin one supposed to be better?

Hey James. Loved the memory of going into HMV and handing them the LP cover and them inserting the sleeved vinyl into it. It's such a familiar memory for me also.. and yet feels like a different planet, akin trying to remember that pubs were once a smokers paradise.. I used to work in HMV and i remember about '93ish we went 'live' - meaning all the cd's (vinyl had been slowly phased out) were no longer kept behind the counter.. now they were going to be in their cases on the shelves. This was such a massive sea-change for the staff who used to spend a big percentage of their time finding the required cd on the shelves behind the counter.. overnight this arcane system was washed away.. looking back though.. there was something exciting waiting at the counter as the staff member leafed through all the records/cds til they found a copy of the one you wanted.. there was always the anticipation that maybe they didn't have it in stock.. and then the opportunity to check the record for scratches.. like you briefly mentioned it was part of the transaction.. you'd hope to get that approving look from the staff member when they slipped the record into the cover.. now it's scan scan scan.. no time to look, no time for conversation.. no time for "oh you've got [insert band name]'s latest.. have you heard..X.?" very sad.

Trash, .................like people who have price stickers on covers, those that keep this heinous substance on are 'fake collectors'!! I can't think of anyone who loves vinyls who keeps it on, off the top of my head! You can remove the hype stickers and glue them on the cover if you like them!