Is There a Way to Prevent Record Jacket Ringwear?

There’s a familiar mantra among crate diggers when they pull a classic record from a bin to discover a well-worn jacket.

 “Well, you play the record, not the cover, right?”

Yes, vinyl condition is everything in the hobby, but truth be told, most collectors would prefer that the jacket be as pristine as the record itself, especially when it comes to ringwear.

Ringwear is the visible imprint of the vinyl disc shape on both the cover and the back of a record jacket that occurs over time. While it is most often caused by improper shelf storage, the repetitive nature of pulling a record out and then returning it to the jacket can also contribute to ringwear. 

So, is there a way to prevent ringwear?

The most common culprit to ringwear is pressure. Records stacked on top of each other or records stored too tightly on a shelf push the record into the jacket. 

The trick is to store records vertically on a shelf with a little breathing room. If it is difficult to pull a record off a shelf or return it to its place, chances are it is too tight. If the records on a shelf lean in one direction, it is too loose, which can warp the vinyl. Whatever shelving system you use, find the Goldilocks’ spot. If records are vertical and can be pulled off the shelf with ease, it’s just right.

That’s also just the start. To further protect the record jacket and its contents, always keep records in an outer sleeve or bag such as BCW’s 12-inch Polypropylene Record Sleeves or Resealable Polypropylene Bags.

If using an outer sleeve, slide the jacket in so that the opening is on top. This will prevent the sleeve from sliding off when pulled from a shelf.

One topic that has collectors split is where to store the vinyl itself. Traditional collectors might keep the record inside the original inner sleeve and place it inside the jacket before putting it in an outer sleeve. However, there is a growing number of collectors who prefer to store the record in a new inner sleeve, such as BCW’S Polylined Paper Record Sleeves, inside the outer sleeve but tucked behind rather than inside the jacket.

One reason this method has grown in popularity is simple convenience. Instead of pulling the jacket out of the outer sleeve to get to the record, you can pull the record out of the inner and outer sleeve in one motion while never removing the jacket from the polypropylene. 

The other reason this idea has traction is that it better preserves the jacket and can prevent ringwear. The jacket isn’t stretched to retrieve and return the record, and it rarely, if ever, needs to come out of the outer sleeve. 

Many record stores and independent sellers will pack records this way using BCW’s Record Mailing Pads and Wrap Mailers to prevent seam splits to the jacket during shipping. 

Fans of this storage technique tout additional benefits from fewer dust particles, which can get trapped inside the jacket, to a smaller chance of mildew because of air movement.

Whatever your preference, when it comes to preventing ringwear and keeping the jacket in the best possible condition, remember to at least give your record collection enough room to breathe, keep them vertical and store them in polypropylene sleeves.