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How to Mail a Record Album

Mailing a record album is a simple undertaking. The main goal, of course, is to prevent breakage in transit. To that end, you need to cover the record with a protective material (such as bubble wrap) and put the record inside a box so that it moves around as little as possible.

Things You'll Need

Bubble wrap
Packaging peanuts (optional)
Cardboard box with thick sides

Instructions

- 1
  Find a cardboard box that is big enough to fit a record. Record albums measure a little more than 1 foot in length and width, so an 18-inch-square box would be ideal. A record album's thickness varies depending on the number of records in the album. The U.S. Postal Service offers mailing boxes at their post offices that will accommodate record albums.
- 2
  Wrap the record in bubble wrap as tightly as you can. Go around it two or three times to make the padding thick. The record should not be able to slide out at all.
- 3
  Slide the record into the box, making sure that the bubble wrap is thick enough to completely fill the box while covering the record. Use packaging peanuts to fill in any gaps, if necessary.
- 4
  Address the box and bring it to the mailing/shipping facility of your choice for shipping. You can ship records through the USPS, FedEx, DHL, UPS or any shipping/delivery company. The decision is a matter of personal preference and cost.
- 5
  Insurance is optional, depending on the value of the record album you are sending. For instance, if you're sending a rare, first-pressed mint copy of the Beatles' "White Album," insurance is advisable. If you're sending a beat-up copy of a Thompson Twins album, you probably don't need it.

Record Collecting