--- title: How to Pack Vinyl Records for a Move url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-records/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - How to pack vinyl records # How to pack records Pack vinyl records upright in small boxes, and fill each box so the records cannot lean, which takes seven steps. Stacked flat, a pile of records presses on the bottom discs and warps them, and a box packed too loosely lets them slump. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) ## Seven steps to pack vinyl records - Pick small boxes. Use small, strong boxes, because a box of records gets heavy fast, and tape the bottom twice. - Check the sleeves. Put each record in a clean inner sleeve and each sleeve in its jacket, and replace torn sleeves. - Stand them on edge. Load records upright like books, with the spines in line, never flat in a stack. - Pack snugly. Fill each box so the records stand firmly, without squeezing, and add paper at the ends. - Pad the top. Add a layer of paper on the top of the records before closing the box. - Seal and mark. Tape the box, label it Records and This Side Up and write a short list. - Keep them cool. Load them last into a shaded part of the truck, away from heat and sunlight. A record collection is heavy for its size and sensitive to pressure, heat and bending. Treat it like a shelf of books, upright and snug, with the heaviest weight in the smallest boxes. This guide is about vinyl; for other kinds of paper files see the records retention guide. ## Weight and box size Records are dense. A full box of 12-inch records can be too heavy to lift safely, so use smaller boxes and half-fill if needed. Mark the weight on the box so the crew knows. If you own a large collection, the number of boxes adds up quickly, and it helps to tell the estimator how many shelves of records there are. ## Heat is the enemy Vinyl softens in heat, and a car or truck parked in the sun can warp records. Keep them in the cab or in a shaded part of the truck, and unpack them soon after arrival. Library of Congress guidance covers the care of recorded sound materials. ## Jackets and covers Cardboard jackets are fragile and can split. Place outer sleeves on valuable covers. Do not stack boxes of records beneath other boxes. See [how to pack books](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-books/) for a similar technique. ## Valuable collections A rare collection deserves a note on the written inventory. Tell the estimator about it so it is listed, and consider the [valuation coverage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/valuation-coverage/) options. For a very large collection, a crate can be arranged; see [custom crating](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/custom-crating/). ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [Library of Congress, Care of Sound Recordings](https://www.loc.gov/preservation/care/) - [National Archives, Records Management](https://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [How to pack books](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-books/) - [Business records storage basics](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/records-retention-and-storage/) - [Valuation coverage: released value vs full value protection](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/valuation-coverage/) - [Custom crating for art, glass, antiques and machinery](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/custom-crating/) Moving guides ## Read next - [Moving with a newborn](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-with-a-newborn/) - [Moving after a divorce](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-after-divorce/) - [Moving in together](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-in-together/) - [Moving out of your parents' house](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-out-of-your-parents-house/) - [Moving while pregnant](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-while-pregnant/) - [Moving on a budget (without cutting corners)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-on-a-budget/) - [Moving by yourself: what to hand off](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-alone/) - [Moving to a new state checklist](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-to-a-new-state-checklist/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Can I stack records flat? No. Flat stacks warp the bottom records. Store and move them upright. ### How many records fit in a box? It depends on the box. Pack them snug but not squeezed, and keep the weight low enough to lift. ### Should I keep records in the car? In summer, a cool cab is safer than a hot trunk or an unshaded truck. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) A Ami M. February 7, 2023 O'Brien's is great! They made my move easy. They were responsive, professional and accommodating. Trusting them with my move was one less thing I had to worry about. ### Owner's reply Ami thank you so much! It was a pleasure to assist you with your move and knowing that we were able to lessen any stress you may have had with the moving process, makes us so happy!! If you need anything in the future please let us know. M Mike K. August 30, 2019 The best customer service ever! ### Owner's reply Thanks Mike we sincerely appreciate you and your business! P Patrick R. September 19, 2026 The two gentlemen that helped me move today were very Helpful and professional! ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070