The Surgery Is Now Open

Hi Miriam,

You've picked a great business to start—old vinyl records have had somewhat of a comeback in recent times, and we've seen rare records go for thousands on auction sites like eBay. A perfect box for this type of item is a pizza-style or tuck-in flap carton, as these are nice and flat, just like a record, and are compliant with Royal Mail's Pricing in Proportion guidelines—a perfect solution for a start-up business that may not want the expense of a courier service.

These boxes come in white, which is always a great way to display items in an attractive way. They can also be written on, or customized with printed tape and labels to offer a truly unique design tailored to your business.

For extra protection, I would recommend two different solutions. The first is trusty bubble wrap—just a couple of layers would be adequate for your records. Choose the small bubble wrap, as the smaller bubbles offer better protection for these types of goods. A bubble bag would also offer similar protection but would be much quicker to use (choose a 380 x 435mm size for your 12-inch records).

Alternatively, if you prefer something a little more presentable, I’d suggest wrapping the record in Kraft paper first. It offers excellent shock absorption and tear resistance, and then filling the box with your choice of colored tissue paper. Tissue paper is a great, cost-effective way of creating presentable packaging that also protects items from damage caused by vibration during transit.

Another tip: consider using a rigid inner sleeve inside the box. This adds another layer of protection and helps keep the record upright, preventing it from shifting during transport. You might also want to include a small note or card with each package to add a personal touch and enhance the customer experience.

Good luck, The Packaging Doctor

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