Shrink Wrap: Do you leave it on or take it off?

[@jobeonetwothree2126]

Gotta hand it to you. You are the ONLY person who could make a shrink-wrap video fun, informative, and entertaining.

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks!!

[@richardblayneamerican8149]

"Still in shrink" is a common selling point on older vinyl for sale on Ebay, especially sealed, of course. For me it's the nostalgia of price tags or hype stickers (e.g., 'E.J. Korvettes F' -meaning it was a $4.99 album). 'The Flip Side' was a popular music chain in suburban Chicago, had a few of those stickers over the years. 'The Nice Price' was a common sticker also. I have albums that are decades old, still in the shrink, and it hasn't discolored the jacket or affected the vinyl. Unique topic not heard on other vinyl community channels, Robert! Thanks.

[@crunchyfrog555]

I'm so glad that Willie Dixon record told on the hype sticker that it was a 12" LP. I would have easily took it out of it's sleeve and mistakenly broken the vinyl into a 7" shape in mistake had they not advised me.

[@brianjames5685]

I used to shrink-wrap vinyl at work for a friend of mine. I'm pretty sure he was selling them on E-bay as still sealed. He said it was to protect them but he was very particular about how I wrapped them leading me to be suspicious, he'd come in with 20 at a time and pay me 20 quid per visit. I could understand making sure they weren't warped with excessive heat but he liked the seams to be correct which is a bit suspect. Anyway I stopped working at the place so stopped doing it in the end lol.

[@djflik]

lol. Great story. Thanks for the share. 👍🏼

[@johndoylemc]

My aunt worked for a record pressing plant in the early to mid 1960's - I got to see the complete process - from granulated vinyl to sealing and shipping. Being a collector - I would buy three copies (or more) of an LP, open one to play and keep the others to trade or sell. I still have a stack of albums from the 60's that are sealed, some quite rare.

[@bipbopboom]

I was really enjoying seeing all the stickers on your records. If you made this video longer, I would’ve still watched to the end. The old store stickers, original hype stickers and even the vintage price stickers, I really dig that part of owning records. Also love those old alphabet code stickers for the adjustable prices. My opinion is the same as yours. Basically, keep it on unless there’s a reason not to. Cheers!!!

[@RobertFithen]

Those old stickers are part of the album's history and part of the story.

[@davidellis5141]

In the 70's & 80's import records were not factory shrunk & many independent stores sold them with no shrink-wrap but just a plastic cover which they kept. Hype stickers were on the cover. I always removed the shrink-wrap & tried to salvage the hype stickers with about a 60% success rate via peeling !

[@garyscarpulla100]

"I'm touching the demon's belly" Love ya man. Recently picked up a 1960 sealed Sarah Vaughn Close To You. Had to remove the shrink b/c it was absolutely filthy. Cover underneath was beautiful as was the Mercury mono LP. Something really cool about opening an album that was manufactured before I was born, only by a couple of years but still lol. Also not a fan of Mofi's baggy LP wraps as they tend to bunch up in the shelf. Great video Robert.

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks!! Yeah, if it's dirty shrink wrap, it's coming off.

[@drawshot]

I always take the shrink off and put my records in "blake" style sleeves. Any hype stickers i save by cutting the shrink around them and slide them inside the cover.

[@spacebearsven7130]

Nice video again, Robert! To be very honest, I have never understood the craze about the OBI. I don't like this strip at all. If I buy a record with one of these OBIs on it, it will be removed immediately, folded and put into the cover - so I don't have to look at it anymore. The "hype sticker" is another thing. Most of the time I remove the shrink wrap - even if there are hype stickers on it - and pull the sticker (very carefully, of course) from the shrink wrap. This procedure was successful every time (the glue isn't as strong as one would think - at least here in Germany). After pulling the sticker from the removed shrink wrap, I put the sticker on a piece of paper and store it inside the cover, where it is safe. Since the cover is now shrink/protection-wrap-free, I put it in one of these clear translucent plastic (yes I know, we want to get rid of plastic - but my album covers still need a little protection. It's a dilemma!) covers, so the album covers are still protected from dust and damage of all kinds. Thank you for your attention! ;-)

[@iainneville7137]

Excellent subject to discuss here Robert. As someone who tends to buy a lot of psych and prog reissues (because the originals are so expensive), I tend to go for the newest pressings available as many times they come on coloured vinyl, have inserts and all kinds of extras and, of course, they usually always come shrink wrapped with one or more hype stickers. I always leave the shrink on, even if the sleeve is a gatefold, not only for the hype stickers but also to give the sleeves added protection. They look complete in their shrink and are bound to have more re-sale value (when the time comes). Record collectors are, by nature, fussy about this kind of thing and if a record was mean't to come in shrink with a hype sticker, thats what collectors want. I will still store them in a resealable sleeve too for extra protection. I havn't, as yet, encountered any problems keeping the shink on and therefore intend to continue keeping my records this way. To answer your question, B looks best but C is better for protection. Another fun video Cheers.

[@80085word69]

I generally take the shrink wrap off new ones. I peel the hype stickers off and put them onto the album cover. I keep the shrink wrap on older albums I’ve inherited or found. There is usually ephemera from the old retail stores (Sam goody , korvettes, etc) I like to try to preserve that when I can.

[@peterstudley1804]

Here in England during the 1980s I don't recall records being shrink wrapped, the price sticker and hype sticker were stuck to the jacket, and because at this point in time record jackets were spray varnished, to give a glossy shine to them when you removed the price sticker the varnished area under the sticker also came away leaving you with a matt patch the size of the now removed price sticker, which made your new record look shoddy , which was never good if you intended to give the record to someone as a gift. I only started to notice shrink wrapped records appearing here in the UK in the late 1980s early 90s , but I guess its record company specific. Great show as always, thank you.

[@norrieclark5217]

Always remove it and put them in crystal clear outer sleeves. I peel the hype sticker off,a bit of heat usually makes it easier and stjck them on the outer sleeve.

[@R3TR0R4V3]

I leave mine on, if at all possible (mainly to keep the hype sticker intact, plus I think it slightly increases resale value - if that's your thing), but if it looks like it's going to shrink farther and bend the jacket, I'll carefully stretch it out along the edges to help avoid that. Sometimes it doesn't work out though, and in that case, I'll cut the hype sticker out and store it inside the jacket. Either way, I always keep the jacket in an outer sleeve for maximum protection. 🍻

[@HaakonOdinsson]

That’s what I do, put the sealed vinyl into a resealable outer sleeve. If the shrink is damaged then I take it off and keep the hype sticker (if it has them)

[@jcm78]

Crazy coincidence. As I’m setting down my Walmart Ride the Lightning and picking up Master of Puppets to peel off the shrink wrap, you grabbed your copy. Weird man, weird. Love your content, and sense of humor. My favorite vinyl channel.

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks!! I appreciate that.

[@Mick_Ts_Chick]

We used to practically live at Record Bar and Camelot Music! I'm like most on here- some with shrink wrap and some without. Cool to see your Randy Travis (Traywick) record, as he's a fellow North Carolinian. He's from the same little town my dad's from. Dad went to school with his ex, Lib Hatcher. My granddaddy knew a lot of his relatives.

[@TheHSIHP]

Camelot. Nice!

[@jasonbeier3111]

Glad you enjoyed your time in Chicago! No question, Choice C is the best option!! 😊

[@sandyfader4649]

Love that Meters pressing, SO funky. I keep shrink on unless it has a rip already, then I rip it off. Always put plastic outer sleeve on if I’m gonna keep it.

[@markalexander7397]

I take the shrink wrap off, and keep the hype sticker..either by peeling it off the wrap, or keep the sticker on the wrap and just cutting around the image with scissors.

[@thepianofixer]

Tight shrink will put a bend over a period of time. It will also ruffle up the spine on the record cover. Also if your record is sealed for a long period of time it will begin to show ring ware. Because the print of the record start showing through the cardboard cover. Loose baggies are much better the cellophane is loose will also help from the frilling and ring ware. After opening be sure and put your record cover in a outer sleeve. And then place the record in a new enter sleeve. Slip your hype sticker into the front outer sleeve and there you have it.

[@guillermocevallos9587]

C. Because I happen to be a big Dio fan. So I would want to protect it as well.

[@pgh45rpms]

I used to keep the lps in shrink wrap, but then heard about the risk of warping, so off it went. Bought a lot of albums at the military exchange in Turkey and England. Most stock was German, UK or Dutch imprints. The German lps canme in reusable clear sleeves. you just tear off the perforated strip. And they're still holding up. A friend of mine used to deliver telephone books. and the phone company provided a box of clear bags for delivery. My friend had a suplus after a delivery in 1983, and she gave all of the unused bags to me. I've bagged my albums ever since -- and there's plenty more on hand that I've not used.

[@briannewell6064]

Here's a tip. I place a small piece of Scotch tape over the shrink wrap at the top and bottom corners near the opening. This help prevent the shrink wrap from tearing and eventually coming off. You're welcome.

[@konajinx]

For new albums, I'll leave it on unless it's a double LP or a single album with a gatefold. Used older albums I'll leave it on unless it's just decrepit like your Dio album and makes it look crappy. If hype stickers are intact but the original shrink is in bad shape, I'll carefully tear the shrink around the sticker and then slide it into the sleeve (same with those new albums I mentioned at the top). I'm like you, though, If I have some old LP from the '60s with the shrink pretty much intact, it stays on. I don't care if it's The Beatles or The Baja Marimba Band. I like knowing that that ancient piece of plastic has survived through the decades. Great video, dude. Always a pleasure.

[@djhrecordhound4391]

Different takes: --I keep it all on...new, old, even gatefolds. If I really want to see inside, I've shuffled the shrink off enough to do so, but put it back if it'll shuffle back. --Sleeve that Prince, half-shrink and all! It'll keep it from completely falling off (or getting accidentally ripped off), but will also hold the hype sticker in place. --To answer your question, outer sleeves are to protect the cover AND keep dust away from the record itself. So... B--If listening to the LP, but... C--...if not Besides it's at home with you, so you can pull it out to look at any time you want 😁

[@rmacdougallaliasdogviticus]

I have always removed it. You can have issues with it shrinking more over time I was told and cheap PVC sleaves can outgas in hot weather as well. Always use polyethylene. PVC sleaves are not as comman anymore I suspect though. Cheers.

[@pretendamnesia]

A Great vid! I always try to collect with the shrink wrap. Its easier to dust and clean off. I have that same Stevie Nicks Belladonna with the original shrink wrap and hype sticker, bought for a dollar in a thrift store. Some guy came in and dunked his whole crate and i scooped up some gems including rare 80s metal and new wave. Ahh, it was a good day, lol.

[@tonyeamon5118]

"B" looks the best to me. I'm not big on leaving the shrink wrap on, although sometimes I will for the hype sticker.

[@psychedelicpunkster6840]

Cheers, I normally will carefully peel the hype stickers off and reapply it to the inner of a GF or on back cover in a area that doesn't affect the art /graphics.

[@CBCDs]

I usually only leave it on if I don't have a sleeve protector to put it in. I've tried before to remove the sticker from the shrink wrap and put it on the sleeve protector. It usually works but sometimes the sticker will get bent when I'm taking it off and you can't smooth it back out... Also - some stickers just wont come off the shrink wrap so sometimes I'll sandwich it between the plastic sleeve and the album cover - but that looks bad

[@chriskarley384]

That Meters album is spectacular!!!!

[@grayhalf1854]

I always feel a bit exposed selling sealed records; on the other hand if I own a sealed piece of collectible vinyl it feels kinda wrong to crack the seal and downgrade it from sealed. I had two copies of the first Cigarettes After Sex album on picture disc and kept them both sealed; when I pulled them out the other week the shrink had warped both sleeves and I was concerned that the discs were going to be similarly affected. The dilemma was whether to list them for sale as sealed but possibly warped - or remove the shrink-wrap and risk having the warp confirmed. I bit the bullet and removed the shrink on both and despite being convinced that the discs were going to be severely warped they were both flat as a pancake. I was surprised and relieved!

[@ralphbolton4865]

C Hi Robert, Hype stickers never were a big deal for me until around 2015 when I started noticing collectors would be concerned about them. If the album is a single, I leave the shrink on. Gatefold records, the shrink comes off. Well done, sir. Thanks.

[@grahamgreene779]

It Ain't No Use is a 10min+ masterpiece of funk. Love that cut - Their best album by quite a margin bc they were spotty with the albums. I would say get the 2 disc anthology and Rejuvenation and you've got the Meters covered.

[@GSPonsonby]

When I buy new clothes, I like to leave all the packaging and stickers intact so I can just look at the back of my thigh to remind me what size pants I wear, I’ll always know the employee number of whoever inspected the item, and have quick access to a packet of silica gel. It’s also important to broadcast if the garment is made of stretchable material or if I got it as part of a 3-for-$20 promotion. And you can’t beat the feeling of a little card-weight rectangle of paper scratching at the back of your neck all day. Of course, I can’t walk very fast because my socks are all still hooked together which means I have to take tiny little steps, but it’s worth it to preserve that this-is-what-it-looked-like-when-I-paid-for-it experience. That all came out a bit judgmental and snarky, but was just meant as a laugh. I ditch the packaging, stickers and all.

[@MickSupper]

Very funny, but relates zero to shrink wrap on a record. Nice long stretch there though.

[@GSPonsonby]

@@MickSupper It relates because, to me, it’s just packaging. Stickers, price tags, and shrink wrap are garbage once the product is in my possession, and leaving them on the record is, in my opinion, akin to leaving the stickers and assorted packaging on clothing. I hope that makes the relationship of the humorous metaphor to the subject at hand a little clearer for you.

[@brunohebert1351]

That was a really funny one! Nice.

[@TheHSIHP]

Me too! It's just garbage if you ask me.

[@MickSupper]

@@GSPonsonby Now you go and find a vintage pair of big E Levis with tags and you have something worth a pretty penny, if you want to compare with or without tags.

[@markpocock183]

I remove the shrink wrap for gatefolds, otherwise you can't open it. I transfer the hype stickers to the outer sleeve, ideally by peeling...otherwise tape it to the outer. This also gives you the option to move them to a location where they don't interfere with the art or lettering.

[@romanlewandowski5027]

B is the easy winner for me. Like you, I generally keep the shrink wrap on if it's been on there for a long time or has hype stickers or other interesting tidbits. I, too, have old albums where the shrink wrap is barely hanging on like it's Lemmy's shorts. When it comes to protecting my valuable LP covers, that's easy, I just use my old condom wrappers. Hi-yo!

[@rocdocs]

Great topic, Robert. I was just thinking about this!

[@MarsNova]

If I take the shrink wrap off a record I really like-and it comes with a hype sticker-I have been known to (slowly and carefully) peel the hype sticker off the shrink wrap and put it on one of my plastic sleeves. I did that to the last Low album. I agree that it should be removed if it’s flimsy and weak.

[@EmbryonicRobot]

I tend to leave it on, unless it's a gatefold. I had one instance where the shrink wrap stuck to the cover, and it was difficult to get it off and it left marks. I had one case where the shrink wrap shrunk and started to warp the record, but it was a UK 12" single in a flimsy sleeve. B looks better!

[@brianjames5685]

I think whether shrink adds value or not, if there are 2 for sale, 1 in the shrink and one not in the shrink, people will choose the shrink-wrapped one. Thanks Robert.

[@acidhouse3308]

Hi , when i was a kid i used to always make a deliberate effort to try and keep the shrink on any record that came shrink wrapped. Now i always make sure i remove the shrink from every new and second hand record i buy. Over the years i`ve bought quite a few 1980`s , 1990`s 12" singles where the shrink is causing ring-wear and even warping the sleeve and vinyl. I`ve had quite a few vintage records where the shrink has actually stuck itself to the sleeve and when i`ve tried to remove the shrink it has pulled the sleeve art and ink off with it. Because i am a very sad and pityful individual i always keep any original vintage hype stickers or record shop price stickers because they are part of the records history. I just cut them off the shrink and put them with the record inside a new protective outer sleeve. I recently paid £65 to a seller in the U.S for a sealed Cure12" single that still had the original $2.99 sticker on the shrink. It`s almost like the sticker was laughing at me and saying "You just paid £65 for $2.99 record, you`re such an idiot". You mentioning the "Give the gift of music" sticker reminded me of one Christmas when my Brother gave my Grandad who was a big Frank Sinatra fan a Frank Sinatra album with a "Give the gift of music" sticker on the sleeve as a present but swapped out the record for one of his own Napalm Death albums. When my Grandad put the record on the vintage style Radiogram it was like Armageddon. My Grandmother almost swallowed her knitting needles. B looks the best but C will definitely stay in the best condition. Cheers from England.

[@B.B.Amsterdam]

I always remove the shrinkwrap, and I hate hype stickers especially when they covered the half of the cover art. Same with Obi's. And I also hate protection sleeves, I used them now (many dogs in the house) but everytime I think, now I know why I didnt use them back then. 😀 And I love ringwear. I have some beauties.😀

[@greghawkins229]

Like the baggy sleeves. I keep shrink wrap on unless it’s torn badly or cover has obvious dirt between cover and shrink

[@bhoussock]

I always take the shrink off old and new. I only had one downside with ALL’s ‘Pummel’. Bought a EU press from 1995 in 2023. The shrink was the type that ‘stuck’ to the jacket and left some discoloration in spots after I took it off. Nothing too crazy though. I think it happened because of the glossy jacket. As for hype stickers.. sometimes I’ll cut it out and pop it in the sleeve for the next person to have 😉

[@tiborosz1825]

Obviously its more of a pleasre without having pritection on. It just ferls better to hold..of course you risk getting dirt on it..esoecially the tip can get damaged. Pulling on a protective Layer will keep it healthier of course . So some are wrapped some are bareback 😊

[@millopguy]

Take It Off.. On new purchases, I remove the shrinkwrap and cut out all hype stickers with an eXact-O, placing them in the new outer sleeve. BTW, Vinyl Fever gatefold sleeves are awesome, for gates and bi-fold tri-panel albums, but I digress. Back to the wrap, I only leave it on for mint "used" album finds. If there's a tear, it's coming off. Love your variety of topics and humor.

[@about.the.music...]

what specific eXact product do you use? I have been trying to figure out a good tool for this, as scissors don't really do a good cut. Thanks

[@millopguy]

@@about.the.music... I use X-Acto #11 blades.

[@Evan55914]

I take off the shrink wrap. Hype stickers peel of easily if the record is brand new. Love the B for Dio.

[@arzabael]

Oh my gosh the thumbnail to this video is precisely the visualization I made when thinking about if there was a video about the shrink controversy what would be the best thumbnail and I thought a person with plastic bag around their head immediately. It looks like that was a common path of thought

[@moogie242x]

I usually leave it on unless it a gatefold. Love seeing the price tags & sometimes I find the receipt inside. Like the Clash -Sandinista $12.49 Record Bar 01-25-82

[@RobertFithen]

Love that too, it's like a birth certificate.

[@KeithSearock]

Maybe it was an old wives tale, but back in the day I was taught that shrink wrap promoted static. I salvaged my hype stickers by sticking them on the inner sleeve. I guess you could say my records went commando - free to hang loose and breathe. I do remember keeping the Scorpions / Lovedrive RED shrink on so Mom wouldn't accidentally notice the titty.

[@RobertFithen]

I didn't even know that it came with red shrink wrap.

[@KeithSearock]

There's also a version with just the Scorpions logo ... may have been a club thing but I'm pretty sure It was an in-store option too.

[@22brew80]

Robert, What is your t shirt collection like? Did you keep all your concert shirts from high school? Might be video worthy?

[@RobertFithen]

Some of them are in a container that I need to open and re-explore.

[@IndySnowman]

There was an old wives tale back in the day that shrink wrap would warp your records if you left it on. I was told that by a DJ. I believed it until I later worked with DJs.

[@RobertFithen]

I've never seen that. The worst I've seen is older shrink wrap could crush the corners as I mentioned in the video.

[@johnwelch5132]

Houses of the Holy had that paper strip. Always liked it.

[@hellionrebellionrocknrolla744]

I'm with you. 50/50 with shrink wrap. As long as the wrap stays relatively tight then I keep it. Once it's loose, it goes. The hype sticker goes inside the record sleeve. (if it's cool or original - the "nice price" stickers go in the trash) Whaaaaaaaat! Not a Dio fan! Blasphemy! I'll go with C. Cheers!

[@BushcraftingBogan]

When I bought albums or get them for Christmas I would try to keep the plastic on. But after repeated unshelving and shelving both sober and not some would start to peel to the point to when it had to go. But in all honesty I really never gave it much thought. I always found the stickers an annoying corperate intrusion to the cover art.

[@crunchyfrog555]

I'm a bit of a fence-sitter in this regard and I judge each record on it's own. If it's a record that has say, a really flimsy cover that is starting to get twisted by the wrap, I'll obviously remove it. But if it's fine and arrives in really good shape I'll keep it on to keep it looking as good as it can be for as long as it can be. In short, I don't really care too much one way or the other - I just treat it as a means to keep the record good depending on how it all is presented. Mind you, I do have a bit of a dislike for those MoFi type bags. I've had a few records turn up in that stuff and I tend to get rid of them, not just because they often are too big, but they easily become weirdly gritty. I don't know whether it's part of their degradation or whether it just picks up crap easily, but I never like the feel of them, and if that's going to be sliding about over the cover for some time, nah - I ain't having that.

[@Vince_Tasciotti]

The shrink wrap comes off of the LPs in my collection. But the hype sticker does get saved within the LP packaging.

[@joanmorgades5004]

B looks much better, without sleeves. Personally, I remove the shrink wrap if there are no hype stickers, especially if they are gatefold albums, this way I can enjoy what's inside.

[@usquebaugh1]

C. new outer sleeve. Upvote for "touching the demon's belly" 😆Initially I was thinking "how can you make a 15 minute + video about shrink wrap, but then surreptitiously this was really about "hype stickers". I have a few records with them but a lot of my older records don't have them so it was cool to see some of yours. I also liked the tidbit about Stephen King's The Stand. Cheers!

[@dimebagdave77]

Sometimes after SO many years you can just tell the shrink isn't going to be a problem 👍i'll leave it on then.especially with hype sticker. manythnx Robert. Edit: damn I miss Record Bar.. I pick C by the way

[@phillipanderson7398]

I take it off ASAP and put on Polyethyline covers, and top quality anti static inner sleeves.

[@Texeq]

I try to save shrink especially if its decent condition - and the record is old. If its tattered badly and hanging off, or yellowing or capturing dust and grit, I usually remove it. But any hype stickers or neat store price tags get saved and tucked inside the cover. When I see 40-50 year old stickers from our favorite stores (usually long gone now) I definitely keep them. I've never had a problem in 50 years of shrink causing outgassing. Its not pvc. Warpage is rarely a factor. I had Pink Floyd Wish You Were Here - with the dark blue shrink & sticker - that was so tight it was bowing the cover. I scooched the cover out of the shrink and now have the shrink sitting next to the cover inside a poly sleeve. Problem solved.

[@joemorgan4740]

B robert and spinadisc was uk and great shrink wrap video lol cheers joe

[@JWD1992]

In a perfect world, all my records would be in their original shrink wrap with hype stickers (and I would have second copies of albums with gatefolds, so I could open those gatefolds). However, I do not hesitate to remove the shrink if its grimy and/or moldy. Sometimes it's just ragged and makes the jacket look worse than it is (because the shrink did its job and took the beating instead of the jacket). I also love buying sealed copies of UK albums, which had obviously been sealed stateside since they rarely shrink-wrapped records over there. That importer shrink wrap almost always comes off. Not only is it not factory original, but those thinner UK jackets often get creased and warped from the shrink wrap, well, shrinking. My UK Beatles records still have their shrink because Capitol used very loose stuff that doesn't tug on the jackets (and those Capitol import stickers are awesome). Why do I have a feeling that Walmart hype stickers will become collectible in the future? I know they're taboo now, so everyone is going to chuck them, like you said. And we know how fickle people are.

[@Pauldjreadman]

Regarding the Dio Album, I choose B. I just bought a Pioneer amp to go with my record player and omg the sound. I have not listened to vinyl for a year. Regarding Shrink wrap, how on earth do you slice it so you preserve it and take the record out? Guilty as charged of ripping the wrapping off.damned it, lol. This has been a learning experience.

[@JimmyLem]

I dislike the shrink wrap and take the hypes off and stick them in or I put use the polypropylene sleeves. I also like the opening of the plastic and the inner to be facing up. It's part of the ritual. I guess we all have them. Generally I don't keep boxes that way though. I had Moody's Lost Chord in original shrink but barely together and stitched together with yellowed tape. I took the shrink off. There was a hype on that one. I've also seen weird contraptions that allow the gatefold to be protected.

[@JonKentplus]

Taking off old shrink wrap is a risk as it can get stuck to cover and damage it. Unfortunately have experience of this.

[@brianpgraves]

B for DIO! Shrink wrap makes LPs look like CD cases…shiny doesn’t always look better so I I keep most of my vinyl behind glass doors so I have no need for extra plastic to protect from dust…plus I can store more records without it! 😊

[@bizzynomo6624]

I keep shrink on all non gatefold LP's after I open them. I cut out hype stickers off of gatefold releases (which now often carry the UPC code as well) and store them in the sleeve. Question: Why don't you use Mofi sleeves and Vinyl Style gatefold sleeves? I think they make the collection look much cleaner and they really minimize ring wear and slide marks.

[@thetoyboxthetoybox8305]

There is a potential long term negative effect of leaving shrink wrap on your albums, as this plastic is not acid free. Over time, it may end up deteriorating your album covers. But, I do love those hype stickers. I try to peel them off, and adhere them to the inner sleeve.

[@CREANER]

I remove the shrink wrap immediately. If the hype sticker is interesting I’ll try to peal it off and stick it on the back of an outer cover. If it doesn’t peel off, I cut it out and stick it in the cover. Album art should be seen without interference from hype stickers. When I was buying albums in the 70’s and 80’s records were never in shrink wrap and hype stickers and price tags were stick directly on the cover 😮.

[@dano1962]

I HATE shrink wrap. I tear it off immediately. How can you keep shrink wrap on a gatefold sleeve? How can you leave parts of artwork hidden by hype stickers? I always put them into a plastic sleeve after opening to protect the artwork. OBI strips get removed and put inside the album folded.

[@patrick2420]

Great subject. I don't understand all the "HYPE" about Obi's and hype stickers. For me, they deter from the artwork. I also don't need a label screaming on the cover "BUY ME! BUY ME!". Unless it's like the Prince LP you displayed, I don't like them. Was the brown paper bag on Led Zeppelins In Through the Out Door the first hype sticker???

[@alanwilson1724]

I always take the shrink wrap off. I left the shrink wrap on an LP once and it stuck to the sleeve and pulled off some of the glossy coating.

[@bmmaaate]

As far as I remember (the 80's) Records in the UK were never shrink wrapped or sealed. So I take it off cos it looks ugly. I use poly sleeves if I think the album needs protecting. If I buy a tatty old second hand record then that's fine to me, pre loved sleeves are not a problem as long as the vinyl plays without skips.

[@Filthy_Casual5]

I always wondered what those stickers where called. Now i know! lmao great video.

[@brokewithaudiophiletaste6076]

Shrink-wrap-on guy here 🙋‍♂️ I just generally prefer to keep the record as close to the condition I bought it in as possible. Even when the shrink gets tattered, I try to leave it on if possible. I also keep gatefold albums in the shrink and even box set boxes. I also don't like the loose bag thing. I think that's an RTI "innovation," as there are other non-MoFi RTI pressings I have with those bags.

[@feelyvision]

I had a purge of shrink wrap recently…after the shrink damaged a few album sleeves..warped covers, stuck to the cover, shrivelled up hype stickers…replaced with sealed sleeves similar to those used on the Music on Vinyl releases…much better to showcase your album art.

[@arzabael]

Out of choices A) shrink on the Dio, B) shrink off, or C)shrink off and a new outer sleeve on, C all the way but I know there’s a lot of A and B preferring people, B is rarest but they’re out there

[@marklloyd7159]

Rob as always fully love your vids now I split skrink down the opening so it keeps cover clean but when it comes to gatefold and some of the outhers if I can get hype sticker off without damaging it i.put on actual cover I'll always pick spot that's not going to cover any cool art but I do it so when I am brown bread and my daughter go s to sell them she can prove wot it is but is this a good idea cus once I put sticker on there it's always going to be there I could only imagine it will keep the validity therefore the price keen on your veiw PS did U see kiss opening entertainment for Australia rules they killed it and also really looked like they were enjoying themselves and definitely no lip sinking take care keen to here your advice as always peace and love lloydy

[@richardmiller1289]

I always take the shrink off my albums and then use it to wrap up my cold cuts.

[@glennandadriansrocktalk]

I always rip that shrink off, whether it's been there a week, or over 50 years, I do not care! Off it goes! I will usually keep the stickers and just exacto blade them off and keep them inside the cover.

[@AndreaA127]

haha rub that demons belly , ive been loving your videos you are so funny, im a new sub, ive always heard leaving shrink warp on can damage the covers over time so i always take them off, if it does have a hype sticker on it i cut around the hype sticker and just put in in the jacket, or some people like to save their hype stickers in a little plastic baggys, but i understand what you are saying i always found hype stickers to take away from seeing the whole cover, records are meant to be opened played and stared at. :) keep up the great work on your vids!

[@SydBarrettArchives]

The mobile fidelity one I would consider shrink wrapped, because it IS sealed.

[@43pages55]

that's what i do, cut the hype stickers out and put them in the sleeve, then put the sleeve in a 3 mil outer.

[@anthonyburke223]

I’m going to Chicago in April …any record shops that you recommend visiting? Thanks

[@mickschnabel]

Occasionally (IF possible) I'll carefully peel the hype off and put it on the new protective outer sleeve, otherwise I leave the shrink. If no hype? 50/50 I'll remove the shrink. BUT I've Always wondered this, do you even use protective outer sleeves?? (another great video btw man!)

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks!!

[@eze4life1000]

Always gotta bust that open it it’s a gatefold 🤘😎🎶

[@Dagger-Deep]

Sound Warehouse was a Texas company.

[@Brian-qg8dg]

If you use an poly outer sleeve, and put the vinyl in a new poly inner sleeve, you leave the original omcover shrink. Record to be stored outside the original cover, but inside the new outer sleeve.

[@Stonecutter334]

Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. There are valid reasons for both. But there is no denying the artwork will stay better with it on. The ringwear will be less. Very dark covers and light covers will look better as well.

[@budsmoker4201120]

My biggest biggest problem wih shrink wrap is when it is on an old unopen record or it is to tight coming out the plant. It almost always results in a warp album

[@robbiedetroitstigermanviny8883]

I leave it on. When I buy a record at a premium price I want everything. The Shrinkwrap, Hype Sticker, any posters or photos or insert even and gimmicky items that come with the album.

[@adamhunt4462]

I almost always leave the shrink on. If I see that its warping the cover, I'll take it off, or if it's a gatefold with no hype stickers, I remove it. When I see used records with the shrink still on, it makes me think the previous owner took care of their stuff.

[@MickSupper]

I like to keep records as I found them. I figure if a record has lived 30 or 40 years with shrink wrap on that I can just leave it on too. Peeling off shrink wrap makes me cringe and can’t stand when people feel the need to force their will on everything just because they can.

[@thebuxtstopshere]

A side panel is an OBI... shrink can create chemical reactions with the vinyl and more so the paper over years...my humble take

[@stephenrostkoski837]

I take shrink wrap off. Never cared about hype stickers and use my own plastic sleeves.

[@GustavoScafuro]

I take off the hyper stickers from any new vinyl that I buy and I place them right away on the clean plastic outer sleeve. PS: I think you look better without the shrink :)

[@tiborosz1825]

My copy of Thriller has no protection. I do enjoy my pressing of beat it.