Vinyl record sleeves: which ones and why
Inside, the record glides; outside, the cover stays protected – two sleeves, and your collection is in the best of hands.
In short
At Michael 45 in Hilden near Düsseldorf you get the two sleeves that matter: inside, an anti-static rice paper inner sleeve; outside, a dual pocket sleeve made of crystal-clear polypropylene. The record sits in the rear pocket next to the cover instead of inside it. And if you buy a record from us, we sleeve it for you on request.
- InnerHDPE sleeve with rice paper layer
- Outerdual pocket, polypropylene
- Sizes7″, 10″, 12″, 12.75″ and UHQR boxes
- Servicesleeved when you buy a record
Why two sleeves
Many records come in a simple paper sleeve right inside the cover. Every time you pull the record out, it slides along the paper and the cover rubs against the shelf. Two good sleeves share the work: inside, a rice paper inner sleeve protects the record; outside, a clear sleeve keeps cover and record together – so every record is well stored when it goes back on the shelf.
Inside: the rice paper inner sleeve
A smooth outer sleeve made of HDPE plastic with an anti-static rice paper layer inside: the record slides in and out easily, and the sleeve helps against dust and static. It comes for 12″, 10″ and 7″ records, in packs of 25.
For picture discs and coloured vinyl you want to see, there are crystal-clear inner sleeves – the record stays eye-catching even in its sleeve.
Outside: the dual pocket principle
The dual pocket sleeve has two pockets. The cover goes in the front, the record in its inner sleeve goes in the back. To play a record, you reach into the rear pocket: the cover stays where it is, and the record no longer has to pass the edge of the cover. Because it sits next to the cover instead of inside it, it no longer presses against the jacket.
The sleeve is made of 100 µm crystal-clear polypropylene, acid-free and PVC-free, and comes resealable with an adhesive strip or with a tuck-in flap. Regular LPs and standard gatefolds fit. Only for exceptionally large covers do you take the slightly larger 12.75″ version.
The right sleeve for every record
| Your records | Inner | Outer |
|---|---|---|
| LP (single jacket) | 12″ rice paper | 12″ dual pocket |
| Gatefold you want to open | 12″ rice paper, one per record | 1 gatefold sleeve or 2 × 12″ dual pocket, joined |
| exceptionally large cover (exception) | 12″ rice paper | 12.75″ dual pocket |
| UHQR and other boxes up to 34 mm | 12″ rice paper | Box set outer sleeve, with or without flap |
| 10-inch records | 10″ rice paper | 10″ dual pocket |
| 7-inch singles | 7″ rice paper | 7″ dual pocket |
| Picture discs, coloured vinyl | Crystal clear | to match the size |
We sleeve it for you
For most records, you add the inner and outer sleeve separately on the product page. We open the shrink wrap and do exactly what you chose before the record ships – you unpack it and put it straight on the shelf.
The inner sleeve costs €0.70 per record, the outer sleeve from €1.50 – depending on the size of the cover and the number of records. For boxes and UHQR there is only the inner sleeve. And if you like, we clean the record first on our Klaudio ultrasonic machine; you book that separately, from €5 per record.
From our shelves
Our sleeves
The right sleeve for every size – from the 7-inch single to the UHQR box.
“In my opinion, these are by far the best sleeves to protect your record collection, preserve its value and present it perfectly.”Michael 45 · translated from German
Also on our shelves:
Frequently asked questions
What customers ask us
Where can I get audiophile outer sleeves?
At Michael 45 in Hilden near Düsseldorf, Germany: the 12″ dual pocket made of 100 µm crystal-clear polypropylene, plus 10″, 7″ and 12.75″ versions and the box set sleeve for UHQR. We ship from Hilden to the whole EU.
Do gatefolds, 180 g pressings and 45 RPM double albums fit the 12″ dual pocket?
Yes. Regular LPs and standard gatefolds fit, no matter how heavy the record is. Only for exceptionally large covers do you take the 12.75″ version. If you want to open the gatefold inside the sleeve, use a ready-made gatefold sleeve or two joined dual pocket sleeves – see the next question.
Which sleeves do I need for a gatefold jacket?
You have two options: one ready-made gatefold sleeve or two 12″ resealable dual pocket outer sleeves. With Michael’s method, you join the two dual pocket sleeves using their adhesive strips. This takes two outer sleeves per gatefold jacket, whether it contains one record or two. Count inner sleeves separately: one per record.
How many gatefold jackets does one pack protect?
Ready-made gatefold sleeves come in packs of 10: one sleeve per suitable gatefold jacket. Resealable dual pocket sleeves come in packs of 25: Michael’s method covers twelve gatefold jackets, with one outer sleeve left over. Inner sleeves are separate.
How do I protect a trifold jacket?
For Michael’s method, connect two suitable outer sleeves with a multifunctional sleeve as the centre section using the adhesive strips. You need two outer sleeves and one centre section per trifold jacket. The number of inner sleeves still depends on the number of records.
Resealable or tuck-in flap?
The resealable sleeve closes with an adhesive strip, the other with a flap you tuck in. Both keep the cover in the sleeve – choose what you prefer.
Are rice paper inner sleeves really made of rice paper?
Partly: the outside is a smooth HDPE plastic sleeve, and inside there is an anti-static rice paper layer.
Do the sleeves fit UHQR boxes?
Yes. The box set outer sleeve has a square bottom and comes with or without a flap. It fits boxes up to 34 mm thick.
Can you sleeve my record when I buy it?
Yes, for most records: add the inner and outer sleeve separately on the product page, we open the shrink wrap and re-sleeve the record before it ships. Inner sleeve €0.70 per record, outer sleeve from €1.50.
Your favourite records deserve the best sleeve. Choose what suits your collection.
