We are super happy to announce our partnership with Michael Ludwig and his 45 RPM Audiophile shop. Based in Germany this will be the go-to place for EU customers looking for Mint sleeves that wants to avoid customs fees.
Michael recently announced his partnership with Analog Production and launched the Michael 45 shop. Pick up your favourite audiophile records and sleeves at the same time!
Moving forward Michael 45 will be our exclusive EU retailer. At the moment stock options are limited, but expect this to increase.
Head over to the Michael 45 shop here.
]]>Originally posted by Vinyl Storage Solution.
If you have been looking around at all the different websites for record sleeves, you’re going to notice that the term “archival” is used quite often. Basically, it’s almost a buzz word for the marketing of inner and outer sleeves. Let me explain….
If you search for a definition of “archival” it’s typically defined as “pertaining to archives of valuable records”. Not necessarily just vinyl records, but paper documents, photographs, etc.…
The term pertains to the materials that are used to store these “records” and if it’s suitable for long term storage, safe and stable to meet museum or library storage standards.
There is a myriad of plastics being used for vinyl record storage and they aren’t equally stable. For long-term storage of album artwork, it’s important to select sleeves that will not release decomposition residue as they age.
Archival plastic sleeves should be acid and PVC free. Vinyl record inner sleeves that are paper should be lignin free. Unfortunately, not all manufacturing materials are acid-free. The process of oxidation makes them destructive to unprotected album artwork.
Sleeves should be made of materials that are strong, durable, and chemically stable. Although acid-free materials aren’t acidic when they’re manufactured, they can become acidic over time. Inner sleeves should also be lignin-free. Lignin, a component found in plants and trees, can react with light and heat to produce acid.
Plastic sleeves are useful for delicate or frequently handled record albums. While clear plastic provides no protection from light (heat causing oxidation), items in these enclosures should be placed in boxes or shielded (like a storage shelf) for long-term storage. Polyester, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene are types of plastic outer sleeves you will see for sale. Sometimes you will see terms like “HD Poly” or “polypro” or “high density polypropylene” or “Poly Vinyl”. I can’t really explain why retailers are using these terms.
Types of plastic outer sleeves rated, based from my experience and technical data:
You should also consider the “heat handling” and moisture absorption properties of these plastics. As the weight of multiple records add compression to the mix, plastic stability become paramount and any water (humidity) transferred between the cardboard jacket and sleeve will potentially cause damage.
PVC sleeves
A note of caution: PVC contains dangerous chemical additives including phthalates, lead, cadmium, and/or organotin, which can be toxic to your child's health. These toxic additives can leach out or evaporate into the air over time, posing unnecessary dangers to children. I can’t imagine what it will do to your record jackets. PVC won’t pass ISO 18916 PAT.
You now have 3 factors that could adversely affect the condition of your collection: heat (light), moisture and pressure.
Polyethylene sleeves
All polyethylene sleeves are made on the same equipment as garbage bags. This a blown polymer that will always have a recycled content. That content can range up to 20%. Unfortunately, it can contain a mix of PVC, polypropylene and low/high density polyethylene. This contributes to it breaking down chemically over time. More so when exposed to light. Hence the grey or yellow colouring of the material over time. Polyethylene will not pass the ISO 18916 PAT and isn't used by libraries for long term storage.
“Okay, so what should I be looking for?”
If you have spent a small fortune on your collection, (I’m at $10,000…please don’t tell my wife!) you really need to consider the value of proper protection. The only way to do that is to use material that have been tested to conform with PAT (photographic activity test).
There are only a few labs that can complete testing to that standard. Like the Image Permanence Institute. This is where I have my materials tested and approved.
“The Photographic Activity Test, widely known as the PAT, is an International Standard in itself: ISO 18916. The PAT explores the possibility of chemical interactions between photographs and a given material after prolonged contact. It uses two special detectors. One detector screens for oxidation and reduction reactions which can cause image fade, silver mirroring, and red or gold spots. The other detector, screens for chromophores –compounds that can cause yellowing of the support. All materials must pass the PAT to be considered photo-safe.” (1)
So, when you’re buying you’re next package of sleeves, maybe give this some thought…”Has this product been tested?”….”What plastic is this made of?”….”Is the value of my collection worth buying an inexpensive sleeve?”…”Is the retailer or brand reputable or some name I have never heard of?”
Additionally, 2 mil is recognized as the minimum and 4 mil as industry standard “archival” thickness by libraries for proper photographic storage.
Mike
]]>Originally posted by Vinyl Storage Solution.
Say what?
Coefficient of friction, ratio of the frictional force resisting the motion of two surfaces in contact to the normal force pressing the two surfaces together.
Q.Yeah, okay smarty pants. But what the heck are you talking about?
A. Hey, don't blame me, blame Newton. Put simply, what effect certain materials have when moving across the surface of each other. In this case a record and substrates used to make inner sleeves.
I think we have all heard different opinions from many different people about which inner sleeve is the best? Have you ever asked yourself how they have come to that conclusion? Do they have any scientific facts to backup their claim?
Would you believe that all inner sleeves are generally fine for storage and the real reason that your records develop hairline scratches may be because of you or the record itself? I know, "that's fighting words" Mike!
If you look at a great report published by The Vinyl Factory you'll see that our precious records are jagged, maybe have slighted barbs (from manufacturing, ever have the one record where the edge is rough and jagged?) and ridges. They are great at slowly cutting into the substrate on the inner sleeve, if the right amount of pressure is applied. This pressure can be from having many records stacked against each other. This intern creates dust and barbs in that material. Always try to leave a little space between records when in storage.
In reality there are two significant actions that help to produce hairline scratches, 1. pressure and 2. movement.
- Have you ever opened a new record that already had scratches, regardless of the inner sleeve? Some people call this a "rash".
- Have you ever accidentally dragged the record over another surface?
So the COF applies an equal amount of pressure and movement. Each sample is tested under the same conditions to determine the effects of pressure and movement on the record, thereby allowing you to understand what the long term effects maybe.
Substrates tested at an independent certified lab in the USA.
1. VSS HDPE. Standard 2 mil rice paper inner sleeve.
2. VSS crystal clear inner sleeve.
3. Poly fibre inner sleeve
4. Paper/Poly inner sleeve
5. Paper. Standard record sleeve.
Note: no bias or defamation intended or implied on any product tested.
I sacrificed 10 Kenny Roger's albums to this test. All new and sealed. All from the same pressing company. Sorry, Kenny, but I "lost that lovin' feeling" for these records!
The higher the value indicates a "rough" surface interacting with the already rough surface of the record. A lower value is preferable, but not necessarily required, just maybe avoid storing the bare naked record in the cardboard jacket!
COF < 0.25 is considered LOW COP & HIGH SLIP
COF > 0.45 indicates HIGH COF & LOW SLIP
Testing was performed in accordance with ASTM D1894.
Test Conditions and Parameters
The following parameters were used:
Speed (mm/min) 150
Traveled distance (mm) 50
Material - Sled Sleeve
Material - Plane Vinyl
Weight – Sled+Sample (g)
198.7 to 201.1
Cleaning - Sled None
Cleaning - Plane None
Temperature 21-23◦C
Relative humidity 45-48%
item | static μs | kinetic μs |
1 | 0.271 | 0.195 |
2 | 0.448 | 0.316 |
3 | 0.412 | 0.324 |
4 | 0.419 | 0.278 |
5 | 0.490 | 0.281 |
Test conclusions? Other than HDPE having a slight lower COF, all products are basically the same when it comes to interfacing with a vinyl record. Most dry materials in combination have friction coefficient values between 0.3 and 0.6. So don't take these numbers as absolute!
Reality Check! We as vinyl collectors just need to be careful not to drag a record across any material. Like pulling a record out of a jacket, that is tightly sandwiched between other records. I'm sure we have seen people do that!
Let's not forget that items 4 and 5 generate paper dust, by their COF from sliding the albums in and out of the jacket. The best way to avoid that situation, use my dual pocket outer sleeves! A little shameless self promotion.
So hopefully the science will speak for itself and you'll find this info useful regarding the handling and storage of the "imperfect" media. And always use an inner sleeve, any inner sleeve is better than nothing.
I want to thank everyone that has supported me in this business venture, passion and hobby. After almost 30 years in the manufacturing field, be it in plastics, metals, print or food, I can honestly say that there's a heck of a lot truth to the saying "do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life"!
Mike
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This should eliminate the need for customs duties when receiving orders from an IOSS registered seller and market places like Amazon, eBay, Bandcamp etc. Sadly there is still teething problems with the new system in some EU states and customers have experienced that that they have been asked to pay customs duties.
If you are being asked to pay customs duties there are two options. 1. don't pay and the order will be returned for a full refund or 2. you can pay the customs duties and we will refund the EU VAT that we collected on our end.
Complaining to customs and documenting that EU VAT has already been collected has turned out to be a waste of time.
We believe, or hope is maybe a better word, that these issues will be sorted out soon because when this system works it will be a great thing.
The best option at the moment is to use Fedex. There has hardly been any issues with customs when Fedex has been used. We currently offer free shipping with Fedex on orders over £100.
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