Perfectly Clear Gatefold Record Sleeves: Throw Away Your Old Outer Sleeves?

If you're looking for archival quality outer record sleeves for the gatefold albums in your collections, these could be the best option yet.

We review the new gatefold outer record sleeve options from Vinyl Storage Solutions (VSS) a Canadian company set on improving the standard of archival-quality record sleeves.

The design comes with or without protective flaps and comes in two different sizes--the latter is aimed at modern, oversized gatefold records.

Resources & Links:
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VSS Website: (Use code SOUNDMATTERS10 on checkout for 10% Off):

Available in the UK from Mint Sleeves:

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Partner/Sponsor Discounts:

GrooveWasher Record Cleaning (Use code: SOUNDMATTERS10 for 10% Off)

Twelve Inch Record Displays (Use code: SOUNDMATTERS10 for 10% Off)

VSS Record Sleeves: (Use code SOUNDMATTERS10 on checkout):

Vinyl Pursuit - Vintage Vinyl Online: (Use code SOUNDMATTERS15):

Vinyl Moon - Record Subscription (SOUNDMATTERS10)

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#vinylcommunity #vinylrecords #recordcollection

[soundmatters]

Thanks for watching! 🎶🎧 Do drop your comments and questions below. If you'd like to support the channel, check the video description for many DISCOUNT CODES codes to enjoy money off various products and feed your vinyl habit! (I earn a small commission - no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support!

[krupboom]

Top tip, when inserting gatefold sleeves into these, insert a piece of paper or card first and slide the cover underneath the paper/card and it is super smooth. Saves a lot of hassle

[Twin_Hook]

I've been using a combination of outer sleeves but once I learned about Polypropylene sleeves I've stuck with them. The VSS sleeves are really awesome - though they can be more expensive than others so I have not gone 100% VSS... yet. The cast polypropylene that VSS uses is stronger and gives/stretches a bit more than the BOPP sleeves so that helps with larger/thicker album covers. I love their dual pocket sleeves for single albums though, as you mention, this can be a pain if I want to see the inside of a gatefold. So I recently bought a batch of the VSS gatefold sleeves with flaps - some of both sizes. The MoFi and Tone Poets, etc. require the larger sleeve. Regardless of size, they're really great. For some albums I still keep the vinyl outside the record sleeve putting it between the record sleeve and the outer sleeve. I do this for those records where the gatefold is old or for the MoFi releases since I feel that putting/pulling the record in/out of the gatefold will hasten seam splits. The vinyl is still very secure in it's own inner-sleeve and sitting inside the outer-sleeve within the gatefold. I guess, ideally, it would be nice if VSS offered a gatefold version of their dual pocket design, but it's not really that necessary.

I have tried gatefold sleeves from another company I found on Amazon. The material was BOPP and they fit nice - EXCEPT they weren't centered properly. The gap on the inner side of the sleeve was too far to the left - about a quarter inch. So, when the album was inserted and centered on the seam one side of the outer sleeve would be too long and the other would have the edge of the album extending past the outer sleeve. If I centered the album to the sleeve then the gap would be shifted over and then, when closing the gatefold, the sleeve would bunch up. Fairly disappointing since they were a lot less expensive than the VSS sleeves and would have been good for my lower value gatefold albums.

Overall, very happy with VSS. They cost more but the value is there. It's all about whether you consider it worth the price.

[emilio]

I like the dual picket because it makes getting records out quicker. I wish they had dual pocket design for gatefolds.

[celtic-audiophile]

Covers 33, have supplied me with high quality gatefold vinyl for more than a decade, great company, delivery normally next day.

[latetotheparty]

Can't believe I started my vinyl journey just two years ago but I was lucky enough to hear about VSS early on. I love Mike's innovation. I was using two of the sleeves with flaps and pocket to store my gatefolds but the one sleeve options are much better.

That being said, as a lot of newer ones have a raised inverse spine (learned that term from Mike) that can interfere with the closure as that gap closes when you close the jacket. Some of mine are low enough so that when closed, it's ignored and closes smoothly.

I really like his newer single pocket sleeves without flaps and they're really useful for older albums.

[jameshogg]

Yes! I bought some of these from Mint Sleeves the other week. Very pleased with them, will be getting more!

[Kingxeyesore]

VSS sleeves are amazing. I started with the dual pocket single tape and loved them. I'm using the dual pocket single tuckable flap now and I love them. I had like 20 of the taped and gave them away. So easy and super nice.

[mjallenuk]

I currently use Spin Care products which I find issue with some of the Clarity range tearing very easily. I wasn't aware that VVS had found a UK distributor and I'm keen to compare them. Thanks!

[AnthonyCandaele]

Thanks for this video. I used to use two seperate outer sleeves for my gatefold albums. But this gatefold record sleeves look a lot more practical. Also the flaps, I think are better then the glued strips. So for my next gatefold record sleeves, and normal sleeves, I will use the gatefold sleeves with flaps and the single record sleeves with flaps.

[davidadamson]

I have used sleeves from Vinyl Storage Solutions for a while now, and nobody in my opinion makes a better inner or outer sleeve. I have not tried their gatefold sleeves however every sleeve I have tried is vastly superior to any others I have tried. I once made the mistake once of ordering a cheaper inner sleeve (made at the same factory) and you pay for what you get. I threw out so many of them they ended up costing me more. Vinyl Storage Solutions are an excellent company and make incredible products. I use their outer and inner sleeves on all of my albums, their new thicker sleeves are well worth it and better than any others I've tried. I don't work for them and I'm not being paid by them, I am just a huge fan and believer in their products. Designed by someone who knows what vinyl collectors need and want.

[brianbutler]

What about triple gatefold sleeves any suggestions please

[alexh]

im looking for something like this that fits a triple fold LP, my Oppenheimer soundtrack record doesnt fit standard ones

[automatedelectronics]

Getting down to the basics, a plastic record sleeve, first, is used to protect the album covers from wear by abrasion. So, what about protecting the album covers from the records themselves? Several things are involved. First, because the records are thick, they spread the album covers open slightly. Then, the records are slightly smaller than the jackets they are in, causing uneven expansive pressure. Most LP's have raised edges which are known as vinyl dams. These cause ringwear to the album covers. Most records have a raised label area. Again this causes uneven pressure on the record covers. British record albums are made of much thinner material, so the records inside damage the record covers much more quickly. An extreme example would be 7" records with the raised serrated ring(for anti-slip) encircling the label which EMI Group and others used. With 7" records inside a picture or custom designed sleeve, the damage happens very quickly and is strikingly evident.
As an example, Apple Records 7" 45 rpm singles came in a glossy Apple sleeve or picture sleeve. Most every one of those sleeves I have seen has been damaged by the raised serrated rings. One exception is The Beatles "Something"/"Come Together" 7". Some were pressed without the raised serrated rings. My copies have no wear on the sleeves. Here is a case for storing the record in a plain sleeve, inside a plastic outer sleeve, together with the original sleeve. I haven't seen any kind of damage to the original outer sleeve.

OK, all is fine with special gatefold outer plastic sleeves, but if you store the records inside those gatefold album covers, wear with be caused from the record inside those gatefold covers. The records still need to be removed from the album covers. If the plastic gatefold sleeves have a 3rd and separate pocket and it can hold atleast 2 records, storing the records in that extra pocket between the halves of the gatefold cover will protect the covers. Another consideration is that many record companies, like Mobile Fidelity and Analogue Productions go out of their way to create a pronounce spine on gatefold covers as well as even single record covers. To preserve the spines on the gatefold covers, the records should be stored inbetween the the halves of the gatefold covers. For an extra element of protection, if the special gatefold outer sleeves have the 3rd ppocket in the middle, that is great. If not, the records should be placed in their own plastic sleeve.

As a sidenote, if any album comes with a custom inner sleeve(like with pictures and/or lyrics), they should be left inside the sleeve as they came. Sliding them in and out will cause wear to the custom inner sleeves.

[VX_XI]

I have a question. Does any of these products fits triple gatefold albums? If not, could you maybe recommend some outer sleeves that do?

[chrisrees]

What about 3 record sets with a triple fold album cover?

[Underpntz_Gaming_Channel]

Anyone know a EU store that have them in stock? i'am using KATTA sleeves now but i wanto sleeve my MOFI gatefolds and other gatefolds and or 3x to 4xLP gatefolds too with super clear covers.

[eleanorhoneywill]

I have been using vinyl solutions products for the last two years I find them fantastic wouldn’t use anything else now! They even do 7 inch ones for single’s. Wouldn’t use anything else now.

[increiblepelotudo]

this is a GenX nightmare scenario. no words to follow this.

[lsaideOK]

Never thought of encasing my albums in plastic. Some of my albums are over 50 years old. There may be excellent reasons to do so, but being opposed to unnecessary plastics, I'm not going to start now