What we're about
← Back home

Shipping, made easy

When something sells, tap one button for a prepaid label. The buyer's shipping already paid for it.

⚠ The one rule to remember: Don't use USPS's free Priority Mail boxes or envelopes: they're only for Priority Mail, and a Media Mail package in one can be sent back or charged extra postage. Any plain box or mailer works.

Your packing kit

Buy these once and you're set for months.

  • Mailers for what you sell. LP mailers for records; cassette mailer boxes (6 or 12) or padded mailers for tapes and CDs; small boxes for VHS and books. Find it
  • Cardboard stiffeners. Two to four per record so the mailer can't bend. Cut-up cereal boxes work in a pinch. Find it
  • Bubble wrap or paper. To fill gaps so nothing slides or rattles. Find it
  • Packing tape. Real packing tape, not masking or Scotch tape. Tape every seam. Find it
  • A cheap kitchen or postal scale. Weigh the packed box so the label's right the first time. Any scale that reads ounces is fine. Find it
  • Label paper (optional). Plain paper and clear tape work fine. No printer at all? Use the QR code option at the Post Office. Find it

How it works

  1. You get a sale. It shows up in Orders with a ship-by date (3 days).
  2. Tap Get printable label, or No printer? Get a QR code.
  3. Pack it using the tips below and tape on the label (or bring the QR code on your phone).
  4. Drop it at a Post Office, hand it to your mail carrier, or put it in a blue USPS box if it fits. You can also schedule a USPS pickup: free when it goes out with a Priority Mail package, a small fee for Media Mail on its own.
  5. Tap I've dropped it off. The buyer can follow the tracking.

No printer? No problem.

Choose the QR code option. Show the code on your phone at a Post Office counter and they'll print and attach the label for you.

Find a Post Office near you →
Schedule a USPS pickup →

Everything ships Media Mail

Analog Renaissance is a Media Mail marketplace: every sale ships by USPS Media Mail, the cheapest way to send media. The price depends on weight, not distance.

Can be sold
  • Records (vinyl and 78s), CDs, cassettes, 8-tracks, reel-to-reel, MiniDisc, DAT
  • VHS, Betamax, LaserDisc, CED, DVD, Blu-ray, HD DVD
  • Film reels (16mm or narrower)
  • Books (8 pages or more, no ads), sheet music and songbooks
Can't be sold
  • Video games and consoles
  • Merch, posters, turntables and gear
  • Magazines or comics that contain ads
  • Only media can go in the box: no merch, gifts or promo flyers for other products. USPS can open Media Mail packages to check.
  • A plain packing slip is fine.
  • Media Mail can take a little longer than other services, so pack well.

Records

Single LP (12")

  • Take the record out of its jacket and slip it (in its inner sleeve) behind the jacket inside the outer sleeve. This stops seam splits in transit.
  • Use a 12.5" cardboard record mailer with 2–4 extra cardboard squares as stiffeners on each side.
  • Write "DO NOT BEND" on both sides.

Double LP / gatefold

  • Move each disc outside the gatefold (in sleeves) to protect the spine and seams.
  • Use a record mailer with extra stiffeners, or a mailer rated for 2–3 LPs.

Vinyl box set

  • Use a sturdy box at least 2" bigger than the set on every side, with padding all around.
  • Fill gaps so nothing slides. Shake test: if it moves, add padding.

7" single

  • Use a 7" record mailer with a cardboard stiffener on each side.

78 rpm record (10")

  • 78s are brittle and crack easily. Ship them in a sturdy box, never a plain record mailer.
  • Sandwich each record between cardboard squares, then pad with at least 2" of bubble wrap or foam on every side.
  • Write "FRAGILE: SHELLAC RECORDS" on the box.

CDs & tapes

CD

  • Swap a cracked jewel case before shipping, if you can. Buyers notice.
  • A padded mailer is fine for one CD. Add a piece of cardboard to stop the case cracking.

CD box set

  • Ship box sets in a small box with padding, not a padded envelope.

Cassette

  • A small padded mailer works. Make sure the case is closed tight.

8-Track cartridge

  • Wrap each cartridge in bubble wrap and box them snugly; the plastic shells crack if they rattle around.

Reel-to-reel tape (7")

  • Keep the tape in its box, tape the reel so it can't unspool, and ship in a snug box away from magnets.

MiniDisc / DAT

  • A small padded mailer is fine. Keep the case closed and away from magnets.

Film & video

VHS tape

  • Keep the tape in its sleeve or clamshell, wrapped in a layer of bubble wrap.
  • A padded mailer or snug box works. Keep tapes away from magnets.

DVD / Blu-ray

  • A padded mailer is fine. Add cardboard if the case is fragile or has a slipcover.

LaserDisc (12")

  • Treat it like a heavy LP: use a 12" record mailer or box with stiffeners on both sides.
  • Discs can be removed from the jacket and shipped beside it in their inner sleeve to avoid seam splits.

CED VideoDisc (in caddy)

  • Never take the disc out of its caddy. Box it with stiffeners and padding so the caddy can't flex.

Film reel in can

  • Ship the reel in its can, padded in a snug box. Keep it away from heat.

Books & sheet music

Book

  • Use a rigid book mailer or a snug box. Padded envelopes can bend corners.
  • Wrap in a plastic sleeve if rain is likely.

Sheet music / songbook (flat)

  • Ship flat in a rigid mailer with a cardboard stiffener so pages can't bend.

Where to get supplies

  • Local record shops often have spare LP mailers. Ask; many give them away.
  • Office supply stores carry padded mailers, boxes and bubble wrap.
  • Online packaging suppliers sell LP mailers and stiffeners in bulk (search "LP record mailer").
  • Reuse clean boxes and mailers you receive. Cover old labels and barcodes completely.
  • USPS's free Priority Mail boxes can't be used for Media Mail.

Popular suppliers: Bags Unlimited (LP mailers, record sleeves and media packaging) · Uline (boxes, mailers and bubble wrap, in bulk)

Protect yourself

  • Snap a quick photo of the item packed in its box before sealing. It helps if a buyer says it arrived damaged.
  • Always use the label from your Orders page so tracking is attached to the sale.