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Topic: Storing CDs in paper sleeves (Read 11990 times) previous topic - next topic
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Storing CDs in paper sleeves

I now have a lot of CD-Rs burned as audio-CDs. They are currently stored in jewel cases but that is just taking up too much space. So I'm considering just buying a ton of paper envelopes to store them in instead. Such as these, to give you an idea what I'm talking about. My question is therefore: is this a bad idea? Will this do damage to the discs in the long run? I can think of a couple of ways it might be less than optimal:
-mechanical stress. Gravity and friction against the envelope might have an effect, but the discs will primarily be sitting still on a shelf so I doubt this will be noticeable.
-chemical stress. I doubt they use acid-free paper for such sleeves, but can this be of any harm to the discs?

Are there other points that could be made? If paper is bad, are plastic ones better? My CDs are mostly Verbatims burned with Nero or EAC on Plextor/NEC/Optiarc burners.

And, since this is my first post, may I say thanks for a great forum with a lot of sanity about audio topics!

Storing CDs in paper sleeves

Reply #1 –
Huh, tough one. I would choose cakeboxes as they would keep your discs together and are more resistant to mechanical damage.
But if you want sleeves, the plastic ones seem to be a better choice for me. The protection will mostly depend on the way the sleeves are stored (in a box, lying around on the desk, etc.). So please be more specific, where do you wanna put your discs, once they're in their sleeves.

And btw, welcome to HA.org

Storing CDs in paper sleeves

Reply #2 –
Although you're going to be using them for storage and probably not transporting them anywhere, I find that when I put CD-Rs in those paper sleaves, they get gunked up and scratched really really easily. I only use them for relatively unimportant short-term stuff. I wouldn't use them for long term storage and preservation of a CD.

Storing CDs in paper sleeves

Reply #3 –
Cakeboxes is an interesting suggestion, although it'd be nice to have them stored individually. These are mainly live recordings (bootlegs) and I don't necessarily play them often but it's good to have easy access. So they will be mostly sitting vertically on shelves or in boxes.

Molnart, you say plastic seems better to you, why? Scratching?

Storing CDs in paper sleeves

Reply #4 –
I sure there are similar choices from different sources. I've been using things labeled "CD/DVD Sleeves" from CompUSA for several years now. They are soft plastic, very similar to the inside part of CD binders. In fact they have a binding side with ring binder type holes. There may be some kind of binder sold that holds them, but I find they work quite well setting on a shelf in the same manner as jewel cases -- except they take up about 1/5 the linear space, maybe less. These have two pockets, back to back, to hold two CDs or one CD and literature.

They puts no marks on the CDs, They are easier to work with than envelopes with flaps, and they cost less than the paper envelopes I've seen.

Storing CDs in paper sleeves

Reply #5 –
If you're not taking them out and putting them in to the sleeves very much, sleeves should be OK. But, I wouldn't use paper sleeves. A much better sleeve to use is made out of a material called Tyvek; it's sort of a cross between cloth and plastic. Paper will put small scratches on the disc as you insert and remove it, where Tyvek shouldn't cause any.

Storing CDs in paper sleeves

Reply #6 –
Quote
I now have a lot of CD-Rs burned as audio-CDs. They are currently stored in jewel cases but that is just taking up too much space.

Depending on your definition of “lot”... you could consider rewriting your recordings to DVDs for increased error tolerance and 6-12 times less physical space requirement (assuming compression and/or mono).

Quote
And btw, welcome to HA.org
Help Africa

Storing CDs in paper sleeves

Reply #7 –
Ok, so it all seems to boil down to scratching. Does anyone else have experiences with paper sleeves and scratching? Both positive and negative experiences would be interesting. Else I might go with the plastic (Tyvek?) sleeves.

Storing CDs in paper sleeves

Reply #8 –
I have currently about 250 paper sleeves in use. I have started using them about a year, year and a half ago. Never noticed any scratches. I store my cds in there which I don't use very often though. A regular plastic case is much easier for cds that you do use often.

Anyway, they pile up great and take very little space. If you don't throw them around like regular cases they stay nice.

Storing CDs in paper sleeves

Reply #9 –
Since archiving them to FLAC, I store my ~900 CDs in paper sleeves (w/clear plastic window) in upright rows in a chest of drawers, with the tray booklets and  inserts in there too.  No scratching noticed so far, but I've hardly ever had to remove any from the sleeves since storing them.

Storing CDs in paper sleeves

Reply #10 –
DON'T USE PLAIN PLASTIC SLEEVES! It may ruin the print-surface after a while, at least that's my experience.

I'm using the softer tyvek sleeves now in a box. They are cheap enough.
Can't wait for a HD-AAC encoder :P