How to Photograph Vinyl Records for Selling (2026): Sleeves, Labels and Scratches

How to photograph vinyl records, in short: shoot the sleeve front and back square-on in soft window light, then the record out of the sleeve on a dark matte background with the light coming from the side at a low angle so scratches show. Add both labels, the runout (matrix) etchings, inserts and every flaw. Use no flash and aim for 1600 px or more.

More on this topic: Product photography, every guide in one place.

Record buyers want two things from photos: proof of the exact pressing, and an honest look at the condition of the vinyl and the sleeve. Glossy black vinyl is hard to photograph because it reflects the room and hides surface marks under glare. This guide covers the setup, the shot list for eBay and other marketplaces, how to make scuffs visible, sleeves and inserts, and how to keep edits honest. The free product collage maker combines sleeve, labels and vinyl into one overview image.

What photos should a vinyl record listing include?

Photograph the sleeve front and back, both labels, the vinyl surface, the runout etchings and every insert or flaw, each as its own image. Buyers use the sleeve and labels to confirm the pressing and the surface photos to check your grade.

eBay allows up to 24 photos per listing, and the photos must be at least 500 px on the longest side. On marketplaces that rely mostly on a catalog image and your written grade, your own photos still help: they back up your grade in a dispute. See our eBay photo requirements for the full list of rules.

eBay's photo count and minimum size were checked in October 2026. Marketplaces change their rules, so confirm the current requirements in your seller dashboard before you upload a large batch.

How do you photograph record sleeves?

Lay the sleeve flat or stand it upright, light it evenly from both sides or from a window beside it, and shoot straight on so the corners stay square. Album jackets are often glossy laminate, so the same glare rules apply as for prints and books.

1. Put the sleeve on a neutral background slightly larger than the jacket: grey card works for most covers.
2. Light it from both sides at about 45°, or set it beside a window in daylight but out of direct sun.
3. Mount the phone directly above (or in front of) the sleeve and turn on the grid to keep the edges parallel.
4. Leave a small margin around the jacket so buyers can see all four corners.
5. Shoot the front, back and spine, then close-ups of ring wear, seam splits and writing.
6. Check the photo at 100% zoom: the catalog number and small print should be readable.

Shrink-wrapped and sealed records reflect light like glass. Move the lights further to the side and lower, and tilt the record a few degrees if a streak still crosses the artwork. Our guide to photographing books for selling uses the same approach for glossy covers.

How do you photograph the vinyl to show scratches?

Use one light low and to the side, so it skims across the grooves. Scuffs and scratches catch that raking light and show up as bright lines; light coming from the camera's direction bounces evenly off the black surface and hides them. A dark background also helps, because it gives the vinyl's edge a clean outline.

• Darken the room and use a single lamp, so the vinyl doesn't reflect windows and ceiling lights.
• Angle the camera slightly, around 20–30° from straight down, and turn the record slowly while watching the screen; marks appear and disappear as it rotates.
• Take one straight-down photo of each side for the overall look, and angled shots for condition.
• Lower exposure so the black vinyl isn't grey and the marks have contrast.
• Colored and picture discs look best with soft light from above plus one raking shot for condition.

How do you photograph the runout etchings?

Get close to the area between the last groove and the label, light it from the side, and tilt the record until the etched or stamped text catches the light. Matrix numbers are shallow, so flat front light makes them disappear.

1. Use your phone's macro mode or 2× zoom from about 15 cm.
2. Position a small lamp or phone flashlight low beside the record, not near the camera.
3. Rotate the record until the text reads clearly; it often takes several tries.
4. Photograph both sides' runouts and type the text into the listing as well, since it is easier to search than an image.

What background and size work best for record photos?

A neutral grey or white background for sleeves, and a dark matte background for the vinyl, both cropped to a consistent square. Most marketplaces display square thumbnails, and a 12-inch jacket is close to square anyway.

The free square image maker pads a photo to a square without cutting off the corners of the sleeve, and the marketplace image resizer sets an exact pixel size, such as eBay's 1600×1600 preset.

Should you edit vinyl record photos?

Only to make the photo match the record in hand: crop, straighten, and correct exposure and white balance. Removing ring wear from a sleeve or scratches from the vinyl makes the photo disagree with your grade, and that's what returns and negative feedback come from.

The free image cropper and photo editor handle these edits in your browser, with nothing uploaded.

How do you photograph a large record collection quickly?

Set up two stations, one for sleeves and one for vinyl, and photograph in batches: all fronts, then all backs, then all labels. Lock focus and exposure on the first item and leave the lights alone.

• Mark the sleeve position on the background with tape so every jacket sits in the same spot.
• Name files with the catalog number and side, for example ABC-1234_front.jpg.
• Grade as you go and write notes, so photos and grades are matched later.
• Shoot runouts and flaws only for records above your value threshold; for cheap lots, an overview photo of the spines and a stack shot is normal.

More resale guides: eBay listing tips and how to photograph trading cards.

Frequently asked questions

How do you take good pictures of vinyl records?

Photograph sleeves square-on in soft, even light, then the vinyl on a dark matte background with a single light low to the side to show the surface. Add labels, runouts, inserts and flaws.

How do you photograph vinyl scratches?

Use raking light: one lamp low and to the side in a dim room. Angle the camera slightly and rotate the record until marks catch the light.

What background should I use for records?

Neutral grey or white for sleeves and a dark matte background for the vinyl itself.

How many photos should a record listing have?

At least the sleeve front and back, both labels and each side of the vinyl. Add runouts, inserts and flaws for collectible pressings. eBay allows up to 24 photos.

How do you photograph matrix numbers in the runout?

Get close with macro or 2× zoom, light the runout from a low side angle, and rotate the record until the etched text reads. Type the text into the listing too.

Should I photograph sealed records?

Yes, front, back and spine, plus any hype sticker. Keep lights low and to the side to avoid glare on the shrink-wrap.

Can I edit record photos?

Crop, straighten and correct exposure and color only. Don't remove ring wear, writing or scratches.