45s.com -- Record Organization System

If you want the best possible system to organize and maintain your record collection, order divider labels and record labels from 45s.com.  Click here to see an example.

Divider Labels -- Pressure-sensitive labels with the names of approximately 6,000 recording artists from the 1950's to the 1990's, including every artist to hit the Billboard pop/rock or country charts.  $300 per set.

Record Labels -- Pressure-sensitive labels with complete information on the 20,000 45 rpm records that hit the Billboard Hot 100 pop/rock charts between the 1950's and the 1990's.  Labels include your choice of the following information in any order that you choose: the name of the artist, the song title, record label and number, year the record was released or the date the song hit the charts, peak position the song reached on the Billboard charts, the number of weeks the song was on the charts, the approximate book value of the record in top condition, and your collection name (such as "The Windsor Collection").  $995 per set.  Really cheap!  It took us 10 years to compile all of this information, and the plain labels alone cost us $300.

Our System -- Here's how we set up our system:

We have 12 shelving units for our collection of the 20,000 songs that hit the Billboard Pop/Rock Charts from 1950 to 1992.  We buy plastic shelves (5 shelves per unit) #BMSC-5 from OfficeMax for $44.95 each.  Each shelf holds 20 45-rpm storage boxes.  Inside each box, we have dividers for each artist, and we have taken the records from their original sleeves and put them in heavier sleeves.  For dividers and record sleeves, we suggest Bags Unlimited -- (800) 767-BAGS.  We use their 45 Record Storage Boxes (# X45150), 45 Divider Cards -- Corrugated (# D45C), and their paper sleeves.  We keep all picture sleeves in their 45 Poly Record Sleeves (# S4525).

I stuck the pressure-sensitive label all the way at the top in the center of the top of the divider -- alternating the tabs back and forth.  I have some plastic dividers as well, but the cardboard just seems to work better for me. 

I applied the labels for each record in the upper right hand corner of the sleeve. It's easy to keep the records in order behind each divider, as we have a big bold number that represents the order in which the songs hit the charts.  So, for example, if an artist had 20 songs hit the charts, each will be chronologically numbered 1 to 20.  So, when you've pulled #13 to play, you just flip to that empty spot in the box and replace the record after use.

Once I got my collection into boxes, I used Microsoft Word to create Avery Labels to show the spread of artists in each box.  It makes it much easier to find what you are looking for.

If you want to create additional divider labels for any that we don't provide, you can use Avery Model #5161 labels.  We use Arial bold font in point size 22 -- centered.  I use the free Avery Wizard download from www.avery.com; it works as an add-in for Microsoft Word.

You'll love having this system.  It really dresses up your collection. 

Email or fax your order for record dividers and labels to 45s.com.  Email: info@45s.com; Fax: 678-320-9075.  Or mail to 45s.com, 7632 Pleasant View Drive, Parma, OH 44134.  We look forward to serving you.