Needles & Grooves

I don't waste my time leaving it on gatefolds. Too much work, can't open the gatefolds lol. Though for single pocket jackets, I like the look of it. The gloss of the shrink looks nice for display. I also love keeping the hype stickers on, especially if the stickers look cool (like Newbury Comics or VMP exclusives hype stickers).

Off! Always! Over time shrink will do just that... shrink... And eventually that'll eff up your jacket. But it'll take like... a long time...

I always took it off without thinking about it until I got on the forum and saw so many people keeping there’s on and started wondering if I was doing the right thing. I mean I put my records in protective sleeves...

I keep it on because 1. It's satisfying to use an x-acto knife to slit the side, 2. Less of a chance that my oily fingers get on the jacket and crud it up over time, 3. I like to keep the hype stickers and peeling them can be an inconvenience, so I forego the effort completely by leaving the shrink...

4. I have older records (70s/80s) with the shrink still on so 4a. this isn't a new thing and 4b. the shrink seems to have thinned out a bit but hasn't impacted the jacket/record. I think temperature fluctuation would have a different impact, however. 5. I always rip off for gatefolds as the inner artwork is part of the experience.

Also I tried to use an X-Acto knife to keep some of my shrinks on and I sliced the inner sleeve of the record

It's definitely a skill. Gotta steady the arm to support the wrist and hand and grip it more at the base for accuracy. But boy, once that knife glides it's what I imagine heroin feels like.

@Melt Face Molly Drop yeah I think you've got that about right...

I have tried to leave the shrink on occasionally, but I always eventually end up succumbing to my aesthetic compulsion and ripping it off.