# Cardboard record

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Phonograph record made of paperboard

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Polish cardboard records

A **cardboard record**, commonly referred to as a **sound postcard** ([Polish](/source/Polish_language): *pocztówka dźwiękowa*) in [Poland](/source/Poland), is a type of cheaply made [phonograph record](/source/Phonograph_record) made of [plastic](/source/Plastic)-coated thin [paperboard](/source/Paperboard) that was popular between the 1960s and 1970s, especially in [Poland](/source/Poland). These discs were usually small, had poor audio quality compared to vinyl or [acetate](/source/Acetate) discs, and were often only marginally playable due to their light weight, slick surface, and tendency to warp like a [taco](/source/Taco) shell. Playability could be improved by placing a coin between the [lock groove](/source/Concentric_groove) and the spindle hole to add weight and stability. These records are distinct from both [flexi discs](/source/Flexi_disc), which are sturdier, and from many of the old home-recording discs since cardboard discs were mass-produced for a specific purpose.[1]

Cardboard records were often used as freebies in [promotional campaigns](/source/Promotion_(marketing)), and as such were expected to be played once or twice and then thrown away. Two examples, both from the late 1980s, were [Life Cereal's](/source/Life_(cereal)) "Rock Music Mystery" and [McDonald's](/source/McDonald's)' "Menu Song" contest, both of which were designed around audio "clues". Because of their disposable, limited-run nature, as well as their association with long-gone advertising campaigns, cardboard records can be quite collectible.

Cardboard records are also associated with [phonographic](/source/Phonographic) recordings included with magazines of similar subject matter.

Certain songs credited to the fictional 1960s–1970s band [the Archies](/source/The_Archies) were released as cardboard records printed directly on boxes of [breakfast cereal](/source/Breakfast_cereal). Other artists—usually with a generally younger fan base—such as [the Monkees](/source/The_Monkees), [the Jackson 5](/source/The_Jackson_5) and [Bobby Sherman](/source/Bobby_Sherman) also had records released on the backs of cereal boxes during this time. Also there were some printed on cereal boxes, for instance, "[All I Have to Do Is Dream](/source/All_I_Have_to_Do_Is_Dream)" by [the Everly Brothers](/source/The_Everly_Brothers). These records, if found in pristine condition, have significant value among collectors as well.

In the past, *[Mad](/source/Mad_(magazine))* Magazine inserted cardboard records of songs from its series of merchandised novelty albums in certain of their *Mad Super Special* reprint magazines. One of these, for example—the mid-60s release "It's a Gas!"—featured a rhythmic belching sound (allegedly provided by the magazine's fictional mascot, [Alfred E. Neuman](/source/Alfred_E._Neuman)) with a honking saxophone break played by an uncredited [King Curtis](/source/King_Curtis).

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Kriticos, Christian (September 15, 2025). ["Cereal Box Records Sound Horrible. They Still Look Incredible"](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/15/arts/music/cereal-box-records.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. Retrieved September 18, 2025.

## External links

- [The Internet Museum of Flexi / Cardboard / Oddity Records](https://www.wfmu.org/MACrec/)

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