comicXpress

COLLECTORS ADVOCATE



Comic pressing: Quick 101

checklist of flaws
pricing
before/after

What is Comic Pressing and what makes a comic a candidate for it?


1.



QUICK OVERVIEW





What is comic pressing? In a nutshell, its a way to get minor dings such as fingernail dents off a cover…smooth out the cover/pages with even pressure…basically, to help remove minor damage done by everyday handling. It doesn’t fix torn pages…missing pages, stained pages or other major defects that if fixed are considered restoration. Pressing is NOT restoration.​



2.



PRESSING TECHNIQUES





Pressing is an art and there is not a set way to press all comics. Depending on the age of the comic, different quality/type of paper is used for the insides, covers, etc…so a process that might work for comics from the 1980’s probably wouldn’t work with the comics of today.


You can’t use the same process/techniques on all comics. Pressing techniques work for some era’s and not for others due to paper type/quality. You have to take EVERYTHING into consideration… glossy covers, thicker stock, different color pages, It varies from Golden, Silver, Copper and Modern Age books.


It’s important to know the background, experience and history of the person you entrust to press your comics.




3.



CHOOSING A PRESSER





Do they have the knowledge or experience of handling different types of surfaces, paper/weight, etc., Are they fans or collectors themselves? What types of resources do they have available to themselves? There are many ways someone can get into pressing.


The right way is for the love of comics and their history. Why would you trust your collection to someone who doesn’t collect comics themselves? I got into pressing to improve my collection. Over the years of getting comics at comic cons, bumping into people, getting things signed…etc etc…comics get damaged. I researched comic pressing and the commercial equipment out there to decide what would work best for my needs. I then just started buying comics in a 5 for $1 bin… no damage was off the table. Its amazing what practice does. Like every talent and skill…the more you practice, the better you get. You familiarize yourself with do’s and don’t…not based on what people say… but from your own trial and error and YOUR comic press equipment (not all machines are created equal).



4.



PASSION BEHIND THE WORK





People asked me how did I know when I was ready to press comics for people? Well, I told them… when I pressed all my comics…my entire collection….and not just $10 or $20 dollar comics….we’re talking key books like Brave & the Bold #54 - 1st Teen Titans and the entire 1st series and all appearances from the ‘60’s - all the way up to new comics I buy at local shops that might be the last copy…but dings or some minor damage. Before I would pass that book up…and end up paying way more for it later. Now, I don’t flinch and just grunt and buy it…and press it..then it’s like brand new.


That’s how I got into pressing. I later began pressing for family and friends…which leads us to present day. Now I’m available to help get your comics back to like new condition as long as they are good candidates for pressing.



...and now the defects!





To Press or not to Press..



I currently am VERY Selective about books I take in to press due to time limitations. So if you do would like to see if I am available to take in yours, I charge $14 per book, and I always review what you want to send and either approve or reject a book and my reason as to why I cannot accept one over the other. Usually, if a book is too much of a problem child that would not improve by a press or would risk damage due to it being too fragile, etc..

Its not about the money... I won't just take all in if I don't feel its in your best interest. Why press a book and pay for the pressing if the comic doesn't truly need it?

Helpful Tips to evaluate your comic to see if it's a good candidate for pressing





First identify the defects ...both good and bad defects. Although NO defect is good...in this case, good defects can be diminished or removed by pressing, and the bad defects cannot.


GOOD DEFECTS:

  1. Dents
  2. Bends
  3. Folds
  4. Light creases
  5. Minor spine stresses
  6. Impacted corners or edges
  7. Slight warping
  8. Ripples (with no stains present)
  9. Spine rolls
  10. Waviness
  11. Stacking bends
  12. Light cover impressions

BAD DEFECTS:

  1. Creases that break color
  2. Missing chips or pieces
  3. Tears
  4. Stains
  5. Detached staples or staple tears
  6. Spine stresses that break color
  7. Fading
  8. Fingerprints or smudges
  9. Dust shadows or sun shadows
  10. Rusted staples or rust stains
  11. Rounded or blunted corners
  12. Pen markings or printer ink
  13. Cover veins
  14. Brown or brittle cover or pages


Knowing which defects are fixable and which are NOT, hopefully gives you realistic expectations on how your book will turn out after pressing.


However, please remember Pressing DOES NOT guarantee your comic will grade higher. Grading is subjective, 9.8 for someone might be a 9.4 for another.



Don't take my word for it....take a look



Pressing Results/Examples


Before and After:
photos and Video clips




As I press comics with different flaws and from different eras, I'll post before and after pictures. At times, I'll take video clips of the comic before I press it, at different angles so that you can more easily see the flaws and will do the same after the pressing is completed.


Before PRESSING:
Video of Transformers #1



Some comics get damaged from everyday handling and others just by bad luck. Either way, here's one I picked up and saw potential in.



AFTER PRESSING:
VIDEO OF Transformers #1



The end result is like it just was bought off the shelf! Now it will be a great addition to someone's collection!



See more BEFORE and AFTER videos of MORE Comics I've pressed! Link BELOW!


https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3pL6L-b2MB2tiaAIRh2UAA