Should I press my comic books before grading?
What Pressing Does
Pressing uses heat and pressure to flatten defects like non-color-breaking bends, spine roll, and minor creases. It can make a comic look better and potentially raise the grade by 0.5 to 2.0 points, depending on the defects. However, it cannot fix color-breaking creases, tears, or missing pieces.
Professional pressers use a heat press with controlled temperature and moisture. DIY pressing with irons or heavy books is risky and can cause damage like scorching, ink transfer, or flattened art.
- Best candidates: comics with pressable defects but otherwise high grade (e.g., 9.0–9.6).
- Poor candidates: comics with major flaws like water damage, mold, or brittle pages.
- Not for: comics you want to keep in original condition without any intervention.
Grading Impact & Restoration
CGC and CBCS do not consider pressing as restoration if it's done properly and doesn't alter the paper structure. They will still give a blue label (universal grade). However, some collectors view pressing as deceptive and prefer unpressed books.
If pressing causes any color touch, trimming, or piece addition, it becomes restoration and gets a purple label. Always disclose pressing when selling, as it can affect value.
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Pressing typically costs $10–$30 per comic, plus shipping. If the grade bump increases value by more than the cost, it may be worthwhile. For example, a comic worth $100 at 9.0 might be worth $200 at 9.4, making pressing profitable.
For low-value comics (under $50), pressing is rarely worth it. For high-value comics, consult a reputable presser and consider the risks. Some pressers offer a pre-screen service to assess potential.
- Do press: if the comic has pressable defects and a higher grade significantly increases value.
- Don't press: if the comic is already high grade (9.8) or has defects that won't improve.
- Be cautious: with rare or very expensive comics; get professional advice.
Common mistakes
- Thinking pressing can fix any defect; it cannot repair tears, missing pieces, or color breaks.
- Using a household iron or heavy books, which can cause irreversible damage.
- Assuming pressing is always restoration; professional pressing is not considered restoration by major graders.
