How to Preserve Your Comic Books

If you plan to keep your comic books for more than five years, use long-term backing with acid-free paper and store them in a controlled environment.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Comic Book Boxes
• Acid-free Comic Board Backings
• Overstreet Price Guides
• Advance Previews Comic Catalogs
• Tape
• Tape
• Tape
• Back Comic Book Issues
• Clear Page Protectors
• Dehumidifiers
• Dehumidifiers

1. Put each comic in a mylar sleeve that covers the book like a clear envelope and has a pressed board backing to keep it straight.

2. 

   Slide the backing into the mylar sleeve with the treated side facing front. (Backing boards are white on the treated side and gray on the untreated side.)

3. 

   Slide the comic book into the sleeve, cover facing out.

4. 

   Store comic books standing up in short or long comic book boxes.

5. Place the boxes where they will not be affected by sunlight, fluorescent lights, heat, humidity or smoke.

Tips & Warnings

• Short comic book boxes will hold around 100 books, while long boxes will hold around 300.
• Comic book supplies come in the same sizes as the books. Make sure you get the right fit. Also, most stores will let you buy mylar and backing individually, unless you're buying premium quality.
• Comic books are priced according to their condition, so store yours properly.
• Most collectors tape the back of the mylar to keep it closed, but be careful you don't accidentally catch the book on the tape.

on 8/8/2006 If you can't find any acid free paper or mylar sheets, just buy a display book (for around a dollar) and place the comic in one of the sheets, then tape up the open end.

on 11/22/2005 Scotch sells a removeable tape that is very safe for comics. I use it on mine, and when the tape does accidentally get on the comic, it comes off very easily without causing any damage.