How to Preserve Comic Books

With a few simple supplies readily available at most comic, hobby and collectibles shops, you can preserve your collection of comic books to ensure it retains its value over time. To preserve comic books, you'll want to keep them properly stored in a cool, dark, dry place until you're ready to trade them, sell them or show them off.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Comic storage boxes
• Plastic comic storage bags
• Cardboard backings
• Scotch tape

1. Take stock of how many comic books you want to preserve. Buy a comic book storage box that's big enough to hold them all, allowing for the plastic storage bags and cardboard backings you're going to be putting the comic books in. They'll add extra bulk, and a good rule of thumb is to get twice as much box space as you think your books would normally need.

2. Gather as many plastic comic book storage bags as you need, as well as an equal number of cardboard backings. Slip a single board inside each bag, ensuring it rests against the back surface of the bag. You can tell which side of the bag is the back because the opening of the bag is generally cut lower on the front than the rear.

3. Wear thin cotton gloves when you handle your comic books. Choose the kind that won't interfere with your manual dexterity but will also prevent your skin from coming into contact with the surface of the comic book.

4. Take great care not to damage the cover edges or corners of your comic books as you lower them, one by one, into the plastic storage bags. Each comic book should lay flat, its back cover against the surface of the cardboard backing.

5. Seal the opening of the plastic storage bags by folding it down and pasting Scotch tape on it. This will keep air out of the bag.

6. Stack your protected comics upright in the comic book storage boxes. The cardboard backings should face the back of the box. Leave your comic books slanted on a slight back-tilting angle to make it easier to access them later.

7. Cover your comic book boxes, and store them in a closet. However, you can keep your favorite or most valuable comics on permanent display in your home, if you wish, so long as you take care not to expose them to prolonged bouts of bright light, high heat or damp air.

Tips & Warnings

• You can aid the proper preservation of your comic books by using a dehumidifier to keep the area where they are stored dry. Consistent exposure to humid air can damage paper collectibles.
• You risk damaging your comic books if you do not preserve them properly. Comics are valued, in part, according to their physical condition. Not storing your collection properly can lead directly to its depreciation.