Comic Bags

There are a few things to know about bags:

• Different Types:

  • Polypropylene - These are the standard bags you'll find for sale in a store that sells comics.  They typically last 7-8 years before they need to be changed.  You will see these bags ripple and/or begin to yellow as they deteriorate.  A pack of 100 bags will typically sell for $8-10.

  • ​Mylar - These are heavy duty and also cost more.  They should be used for more expensive books that you wish to have added protection for.​  A pack of 100 bags will typically sell for $35-40.

• Different Sizes:​

  • Golden Age​ - For pre-1958 books or Silver Age Books that are larger than standard size.

  • Silver Age - These are specifically for books printed between 1958 and 1992, but we find that these are better even for modern books.

  • Modern (Current) Age - These are made for books printed from 1992 through the present day.  Again, we prefer Silver Age bags as the modern bags are very tight and books can be damaged when using them.

  • Magazine Sized - These can be used for magazines, magazine-sized comics, or graphic novels.

• Different Features:

  • Standard - These have a flap that folds over that you will need to seal with tape.  Always use scotch tape, and you should use two pieces evenly spaced out across the flap.​

  • Resealable - These have an adhesive strip along the back where the flap folds down and makes contact.  These can be opened and resealed many times, though not infinitely.​

Comic Backing Boards

Backing boards provide protection for the comics by:

• Keeping them straight and providing stability to the spine.  This is important when putting books back into a box, if you push down it may bend the spine.  

• Providing protection to the back cover.

• Providing protection to the edges, which could help prevent bumps, rounded corners, etc..

Backing boards are treated with an acid free coating to help protect the comic from damage.  They typically last for 8-10 years before they should be swapped out.  Time the replacement of your backing boards with the replacement of the bags.  A pack of 100 boards will typically cost around $20.

Backing boards should be placed in the bag with the shiny (treated) side facing the front of the bag.  This side should be making contact with the back of the comic.​

How to Bag and Board Your Comics Safely

1. Set up your workspace.  It should be a flat surface that it is clean and free of anything that can damage your comics (like a glass of water).  

2. Get all of your materials out and set them up on the workspace - bags, boards, tape (if you're not using resealable bags).

3. Take the comic and place it on top of the backing board, with the shiny (treated) side facing up and making contact with the back of the comic.  The untreated side should not be facing the comic.  The comic and board will go into the bag together to minimize the potential for damage.

4. Insert the comic and board into the bag at a slight angle facing down to the right so that that the lower right corner goes in the bag first.  This is to make sure the open side doesn't get caught on the lip of the bag causing damage.  The flap of the bag should be oriented so that it folds down to the back side of the comic.

5. Place the comic face down to seal the bag:

   1. If you are using resealable bags, remove the strip to expose the sticky surface.  Fold the flap over to the back side of the comic and close it flat over the sticky surface to seal the bag.

   2. If using standard bags, fold the flap over to the back side of the comic and close it flat.  Use two pieces of transparent tape to seal the bag, spaced out evenly across the width of the bag.  Always be careful when removing books from these bags, as the tape can stick to the comic causing damage.  Be sure to take the tape off the bags when removing comics.​