Comic Encapsulation
To many collectors putting their prized comics in polyethylene bag, thinking “this is a good enough preservation move”, until they come back to their comic in a few years to find the quality of their book is changed for the worse.
While polyethylene bags are OK for short time comic storage, perhaps over a few months to a few years. Comic aging depending partly on the climate where the comics are stored. Polyethylene are not considered a safe long term archival quality solution to document preservation. Polypropylene is considered a better encapsulation method because generally it is more stable in structure than polyethylene. In the end although polyester film encapsulation is considered the best for the value.
Polyester Film Encapsulation link
While Mylar® is a legal trademark of DuPont Teijin films. Their main archival grade polyester films are Mylar® type D and Melinex® 516. There are other companies tha make polyester film also known as BoPET (biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate) is a such as the
Imperial Chemical Industries in England.
Mylar
Uncoated archival quality polyester film encapsulation is commonly known as Mylar Sleeves, for most comic collectors. These sleeves are at present the most logical form of long term storage, that is in direct contact with your comic books. These Polyester sheet usually come in the form of sleeves that are made in 1 to 4 mils in thickness. There is another product called Melinex which used for encapsulation, but not usually seen in the comic world. It should be note the Type D is considered best.
Melinex® 516
This is another archival polyester product. This product is useful but no as easy to find as mylar in terms of the various book book sizes. This vendor has good break down of various Melinex products. Click Here
Note: For really good overview of these two products as related to comics see: comic-book-collection-made-easy.com page on “Mylar, The Superior Comic Book Protection Sleeve of Choice! “
NOTE: Mylar can crack and tear.
The thicker mylar usually is the one that may crack if its too dry and hot.
Thinner mylar may tear, if not handled with care.
Another source for a break down of plastic types used in storage: Guide to storage products
Special Encapsulation:
Note: First Vendor Name Listing are web clinks
There are some encapsulation methods that are for special situations.
The companies below offer comic encapsulation that is made not to be opened without detection being noticed. This is done because such encapsulated comics have being professionally graded. These companies will als do encapsulation on other print documents such as magazines and artwork.
Comics Guaranty, LLC CGC: is a company that grades comics. They use a product called a CGC holder. This two layer comic encapsulation container maybe one of the best methods of storing a comic and having an idea of its market worth. The CGC holder has few different parts, two of these are a Barex plastic and Micro Chamber Interleaving Paper.
PSA:
Note: Because of the cost of grading and the quality of the holder, these encapsulation methods are usually reserved for special items.
Millcase is a hard plastic case that is listed as having UV filtering.Clickable Image
Slab-Pro: is the name of the company that offers various products to protect and present your comics.
They even come in different colors. I have tried the product and it is a great concept. You might however need wider storage boxes. Luckily Slab-Pro does sell Slab-Pro boxes that for Slab Pro fitted comics. It seems to that Slab Pro fitted comics can add an extra layer of protection for shipping grades comics
UV CLEAR PROTECTOR is intended to put your slabbed comic book into to protect it from harmful UV rays and scratching. It is peel off item. I would say it’s a must have item if you display your graded comic books anywhere they are exposed to the sun for extended periods of time
COMIC PORTFOLIO are black vinyl portfolios for your comics designed like a folder, they are made of rubber silicone. I was generously sent a sample of Comic Portfolio Graded model and other products made by Slab Pro. The product is well made. They come in standard, graded and art styles.
Invisible Comic Back Board: Have you ever wished you could display that cool wrap around comic cover you picked up of some comic book? Well, this invisible comic back board may be the answer. Made of very clear and thick mylar they replace your standard comic backing. After analyzing my sample, few thoughts:
This product may also help prevent corner dinging, of that most valued comic if dropped. This product is not cheap its more like the rolls royce of comic backing, so I would say its good for something you really want to display or use it to protect your most valued items.
If you live in a warm climate I would still use micro chamber interleaving paper between the front and back covers. Mylar does not breath very much, like standard backings which absorb toxins. So another very interesting product from a innovative company. Did I mention they really look cool.
Note: E. Gerber’s 914R 9 x 14 1/2 Legal Size bag will still fit under the Slab Pro, sort of, if your concerned about dust.
Archival Quality Envelopes: These envelopes let you get to your comic without touching it too much. They are made of 10 point tan, acid/lignin-free buffered (pH 8.5) envelope stock with a crystal clear, archival quality polyester window according to the proct website.
CGC Protective Cases ideas. These products may help protect your valued CGC cases from being scratched
Global Genealogy in Canada as has a mylar sleeve that may be suitable for CGC slabs, check it out here.
E. Gerber has a product that may help protect your CGC slab. It is item: 914R 9 x 14 1/2 Legal Size. This is a sub class of a 4mil mylar product called a Archives.
Comic Encapsulation Support Materials Overview
Micro Chamber Interleaving Paper
Micro Chamber Interleaving Paper has actually a few aspects. The terms of Micro Chamber paper: in this context we are refering to a line of trademarked items that are lignin and sulfur-free, that also have alkaline level. It is also made partly of zeolites. Such paper reduces that effects of pollutants that are usually associated with paper document degradation. Interleaving are acid free sheets of paper or thin cloth rag put between sheets of a document to prevent the ink transfer from one page to another and reduce the effects of other agents that are pollutants to paper.
Note: There seems to be a bit of a debate whether Micro Chamber Interleaving Paper should be replaced and if so when. For a further notes on this I suggust at least start to form your thoughts by looking at these sites to to at lease get a idea of the issues at hand.
Comic Book Maintenance and Preservation for Archives and Special Collections
NEDCC
conservationresources.com: MicroChamber
Gerald R. Ford Conservation Center Nebraska State Historical Society
Acid Free Backing Boards link
These stiff boards are made of cloth/rags or wood/paper. They are usually a little bigger than the size comic These stiff boards are made of cloth/rags or wood/paper. They are usually a little bigger than the size comic book, they are made to support. These boards are inserted in a mylar sleeve usually in back of a comic book. The board helps supports the comic, to preventing bending the book and also getting creases in it or color breaks on its cover. The acid free nature of these board helps protect the comic book from acid migration found in the aging process of paper. Some boards come with a 3% to 4% calcium carbonate buffer at a ph of about 8.00 added to the acid free backing. The idea is to help reduce the amount of environmental pollutes from getting into the comic. Backing boards fall under the area of archival board in the field of document preservation and in art presentation as a support product such as mattes.