A Guide To Storing Your Comic Books: Preparing Your Comics for Storage, Where and How to Store Them

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Whether you’ve always been a geek or you’re just discovering now the wonders of the superhero worlds pictured in comics and more, you should know how to care and store your comics to help prolong their life, as they require special attention. We’ve put together a guide to help you prepare your comic books for storage, plus some tips on where to store them and the most common ways to store them.

What should you do before storing your comic books?

To make sure you successfully store your comics, follow the following steps:

Set up a workstation

When preparing to store comic books, you should first know how to handle them to reduce any potential damage. Start by setting up a clean, dry workstation. Place a sheet of white paper on a table and make sure to remove any coffee or any liquid from the close proximity. Wash your hands and put on latex gloves to avoid transferring skin oils to the paper.

Clean and fixing comic books

Now that you have your station set up, you should clean them if needed. That’s especially true for those that aren’t in mint condition or that haven’t been stored properly. While you might have been equipped with gloves when leafing through your favorite comic, not everyone knows to do so. Skin oils can attract dust and can stain the paper. Clean the dust from exposed areas, such as the spine and the page edges, to avoid mold growth using a soft brush. If any of your comic books already experience mold growth, you should contact a trained conservator, as washing the paper can remove some of the acids that have built up, helping your comic to last longer. It’s definitely a job best left to the professionals.

For small tears, use archival acid-free tape, as regular tape can really damage your comic books. The adhesives typically dry out and end up yellowing and staining the paper. Moreover, some adhesives can also become acidic over time, which can degrade the paper.

Where can you keep your comic books?

Let’s explore some actual places you can keep them:

Keep your comic books at home

If you have room at home, you can find a spot in a guest room or a larger closet to put your comics. Just make sure the area meets the temperature, humidity and light conditions. Don’t place your comics against an external wall, especially if it’s facing north, as this area of the home is prone to condensation and provides the right conditions for mold formation. Also, avoid putting your comics in a basement or in an attic, as these places don’t typically get good air circulation.

Place your comics in a climate-controlled storage unit

If your comic book collection is quite extensive or you don’t have the room and/or the right space to keep your comics at home, you can consider a storage unit near you. A climate-controlled unit is probably your best option, as it offers the right temperature and humidity levels to keep your comics in shape. A self storage unit costs now, on average, $127/month, but rates differ based on location. Here’s what self storage rates look like in a couple of major cities:

 

Essential tips for preserving comic books

After finding the ideal spot to keep your comic books, here’s what you need to know about storing them:

  • Comic books thrive in an environment with temperatures between 50 -65 degrees and a relative humidity between 40% and 60%
  • Use plastic covers and cardboard backing, as they will help keep your comics in shape
  • Avoid stacking comics on top of each other
  • Protect them from exposure to direct light, as this can degrade the quality of paper

 

What should I store my comic books in?

Bag and board

This method consists of placing your comic books in bags, while the cardboard “boards” come into play to help your comic book to retain its shape. You can find bags at a comic bookstore, or you can buy them online. They come in different sizes, based on the year the comic book came out. The following classification comes from BCW, a company that focused on storage products for memorabilia: current comic books (1980 to present) usually take a 6 7/8″ x 10 1/2″ bag, whereas silver age comics (1950 to 1980) are best suited for a 7 1/8″ x 10 1/2″ bag. Older ones – from the Golden Age (pre-1950) – require a 7 3/4” x 10 1/2” bag.

 

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Binders

The typical comic book binder was inspired by a nine-pocket page format for trading cards, and it became popular back in the 1990s when comics started becoming collectibles too. Binders come with the advantage of offering extra protection compared to the classic storage bag, and they’re cheaper than them too.

Storage sleeves

Storage sleeves are a great way to keep your comics safe. Think of them as file folders for them – you can easily find the right comic by simply leafing through them. They can keep your comics together, all the while ensuring that their pages remain separate and in good shape. Using a storage sleeve can add an extra layer of protection to your comics, especially if you have a large collection and you need to put them in boxes or another larger storage container.

Hardshell cases

Similarly, hardshell cases offer a great storage alternative for your valuable comics. They’re pricier, but they do offer the advantage of keeping your comics crease-free. Additionally, in case you drop it, the comic won’t bend. Thanks to the storage system, a hardshell case allows you to prop a comic like a framed photograph, so you can easily incorporate some of them into your room décor.

Comic book storage box

The comic book box is one of the most common ways to store these items. They’re used so you can store your comics in an upright position. Make sure the box is acid-free and buffered, which helps prevent acid from developing. There are long boxes and short ones. Also, go for smaller ones – that typically store 20-50 comics. They are easier to move and can better sustain the weight of the comics. And, if possible, go for a storage box that’s made out of corrugated paper, as it’s typically made from recyclable materials and is more eco-friendly. Moreover, you’re better off keeping regular editions in cardboard boxes as they’re usually durable and easier on the wallet. Don’t pack too many comics in one box, as they can get damaged during storage.

 

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Plastic containers

For your valuable comic books, turn to plastic containers. They’re sturdier and offer extra protection compared to the cardboard ones. They can keep your comics safe from water and the elements – in the case of those that come with an airtight seal. Follow the same storage strategy as cardboard boxes – store your comics upright and don’t stack too many in one container. You want them to have a tight fit, but not too crowded.

File cabinets

If you’re looking for a sturdy option to keep your comics, file cabinets are ideal. They can store a lot of paper-based products or comics. If you choose to bag and board them, putting your comics in a file cabinet can keep them safe and out of sight. You can put your cabinet file next to other office furniture in your home office.

Bookcases

Bookcases are an inexpensive way to store comics. You can find them a spot in a room where you have an empty wall and place the bookcase there. Go for fixed bookcases, which are sturdier as opposed to the adjustable shelves, which might be unable to support the weight of comics.

Comic book spinner rack

If you can find one, it’s a great way to store your comics – it’s sure to make a visual statement! They used to act as display stands for comics and books in convenience stores before comic stores appeared. You might still find them in some comic stores, but, in general, they’re not so common anymore. They’ve become a thing that collectors seek now. Older spinner racks can cost quite a lot as they’re vintage items. Even new ones can cost a pretty penny now. You can go for magazine and fiction ones, but they don’t have the header that older comic racks have.

Magazine file holder

You can also turn to a magazine file holder to organize your comics and put them on a shelf. This is great for comic fans who like to be able to have easy access to them – you can easily pull one off the shelf and peruse its contents. Many file holders come with labels, so you can organize your comics collection by title or volume.

Floating shelves

If you enjoy the convenience of easy access to your comics, you can go for floating shelves as a way to store them in your home. While serving as interesting décor, your floating shelves with comics can remind you of your favorite hobby, help you easily track which ones you’ve read and allow you to peruse the new ones, too.

 

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Now that you know how to care for your comics to get them ready for storage, it’s time to go through your comics collection and organize yourself to get your comic books safely stored so that you can enjoy them for years to come.

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Mirela is a real estate writer and lifestyle editor for Yardi. With an academic background in English and translation, Mirela now covers a range of topics including real estate trends, lifestyle and economy. Her previous experience in proofreading academic articles has inspired Mirela to choose a writing career path. In her free time, Mirela enjoys reading, but also hiking and creating art. You can contact Mirela via email.

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