Magazine Pressing - Simple Instructional Video

[@windlesSpice]

Glad I found your channel. I'm a 20 year comic and baseball card collector. Somehow never got into Sports Illustrated until a few months ago. I appreciate all the info in your videos.

[@cgcsportsillustrated5290]

Welcome to the tribe! I’ve seen a ton of people rotate into graded magazines from both comics and sports cards!

[@MrWuChen]

Great instructional video. I was wondering what you would do differently for magazines without staples - like SB programs where it seems like the pages are glued into the spine? Would you use a lower heat setting? Do some presses offer different pressure settings? Thanks in advance for answering these questions!

[@cgcsportsillustrated5290]

Much more complicated. #65 paper front and back, but you need a buffer along the spine in the press so you don’t crush the spine. Cut backer boards into strips and stack them against the spine

[@GhostsAndGarbagePailKids]

didnt realize you had made this video, very helpful. One question though, how hard do you clamp down on the magazine? how far down or how tight do you screw it down. all the way? just a tad, none? thanks in advance Jim!

[@cgcsportsillustrated5290]

That’s where experience comes in, it’s just a feel I have. The best way to describe it for beginners is you want to be able to easily clamp the press with one hand.

[@Hectekk]

Jim, sorry if you have answered this before. But what subscription cards do you take out or leave in magazine before pressing? Also, does CGC ding you for not having them?

[@cgcsportsillustrated5290]

@@Hectekk I remove the loose ones for sure. I also usually remove the stapled ones too. No, CGC doesn’t ding you because many of these issues get printed without the cards

[@toeslider92]

Will a heat press like this work for magazines that have been stored improperly and gotten a little “wavy” (for lack of a better term) from moisture or humidity? Not necessarily for grading purposes, but just to make them more readable and closer in condition to a magazine that was stored with more care?

[@cgcsportsillustrated5290]

Definitely would work for that! Either use a respected independent presser or, if you’re trying yourself, do a lot of practice first. It’s very easy to damage books if you’re new at this

[@CitizenX367]

Hello Jim, Just getting into the magazine part of my collecrion and found your vids. Very informative and much appreciated. Most of my collection is subscription, but I do have a 1st edition SI that I would like to get graded and display. My concern is the pressing needed to achieve a good result. The magazine is still in the original leather binder and bag inside the FedEx box and looks great, but I know nothung about this process. I have graded 20-30 of my bigger cards and find it to be criminal enterprise with the way tougher grading process employed today vs years ago. This vid is 2 years old, but you mention that you offer pressing services and I would imagine you have only gotten better at your craft. Is this a service you still offer? Also, do you have experience with this issue and what are the costs/processes involved? How do I best get ahold of you, should you be interested in helping me with this? Thank you for your time, Anthony

[@cgcsportsillustrated5290]

Hey Anthony! Yes, I still offer a pressing service, and I’ve pressed a ton of that 1st SI from 1954. Shoot me a DM on Twitter or Instagram or send me an email [e-mail]

[@tomharrison6607]

anthony i live in canada and have sent many magazines to james for pressing with amazing results he pressed a gretzky first si and second si and they both graded 9.4 as well as other magazines that got 9.6 and 9.8

[@CitizenX367]

Tom, appreciate the feedback. I did send him my 1st edition SI and can't wait to see how it grades.

[@grahamwyllie3216]

Great video. Thank you! I am having various results and struggling with how much pressure to use. Is there such a thing as too much? Any advice?

[@cgcsportsillustrated5290]

Pressure is probably the hardest part to get right, and they only way to really figure it out it is just by doing it over and over. It’s because each issue is a different thickness. Generally I use a lot of pressure, but you can certainly use too much, and it will varry depending on when the issue was produced. I’ve found that vintage issues can withstand more pressure in general. If I were you I’d get some junky subscription issues and start by using as much pressure as possible, then do it again and back it off until you get the hang of it. Let me know if I can do anything else to help!

[@dont_get_jealous]

Do you use steamers at all? Some people claim that steam will help but it seems so risky. Thanks for the videos!

[@inkfestedone1451]

Hello Thank you for the video. Do you recommend using gloves to avoid fingerprints?

[@cgcsportsillustrated5290]

I don’t use them as lose the ability to feel the pages when I’m turning them. Gloves can also snag on corners and staples. But it’s just personal preference. I just wash my hands right before working on the books and am careful not to tough my face when working

[@vidmikes]

I have magazines that are signed and am considering pressing. What do you know about pressings signed magazines?

[@cgcsportsillustrated5290]

I know a lot actually because I’ve pressed several hundred auto issues. Sharpie and pen aren’t a big issue, I just use less humidity and a more temp. Certain paint pen autos are a bit harder. The real key is using a high quality SRP.

[@vidmikes]

@@cgcsportsillustrated5290 Thanks so much for the reply! I have some signed in DecoColor premium gold paint color. Is that still a problem?

[@vidmikes]

@@cgcsportsillustrated5290 you should definitely do a video on this! I can’t find one anywhere.

[@vidmikes]

@@cgcsportsillustrated5290 Thanks for the reply! I have some that are in sharpie metallic like gold and silver and others in DecoColor premium gold and silver. Are those a problem?

[@cgcsportsillustrated5290]

@@vidmikesI’d need to run my finger across them to be sure, but I’d treat them just like they are a problem. Low heat, low pressure, no humidity, and a high quality SRP. Then be vary careful when removing the SRP when you open the press.

[@sportsillustrated9.834]

Totally awesome video.

[@cgcsportsillustrated5290]

Thank you! 👊

[@victortoombs4754]

Great video Jim! I'm somewhat confused why you've had so many pressing "mistakes" because you made it seem quite easy with just a minimal amount of steps to take. After watching the video it doesn't seem to me like much can go wrong as long as one follows your instructions verbatim. What am I missing?

[@cgcsportsillustrated5290]

Well it took me a while, lots of trial and error to come up with these procedures. I wanted to see how hot I could get an issue before it started burning, so I knew the limits. How long I could leave the heat on. How to keep the staples from popping through. Keep in mind there are lots of topics I didn’t cover like how much pressure on the handle, how many backer boards along the staples, the thickness of the card stock. Took me about 100 issues to settle on these prosecutes.

[@victortoombs4754]

@@cgcsportsillustrated5290 But if I were to follow your simple instructions precisely I shouldn't have any problems right?

[@cgcsportsillustrated5290]

@@victortoombs4754 you should be safe. However, because each magazine is different, these instructions might not fix all your issues problems. If you run into an issue this doesn’t fix, shoot me a message!

[@victortoombs4754]

@@cgcsportsillustrated5290 Thanks very much for the video! Do you know which presser that is?

[@cgcsportsillustrated5290]

@@victortoombs4754 RoyalPress 15" x 15" Color LED Industrial-Quality Digital Sublimation Heat Transfer Machine T-Shirt Heat Press Machine, 15" x 15", Black www.amazon.com/dp/B081RNTHTK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_Q6DA1T3RBYEWSXEHJEW0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[@princenamor1939]

How do you handle the subscription cards that are glue-bound in the magazine? They leave an indentation on the pages before and after when the magazine is pressed.

[@cgcsportsillustrated5290]

@@princenamor1939 personally I remove them from my personal issues before i press them. But you have to be very careful when removing them. If you’re not you can tear the pages and even damage the staples

[@princenamor1939]

@@cgcsportsillustrated5290 What if they are glue-bound, not stapled?

[@cgcsportsillustrated5290]

@@princenamor1939 then you’re kinda stuck leaving them in

[@migomott]

Jim- how do you feel about subscription cards? Should they be removed before pressing? Do cards affect the grade?

[@cgcsportsillustrated5290]

I could do a whole video about this! Subscription cards are noted on the label if they are present. I can’t imagine any scenario where having the cards or not having them would effect the collectibility of an issue, it’s just not something anyone cares about. When it comes to pressing an issue with the cards present, it’s a problem as the cards will create dents on the pages before and after. While tricky, I remove all the subscription cards before pressing, they just create problems during that process

[@dont_get_jealous]

Is it safe to press thicker magazines? Mine don’t have staples and so wonder if the spine will be ruined if I press it with CGC or on my own.

[@cgcsportsillustrated5290]

Sounds like you’re taking about square spine mags that are glued rather than stapled. In that case you want 65# card stock between the cover and first page, and the back and last page, no centerfold backer board since there isn’t a centerfold. You’ll need to create a spine buffer and be careful with the pressure on the press. Cut backer boards into long strips and stack them to the same height as the spine. Butt them up against the spine when pressing. The strips will help keep you from crushing the spine during pressing. Sorry, it’s tough for me to convey this via KZbin comments. Let me know if you have questions

[@dont_get_jealous]

@@cgcsportsillustrated5290 makes sense! Thanks so much

[@cgcsportsillustrated5290]

@@dont_get_jealous👊

[@jszopin]

Awesome stuff. I press Comics and am getting into Magazines. DO you have much experience with pressing magazines with centerfold posters in the middle?

[@cgcsportsillustrated5290]

Yes! I usually just put an extra backer board on both sides of the centerfold, as well as one at the centerfold. It’s easier with magazines because they are so much thicker than comics, so the spine can accept the extra room of three backer boards

[@whosdad]

@@cgcsportsillustrated5290 can pressing get rid of yellow edges on pages?

[@cgcsportsillustrated5290]

@@whosdad pressing won’t get rid of those, but there are “whitening” techniques that can help and/or eliminate those issues

[@tshoemaker1982]

Do I have to use a certain types of paper?

[@cgcsportsillustrated5290]

65# card stock for the buffer and silicone release paper for the parts that make direct contact with the press

[@ScottRecker]

I think I’m in need of your services. I have 6 serial numbered slam magazines and they are still in the plastic with the backer board from slam so should I still get them pressed by you?

[@cgcsportsillustrated5290]

@@ScottRecker if you care about the grade, always get them pressed. Shoot me an email and I’ll send you the info on my service. [e-mail]

[@NgoloGen-sp4mq]

It looks like you put a smooth stainless steel plate in your heat press? I have a heat press already is that required or can i just use the pad it comes with/remove the pad?

[@cgcsportsillustrated5290]

It’s actually an aluminum plate. With a heat press, you’re only getting heat from the top, the bottom doesn’t heat. The plate allows you to get heat on the back cover. If you don’t have one, you’ll need to flip your book and press the other side

[@tshoemaker1982]

How do we contact you? Is your turn around still 2-3 weeks?

[@cgcsportsillustrated5290]

Find me on Twitter or Instagram and send me a DM. Or last resort is email, [e-mail]

[@Ketovore4life_]

What's the backer board made of?

[@cgcsportsillustrated5290]

It’s just a heavy stock cardboard with one rough side and a shiny side. You want the shiny side touching your magazine when you store it. Does this help?