Can Pressing Hurt Your Comics?

[@a.t.r.]

"some people feel that taking that shower is restoration" - don't know why this made me chuckle so much 🤣

[@BuckeyeByBirth]

The guy that cleans and presses my books is an expert in art restoration that decided comic book cleaning/pressing is where the money's at. 😊

[@AlbertJohnson-gp7lu]

How much does your guy clean and press ?

[@buraddorun3043]

Guess I'm one of the one or two oldheads here. To me, it's restoration. And sometimes pressed books just look downright unnatural. I picked up some cheap books from the late 70s about a month ago and they had been previously pressed. It's like you said about color breaking spine ticks. That book had them and they just looked weird all flattened down and accentuated. The thing is, if someone can tell a book was pressed, then it's restoration in my mind. A "proper" press would be one that when compared to a top condition identical book that wasn't pressed, there would be no way to tell the difference.

[@theobsessedcollector]

CGC should not have any negative reaction with dry clean and pressing. If they are going to offer the service, they can't discriminate against it. Unless it's a really bad job.

[@Poohsoftserve]

With cleaning and pressing around, it’s important to buy the book and not the grade on the slab. At a local show, a vendor (with pressing in their name) had a booth filled with high-grade slabs. All the books were permeated with waviness, which can happen with over humidification. Those books were no longer high-grade.

[@michaelslattery3736]

I see "unpressing" happen with waves as well.

[@batacewiz]

Good questions there, I don't consider cleaning and pressing restoration but I think the grading companies should denote a comic that hasn't been touched as a Natural 9.8 or Virgin 9.8 etc. Which is much harder to acquire.

[@carlossanchez8192]

I agree , almost a special label like petigree.

[@florianneumann9441]

And how would you proof this ^^ so you got a 9.8 haa? of course... and you never cleaned or pressed it? sure, trust me dude...

[@carlossanchez8192]

@florianneumann9441 First off I would prove this, not proof this. Hahaha

[@florianneumann9441]

@@carlossanchez8192 thx. none native going on autocorrect... argument still stands

[@carlossanchez8192]

First older graded CGC labels haven't been pressed or cleaned. It wasn't a thing. So if natural label became a thing. All older labels could get it. Also collections just coming to light for the first time. More rare but it happens. There are two examples for you. The first one is more trusted for sure.

[@toddmacleod5915]

I literately cleaned (chemical and water) 100's of books before pressing, usually one pressing and stack to be graded. Only a few needed additional pressing, plus not worrying so much about perfection, just a better grade then when started. When the grader notes said wiping to cover and got a universal, I worked on perfecting my method with less is more mindset. All was good, until CGC was bought out and then the shocker... I started receiving "Restro Cover Cleaned" labels so I just stopped, plus, the price increase. Pressing is an art, I have bought 8.5 slabs that state corner crunch and after a press get 9.6 and no mention of restroration. Hopefully pressing does not get in the mix because of the sense of pride you get when you make a book look awesome. My rant...LOL great show!

[@MintHunterComics]

Pressing is an art indeed!

[@jamesfreynolds4118]

I don't feel pressing is restoration. Adding color,paper glue or paper....most definitely. If someone has the time to get the tan (foxing) color or stains out. I don't feel that is restoration. You're not adding anything. You're simply taking away years or grime. To show the true beauty of what it is underneath. At this rate if they start "really" hitting on pressing, cleaning and whitening with a bluelight box. There's bound to be less submissions. A collector is simply trying to bring it back as good as possible. Without adding any pieces to it (Glue,Paper,Color,staples) Love the channel @minthuntercomics and hope to get to your shop soon. Everyone stay well and keep collecting 👍

[@carlossanchez8192]

Pressing and cleaning isn't restoration. A special label for natural higher grade comics should be given. Reward for natural don't punish for improvement. Plus like you said "You are not adding or taking away anything ." CGC is a service just like pressing and cleaning. They were all ment to keep your comic Pristine. CGC is a grading company and need to stay in there Lane.

[@bronzevillecomics2581]

I have been doing my own pressing for about a year and a half and the time I can spend on a book can help get a better grade. It is also satisfying to improve the books yourself however I have definitely made some mistakes. Nothing in big books. I do still have to master square bound books though.

[@charliedogg7683]

Love the t-shirt James. In the early days of comics restoration, it was considered a way to value-add to the book. But somewhere along the way CGC and the other grading companies decided that restoration is bad. However, in every other area of collectibles that I can think of, effective restoration increases an item's value and longevity. Good information, there are aspects to pressing here that I hadn't thought of.

[@ChienandKun]

Thanks for making this video. Here's the bottom line for me: A 'perfect' 9.8. comic has never been a 9.6. or 9.4. That's the definition of 'pristine'...it has never been damaged. So a comic that receives a grade bump through pressing, is not really that higher grade, because it had to go through a specialized process in order to *remove* damage. And, as I have said before, this falsely inflates the high grade populations of books, thus decreasing their prices. You made a video the other day about hard 9.8's, in which you stated that you send off books you think are perfect to get them pressed for good measure. As I've stated before...adding another middle man to handle your books only increases the chances of damage, especially if they are 'perfect'. It could very well be, that this middle man is what is causing what you think of as perfect books, to be graded lower. By definition real 9.8's don't need to be pressed, and I think through your OCD, you're allowing your books to be unnecessarily damaged by having them handled by one more person other than the grader, and having them go through a completely unnecessary process for the books in question.

[@Cincinnatijames]

My brother and I were pressing back in 1985, stacking a whole set of world book encyclopedias

[@MintHunterComics]

Oh wow!

[@Cincinnatijames]

@@MintHunterComics there was a used book store around the corner, they had a shelf of comics and they were half cover prices. Since they were used, unbagged, they weren't mint, so we'd press them. Getting a copy of ASM 252 was a prize even then, so we'd open up a world book, usually letting the staple edge hang out, the stack the rest of the world books on top of it next to the book shelf and let it set for a day or so.

[@blueincognito5037]

just experienced a color lift on a comic, the book was dirty on the back but the front cover color popped. Saw the spine tick become more noticeable as well in the same comic.

[@michaelslattery3736]

Think we also need to keep in mind that these words have actual definitions. The accepted comic definition of restoration is "the act of adding foreign material to a comic book through certain techniques to return its appearance to an ideal or original state." So, pressing is not restoration...unless you're adding moisture (which is typically part of warm pressing, but you could cold press comic books). Cleaning actually could fit the restoration definition better. If you're adding absorene or those little flakes from a document cleaning pad. In both cases you're adding material. Granted you're then removing that material, so then it's a question of permanency. I guess I can see cleaning being considered restoration; on the fence about pressing.

[@rgi_comics]

Coming from a novice presser, that was good information. Thanks.

[@RPRsChannel]

*_I do not understand why a popped staple would give a Green Label`_* *_The staple hasn't been removed?_*

[@jcali2121]

I think you hit it right on the nail!

[@DocReasonable]

I've got a couple of raw books that I can tell have been pressed. They just don't look 'natural', as comics do not come completely flat from the newsstand or store. I'd use the word 'modified' rather than 'restored', as restoration implies that's how they originally appeared when new.

[@SuperiorBryce98]

Ironically, my copy of Firestorm #1 needs to be pressed 😂

[@MintHunterComics]

Good luck!

[@jamesvelez7509]

I like the tips that you explain every step about how to do it.

[@cartoonhuntingseason8683]

Helpful thanks!

[@EveryDayAStoryCollects]

Another good video James, it was also cool to see you used two of my images from CGC boards of my X-Men #101 as the example of a popped staple (timestamp 6.33 thru 6.41) Unfortunately that popped staple was not the result of pressing as it was like that when I got it, which was a bummer as the book was immaculate other than that popped staple. The story has a happy ending though, the seller made good on the deal and gave me a partial refund and I still decided to submit it for protection. It came back a green label 9.6 and I later had it signed by Chris Claremont and is now a yellow/green signature series/qualifed 9.6 and looks amazing.

[@pcantu3]

I had a bad experience with CCS and stopped pressing most of my comics. I have reverted to sending in perfect comics to CGC and holding off on others.

[@49rogue91]

Great video... lots of good info. One thing I don't get. Why would CGC grade harsher for pressed books if they offer pressing services? I mean I get if there are amateur pressings done that damage the comic, it will get a lower grade. But simply punishing a comic grade because they can tell it was pressed... it doesn't make sense.

[@EveryDayAStoryCollects]

Another good video James, also it was cool to see you used my images from CGC boards of my X-Men 101 for the example of a popped staple (timestamp 6.33 thru 6.41). That book was immaculate other than the popped staple, but sadly it wasn't caused by pressing, it was there when I got it. Good news though is that it ended up grading a 9.6 green label which I later had signed by Chris Claremont and is now a yellow/green label 9.6 signature series book.

[@leeniren3706]

Over all I have seen good results from Apple Books cleaned and pressed. I do have one negative issue when I had my Incredible Hulk with the first appearance of the Windygo that was a CGC 6.5 with a small crack in the case. I decided to crack it the rest of the way, and have it cleaned and pressed as it was one of those older cases, indicating that it never was. well when the book came back, it was only a CGC at 6.0. It was very disappointing. I wonder if the pressing actually caused more issues than I originally had. One will never know.

[@johnnydropkicks]

Restoration is when something is added to a comic. Pressing and getting rid of stains on a book (unless you give it an acid bath) is not restoration but rather preservation. I am just stating my opinion… but I believe everything I stated is factual.

[@jamesfreynolds4118]

Thank you. If you're adding color,glue,paper(rice paper) staples, etc. Yes you're restoring. Though pressing and using a blue LED light box. I believe you shouldn't be penalized for this.

[@jamesmundt4479]

I sent in an old GL #86 that was in an old CGC slab and had it pressed it was bumped from a 9.2 to a 9.6 so I'm a pressing fan.

[@charlesjohnson3287]

I prefer raw books in my PC. I’ve recently considered cleaning and pressing some of my doubles and flipping them to help make the hobby pay for itself. The presser making an OOPS is my worst nightmare! Going to brave it!!! Wish me luck!

[@davidbutler6639]

My presser knew of a ToS #39 that had undergone a pressing and it was then subsequently cracked to be put in an upgraded newer case. While being carefully handled the cover snapped of at the spine! Was it caused by the pressing? Improper pressing? Not sure but it makes me think twice about cracking open an older book for any reason that has been pressed.

[@jamesvelez7509]

I enjoy your videos i always watched. The cleaning and pressing is good for the comic to obtain hide grades.

[@ufounderground4042]

I have cleaned and pressed many books over the years and the only negative results I've seen were in the beginning during the learning process. Also CGC clean and press service is trash..not only does it add a ridiculous amount of days to the turnaround time but they're also known for damaging books...

[@MintHunterComics]

In the beginning you WILL have some "oof" moments for sure

[@Leef13]

Do you have any recommendations for good pressers/cleaner? I’ve had some bad luck with having the grading company do it and I’m not brave enough to attempt myself with my more valuable books.

[@robertt9342]

It’s a question I ask. My concern would be whether or not it potentially harms the material of the books. I do wonder what paper based conservationists think of it? Personally I can be ok with some “restoration” processes, but I’d rather it only be done to conserve it not manufacture something new. Either way it beats the “restoration removal” which just damages the book more.

[@MintHunterComics]

I honestly think it doesn’t but you have to remember that you are applying heat multiple times (so it’s not impossible)

[@Pedro-lg9wz]

Didn't cgc and cbcs have pressers that charge another fee, imo it would be detrimental to their business to slap restored slabs for doing that

[@bestcore1214]

If it's done well it can only make it better, if it needs it

[@MintHunterComics]

If it needs it is the key phrase!

[@bestcore1214]

@@MintHunterComics yup

[@tikertiker2]

If you are sending in a 9.8 for a CGC signature signing, do you recommend pressing? I never did, and recently my brother in law sent a 9.8 for signing and it came back a 9.4. He sent it in for pressing and came back a 9.6. Obviously it got damaged somewhere in the process. Just don’t know if it’s recommended to always get it pressed after a signing?

[@bajil101]

Pressing is equivalent to leaving a book on the bottom of a large stack.

[@LoneWolf-p1o]

Now we are waiting for some tutorial video of pressing.

[@MintHunterComics]

Incoming!

[@LoneWolf-p1o]

great. Could you also tell me what are shipping costs to Europe especially to Poland on your claim sales? If you don't know, what company do you use so I can check costs?@@MintHunterComics

[@User8vfjhejf]

Step 1. Don't use a t-shirt press

[@Vp-jt3vl]

Quite an interesting topic dude, I also think it helps a shit ton lol.

[@MintHunterComics]

Thanks!

[@brianf695]

I've never had a book cleaned and pressed. Is it strictly for the front and back covers or do the interior pages get cleaned too?

[@Criner05]

Pressing is not restoring. You explained it perfectly. You're not adding anything. You're just removing. I submitted a copy of Batman #609 to CBCS and had them press it because it had a curve near the spine. They graded it at 9.6.

[@BrokeBoyComics]

Question, do you still use the cgc in house clean and press or do you send your books to a third party presser? Or both?

[@beatsarebroken]

At one point i would've considered pressing restoration, however its so ubiquitous now that even I've come to accept it doesn't fall under restoration. Besides, you can always re-crease a book. 😂

[@eggplantcomics8336]

I think the issue is they can’t say with certainty that a book has been pressed

[@jeffstanley6013]

Restoration. To restore. To make a comic look like it came off the retailer shelf, right? If you're pressing a book to remove a cover crease, how is that not, by definition, restoration? 😂 I'm not going to begrudge anyone doing whatever they want with their own property. The only reasons that CGC doesn't call pressing restoration is because there is no foolproof way to detect it (assuming it was done correctly) and because they can make money offering the service themselves. But let us not kid ourselves: if you are trying to make a comic book look closer to its original condition, you are "restoring" the book.

[@reprintranch]

Another piece of cognitive dissonance from CGC is, they do not characterize old adhesive tape on comics as restoration.

[@thousandaireradio3199]

Depressing

[@albertbermudez9269]

Thanks for telling me NOT to press a brittle book.....my Hulk #1 will stay in my fortress

[@isaacgomez9285]

I wanted to ask if you know a older book is gonna get a low grade is it even worth it getting pressed

[@Darkglobe1977]

Brett Rambo approves

[@latch78]

My car is so nasty, at this point if i washed it or vaccumed it, it would be considered restoration.

[@stevenschaller1672]

If a thick stapled book is pressed it can get damaged

[@christopherwescott551]

I just had the first appearance of calliope in the sandman comics cleaned and pressed and sent off to the niel gaimen signing. It was a 9.4/9.6 before it's clean and press I'm really hoping it comes back a 9.8. Crossing my fingers.

[@basementbrotherscollectibles]

I like cleaning and pressing. Until the grading companies decide to change the rules, then all our books become “restored” status. Then I’d hate it.

[@florianneumann9441]

mmm yes ^^ of course all my books were smashing successes rofl

[@RealTimePogo]

I just sit on the book to press it. So I never see improvement.

[@graymouser5609]

Press away. I don’t value it and won’t pay more for a book that is pressed. Full stop

[@omac73gamer76]

CGC presses books for a fee, so maybe their upset they didn't get paid, and hence the harsher grading. LOL

[@Acemonkey87]

Pressing books is the modern day witchcraft

[@kahnlives]

I don’t think it’s restoration per say, but color touching, yikes!…😬

[@MintHunterComics]

Indeed

[@kevingriggs2013]

I'm not a fan of pressing...I don't think it's restoration...just not my thing...also I don't sell, just buy...so there's that

[@User8vfjhejf]

Well if people use the techniques they are being shown from guys on youtube, then yes, they can hurt their comics

[@MintHunterComics]

I've seen some handling that certainly borders on restoration - we need to make people aware that purple labels are more common now

[@User8vfjhejf]

@@MintHunterComics The cover cleaning? Yes. But people mainly use these cheap T Shirt presses that are flat out junk, they don't have a smooth plate and they don't have accurate temperatures and they don't have even pressure, People need to invest in quality presses

[@thegamersgalaxy2855]

Yeah, I personally gave up pressing myself. Too many "sucked in staples"? and cover shrinking? or moving? Had some real good ones, but overall i simply don't know what im doing. I do not think pressing is resto, but I will have someone else do my books now.

[@MintHunterComics]

If it was easy everyone would do it!

[@nothingcankilldagrimace]

I’m not a comic collector but I do enjoy your videos and I often hear you use the term “press” and literally thought it meant just adding a bunch of controlled pressure on it. I enjoy the behind the scenes of the collecting aspect (again, even if I don’t do it myself). So you mentioned people by slabbed comics and repress them and you showed a GL comic from the 70s or 80s. Would unslabbing a comic that old and pressing it do anything to it to improve it?

[@MintHunterComics]

Hahaha I’m glad it helped! Those GLs are from the 60s, and sometimes!