The Best Press to Buy for Pressing Comics / Plus Important Pressing Tips to Know!

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Get 10% off your BCW Supply order when you use the code JERNOS when you purchase from their website here: www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=Jernos

[@straw-hat-scribbler]

"Size absolutely matters." That's what she said.

[@chrisdonahue4205]

i know i am late to comment but great videos. I am currently in the market for a couple presses got part of my old collection to practice on and this helps a ton. keep the channel alive sir.

[@jgracie22]

This channel has the best, most diverse topics of all comic book tubers. Thank you once again Chris!

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Truly appreciate you, Steve!

[@demonslayer8085]

Very useful for someone like me, who’s looking to try and press my own books! Thank you! Subscribed!

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Welcome!

[@charlesjohnson3287]

Good looking out on sharing specs and the tribal knowledge on what to avoid doing!

[@kharlozebx1835]

Great Video Thanks!

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Thanks!

[@michaelcontreras4053]

Thanks for the video content brotha a lot of great tips for someone wanting to start pressing comics!

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Thanks, Michael!

[@Joeh1154]

Excellent information. Thanks for posting. This is the last step for me as I've tried my hand at cleaning books with some very good results. I now need to invest in a press as the logical next step. I've got plenty of books that I can use until my technique gets up to the mark.

[@razorw5472]

Man thanks very much for sharing your experience I just learned quite a bit from this video.

[@HaneyA]

Thank you. Great info.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Thanks for watching!

[@KollectingKaos]

I take my comics out after about three or four hours and transfer them to a cold press. By then there is no heat to worry about and you just need the comic to remain flat which a cold press will do . It also frees up my press for any other projects I may have. This way I am able to press 6 or 8 comics in a 12 hour period using a single 15x15 press.

[@dont_get_jealous]

Question about modern, thicker magazines (quarter inch and up, no staples). what would be the best way to ensure the spine isn’t crushed? Is a dry press (no heat at all) going to get rid of any creases at all?

[@christopherjohnson4276]

Thanks man. This info is really appreciated.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Of course!

[@humannature7329]

jerno I cut a square out the size of the stamp and used enough paper to equal the thickness works great

[@Scvzombie661]

Don’t even need to do that . Put 1 paper behind, 1 in front flip the page and add 1 more page

[@elliottkleckner]

What's the link or name of your specific press?

[@toeknee1505]

I appreciate this video! Thanks Chris!

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Thanks for watching!

[@BiggRuss]

I LOVE seeing Flash books getting pressed!

[@spoolen787]

Great vid and info. Might start pressing

[@chachi_arcola]

Bro this is incredibly helpful, thank you for all the info

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Thanks for watching!

[@patriotcomics]

Great info! Thanks for this video bro!

[@pkeel7576]

I use 2 seal jumbo 160 Just remember two of the same presses can heat and apply pressure differently

[@peterthornton8814]

Really great info here. The pressing process is so cool 😎! Thanks Chris!

[@randalx]

Are those the same model clamshell press you had problems with before? I just watched the video about the one you had trouble opening and closing.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Yes the one is that same press. I ended up adjusting some of the bolts and it alleviated much of the issue that was going on, thankfully. There's still a bit of a grab on the one but not as bad.

[@johndibo]

Now I need to see a video on how you press your comics. Good stuff !

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

If you go to my Playlist of helpful tips for collectors, I have a couple there.

[@michaelthompson1363]

How do you press modern comics? Certainly no steam given the low quality paper.

[@aaronpaul6369]

Thanks for the video, I subscribed. Super helpful as a beginner. I would love a link to the type of press(s) you would recommend. I liked your example noting the difference between brand vs substance. I've been looking around a lot and there are so many options I don't want to make the wrong buy. Also if you happen to remember the dude where you got the Stainless sheet from would be awesome.

[@tonyteti2060]

Awesome video, thank you for making it

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Thanks for watching!

[@marcussanchez28]

Thanks for keeping it 💯🔥

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Thanks for watching!

[@TulsaComicConllc]

Great info🤌

[@CollectorAuctions]

That's so funny I started watching this as I'm setting up my 3rd Tusy. Hopefully it's as good as the 1st two. I've been getting amazing results but still learn something everytime I press a book. If you get a chance check out some of the recent results in my cgc unboxing in some of my videos. Absolute stunners on a lot with some that still make my head ache. Great advice for anyone looking to learn how to do this themselves.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Will do!

[@websight99]

Hey Jerno. Just found you on here, and also saw that you have been away for awhile from videos, so I do not know if you will see this soon or not. I am looking for a little clarification, because I am looking at buying a Seal Commercial 210M Dry Mounting & Laminating Press 18.5X23”. The lowest heat setting on their gauge is 150 degrees (F). When I watched a couple of your videos on presses today, you said that pre-1975 comics would have a heat setting of 170 and modern would be set at 135 (with the caveat that every machine differs and that I would have to "learn" the exact best settings, heating times, & cold press times that were ideal for my individual machine). Were the 170 & 135 Fahrenheit or Celsius? If (F), then I guess that this (and many others I am looking at) would run too hot for modern comics. Would really be a shame.

[@jacob_comics]

Thanks for the tips I'm doing all that with great success. My first submission with my own work is going out Tues video on my channel Chris! 👍

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Oh that is awesome, Jacob!

[@johnwayne2103]

Great info let me add some additional info. If you are dealing with metal plate, that requires a lot of machining to get a plate perfectly flat and believe me there are grades of flatness. From medical instrumentation flat to aerospace. Your information about presses is correct even though you may have been pressing for years machines do change, anything that has any sort of electronic or element will most likely not be made by the same manufacturer most of those part are subcontracted out to another manufacturer and not all parts are created equal. Anything that has an electronic part is made to a specific run of items. You can tell a manufacturer that you want a specific part built to certain tolerances and low and behold those dolts will find a way to rip you off on that part so they can make a million bucks and damn be the 60 people that are killed in the process.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

These presses are masses produced in China, and are night for cheap in China, and then sold on ebay and Amazon by indivisible parties, who merely stamp their 'brand name' on top.

[@bryanmorgan6109]

Took your advice, got the 15 x 15

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Nice!

[@chipsmith2256]

cool info! thanks again for the passing of knowledge and great content. Have you ever tried to press a signed book before? just wondering if that's a problem. Thanks again

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Thanks, Chip! And yes, I have pressed comics with signatures. It's usually perfectly fine, but my only recommendation is to be careful about applying any moisture.

[@TonyDrecaps]

Good video

[@chrisdonahue4205]

how thick is the stainless steel piece and what are the measurements. I want to see if I can have a friend who is a machinist make one for me.

[@tmargosian]

1/8” thick 15”x15”

[@vuhong5617]

where did you got that stainless steel plate at thank

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

A seller on eBay.

[@mr.bombastic411]

Do you have the seller that your 1/8 inch stainless steel plate on eBay by chance?

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Synergysteeldesigns

[@mr.bombastic411]

@@JernosComicsPopCulture Thanks for the info, much appreciated🙏🏼

[@frankb5173]

J, could you press a book what’s already been signed?

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Yes. Minimal moisture. That would be my main concern, especially depending on the type of pen.

[@frankb5173]

@@JernosComicsPopCulture Thank you man I very much trust your knowledge. I want to send to CGC a signed book for another sig (and I'd like a pressing...but they worry me...)

[@Genomac99]

Do you take orders from people for pressing books ??

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

I have never presseed books for charge, but I might be open to it. If you have Instagram, shoot me a private message there, or email me at [e-mail]. Let's see what you're looking for, and if I don't do it for you, I know someone who is really good and really affordable.

[@genxthings]

What's the point of the paper in the covers? Is it because they are a different material than the pages behind them?

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

That is definitely a part of it. You want to isolate the different paper type. It also allows the cover to press more smoothly.

[@genxthings]

@@JernosComicsPopCulture Ah OK. Makes sense. What is that paper you use? I want to try this. I have a ton of comics and we have heat presses that we bought for shirts. We have both size presses

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

@@genxthings It's basic art pad paper. Go to an art store like Michael's, or even Target, and get some 100 lb paper pads. Make sure it's smooth, as certain sketch pad paper tends to be textured.

[@juanayon9713]

Need to get me a press.

[@AnthonyOldhandGarcia]

That was cool thank you. I have a question, which each of the sheets are best to protect any signatures on the cover of a comicbook, parchment paper or teflon paper? Thanks.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

I would still use both. You need the teflon to protect it from the heat of the hot plate on top of the press.

[@AnthonyOldhandGarcia]

@@JernosComicsPopCulture Thank you.

[@blinky705]

Just a suggestion. Never use teflon sheets. They have a minute pebble texture that transfers to the comic book. I found this from experience. I have purchased several brands of teflon sheets hoping I'd find one that doesn't have the texture, but no luck. I have to assume they all do. So if you don't want a pebbly effect on your comic, use parchment paper. It isn't perfectly smooth but it's better than pebbly.

[@AnthonyOldhandGarcia]

@@blinky705 Oh okay thank you.

[@wongfamilytcm]

thanks for the vid! just getting into pressing and is there a major difference between tshirt pressers and comic pressers? looking on ebay (australia) and only t shirt pressers come up. any suggestions?

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Thanks for watching! There is really no such thing as a comic press. These are all standard heat presses, that are mostly used for apparel, but comic collectors one day decided to get creative!

[@the_bob_wong]

thanks ! @@JernosComicsPopCulture

[@tbray1772]

Love your videos. I do have one question. I have the exact same press as kaptain mike, it’s a clamshell. When I bring it down the back is always lower than the front. I’m afraid that I’m either going to crush the spine if I bring to low or the front of the book is just not going to get pressed. Any suggestions or do I have a defective press.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Hi Tim. It does sound like this might be an issue specific to your press. If weight isn't being evenly distributed, it's not something that you should accept as being standard. Adjusting pressure if always needed regardless though, so I wouldn't be too worried about crushing a spine if you are still adjusting the settings prior.

[@FilipinoToyCollectorsWorlwide]

hi, what settings you use for low grade silver age books? how long you keep them pressed after heating?

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Thanks for the question! One thing to know, every press heats differently. One press may be slightly hotter, even at the same temperature. I recommend starting out at 155 degrees. Time under heat depends on how brittle the pages are. The more brittle, the less time under heat. I keep books under heat for 3 to 5 minutes usually. And I keep all of my books in the cold press for 24 hours.

[@FilipinoToyCollectorsWorlwide]

@@JernosComicsPopCulture sounds good. Thanks

[@ilovedisneyandcomics612]

Just wondering if you can reuse the teflon sheets or do you constantly need to replace those?

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Great question! They can definitely be used for many, many uses. The ones in my presses right now are probably about 4 months old, and I press every day.

[@outerlimits.7860]

Just to add something about fixing a spine roll. If you don't have a 15x15 press, you can also use a tacking iron. May take a little more time but it works, and it also work great on spine ticks or Dents. 👍

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Love my tack iron! Works amazing on non-colorbreaking spine ticks!

[@ArtizanMetal]

Hey buddy, what exactly is the "heavyweight paper" that you use?

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

It's art paper! So, any paper notebook from like a Michael's or an art store. They will say 80lb, 100lb, etc. Try to make sure not to get a "sketch" notebook, as sketch paper tends to have a texture to it.

[@Matthew.E.Kelly.]

Folks use all kinds of stuff for humidification. I use a big honkin' mist machine 🤣 like the kind you get in the pharmacy department at Walmart or whatever. If I close the closet or bathroom door & crank it up, it fills the room with a light mist inside 10-15 minutes. Needless to say I like to open my books on a drying rack in the room with the mist machine & humidify them for about 10-15 minutes, flip them over, then let them go another 10-15 minutes. Then straight into the press they go! I layer different materials based on the sort of book it is but *generally* speaking I start with 2 thick magazine boards, then a layer of parchment paper, a regular comic board at the centerfold of the comic, then on the cover _another_ layer of parchment paper, a single magazine board, & finally a Teflon sheet. Temp for most books is 160° for 5-6 minutes, although for square-bound books I use 120° (but I also use different layering & "bracing" techniques on the outside to keep the spine straight). My pressing techniques are mostly just stolen ideas from Captain Myke but for cleaning I have some sort of weird occult/alchemy setup that... Honestly it looks like I'm the guy to go to for black market kidney sales or something 🤷 medical tools, cotton rolls, different chemicals & shit. I dunno, I'm still learning, but it definitely looks like something suspect is going on at my house 😆

[@88discostu]

Hey Chris, loving your content. I am a small time collector & re-seller, thinking of sending a few of my favorite books to cgc for my pc. Probably just 4-5 books, cant really justify buying a press. Ive looked and no LCS in my community offers pressing services. Ive seen a few DIY videos of using an iron, but the thought of taking a household iron to my favorite books is terrifying. Worth the investment to get a press, or for just a few books should I just press them between encyclopedias and hope for the best?

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Appreciate the support! Putting books in between two encyclopedias is definitely not going to get you results that will be worth it. If you have 175 dollars or so to spare, it's worth it. But you also have to ask yourself, if you'd be able to commit the time and effort to learn. I think that is more important than having the money.

[@BCNeil]

Instead of buying a press for 4-5 books. If you are planning to send to GCG. Why not send them to a presser. For their dry cleaning and pressing charges for 4-5 books is way cheaper than buying a press. Then they forward your books to CGC, usually at a better rate than you would get, since they will be sent as part of a bulk shipment.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

@@BCNeil Buying presses is definitely an investment for being able to press many books, and just a finite few. I wouldn't ever send books to CGC for presssing, though. Ever.

[@danscoolpaper]

Best comic book press..Is a dry mount press..The people that have one know how much better they are than a t-shirt press.I have used both and my Seal inc 200 is far more accurate and made solid..not like all the cheap made t-shirt presses.I paid 150 canadian for mine and I got lucky.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

No way!! $150 for a dry mount?? That's crazy! I'm assuming it was used?

[@pkeel7576]

1 more suggestion on modern books Experiment by turning your humidifier on high heat and then use your press as a cold press I’ve had good results Just my two cents I’ll stop blowing up your comment section now

[@ScottLeethebarber]

what size is that press?

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

15x15

[@timothylee3105]

Don't screw around with a cheap press. Spend good money and invest in a BIENFANG MASTERPIECE 210M or 160M.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

I will respectfully disagree with you here, unless you are getting into business as a presser or you are pressing AF15s and Action 1s, or you're racking in 6 figures annually. The press you speak of is roughly 12x the cost of these clamshells that do the job perfectly fine. I've been pressing comics for over 6 years and have been doing just fine. Even my made in China swing arm that broke in a few different places continued to work for over 3 years until I upgraded and just stopped using it. Most collectors are already on a budget and spending two grand on a press just isn't practical.

[@mikimarquez]

Which one do you recomend? ​@@JernosComicsPopCulture

[@eggplantcomics8336]

I prefer aluminum myself. It heats faster and distributes heat better than steel. Trust the science check out immaculate comics. The dudes a scientist and does all kinds of efficiency tests.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Yeah I went went stainless because of thinking it will last longer. Didn't know about aluminum until after. Sucks!

[@rodnstaff33]

What is the thickness of your aluminum sheet?

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

@@rodnstaff33 I would recommend 1/8 inch. Any thicker would be doing too much, and a 1/16 of aluminum could warp faster over time.

[@goldeneastgun]

The best presses are photo mount presses.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Agreed, but those run for thousands. I wouldn't invest in one of those unless you plan on doing this as a full scale business, or you're extremely wealthy.

[@pkeel7576]

When doing a spine roll poster backer board works well to cover the whole book

[@leeniren3706]

The best tip that I have for oppressing books is leave it for a professional

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

I love it, Lee! Good advice for sure!

[@Chaos-cosplay-is-bord-chaos]

👍

[@rockfordlow571]

Commentator goes on endlessly

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

😂😂🌹

[@tylerwolf42]

I have never seen anyone press comics, why do you do this?

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

It increases the value of the comics, and also helps them present better.

[@cryptokoolaid]

video is too long

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

🤣🤣🤣

[@willsweetin2313]

Just watched the whole vid and you should really learn how to press before trying to teach people

[@Matthew.E.Kelly.]

Do you have any vids on the subject? I learned a lot from watching Captain Myke's channel.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Yeah? I'd love for you to teach me. Funny thing because I've taken 4.0's, pressed and cleaned, and had them come back 9.2s, but hey, I'm ready to learn from a real expert.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

He's only here to troll because he thinks it validates his ego.