From Sleeves to Storage: How to Protect Your Comic Books for Maximum Future Value
(Image courtesy FB/C.C.)
Want to learn how to protect comic books for future value? You always have to think ahead. You organize and protect your collection. Your comic books are collectibles. Whether you own them for sentimental or investment value, you must know how to protect them from the elements. Comic book collectors must also consider different protection methods when they exhibit their comics.
How to Protect Comic Books for Future Value (The Basics)
The modern comic book fan doesn’t read comics. When they talk about Iron Man, they are talking about Robert Downey, Jr. When you talk about Iron Man, you’re talking about Tony Stark, the comic book character. Physical comic books mean something to you as a collector.
However, no hobby is free. As a hobbyist or collectibles investor, you must invest time and money to protect your comics depending on how you want to display them. For example, you can use rigid display cases to protect and showcase your favorite comics on a wall.
There are comic book binders and storage cases that you can use to protect your comics on the go while preserving their market value.
Comic book paper naturally breaks down when exposed to the elements. If you want to learn how to protect comic books for future value, protecting them in comic book sleeves and backing boards is a great option.
Here is a YouTube video by a comic book expert telling the story of an entire collection lost to a flood. You must protect your comics and you must use more than one method to do so.
You have options if you want to protect your comics for maximum future value. Here are four options to consider.
1. P.Y.P Comic Book Display Case
Amazon
This product is a rigid plastic shell casing that you can insert your comic into for protective exhibition. Magnets hold both sides of the case together to protect your comic and allow for easy access.
This is a great method to safely exhibit your valuable comics on a wall or wall unit while preserving their value.
You can place these exhibition cases on a wall unit or even mount them on a wall. If you’re looking for how to protect comic books for future value, this is a great product to try. Get two comic book display cases for $29.99 at Amazon.
2. D DACCKIT Comic Book Binder
Amazon
The D DACCKIT Comic Book Binder is essentially a protective photo album for your valuable comic books. It is about 9.2 inches long and over 2 inches thick. It is a zippable exhibition case that allows you to take your comics on the go, protect them, and view them at your leisure.
This comic bookbinder has 12 pages with double pockets in which you can insert up to 24 comic books. You can also insert fully sleeved and boarded comic books into these page binders. The transparent page covers of the binder are acid-free and will protect your comics from degradation. The case exterior is rigid, and padded, and won’t bend or damage your comics.
Use this product to exhibit the comics with the most sentimental value to you while also maintaining their potential increased future market value.
Get it now for only $29.99 at Amazon.
3. Belifun 100 Comic Book Sleeves and Backing Boards
Amazon
Belifun sleeves and boards are made from acid-free coated polypropylene. As long as you seal them correctly, these polypropylene sleeves should last for up to 8 years and protect your comics from the elements.
This product is optimal for use with Silver Age and Modern Age comic books. As a collector, there is no excuse to not protect your comics. I lost a lot of comic books due to a flood when I was a child. Take it from me, you never believe it will happen until it does. Protect your comics.
Buy 100 sleeves and 100 backing boards now for $22.99 at Amazon now.
4.D DACCKIT Graded Comic Storage Box
Amazon
If you want to learn how to protect comic books for future value, investing in a storage box for comic books might be a good option. The D DACCKIT storage box for comics can securely store up to 10 graded and slabbed comic books.
The interior of the case is made of plastic and molded foam designed to house, store, and protect graded and slabbed comics. The exterior of the case is made of durable plastic. You can store or travel with your most valuable comics anytime you want and keep them protected.
Use a product like this for your most valuable comics. These storage boxes are made to carry graded and slabbed comics. Comics in slabs are delicate and you should never carry them in bags or vulnerable transport items.
Get it now at Amazon for $79.99.
How to Protect Comic Books for Future Value
Before you start buying comic book sleeves, backing boards, and storage products, first assess your needs. Consider how many comic books you own, which are extremely valuable, and how much you want to pay to protect them. You also need to consider how much work, organizational skills, and discipline you want to expend to inventory, store, and protect your comics.
Divide your comic collection by how you want to protect them. Your sentimental comics may not have value now but could in the future. Use comic book sleeves, backing boards and binders to protect those. You can use display cases and durable storage cases to protect the most valuable comics in your collection. There are levels to being a hobbyist.
The things you own sometimes end up owning you. Owning, protecting, and organizing comic books as a hardcore fan or speculative investor will cost you money and time, so consider your options before you go all in.
Also, if you’re new to comic collecting, you might want to start by reading digital comics first. The best tablets to read comic books are affordable; plus you can check out digital versions of comic books cheaply or free before investing.
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Allen Francis is a full-time writer, prolific comic book investor and author of The Casual’s Guide: Why You Should Get Into Comic Book Investing. Allen holds a BA degree from Marymount Manhattan College. Before becoming a writer Allen was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including saving and investing in your own small business.
