The products I use to clean and press are listed on my website at improvecollecting.com/recommended-comic-book-collecting-supplies/ Be sure to sign up for my newsletter while you are there! I am developing tools to make collecting better and will be announcing it to my email subscribers in the future.
Interesting, I had started collecting back in the 80's and most of my boxes were crammed full and this was when I was a teenage so a lot of my books were not boared but bagged. the force of my books being stuffed into the boxes kept the books nice and crisp. I may have had one box that wasn't stuffed full and I had manga books that helped apply the pressure to keep my books upright. Now that I have the money, all of my books have been refreshed with new bags and boards and are stuffed full, so I don't have that saggy issue. It's amazing how much yellowing those older bags got.
As always I followed your idea and wow! Not only does it improve the room in the box but I definitely feel better about the way I leave my books stored. Thanks again
As a partition between books (to add stability and reinforcement) I often insert empty Gemini-Mailers that I've collected over the years. They create very slight pressure against two neighboring blocks of standing comics, while also reinforcing the strength of the long-box, particularly if they are double-stacked while in storage. Great video for an equally great idea!
Thank you very much for this tip! I had the exact same problem but you really helped out. Do you think it's okay if I have a mix of loose comics and bagged and boarded,and store them like that?
You could, but I would alternate bagged/boarded and not, so that there is extra protection. You never want raw comics up against each other for various reasons. I would definitely invest in some bags and boards, though.. the cheapest poly bags are better than nothing.
That is a great idea. After collecting for 15 years and I only got 3 short boxes but that is because all my books are keys,rare variants and cool cover art. I do have one Bcw graded plastic short box which I do plan on replacing the other two with Bcw graded plastic boxes cause I got high dollar books in them any I heard that the Bcw plastic graded boxes will last forever and I figured it was worth $60.00 cause I got a lot of time and money in those books.
If you've got the budget, by all means.. I'll never argue with "over-protecting" comics (there's no such thing). Some of my cardboard long boxes have lasted since 1986 though and I still use them.
I was thinking another helpful tip is to insert one comic front and the other back and so on with the others that way you get even weight distribution.
Thanks for the comment! Maybe my own OCD kicking in, but I couldn't stand having them arranged where I can look at them all from one side. However, if someone were to stock some books away and not plan to look at them for years at a time, I think it's definitely worth considering
get some foam to put in with the comic barricade. You push the prongs into the foam then cut the foam to fit the box, a long narrow strip on each side. It does a dual purpose: keeps the barricade in place and prevents the barricade's prongs from wrecking the box.
Hey big guy I don't know how you popped up on my channel but all to know is that you just got yourself a new subscriber love it I love it man I can't believe I never even thought of this I love it dude thank you f****** love it man
I love that this info was helpful for you.. it definitely was a huge eureka moment for me, slapped my forehead so hard it hurt... Thanks so much for the sub!
Cool, thanks for the info. You are talking about file cabinets, right? I very nearly pulled the trigger on this a few months ago and decided to go the cheaper route instead.. it's definitely something I'll want to do at some point though!
Oh, found the video you were talking about.. very interesting. It doesn't get any lower cost than that! Great for dollar-bin books, especially if you have thousands like many people do
Always a task finding ways to protect what we’re collecting. I’ve realized as long as comics don’t shift around or heavy pressure stacked onto ,they should be ok . Great to have you here welcome to stay as long as you like ✌🏾🤣 I subbed as well ty sir
I have not really tested that. I have never stacked them more than 2 high. My guess is that 4 high would be the most I would try, but I would lay a few down side by side and have the next layer sideways, repeat on up the chain. That might help keep the bottom layer from collapsing down onto the books? Of course, this really only works if you don't plan to access the books often. It would be a pain to unstack if every single time
@@ImproveCollectingComics I will try that. Thank you for the quick response. Since, COVID-19 my collection has grown. I am about to organized my collection and just want to start out correct. Thanks again, great info.
Some good ideas. You could combine both by using cardboard as dividers and pushing Carpenter's pins through the walls of the boxes. Personally, I use shorter Plastic Tubs. They are way cheaper than comic boxes and Silver Fish hate them as opposed to the cardboard alternative.
I actually hot glue in an old backer board on edge that I bent into a shape like this ] Its cheap. I can set the dividers to any distance. It actually holds the boxes sides in. And my books stay upright. I put two spaced out into a short-box and good to go.
Hear me out ! My dad has had a collection for 40 years and he has had them stacked horizontally, and there isn’t any issues. He’s got 1 short box worth of comics stacked. He flips his box upright and stacks them like that. I’ve seen no spine cracks, no pressure damage. Call him crazy but he swears by it ! He won’t do it this way in the video because of “sagging” of the comics. I’ve told him hey the box is full, the issues will be upright pretty good and not a lot of room to sag, but nope he won’t do it
There are many ways to skin a cat, and whatever works for him by all means! This is just the best way I have found for myself so far. Thanks for the info!
Sure thing, added it to the to-do list. I've got a lot of keys off at CGC so will make the video when they come back. I do have a silver age haul video coming out in the next couple of weeks, got some pretty big ASM books in it
A toploader is a rigid plastic case that you load books into from the top.. they are really good for displaying raw comics and adding an extra layer of protection to your most valuable books
Why not simply fill the long box enough to not allow room for the comics to move? My boxes are full in the sense that they're not packed tight, have a little bit of wiggle room, but still full enough to keep them from leaning on one another. I've never had any problem with them bending.
The problem is that if any get shifted one way or another at any point, or if a lean of any sort occurs.. it'll gradually turn the books into bananas. This removes the weight factor for the most part, and makes it much less likely. Of course, if you are not having that issue, then that's awesome. I thought my books were good too in the early 90's, but then after several moves and not looking at them for 2+ decades, I suddenly had bananabooks :(
@@ImproveCollectingComics Ouch. Mine were in bookcases for nearly 25 years, then transferred to long boxes more than 20 years ago, but since the boxes were packed full, I haven't had any issues with books shifting around. I don't use backing boards at all because the 4 mil Mylar bags I use are really stiff. They seem to do a good job of keeping the books straight and flat.
@@niknikktm I think 4 mil with full backs would make books pretty much bullet proof. I keep hoping the price will come down on them, they are so ridiculously pricy right now, if you can even find them for sale
No problem! It was a major epiphany when I tried it out.. although I'm sure I'm not the first one who ever tried it. I haven't seen anyone else doing it though so had to share!
@@ImproveCollectingComics haha I bet!! well I've never seen it buddy so I'm giving you the credit 🤣 if it helped 1 person it was worth the video dude 👍👍
How to store comics....Take your grails and have Comiclink sell them auction style. Then take the rest of your books and use them as insulation behind your wall.
@@ImproveCollectingComics kids don't appreciate ..reap the benefits of a insulated room. I have four longboxes just in one room behind drywall. Sold my grails in 2019.
The boxes are designed to be used like a filing system, front to back and not sideways. The way you're doing it makes it more difficult to access and go through your collection. There's a reason you've never seen anyone else do it this way. Nice intention, but a bit doltish.
I find it easier to go through my collection, since I don't have to worry about bending the books as much. It's not hard to turn the box sideways. To each their own though.
They just don't stay in the box.. the BCW boxes seem to be just a tiny bit too wide.. or wider at the top than at the bottom. I think if they tapered the dividers a couple mm from bottom to top, it might fit perfectly
Not a fan of the sideways storage. Too much weight pushing the side of the box out. Pack your boxes correctly and then just take out the last 10 books in the box for room to view when you do. Then put the 10 back.
I thought that might be an issue as well, but by putting a toploader book or rigid cardboard at each end and not allowing the books to lean, it isn't a big problem. However, I've only been doing this for a few weeks so time will tell if it causes a big bulge in the sides
@@ImproveCollectingComics . Well I wish the new method works out well for you matey. Mine is short boxes transfered to long boxes. Filled so you can't view and all upright, with half height blocks either end so I don't push on the books if I have to move the box. Then placed into longterm storage so the collection isn't moved. We are each a little ocd I think. :-)
The products I use to clean and press are listed on my website at improvecollecting.com/recommended-comic-book-collecting-supplies/
Be sure to sign up for my newsletter while you are there! I am developing tools to make collecting better and will be announcing it to my email subscribers in the future.
I get scrap cardboard from local stores for free then using hot glue and razor cutters custom make my boxes and glue dividers into the design,
Wow!! This is a tremendous idea. Just tried it with one of my long boxes. Worked like a charm. Thank you!!
You're welcome, glad it helped!
I just bought some long boxes and watching your video really got me motivated to organize my collection!
Interesting, I had started collecting back in the 80's and most of my boxes were crammed full and this was when I was a teenage so a lot of my books were not boared but bagged. the force of my books being stuffed into the boxes kept the books nice and crisp. I may have had one box that wasn't stuffed full and I had manga books that helped apply the pressure to keep my books upright.
Now that I have the money, all of my books have been refreshed with new bags and boards and are stuffed full, so I don't have that saggy issue.
It's amazing how much yellowing those older bags got.
Well, I know what I'll be doing tonight lol! Simple, yet awesome idea. Been struggling with those long boxes for years.
Very cool, let me know how it goes!
As always I followed your idea and wow! Not only does it improve the room in the box but I definitely feel better about the way I leave my books stored. Thanks again
Awesome, so glad it helped! Thanks for letting me know!
As a partition between books (to add stability and reinforcement) I often insert empty Gemini-Mailers that I've collected over the years.
They create very slight pressure against two neighboring blocks of standing comics, while also reinforcing the strength of the long-box, particularly if they are double-stacked while in storage.
Great video for an equally great idea!
I like that idea, I'm going to try that out right now! It might be really useful as a "placeholder" in my shortboxes that are not full. Thanks!
Thank you I’m about to change my boxes over to this because I find the same problem
Thank you very much for this tip! I had the exact same problem but you really helped out. Do you think it's okay if I have a mix of loose comics and bagged and boarded,and store them like that?
You could, but I would alternate bagged/boarded and not, so that there is extra protection. You never want raw comics up against each other for various reasons. I would definitely invest in some bags and boards, though.. the cheapest poly bags are better than nothing.
I actually flip my comics to face each other. Front back front back and by doing that it helps prevent spine roll
Great tip!
Thanks. Going to try this over the weekend.
Cool, let me know how it goes!
That is a great idea. After collecting for 15 years and I only got 3 short boxes but that is because all my books are keys,rare variants and cool cover art. I do have one Bcw graded plastic short box which I do plan on replacing the other two with Bcw graded plastic boxes cause I got high dollar books in them any I heard that the Bcw plastic graded boxes will last forever and I figured it was worth $60.00 cause I got a lot of time and money in those books.
If you've got the budget, by all means.. I'll never argue with "over-protecting" comics (there's no such thing). Some of my cardboard long boxes have lasted since 1986 though and I still use them.
I was thinking another helpful tip is to insert one comic front and the other back and so on with the others that way you get even weight distribution.
Thanks for the comment! Maybe my own OCD kicking in, but I couldn't stand having them arranged where I can look at them all from one side. However, if someone were to stock some books away and not plan to look at them for years at a time, I think it's definitely worth considering
get some foam to put in with the comic barricade. You push the prongs into the foam then cut the foam to fit the box, a long narrow strip on each side. It does a dual purpose: keeps the barricade in place and prevents the barricade's prongs from wrecking the box.
That's a great idea, thanks!
Where did u get plastic covers for comics?
Here is a link to them on Amazon: amzn.to/3NvBP8J
I use Tempered Hardboard. You can get them at Home Depot/Lowe's. Cut to what size you need.
That's a great idea!
I can't really tell, but do you not alternating them facing front and back to evenly distribute the spines and edges?
I don't, but it wouldn't be a bad idea
Hey big guy I don't know how you popped up on my channel but all to know is that you just got yourself a new subscriber love it I love it man I can't believe I never even thought of this I love it dude thank you f****** love it man
I love that this info was helpful for you.. it definitely was a huge eureka moment for me, slapped my forehead so hard it hurt... Thanks so much for the sub!
Great idea buddy. I just use short boxes thanks for sharing I'm seen people flip each book.
Finding newer ways to store comics is always refreshing to see .. I actually tried that way before.. have a new system, check the vid out .✌🏾
Cool, thanks for the info. You are talking about file cabinets, right? I very nearly pulled the trigger on this a few months ago and decided to go the cheaper route instead.. it's definitely something I'll want to do at some point though!
Oh, found the video you were talking about.. very interesting. It doesn't get any lower cost than that! Great for dollar-bin books, especially if you have thousands like many people do
Always a task finding ways to protect what we’re collecting. I’ve realized as long as comics don’t shift around or heavy pressure stacked onto ,they should be ok . Great to have you here welcome to stay as long as you like
✌🏾🤣 I subbed as well ty sir
Great idea..the vast majority of my are in top loaders. I was always paranoid that my books would get damaged.
That's smart, you can't over-protect in my opinion.. anything that I think is 9.6 or 9.8 I put in toploaders as well
I never thought about doing that. Very Clever. Thanks
No problem 👍
The only way I can figure you can get “extra” books in vs the standard method is if there are large side gaps in the box.
You got it. I think I fit about 10-15 for overflow
Never used top loaders. Do you bag the comic before you insert into the loader?
Yes, although silver age are a bit of a tight fit.. I've started using regular modern bags/boards for toploaders, and silvers for those not in loaders
Question for you sir...What are the maximum number of boxes stack? Is it five, nine...how high?
I have not really tested that. I have never stacked them more than 2 high. My guess is that 4 high would be the most I would try, but I would lay a few down side by side and have the next layer sideways, repeat on up the chain. That might help keep the bottom layer from collapsing down onto the books? Of course, this really only works if you don't plan to access the books often. It would be a pain to unstack if every single time
@@ImproveCollectingComics I will try that. Thank you for the quick response. Since, COVID-19 my collection has grown. I am about to organized my collection and just want to start out correct. Thanks again, great info.
Some good ideas. You could combine both by using cardboard as dividers and pushing Carpenter's pins through the walls of the boxes. Personally, I use shorter Plastic Tubs. They are way cheaper than comic boxes and Silver Fish hate them as opposed to the cardboard alternative.
What kind of plastic tubs?
Bro you’re a genius!!!!!! you just saved me hundreds of dollars today thank you and you got a follower
You're welcome and thanks!
That's an excellent idea buddy, I'll be reorganising my boxes this week I think 👍
Awesome, let me know how it goes!
Great video. I'm going to spend the afternoon reboxing my stuff
I hope it's not too many. Let me know how it goes and have fun!
Great idea, thanks! What about the Netherlands t-shirt?😃👍
You're welcome!
My wife's grandfather immigrated from the Netherlands
@@ImproveCollectingComics ok! I'm Catalan, from dutch mother😉
I actually hot glue in an old backer board on edge that I bent into a shape like this ]
Its cheap. I can set the dividers to any distance. It actually holds the boxes sides in. And my books stay upright. I put two spaced out into a short-box and good to go.
Cool, thanks for the info!
Hear me out !
My dad has had a collection for 40 years and he has had them stacked horizontally, and there isn’t any issues. He’s got 1 short box worth of comics stacked. He flips his box upright and stacks them like that. I’ve seen no spine cracks, no pressure damage. Call him crazy but he swears by it ! He won’t do it this way in the video because of “sagging” of the comics. I’ve told him hey the box is full, the issues will be upright pretty good and not a lot of room to sag, but nope he won’t do it
There are many ways to skin a cat, and whatever works for him by all means! This is just the best way I have found for myself so far. Thanks for the info!
Can you do a video of all your key books cause I am sure you got some great books.
Sure thing, added it to the to-do list. I've got a lot of keys off at CGC so will make the video when they come back. I do have a silver age haul video coming out in the next couple of weeks, got some pretty big ASM books in it
you could just store your long boxes vertically, and the gravity would cause the books to stay parallel to each other.
What do you mean by a top loader book ? Ty
A toploader is a rigid plastic case that you load books into from the top.. they are really good for displaying raw comics and adding an extra layer of protection to your most valuable books
@@ImproveCollectingComics thank u!
Just the way I was thinking
Why not simply fill the long box enough to not allow room for the comics to move? My boxes are full in the sense that they're not packed tight, have a little bit of wiggle room, but still full enough to keep them from leaning on one another. I've never had any problem with them bending.
The problem is that if any get shifted one way or another at any point, or if a lean of any sort occurs.. it'll gradually turn the books into bananas. This removes the weight factor for the most part, and makes it much less likely. Of course, if you are not having that issue, then that's awesome. I thought my books were good too in the early 90's, but then after several moves and not looking at them for 2+ decades, I suddenly had bananabooks :(
@@ImproveCollectingComics Ouch. Mine were in bookcases for nearly 25 years, then transferred to long boxes more than 20 years ago, but since the boxes were packed full, I haven't had any issues with books shifting around. I don't use backing boards at all because the 4 mil Mylar bags I use are really stiff. They seem to do a good job of keeping the books straight and flat.
@@niknikktm I think 4 mil with full backs would make books pretty much bullet proof. I keep hoping the price will come down on them, they are so ridiculously pricy right now, if you can even find them for sale
Used this idea for a long time - bcw box wasn't wide enough for silver Mylites
That's amazing man thanks!
Best idea
I hate long boxes unless i am selling bulk.
Damn that’s a great idea! Gonna have to try this method. Thanks for sharing. Be well. 🤙
You're welcome, have fun and take care!
Thanks for the idea!!!
You bet!
Thanks for the tips
Bloody good idea dude,I'm literally doing that tonight with a couple of my over packed long boxes 🤣 thanks for the tip! Liked and subscribed 👍
No problem! It was a major epiphany when I tried it out.. although I'm sure I'm not the first one who ever tried it. I haven't seen anyone else doing it though so had to share!
@@ImproveCollectingComics haha I bet!! well I've never seen it buddy so I'm giving you the credit 🤣 if it helped 1 person it was worth the video dude 👍👍
Overpacked books isn’t great either.
short boxes are the way to go.... long box is too heavy every time I see someone lifting on Its like ok a few got damaged haha
I hear that.. I probably won't ever buy another long box
Should I not be stacking them up in cardboard boxes?🤔
Vertical is the best way to go, cardboard boxes would probably be fine with bags and boards
I just pack mine tight and never had an issue
Great idea!
Thanks!
Brilliant
Damn - great idea!
Thanks!
That is a good idea👍🏼
Great video
Thanks!
just subbed but cool way to fill long boxes
Thanks!
Champion
How to store comics....Take your grails and have Comiclink sell them auction style. Then take the rest of your books and use them as insulation behind your wall.
LOL sometimes feels like they'd be put to better use that way. I'd put donating to kids ahead of insulation though :)
@@ImproveCollectingComics kids don't appreciate ..reap the benefits of a insulated room. I have four longboxes just in one room behind drywall. Sold my grails in 2019.
The boxes are designed to be used like a filing system, front to back and not sideways. The way you're doing it makes it more difficult to access and go through your collection. There's a reason you've never seen anyone else do it this way. Nice intention, but a bit doltish.
I find it easier to go through my collection, since I don't have to worry about bending the books as much. It's not hard to turn the box sideways. To each their own though.
Feels a bit “doltish” to completely ignore the stated purpose of the video.
Those deviders need to be punched in the insides of the comic boxes, then they will fit just fine.
They just don't stay in the box.. the BCW boxes seem to be just a tiny bit too wide.. or wider at the top than at the bottom. I think if they tapered the dividers a couple mm from bottom to top, it might fit perfectly
Not a fan of the sideways storage. Too much weight pushing the side of the box out. Pack your boxes correctly and then just take out the last 10 books in the box for room to view when you do. Then put the 10 back.
I thought that might be an issue as well, but by putting a toploader book or rigid cardboard at each end and not allowing the books to lean, it isn't a big problem. However, I've only been doing this for a few weeks so time will tell if it causes a big bulge in the sides
@@ImproveCollectingComics . Well I wish the new method works out well for you matey. Mine is short boxes transfered to long boxes. Filled so you can't view and all upright, with half height blocks either end so I don't push on the books if I have to move the box. Then placed into longterm storage so the collection isn't moved. We are each a little ocd I think. :-)
Great idea!