Did you know that there are systems and levels when it comes to acid-free storage solutions for comic books? First of all, you should be using only acid-free sleeves, backing boards, display cases, top loaders, and storage boxes to protect comics. Also, you should nest each product into another, with proper sealing, to optimize protection.
Older comic books were made from the cheapest paper stock. Such vintage paper degrades quickly after exposure to the elements. So, you can place a comic book into a sleeve with a backing board, then into a top loader, and then into a comic book storage box. If each of those products features an acid-free coating, then the comic could last a lifetime.
What makes such products “acid-free” is the fact that they feature a coating of 3% calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate absorbs and neutralizes the acids and compounds that naturally degrade paper.
Here are nine acid-free storage solutions for your comic books.
1. Cardarchiver UV Protection Slab Protectors (2-Pack)
Magnetic comic book display cases are a very underrated form of acid-free storage solutions. A magnetic display case, or slab protector, is a translucent acrylic enclosure that protects your comic. This one is meant for wall mounting.
The casing features UV protection and protects comics from fading and yellowing from sun exposure. Here are the dimensions of the product: 6.625 x 10.25.
These display cases also feature magnetic enclosure points. They keep the casing locked and protect your comics from dust, moisture, and the elements. This product is optimal for use as all mounting but can also be displayed on wall units or desks. Only insert Modern Age comics into these display cases.
Buy two display cases now for $23.99 at Amazon.
2. Big Fudge 50 Comic Book Bags and Boards (50 Sleeves and 50 Boards)
Some of the best acid-free storage solutions are comic book bags, also known as sleeves, and backing boards. Big Fudge is a well-regarded company for comic book restoration and protection. This product features 50 acid-free polypropylene sleeves and 50 acid-free backing boards.
The sleeves are 3-mil thick. This is an archival-quality product. So, if you insert your comics and seal them properly, then they could last for a lifetime.
Here are the product’s dimensions:
Backing Boards: 6.87” x 10.5”
Sleeves: 7.25” x 10.5”
Get 50 acid-free sleeves and 50 acid-free backing boards for $19.95 on Amazon now.
3. YYYFCING Acid-Free Sleeves and Boards (100 Sleeves and 100 Boards)
Of the acid-free storage solutions on this list, this product is the most affordable. It is a generic brand that offers the same protection as the well-known names. The sleeves are 4.7-mil thick, which is thicker than most brands. The polypropylene sleeves and boards feature a coating of 3% calcium carbonate.
As long as you seal them properly, they should last a lifetime. You get 200 circular stickers with each purchase to help seal your comics. This product is optimal for use with Modern Age comics only.
Here are the dimensions of the product:
Boards: 10.5 inches x 6.75 inches
Sleeves: 10.6 inches x 6.96 inches
Get 100 sleeves and 100 boards for $20.99 on Amazon now.
4. Max Protection Acid-Free Sleeves and Boards (100 Sleeves and 100 Boards)
These sleeves and boards feature a coating of 3% calcium carbonate, making them acid-free. You get 100 sleeves and 100 boards with each purchase. The manufacturer states that this product is optimal for use with Bronze and Modern Age comics. You can efficiently insert any comic made after 1974 into this product.
Buy it now on Amazon for $24.99.
5. Belifun Acid-Free Resealable Sleeves and Boards for Silver Age Comics (100 Sleeves and 100 Boards)
This product is similar to the other acid-free storage solutions on this list. You get 100 acid-free polypropylene sleeves and 100 acid-free boards. However, these sleeves feature 1 ½” flaps that you can tuck in or tape for better sealing. Also, these sleeves and boards are optimal for use with Silver Age comics only.
Buy it now on Amazon for only $26.99.
6. Platinum Protectors 1,000 Acid-Free Comic Book Sleeves
This is a great product to use for collectors who need to upgrade the protection for a large collection. This product is also great for new collectors who buy or inherit large collections. It features a 3% calcium carbonate coating and has a 1 ½” flap with an adhesive strip. This archival-quality sleeve will last a lifetime as long as you seal it properly.
You get ten 100-packs of sleeves with each purchase. However, this product does not come with any backing boards. The manufacturer states that these sleeves are optimal for use with Modern and Silver Age comics.
Here are the dimensions of the sleeves: 7-1/8″ x 10-1/2″.
Get 1,000 sleeves for only $58.99 on Amazon now.
7. BCW Backing Boards For Modern Age Comics (100 Boards)
BCW is a trusted name when it comes to acid-free storage solutions. You get 100 cardboard backing. Each board features a coating of 3% calcium carbonate. You should only buy this product to supplement 100 acid-free sleeves for extra protection.
This product is optimal for use with Modern Age comics. Also, you should optimally buy these boards to match with BCW sleeves. Here are the product’s dimensions: 6 7/8 X 10 1/2 inches.
Buy it now for $16.99 at Amazon.
8. Platinum Protectors Top Loaders (40-Pack)
Top loaders are very rigid and have see-through plastic sleeves. They are like extra-thin slabs or display cases. You insert a sleeved and boarded comic into a top loader to add an extra layer of protection. This product is acid-free, water-resistant, and dust-resistant if you use it properly.
Here are the dimensions of the product: 7-1/4″ x 10-1/2″ x 3/16″.
Get 40 top loaders for $69.99.
9. NUMINA Short Comic Book Boxes (6-Pack)
These short-length comic book boxes can store 150 to 175 comic books. You can place Silver or Modern Age comics comfortably in these boxes. These boxes are made from durable and acid-free corrugated cardboard. If you place comic books that were properly sealed in an acid-free sleeve with a backing board, and then put them into a top loader into this box, then it should last a lifetime.
Here are the interior dimensions of each box: 15.56″ x 7.62″ x 11″.
Get 6 boxes for $53.99 at Amazon now.
Acid-Free Storage Solutions
Did this article seem overwhelming? That was not the intent. However, if you want to protect your comic books, this is what you must do. It takes a lot of time and financial sacrifice, and physical effort to organize a large comic book collection.
Still, I would recommend that you only resort to such efforts for valuable comic books or old comics with sentimental value. Any comic book could rise in value, but most don’t. You should know which comics in your collection are more valuable relative to others. However, every comic in your collection may not warrant such levels of protection.
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