Is comic and card pressing and cleaning restoration?

By the most basic definition any process that attempts to return the collectible to it’s more ideal state would be considered restoration. Most people are more concerned with what the major grading companies consider restoration though. While grading criteria varies from company to company the work I do is generally not considered to be restoration or is not identifiable as restoration.

Can pressing and cleaning damage the collectible?

When exposing a collectible to moisture, heat and pressure there is always some element of risk involved. This risk is fairly minimal when dealing with most work though and tends to only be a high risk on collectibles that are already in a heavily compromised state before treatment.

Are collectibles restorationists insured?

While many claim that they are insured this doesn’t cover their work on your collectibles. Insurance companies will cover them for loss or damages while they are in possession of the books due to events like fire, flood, theft, etc. If a restorationist damages the collectible during the cleaning or pressing it will be up to them and the client to resolve the issue.

Can you remove all stains from comics?

While it is possible to remove some stains from comics not all stains can be removed. Some typical stains that are resistant to treatments are oil based stains, inks and markers. Removal of these types of stains are generally either very limited in results are very invasive in removal.

Can pressing fix all defects on collectibles?

The work I do on collectibles will generally address all issues of unevenness in the surfaces of the item. It can not fix paper fibers that have been damaged due to bending or creasing though. In those cases it may still greatly improve the presentation but the damaged areas will remain.

Why would you get your collectibles worked on?

My work can greatly improve the presentation of collectibles for display purposes. For those that are interested in grading or selling their collectibles it will also remove a number of the defects that would subtract from the overall condition of the book.

Why should you clean your collectibles?

Cleaning can remove some of the most unsightly defects on collectibles. Stuck on dirt and debris as well as stains or discoloration are some of the biggest detractors to a books overall appearance. On top of increasing the collectibles’ presentation it can also greatly improve the overall value of the collectibles as well.

Can foxing be removed from comics?

Foxing, or the little brown spots, that you generally see on cover of older books CAN be removed in most cases. Through a combination of hydrogen peroxide treatment and light treatment the visible stains can be greatly reduced and even removed entirely.

Can tide lines be removed from comics?

Tide lines are lines that are left from liquid coming into contact with the paper and moving contaminants into the fibers which leaves a stain where the liquid was present. These types of stains generally CAN be removed depending on the nature of the liquid and the contaminants present.

Can dust shadows be removed from comics?

Dust shadows are a result of dust resting on the comic and the dust particles actually impregnating the paper fibers which discolors the pages to that dust color. Dust shadows CAN be removed in almost all cases.

Can tanning be removed from comics?

Tanning or the yellowing/browning of comic books can be the result of several different factors including soiling, smoke or humidity. Often present on older books the tanning can effect portions of the books or the entirety of them. This type of discoloration CAN be removed in almost all cases.

Can mold be removed from comics?

There are a variety of different types of molds and as such there are a variety of different answered to this question. Some molds stains can be removed entirely while other can only be treated to stop further deterioration of the comic.

Can you replace staples on comics?

Staples can be replaced or cleaned on your comics. Most of the major grading companies do consider this to be restoration if detected. For books with severely rusted staples if you want to keep the book unrestored it is still recommended to remove the staples to prevent further deterioration but you would simply not replace them.

Why am I being invoiced after I have already paid?

This could be the result of a few reasons. One being; several services have varying degrees of treatment required. The initial submission form has the minimum fee for treatment with each collectible receiving an individual assessment once received. Another reason could be the declared value of the collectible was not reflective of the value of the book at the time of it’s cleaning and or pressing which could result in an upcharge for proper insurance on the book(s).