Comic Book Pressing & Grading

  • Not everything can be improved via cleaning and pressing. The list below provides and overview of those that are most likely to improve.

    • Dents

    • Bends (non-color breaking)

    • Light creases

    • Minor spine stresses (non-color breaking)

    • Impacted corners/edges (non-color breaking)

    • Warping

    • Ripples

    • Spine rolls

    • Waviness

    • Stacking curls

    • Cover impressions

    • Some pencil marks

    • Dirt

    • Some foreign substances

    • Creases that break color

    • Missing chips or pieces

    • Tears

    • Stains

    • Detached staples or staple tears

    • Spine stresses that break color

    • Fading

    • Fingerprints or smudges

    • Dust shadows or sun shadows

    • Rusted staples or rust stains

    • Rounded or blunted corners

    • Pen markings or printer ink

    • Cover veins

    • Brown or brittle cover or pages

    • Some bends/Finger bends that break color/fiber

  • The short answer, is yes. When practiced conservatively with an experienced presser, books should be safe. But there are several caveats to this statement. A Book’s condition can greatly effect its suitability for pressing.

    In the end, books are fragile and any defects present can/may be exacerbated by the cleaning, pressing & shipping process.

    We take the utmost care with your books, but insurance does not cover damage to books throughout this process and we will not be held responsible for defects that may occur, including detached or popped staples.

    Every collector’s appetite for risk is different. If you are unsure about your book’s suitability for pressing, don’t hesitate to reach out.

  • Absolutely. In fact, the practice is becoming increasingly prevalent. There are pros and cons to this kind of approach.

    You already have a solid baseline expectation of the existing condition of the book. Additionally, the book has already undergone a solid restoration detection process.

    The biggest challenge with this approach is you are accessing a book’s potential through several layers of plastic and grader’s notes are more often than not, incomplete.

    Books should only be cracked out of their case if you are confident they can be improved, or have an appetite to gamble.

  • It doesn’t happen often, but it definitely happens and for a variety of reasons.

    Whether an un-pressable defect went unnoticed previously, a grader is having a bad day, or enough time has passed since the initial grading that the grading standards have changed, it’s always a possiblity.

    Nothing about the shipping, pressing and grading process is entirely risk free.

Terms Of Service

  • Please Ship Books To:

    Quigley’s Comics
    C/O J. Quigley
    13 Creek Crossing Court
    Missoula, MT 59802

  • By submitting books, you are responsible for accurately assessing the Fair Market Value of your book once graded. Doing so, ensures your books are submitted for grading in their proper tiers, costs are accurately estimated and turnarounds are as efficient as possible.

    Undervaluing books can lead to delays, under-insured books and invoice adjustments from both Quigley’s Comics and CGC.

    Books that are adjusted into a higher fee tier must be paid in full before they are returned to the owner.

    If you are unsure how to properly assess the value of your book. Don’t hesitate to reach out. While the decision is ultimately yours, we can provide you some guidance and resources to make your determination.

  • It is your responsibility to thoroughly inspect your books BEFORE submitting for any cleaning, pressing and grading services. These defects include but are not limited to:

    • Restoration

    • Missing Pages

    • Missing Pieces

    • Cut Out Coupons

    • Missing Inserts

    We do our best to notify the owners of anything we find, but when you submit a book we operate under the assumption you are aware of these issues and have chosen to proceed through the process.

    Detection of these issues after submission does not entitle the owner to a refund of the costs of shipping, work completed or grading fees that have already been accrued.

  • Please note that any items sent in for pressing will be considered abandoned property if not paid in full, including any adjustments, 90 days after services are completed. In this case, the items will become sole property of Quigley’s Comics, unless an agreement has been made in writing between the item’s owner and Quigley’s Comics.

  • When submitting books to Certified Guarantee Company, we are not responsible for damages, loss or delays while the books are in their hands.

    For up to date turnaround estimates, please consult their website.