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Serious collectors of comic books must shrewdly invest time and money to protect their collectibles. It takes time to insert backing boards into sleeves. Collectors must be careful when handling comic books in slabs. Also, it always pays to only buy acid-free comic book protection products.
An acid-free comic book sleeve or backing board has a 3% calcium carbonate coating. It helps protect comics from natural degradation. There are also stor-folios, storage boxes, and even fireproof storage boxes that serious collectors should look into buying.
Sometimes it’s better to buy comic book sleeves that have the backing boards already pre-inserted. You may pay a little extra, but you save a lot of time, especially if you have a large collection.
Here are nine comic book protection products that serious collectors never skip.
1. Big Fudge Comic Book Sleeves and Boards (100-Pack)
Big Fudge comic book sleeves and boards are a favorite of most serious collectors of comics. Their comic book sleeves are made of acid-free polypropylene. Big Fudge’s sleeves are also 3 mil thick, which is about 50% thicker than their competitors. Their backing boards are also acid-free.
Here are the dimensions of the sleeves and backing boards:
- Sleeves: 7.25” x 10.5”
- Backing boards: 6.87” x 10.5”
The manufacturer claims that this is an archival-quality product. That means if you use and seal it properly, your comics could last a lifetime. The dimensions of the sleeves and boards are optimal for comic books published after 1990.
Get 50 sleeves and 50 backing boards for $19.95 at Amazon now.
2. BCW Comic Book Sleeves and Boards (200-Pack)
BCW is a known brand for most serious collectors. Their polypropylene sleeves are 2 mil thick. BCW’s sleeves and boards are both acid-free. The brand is known for its “archival quality” products. Insert and seal your comics properly with acid-free BCW sleeves and boards, and they should last for a lifetime.
- Sleeves: 6 ⅞ x 10 ½ “
- Backing boards: 6 ¾ X 10 ½ “
This product is optimal for use with Modern Age comics only. Get 100 sleeves and 100 backing boards for $24.65.
3. Platinum Protectors Comic Book Sleeves (1,000-Pack)
This is a great buy for serious collectors who need to swap out old, cheap, and deteriorating sleeves for a large collection. This product is also great for new collectors with hundreds of comics to preserve. Each sleeve is 2 mil thick and made of acid-free polypropylene, making them archival quality.
Here are the dimensions of the sleeves: 6-7/8″ x 10-1/2″.
You get 10 packs of 100 sleeves with each purchase. Each sleeve has a resealable flap with an adhesive strip on it. The manufacturer states that the sleeves are dust and water-proof. You will have to supply your own backing boards, but this is a great bargain for quality sleeves.
Each sleeve can accommodate comics with Modern Age comic book dimensions.
Get it now for $57.98 at Amazon.
4. BCW Preloaded Comic Book Sleeves and Backing Boards (250-Pack)
This product is virtually identical to #2 on this list and made by the same manufacturer. The main difference? Each sleeve comes preloaded with the backing board already inside. So, instead of spending hours inserting 250 backing boards individually into 250 individual sleeves, the boards are already inserted.
Serious collectors can save a lot of maintenance time with this product. This product is optimal for use with Modern Age comics.
Get it now for $93.95 at Amazon.
5. BCW Graded Comic Slab Bumpers (3-Pack)
This is another great BCW product that some serious collectors may not know even exist. Slab bumpers are fitted plastic bumpers that you can put onto your graded slabs. Think of them like thin, protective rubber sleeves for your slabs. The bumpers prevent cracking, scratches, and scuffs to the edges of your slabs in case you drop them.
You get three with each purchase, and they fit Modern Age comic slabs.
Buy it now on Amazon for $22.25.
6. HYARUAT Comic Book Top Loaders (10-Pack)
A top loader is a very rigid plastic sleeve. Think of it like a thinner version of a slab with an open top. Serious collectors who are not ready for grading and slabbing use top loaders. They insert a comic already in a sleeve with a backing board into the top loader for extra protection.
These top loaders can accommodate Silver and Modern Age comics. Here are the exterior and interior dimensions:
- Exterior: 7 5/8 in x 11 in x 1/4 in.
- Interior: 7 1/4 in x 10 7/8 in x 3/16 in.
Buy a 10-pack now on Amazon for $19.99.
7. MEESS RCLH 2-Pack Comic Book Stor-Folio (2-Pack)
A stor-folio is a portable case for carrying around your comic books. You can store up to 20 comic books in it, depending on whether they are in slabs or top loaders. The stor-folio has a strong magnetic clasp to keep it closed during travel. It is a stylish, durable, and designed to protect the comics of serious collectors on the go.
Here are the dimensions of the stor-folio: 11.4″L x 7.6″W x 1.7″H.
Buy two on Amazon now for $26.99.
8. BCW Short Comic Book Bin
These heavy-duty short storage boxes are acid-free. So, if you place BCW comic book sleeves with backing boards in this box, then your comics could last a lifetime. These BCW storage boxes are impact-resistant and stackable.
Here are the dimensions of the box: 12.25 x 8.625 x 16.5 in.
Each box can hold up to 150 comics. Additionally, each box comes with an interlocking butterfly lid for extra protection.
Get one now on Amazon for $43.65.
9. Nexazen Fireproof Comic Book Storage Box
This fireproof comic book box is made of double-layered fibreglass with a silicone coating. It has four layers of fireproof materials. This box also comes with double zipper layers and a lock. It can withstand a fire with temperatures up to 1500°F (816°C for up to 20 seconds).
This fireproof storage box can hold up to 140 comics. You get 50 protective cases for your comics and stickers.
This fireproof box will give you precious seconds to save your comics if the worst ever happens.
Buy it now on Amazon for $38.99.
Even Serious Collectors Were Once First-Time Collectors
Every expert was a newbie once. It takes processes of trial and error, sometimes over years, for novice collectors to become serious collectors. Consult with friends, experts, or comic book store owners about the best methods to protect comics.
Anyone can get a comic book sleeve and a backing board. I was doing that as a child. However, sometimes, you need deeper knowledge about specific comic book protection products to protect your comics for a lifetime.
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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 and has decades of experience in comic investing and personal finance. Before becoming a writer Allen was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years. Allen now focuses on comic book reviews, collectible investments, and helping others collect and enjoy comics.
