What’s Behind BCW Comic Book Backing Boards?
If your goal is to preserve your comics for years to come or if you want to keep your comics in mint condition as an investment, BCW offers several methods to protect, store and display your comics. While there are more elaborate methods of storing comics, let’s focus on the most common method – bagging and boarding. The combination of bags and boards is a trusted method by collectors of comics and is a cost effective way to protect an entire collection. BCW offers bags made of polypropylene and Mylar. Both are acid free, archival quality materials. Let’s narrow our discussion even further to backing boards. To keep your comic books in mint condition, you don’t want any old cardboard stored with your comics. BCW backing boards have special qualities that make them ideal for preserving comics.
First, BCW offers backing boards in five main sizes: Modern, Current, Regular, Silver, and Golden Age comics. The Current Board is the most common size for today’s comics. Please see this chart to determine what size of backing boards is right for you.
Second, our boards are cut from 24 point stock. This heavy board weight provides a firm backing which resists warping and protects your comics while handling and storing these floppy collectibles.
Third, BCW backing boards are acid free. They get their white appearance from a bleached sulfate process which does not interact with your comics. While BCW backing boards are white, it is normal for the tint to slightly vary from various packs.
Lastly, the backing boards help preserve the comics by absorbing the residual acid that migrates from the comics. Most comic books have been printed on newsprint. This includes all comics printed prior to Modern Age, as well as some Modern Age comic books. This newsprint paper has been bleached with acid prior to printing, and some of the acid remains in the paper. As time passes, this acid will degrade the newsprint, affecting the quality of the paper and the inks. BCW boards have been buffered with calcium carbonate which neutralizes the acid that migrates from the comic. The coated side may be on one or both sides of the backing board. You can identify the coated side by the glossy finish of the board. When you insert your comic and board inside the bag, you’ll want the coated side of the board facing the comic. If the board is coated on both sides, either side will work great. It is recommended to replace the backing boards in your comic collection every three to five years to rid the acids that have migrated from the comics into the boards.
Of course there are other important considerations for preserving your comics. You will want to store them away from sunlight and in a cool, dry place because sunlight, heat, and moisture can directly damage the comics and accelerate the acid migration process, further damaging the comics. BCW offers several boxes and box dividers to help keep your comics safe and organized.
Learn more about BCW comic book products:
BCW Comic Book Backing Boards
BCW Comic Book Bags
BCW Comic Book Boxes
BCW Comic Book Displays
BCW Comic Book Accessories
Are silver age size backing boards that are glossy on both sides available on BCW; what is the product code? I could not find “glossy on both sides” in the product description.
BCW does not offer backing boards that are guaranteed to be coated on both sides, although both sides are coated sometimes. Our Silver boards are normally coated on one side. https://www.bcwsupplies.com/silver-comic-book-backing-boards
Where do I post a product question?
Here is fine. If your prefer, you can contact our Customer Service at https://www.bcwsupplies.com/customerservice
Are all cardboard long and short boxs acid free even the ones with designs?
Jay – Our Short and Long Comic Boxes are not made from certified acid-free paper. It’s recommended to place your comics in bags with backing boards before inserting the comics into the storage boxes. Our bags are made from polypropylene or Mylar, which are both acid-free. The backing boards are acid-free paper, and have a calcium carbonate coating (the shiny side of the board) which neutralizes some of the acids from the comic book paper and inks. If your comics are stored in bags with boards, the minimal acidity of the cardboard box is not a factor as it will not touch the comics. If the acidity of the comic boxes is still a concern for you, consider the BCW Comic Book Bins, which are made from an acid-free plastic. Long term storage is best in a cool, dry, dark environment. Thanks
Thanks for the tips! I appreciate it!