Comics & Magazines Protective Sleeves, Archive Standard

We have applied our new technology, archive standard, three layer film to the safe storage of comics, comic books and magazines. Our sleeves are ideal for the long term, safe storage of printed comic books. As always, our sleeves are not only ACID FREE, but they are manufactured with a 3% alkali buffer, ensuring that they are truly archive standard.

On Boards

We understand that many comic book collectors are tempted to use stiffening cardboard to display their comic books. We would not advise this except under some very limited conditions.

Boards were invented for retailers to display the comic book stock standing up on a shelf. Comics were expected to sell rapidly and so the material content of the boards was not important. Most commercially sold boards are made from a vinyl or laminated card which emit volatile organic compounds that destroy printed paper over time. Comics stored in packs with boards for any length of time will appear dull and feel brittle. 

We have stated that if you must use a stiffening product, it should be manufactured using a 3% alkali buffer and only be used for a short period of time. This would make it archive standard. Some manufacturers have started coating boards with a thin film of chalk or other alkali substance - this is not appropriate as it easily rubs off or reacts with the humidity in the air. We would advise avoiding such manufacturers.

If you need to display your comic book standing up on a shelf for a short period of time, and cannot find a boards manufacturer that makes archive standard boards, we would advise cutting a plain, non laminated or glued, cardboard sheet to the desired size and inserting inside our sleeve. Be careful to remove as soon afterwards as possible as impurities in plain card manufacture can also have an effect on printed papers.