bapowell Posted January 22, 2022 Share Posted January 22, 2022 I've got a book with a few small, non-color breaking spine stress marks. I'm wondering if it's possible that a press might turn these into color breaks? I don't know exactly how that even might happen, or why I worry about this, but figured I'd ask. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post zzutak Posted January 22, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted January 22, 2022 There are a number of defects that can develop as a result of "poor" pressing and/or pressing of unsuitable candidates, including such things as newly-detached corner/edge pieces, new/enlarged spine splits, blown staples, etc. Taken to the extreme, there's even this William-James88, theCapraAegagrus, Turnando and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aardvark88 Posted January 22, 2022 Share Posted January 22, 2022 On 1/22/2022 at 8:43 AM, zzutak said: There are a number of defects that can develop as a result of "poor" pressing and/or pressing of unsuitable candidate Taken to the extreme, there's even this But I saved money by using my momma's iron, and an old white t-shirt as I could not afford teflon sheets. Leave it to the Pros. Don't do it yourself unless u are practicing on low grade like this gentleman: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bapowell Posted January 22, 2022 Author Share Posted January 22, 2022 (edited) I've got a Tusy heat press that works great: I've used it on all sorts of comics with great results, but I've got a valuable high-grade book that probably doesn't *need* a press... Edited January 22, 2022 by bapowell aardvark88 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin76 Posted January 22, 2022 Share Posted January 22, 2022 On 1/22/2022 at 1:44 PM, bapowell said: I've got a Tusy heat press that works great: I've used it on all sorts of comics with great results, but I've got a valuable high-grade book that probably doesn't probably *need* a press... I wish people would stop using these presses and steamers. thehumantorch and Mr. Zipper 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KCOComics Posted January 23, 2022 Share Posted January 23, 2022 I know a local shop owner who does pressing. I'm not sure what equipment he owns, I can just tell you I no longer buy books from him because he does a terrible job on SA books and it's disheartening to see. The creases are accentuated and the books just look bad. You can pick out every older book he presses. I suspect he does OK with moderns. My point is, yes, pressing can cause more damage and I would work with a professional. MAY1979 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeypost Posted January 23, 2022 Share Posted January 23, 2022 They’re t-shirt presses. Randall Dowling 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeypost Posted January 23, 2022 Share Posted January 23, 2022 On 1/22/2022 at 12:58 PM, aardvark88 said: But I saved money by using my momma's iron, and an old white t-shirt as I could not afford teflon sheets. Leave it to the Pros. Don't do it yourself unless u are practicing on low grade like this gentleman: Everyone gets their 15 minutes. Randall Dowling 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djzombi Posted January 25, 2022 Share Posted January 25, 2022 On 1/22/2022 at 11:43 AM, zzutak said: Oh. My. GOSH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeypost Posted January 26, 2022 Share Posted January 26, 2022 To answer the OP’s original question about pressing adding color breaks, the answer is no. If done correctly any indents, non-color breaking creases and waves will come out without adding any damage. What does happen in some cases is that the crease has small color breaks associated with it before pressing. Once pressed with the book now lying flat, the small color break is more pronounced. djzombi, grendelbo and bapowell 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theCapraAegagrus Posted January 26, 2022 Share Posted January 26, 2022 On 1/25/2022 at 7:41 PM, joeypost said: To answer the OP’s original question about pressing adding color breaks, the answer is no. If done correctly... What about if it is done incorrectly? That leaves the possibility that it could happen, right? Turnando 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bapowell Posted January 26, 2022 Author Share Posted January 26, 2022 Of course, by definition I suppose if it's done incorrectly all manner of things can go wrong. I was wondering if the process itself -- done by the best presser in the biz -- might result in this. Thanks everyone for helping! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeypost Posted January 26, 2022 Share Posted January 26, 2022 On 1/26/2022 at 8:18 AM, theCapraAegagrus said: What about if it is done incorrectly? That leaves the possibility that it could happen, right? Incorrectly? All kinds of horror stories have happened. grendelbo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jas1vans Posted January 26, 2022 Share Posted January 26, 2022 On 1/26/2022 at 7:18 AM, theCapraAegagrus said: What about if it is done incorrectly? That leaves the possibility that it could happen, right? On 1/26/2022 at 8:03 AM, joeypost said: Incorrectly? All kinds of horror stories have happened. A friend once told me that any machine can be a smoke machine if you use it wrong enough. buttock and LiftedAndShifted 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bapowell Posted January 26, 2022 Author Share Posted January 26, 2022 FWIW, the following prescription has worked well for me: 165 degrees F for 15 minutes, then shut off the machine and leave the book in for 4-24 hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeypost Posted January 26, 2022 Share Posted January 26, 2022 I have to ask why you brought this up in the first place, if you are pressing your own books and have a tried-and-true formula? Turnando 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bapowell Posted January 26, 2022 Author Share Posted January 26, 2022 So for sure I've never noticed this happening (the conversion of small non-color breaking stresses to ticks), but then again I don't have much experience with pressing high grade books (to go from 9.2 to 9.4, for example) where this kind of thing would be a killer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Zipper Posted January 27, 2022 Share Posted January 27, 2022 I shudder to think how many books are being ruined by the DIY pressing industry. I recall buying an Avengers 16 from a Boardie many years ago and it looked great. I took it out of the bag and the corners curled up and it was as flat as a pancake. Overheated and squashed. Thankfully, Joey saved it for me. I believe he re-humidified it and then properly pressed it. Pro pressing can be a lifesaver. DIY at your own risk. Randall Dowling 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystafo Posted January 27, 2022 Share Posted January 27, 2022 I hate it when I see a book that's had a printer's crease pressed out and it exposes that tale-tell thin, arcing white line where the ink never landed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin76 Posted January 31, 2022 Share Posted January 31, 2022 On 1/26/2022 at 9:50 AM, bapowell said: FWIW, the following prescription has worked well for me: 165 degrees F for 15 minutes, then shut off the machine and leave the book in for 4-24 hours. You don't need to leave the book in the press for 4-24 hours. That's too long. Once the press is up to temp, shut it off. I've already said too much and I don't train for free Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...