Fukuoka Posted February 6, 2023 Share Posted February 6, 2023 Sorry to have such basic questions, but how does one know when pressing helps? So, for example, after some cursory research, I submitted some books requesting CCS. Just 3, but I thought they could get the crease out (or at least reduce it) of the following comic. I regret not taking before pics (last time for that)... so it will be hard to determine if anything was amiss, but I am somewhat certain that these creases were not altered at all. I understand that creases come in various degrees of... depth, I guess. And I assumed that pressing would remove grime. See the back cover pic. In addition, please check out the processing time. Economy--from received, pressed, graded, only 10 days. (see middle entry) Kinda doubting that the CCS even happened, but again, I guess it is possible. Thanks in advance for any advice. I have a few more to submit but thinking that CCS is not worth the money--or maybe I just don't understand its limitations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axe Elf Posted February 6, 2023 Share Posted February 6, 2023 I'm pretty new to all this too, but as I understand it, cleaning and pressing is not a magical procedure that will restore inks to color-breaking creases or make stained/tanned paper white again. Cleaning can reduce/remove some surface dirt, but probably won't eliminate most staining or discoloration, and pressing can make bends and tics flat again, but if the color was broken, pressing won't restore it. So those white lines and staining that you've circled won't come out with a clean and press--but the book should be flat (which will be kind of hard to tell inside a slab). Those with more experience, feel free to ridicule my response at your leisure. Fukuoka 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flchris Posted February 6, 2023 Share Posted February 6, 2023 (edited) Someone with more experience may chime in with more details, but pressing can't fix color breaks (those white marks you've circled). And while cleaning sometimes go hand in hand with pressing services, I don't think pressing itself is cleaning. Some stains may require more involved techniques (if they can be removed at all). (Axe beat me to it) Edited February 6, 2023 by 850chris Fukuoka 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazyboy Posted February 6, 2023 Share Posted February 6, 2023 Creases that break color can be flattened out, but not removed. Surface grime can be removed by dry cleaning, but anything deeper or worse can't. Fukuoka 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fukuoka Posted February 6, 2023 Author Share Posted February 6, 2023 OK, cool. I understand. Thanks for all of your advice. I guess I wasn't completely clear about how much pressing can do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeypost Posted February 7, 2023 Share Posted February 7, 2023 If it is a tear, stain, water damaged, ink rub, color breaking or faded a press won’t help. rexinnih and Fukuoka 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StillOnly25Cents Posted February 7, 2023 Share Posted February 7, 2023 (edited) The first step is to identify a comic book’s “good” defects and “bad” defects. In short, good defects can be diminished or removed with pressing, and the bad defects cannot. Here is a comprehensive list of both: Good defects (do not break color) Bad defects Dents Bends Folds Light creases Minor spine stresses Impacted corners or edges Warping Ripples (with no stains present) Spine rolls Waviness Stacking bends Cover impressions Light pencil marks (usually in white areas) Dirt Substance 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 Edited February 7, 2023 by StillOnly25Cents KCOComics, Chaz G. and Fukuoka 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimik Posted February 7, 2023 Share Posted February 7, 2023 When does pressing help? When you send your books to CFP Comics..................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehumantorch Posted February 7, 2023 Share Posted February 7, 2023 It's important to understand that a color breaking crease is a crease that breaks the ink (color) on a cover. Perhaps the phrase should be 'ink breaking crease'. Pressing, which is the application of humidity, heat, and pressure can flatten a cover/crease but can't fill in the broken ink. To repair a color breaking crease you'd need to fill in the crease with new ink......known as color touch. Fukuoka 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KennyMac23 Posted February 7, 2023 Share Posted February 7, 2023 I’ve heard and agree that Black is the hardest color to get right on comics and the most noticeable. Also agree color breaks, there is no press that can help fill in color. I do know some people do multiple presses on one comic, I know one guy that did 4 presses and changed an 8.0 to 9.2 The white on the back should be cleaner, in my opinion. I have also heard that one person complained their comic was not cleaned and CGC investigated and found it was not cleaned or pressed and got a refund. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fukuoka Posted February 7, 2023 Author Share Posted February 7, 2023 Thanks everyone. I appreciate all the advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom789 Posted February 10, 2023 Share Posted February 10, 2023 Even if pressing can eliminate and reduce certain defects it may not be worth it if there is an overriding defect that caps the grade of the book. Fukuoka, RockMyAmadeus and thehumantorch 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CONathan Posted February 11, 2023 Share Posted February 11, 2023 I have sent in books at 9.4 and gotten them to 9.6 and even 9.8 before. Fukuoka 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeypost Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 No amount of pressing with get a book to 9.8 that has defects that keep it from getting the 9.8. The wear a book has is what limits the grade, not how good the press was. KCOComics 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...