Well I recently sealed a deal for a TMNT vol. 1 #1 first printing from fellow dromer: the power of 3. I was considering sending the book off to be pressed. I was looking at this site:
http://www.comicpressing.com
So on to the point of this thread......As someone who has nevered used such a site/ service I have to ask:
1) Is it worth it?
2) Has anyone on here used it? If so what kind of results did you get and are you happy with them?
3) What exactly is the process of pressing?
4) Is the site I linked any good? Is there one you would suggest?
Please help a pressing virgin out and answer my questions! Or post any other viable info or maybe some before and after pics.
Whether or not it's worth it depends on the type of defects your comic has and the value of the grade bump. Pressing does not automatically mean you will get a grade bump. Some comics will get huge grade bumps, and others will get none at all. For a first print of TMNT 1, any grade bump would be "worth it" from a value standpoint.
Keep in mind pressing is controversial. CGC does NOT consider pressing to be "restoration" so it won't hurt the value of your comic (if done right!). Others frown upon it, since you're making improvements to the comic.
Pressing is as it sounds. Heat, pressure and humidity is applied to the comic to "press" out structural flaws such as wrinkles, folds, spine ticks, spine rolls, etc. If any of those defects break color those color breaks will remain.
Personally I don't have a problem with it since it doesn't take away, or add to the comic like other forms of "improvements," such as trimming, adding pieces, color touch, glue, etc. To me it's analogous of having a door ding on a classic car that doesn't chip the paint. The ding can be pressed out and you still have the original sheet metal, the original paint and you've improved the condition. But the same cannot be true if you use bondo and paint.
I've used pressing a couple times with success. I highly recommend Joey from the CGC message board.
http://boards.collectors-society.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showprofile&User=6298
[email protected]
He has an impeccable reputation. He does fantastic work at great prices and a very quick turnaround time. He will also submit it to CGC for you, and he lives close enough to drop it off himself.
If you decide to use him let him know "USArmyParatrooper" referred you. But just so it's clear, I receive nothing for the referral and I have no vested interest.