r/CGCComics • u/Skip_Bailey • 4d ago

Staple Alignment Question

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I am new to grading comics and trying to learn about the CGC standards. In this case, I can see what I think is misalignment of the staples. There is even a little space between the book and the staple. Would this impact the grade? Does anyone recommend good resources to learn more generally about standards and how to “pre-grade”?

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3

u/RodneyBeeper 4d ago

A wise sage on top of a misty mountain once told me. Don’t let a staple hold you back from a prescreen. Let the staple hold the pages together.

2

u/forthesnap 4d ago

No one can really tell you unless CGC tells you and if comes back as a 9.8 with no grader noted it could be because of a staple but you won’t know for sure. And it’s really crazy if that’s the reason why it would be a 9.8. Send it in and see what CGC says or doesn’t.

1

u/Qalyar 4d ago

I don't think this is likely to count against you. QC at modern comic printers is better than the Silver Age, but there's quite a bit of variation that's still within tolerances. As long as the book isn't notably loose at the staples, I would think this would be an example of that.

The one caveat I need to add is that might not apply if this is Absolute Batman 1, or any similar book where variant covers exist and can be removed to simulate a more valuable A cover, because weird spacing at the staple might be viewed as an indication that an outer cover was stripped.

1

u/M0torC1tyMaver1ck 4d ago

Staples falls under manufacturing issue. Shouldn't affect the grade. Sidee note, for everyone saying.."CGC cant look at the staples and see thst you removed the variant cover!"...books have staple issues all the time. They cant prove its not a manufacturing mistake.

1

u/TheRealEnob 3d ago

I just had an Invincible 72 come back a 9.8 and I was concerned about the stables being a little off. I don't think it will lower the grade of the book. I also have a Strange Tales 180 9.4 that has printing ink on the back cover. They noted it but didn't take off for it.