How to Get Comics Graded

First: should you grade this book at all?

Grading only makes sense when a strong grade adds more value than it costs. Sanity-check the book against three questions — if all three are yes, read on; if not, it's probably better kept raw.

• Is it a key issue, first appearance, or in-demand book?
• Is it in high grade — clean spine, sharp corners, white pages?
• Does the graded copy sell for clearly more than the raw book plus grading (and pressing) cost?

We break the math down in Is grading comics worth it?

1. 1

   Decide which comics are worth grading

   Grading costs money per book, so only submit comics where a high grade adds more value than the fee. Prioritise key issues, first appearances, and high-grade modern books with real demand. A clean copy of a sought-after key is worth grading; a reading copy of a common issue is not.

2. 2

   Pick a grading company

   The two main comic graders are CGC and CBCS. CGC has the broadest market recognition and the strongest resale, which is why most collectors start there. CBCS is a respected alternative. (Be cautious with PGX, which carries far less market trust.)

3. 3

   Create an account and choose a service tier

   Register on the grader's website and select a service level based on each book's declared value. Cheaper "economy"/"modern" tiers cap the maximum value and have longer turnaround; faster and vintage tiers cost more and allow higher-value books.

4. 4

   Consider pressing first

   Professional pressing can remove non-color-breaking defects (bends, finger waves, light spine stress) and may lift the grade — but results are never guaranteed and poor work can damage a book. Many submitters press valuable books before grading; see our pressing guide before deciding.

5. 5

   Bag, board, and protect the book

   Put the comic in an acid-free bag with a backing board sized to its era. For valuable books use a mylar sleeve. Never tape the bag to the book, and handle by the edges to avoid adding defects.

6. 6

   Fill out the submission form

   List every book with its title, issue number, and declared value through the grader's online submission system. The declared value sets your tier eligibility and the insurance coverage on the return shipment.

7. 7

   Package and ship with tracking and insurance

   Sandwich the bagged-and-boarded books snugly between rigid cardboard inside a sturdy box (a short box or well-padded carton), include the printed form, and ship with tracking and insurance. Keep your tracking number and submission ID.

8. 8

   Track, receive, and verify

   Follow the submission status online through receiving, grading, and shipping. When the slabs arrive, verify each certification number on the grader's official lookup tool to confirm the label matches the book and grade.

Comic grading is holistic — a single 0.5–10 grade — but it comes down to four physical attributes, plus a separate page-quality note. Knowing them helps you pre-screen your own books before paying to submit.

The Comic Graders at a Glance

Full breakdown in CGC vs CBCS for comics.

• Acid-free bag + backing board sized to the era (mylar for valuable keys).
• Handle by the edges; never tape the bag to the book.
• Sandwich bagged-and-boarded books between rigid cardboard in a sturdy box.
• Include the printed submission form in the package.
• Ship with tracking and insurance matching your declared value.
• Photograph each book and record cert/submission numbers before sealing.

Frequently Asked Questions