Comic books need to be properly stored and protected for maximum preservation. An essential component of comic storage is comic book boards, which provide structure and prevent bending. But how thick should comic book boards be for ideal protection?
In this comprehensive guide, as a professional board book printing manufacturer, we’ll break down comic book board thickness, from the flimsiest chipboards to archival-grade boards. We’ll also discuss acid-free properties, optimal storage conditions, and more so you can make the right call when buying boards.
Comic Book Board Basics
Before we dive into specifics on thickness, let’s quickly cover the basics of comic book boards.
Boards slide neatly behind each comic book page to keep the book sturdy and flat. This prevents creasing, wrinkling, yellowing, and other damage from handling, the elements, or chemical reactions within the pages themselves.
Boards help preserve comic book condition and collector value.
Main Comic Book Board Purposes
- Provides rigidity and structure to prevent bending
- Creates a protective layer between pages
- Sometimes chemically inert or acid-free as added preservation (more below)
- Enables easier handling and storage
They’re always paired with bags for a complete storage solution. Bags seal out elements like moisture, dust, and pollutants.
Acid-Free and Buffering
An important feature of quality comic book boards is acid-free properties. Acids gradually break down paper over decades.
Many board products are specifically designed as acid-free or with acid-fighting buffers for preservation-minded storage.
What Does Acid-Free Mean?
Acid-free boards contain no lignin or sulfur residue that creates acids to interact with paper. This inert property prevents contributing to paper decay.
However, acid-free alone only means the boards don’t create additional acid damage. This doesn’t protect against existing acid content within pages that causes slow destruction.
Buffering
“Buffered” boards take acid blocking one step further.
Buffering neutralizes ambient acids over time via built-in alkaline materials like calcium carbonate. This means covered pages see less acid exposure overall for enhanced protection.
Combined with acid-free stability, buffering boards offer superior paper preservation from both internal and external acids. This makes them the gold standard for long-term comic storage.
Breaking Down Comic Book Board Thickness
Now let’s get into the specific question at hand – how thick can comic backing boards be?
Board thickness is measured in “points” (pt). Standard thickness over the years is around 24 pt.
Here’s an overview of common comic book board thickness options on the market:
14-16 pt Chipboards
At 0.014-0.016 inches, chipboard is extremely thin and flimsy cardboard.
While very inexpensive, chipboards offer next to zero protection or structural reinforcement. Pages slide out easily at the slightest bump.
Chipboards effectively just separate stacked comics, with no real preservation value.
They tend to be highly acidic as well, actually contributing to deterioration. You’ll find ultra-cheap board lots in the 14-16 pt range.
Good For: Temporary space-saving storage only.
24 pt Standard Boards
The comic industry standard for decades, 24 pt (0.024”) boards strike a balance of effective sturdiness and affordability. Most standard current, silver, and golden age boards fall into the 24 pt category.
They keep pages reasonably flat and prevent some handling wear and corner dings. Better 24 pt boards also integrate acid-fighting buffers.
While thicker boards are always stronger, 24 pt boards have sufficed for many collectors over the years. This thickness nicely fits sleeve bags as well.
If on a tight budget, opt for quality 24 pt buffered boards. Avoid super cheap acidic varieties lacking buffering.
Good For: General comic storage needs for most conditions.
how thick are comic book boards
28+ pt Premium Boards
Once you move into the 28+ pt range, boards gain noticeable rigidity and durability. Premium comic backing board options span from 28 pt up to 40+ pt ultra-thick boards.
The thicker the board, the more structure and corner/edge protection it provides. 40+ pt boards approach near picture frame-levels of stiffness.
For especially heavy or large format comics, thicker boards help significantly reinforce the book so pages don’t slide and bend. The downside is increased material costs and potential storage insert issues.
If your comic collection sees a lot of frequent handling or movement, stepping up to thicker buffered boards makes sense. This adds an extra preservation buffer beyond bags alone.
Good For: Heavy, oversized, or frequently accessed comics. Archival storage needs.
Alternative Backing Materials
There are a few other alternative backing options beyond traditional paper/cardboard boards:
- Mylar sheets – Archival polyester plastic sheets. Exceptionally inert and durable. Allow viewing of both sides.
- Microchamber paper sheets – Acid absorbing interleaving sheets.
- Acetate comic frames – Clear rigid plastic holders. Extreme protection.
While technically not boards, these provide their own advanced preservation strengths based on your collection’s needs.
What Thickness Should You Choose?
There’s no definitive ideal thickness that fits all comic types and collections. Consider these factors when deciding:
Comic Book Value
For vintage golden age or other highly valuable comics, it’s worth investing in thicker archival boards.
Likewise for old brittle books, the extra reinforcement is key.
24 pt boards sufficiently protect most modern era mainstream comics.
Access Frequency
If your collection rarely comes off the shelf, 24 pt boards check the box.
If you’re routinely cracking open silver age books to admire and read, step up to 28+ pt for durability.
Environmental Factors
Damp basements or attics with wild temperature swings can accelerate paper damage. Thicker buffered boards help counteract chemical reactions.
Bag Pairing
Confirm chosen boards slide neatly into sleeve bags without catching or forcing the book.
Standard Current bags need more wiggle room for thicker boards.
Collection Size
When dealing with vast libraries of tens of thousands of comics, thin cheaper boards help on budget.
For elite boutique collectors with a few hundred gems, archival preservation is more viable.
Proper Comic Book Board Storage
To fully shield comics from environmental and handling damage, boards alone aren’t enough. Bags seal out pollutants while boards support pages flat.
Here are complete comic storage essentials:
- Acid-free backing boards
- Sealed polyethylene sleeve bags
- Optional acid-absorbing microchamber paper sheets
- Clean, climate controlled room
- Out of direct light
- Stable flat surface or shelves
- Handling only with clean gloved hands
With boards, bags, and ideal room conditions combined, you’ll give your prized comic collection the best preservation advantage possible.
how thick are comic book boards
Key Comic Book Board Takeaways
- Boards provide rigid support to keep pages intact
- Look for acid-free or buffered boards that actively fight paper damage
- Standard boards are around 24 pt (0.024”) thickness
- Premium boards range from 28 pt to over 40 pt
- Consider value, handling, and environmental factors when choosing
- Combine with sleeve bags and proper display/storage conditions
Now that you know board basics plus thickness options, you can make informed backing decisions for your comics. Quality acid-fighting boards provide both protection and longevity.
By taking preservation measures now with boards and storage gear, your comics will endure for maximum future reading enjoyment!