The VCK Standard: Bag Mine in Mylar, PLEASE!
The VCK Standard
Issue #2: Bag Mine in Mylar, PLEASE!
When considering comic book storage, the bag might be the single most important element of protection. If price is not an issue then the key concern is long-term preservation. Mylar bags are widely recognized as superior to standard polypropylene (PCP) bags for this purpose. At VCK, we are committed to storing and shipping a large portion of our books (including 100% of ASM) in Mylar bags for these very reasons!
THE MYLAR DIFFERENCE
Superior Barrier Properties:
Mylar (biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate) provides an exceptional barrier against gases like oxygen, which is a primary cause of paper degradation. This dramatically slows down the aging process. It also offers excellent protection against moisture or excessive dryness which is another significant threat to comic books.
Long-Term Stability:
Mylar is incredibly stable and resistant to chemical breakdown. This means it won't degrade over time and release harmful chemicals that could damage your comics. It's known to have a very long life expectancy, making it ideal for archival storage. What the other guys don't tell you is you are supposed to change PCP bags every 5-6 years- Mylar bags outlive the human life-span!
Physical Protection:
Mylar is generally thicker and more rigid than polypropylene, providing better physical protection against tears, creases, and other forms of damage- especially those pesky marks that prevent you from getting a 9.8! Mylar is much more resistant to punctures.
Archival Quality:
Mylar is the preferred material for archival storage by institutions like the Library of Congress and other institutions around the world, which speaks volumes about its preservation qualities.
THE OTHER GUYS
Polypropylene (PCP) Disadvantages:
Permeability:
Polypropylene is more permeable to gases and moisture than mylar, which means it offers less protection against the elements that cause paper to deteriorate.
Degradation:
Polypropylene can degrade over time, becoming brittle and potentially releasing chemicals that could harm your comics. Again- these are SUPPOSED to be changed every 5 years but rarely are!
Physical Vulnerability:
Polypropylene bags are generally thinner and more prone to tearing and creasing. Bye-bye 9.8 and hello 9.2!
Short term storage:
Polypropylene is much better for short term storage, and for comics that are not considered to be high value. Because of this- we store a majority of our books in mylar.
Ultimately, if you're serious about preserving valuable comic books for the long term, mylar bags are the only choice. Their superior barrier properties, stability, and physical protection make them the gold standard in comic book storage.
Polypropylene is a good choice for short term storage like shipping or for comics that are not considered to be of a high value.
Hope this helped!
- Vegas Comic Kingdom Crew