FAQ & reference
Common questions, the grading scale, and comic book ages — all in one place.
What is CGC Signature Series?
Your comic or collectible is signed at a CGC-witnessed signing, then cleaned, pressed, graded and encapsulated with the famous gold Signature Series label — handled end to end by us.
Do I pay anything upfront?
No. We confirm the full cost with you by email before you send anything. Return postage is calculated by weight, slab count and value.
How do I send my comics to you?
Send us an enquiry with what you have. Once we’ve confirmed the details, you post your comics to us with tracked delivery and we take it from there.
How long does grading take?
It depends on the CGC service tier and any signings involved. We’ll give you a realistic timescale up front and keep you updated throughout.
What’s the difference between cleaning and pressing?
Cleaning gently removes surface dirt and residue; pressing removes bends, dents and spine roll. Together they give your book the best chance at a higher grade.
Do you grade magazines as well as comics?
Yes — we handle comics and magazines, including vintage back issues, for both grading and Signature Series.
Grading scale
All of our comic books and magazines use the standard scale below. If a collectable is graded, we reference the numerical grade.
Any offered grade, unless in a slab, is estimated based on our observation. As we are not professional graders, this is an estimate only and is not guaranteed.
Comic book ages
We use the standardised comic book age definitions below.