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Storage, care & shipping

How to ship a graded comic (CGC or CBCS slab) safely

Published Sep 14, 2026 · Updated Sep 14, 2026 · 1 min read

Short answerPut the slab in a bag, sandwich it between two pieces of rigid cardboard or foam larger than the case, wrap it in bubble wrap, and place it in a sturdy box with at least 5 cm (2 inches) of padding on every side so it cannot move. Ship with tracking and full-value insurance, require a signature for anything valuable, and never let the slab touch the outside walls of the box. The case protects the comic; the packaging has to protect the case.

What goes wrong

Slabs crack at the corners and along the seam when a box is dropped on its edge and the case is against the wall. Newton rings and shifted books happen when the case flexes. Every one of these is a padding failure.

Step by step

  1. Bag the slab to prevent scuffs.
  2. Sandwich it between two rigid boards (corrugated cardboard, foam board or a purpose-made slab mailer) cut larger than the case. Tape the boards together around the edges so the slab cannot slide out.
  3. Wrap the sandwich in two or three layers of bubble wrap.
  4. Box it in a box at least 5 cm larger than the wrapped package on every side. Fill the gaps with bubble wrap, foam or crumpled paper so nothing moves when you shake the box.
  5. Seal all seams with packing tape.
  6. Ship with tracking and insurance for the full value. For high-value books, add a signature requirement and consider double-boxing (the packed box inside a second box with more padding).

Multiple slabs

Stack slabs with a divider between each, then treat the stack as one item. Do not let cases rub against each other. Keep the total weight sensible; a heavy box gets dropped.

Insurance

Carrier insurance has limits and exclusions for collectibles. For valuable books use the carrier's declared-value service if it covers comics, or third-party shipping insurance. Photograph the slab and the packed box before sealing.

Labelling

Do not write "comics" or "collectibles" on the outside. "Fragile" does no harm.

How we ship

Every slab sold on this marketplace ships in a rigid sandwich inside a padded box with tracking and insurance, and high-value orders require a signature. Details and rates are on the shipping policy.

Written by the Rare Comics Collectors grading team. Spotted an error or have a question this guide does not answer? Tell us.

Keep reading

  • Grading

    What is a CGC graded comic?

    A CGC graded comic is a comic book that Certified Guaranty Company (CGC) has examined, assigned a numeric grade from 0.5 to 10.0, and sealed in a tamper-evident plastic holder with a label that records the grade, the page quality and any restoration. The holder and label let a buyer trust the condition without opening the book.

    Updated Sep 14, 2026

  • Grading

    What are Newton rings on a CGC slab?

    Newton rings are the faint rainbow or oily-looking patterns you sometimes see through the front of a slab where the inner well touches the comic's cover. They are an optical effect caused by two smooth surfaces pressed close together, not damage to the book, and they do not affect the grade. They are cosmetic and often disappear if the book is reholdered.

    Updated Sep 14, 2026

  • FAQ

    What is a slab in comic collecting?

    “Slab” is collectors' slang for the sealed plastic holder a grading company such as CGC or CBCS puts a comic in after grading, and by extension for the graded comic itself. A slabbed comic has a label with its grade and certification number and cannot be read without breaking the case. The term comes from the coin-collecting hobby, where encapsulated coins were called slabs first.

    Updated Sep 14, 2026

  • Values

    How do I insure a comic book collection?

    Standard home contents insurance usually caps collectibles at a low amount and pays only depreciated value, so a collection of any size needs either a scheduled rider on your home policy listing the significant books, or a dedicated collectibles policy that covers agreed values, transit and shows. Either way you will need an inventory with grades and certification numbers, photographs, and for the most valuable books a written appraisal.

    Updated Sep 14, 2026

  • Care

    How to ship raw comics without damaging them

    Bag and board each comic, sandwich the stack between two pieces of rigid cardboard larger than the books, tape the sandwich so nothing can shift, and put it in a box or rigid mailer with padding so the sandwich cannot bend or move. Never ship a raw comic in a plain envelope, and never let the corners of the books reach the edge of the package. Use tracking, and insure anything worth more than the postage.

    Updated Sep 14, 2026

  • Care

    How do I clean a CGC or CBCS slab?

    Wipe the outside of the case with a soft microfibre cloth, dry or very slightly dampened with water. For stubborn marks, a small amount of plastic-safe cleaner on the cloth, not on the case. Never use solvents, alcohol, ammonia-based glass cleaner or abrasive pads, which cloud the acrylic, and never let liquid reach the seam or the label window. Scratches cannot be polished out safely; a badly scuffed case is a reholder job.

    Updated Sep 14, 2026