how to become a certified comic book grader

They're hiring a comic grader, too, but this job has a twist (opens in new tab). Additionally, experience can be a deciding factor in how much a grader makes. Then from 9.2 up to 10.0, they are in 0.2 or fewer increments. CBCS charges $15 to grade a modern comic book with 15 business day turn-around and $29 per book for a comic valued up to $400 (any year). Prior to founding CBCS, Borock had . To learn more, including how to avoid getting fingerprints on comic book pages, read on! The spine and cover are flat. Practicing grading with books of various conditions will help you to better see the nuances between, for example, "Fine" and "Very Fine." GPAnalysis: Is the Comic Book Valuation Service Worth the Money? There are also shipping fees to think about. If stamping the lumber yourself isn't something you are interested in, you can hire a traveling grader. Most comic graders start out grading around 10 books per hour. Once CGC receives your comics, it can take anywhere from 7 to 195 days depending on the level of grading service you paid for. The answer to that question varies greatly, depending on a variety of factors. Each course covers a different topic, such as the modern minting process, coin grading and introduction to numismatics. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Knowledge of CGC's grading standards and services, comic book history, creators, restoration detection, pedigrees, variants and market values are considered important aspects of this experience. Missing pages severely impact a comic's value. Multiple experts . A 10.0 book is absolutely perfect in every way. This can be done by working as a comic book dealer or by volunteering to grade comics for a collector or comic book dealer. 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If CGC earns a gold medal and CBCS a silver, does that mean the other grading company, PGX, deserves the bronze? This grade can be based on its appearance, condition, and rarity. Dick Anson, January 18, 2022. Comic grading is the process of evaluating and assigning a grade to a comic book. Some people choose to get their comics graded to ensure that theyre getting the best possible condition copy, while others do it as a way to invest in the comic book market. The first step is to become familiar with the grading standards for trading cards. Especially in comics from the 1980s and earlier, the paper can become yellow or tan as it oxidizes, and loses some of it's structural integrity. The first step to becoming a comic book grader is to learn about comic book grading scales. For example, Action Comics #1 is valuable because it is the first comic to feature Superman and because it is rare to find an original issue most notably because ten cents was a lot of money for most people in 1938, especially right after the great depression. 'Grader' here is a bit of a misnomer. All rights reserved. So it's not like they don't know how to grade coming in, but we have to teach them how we do it here. Certified Guaranty Company (CGC) is a third party comic book grading service located in Sarasota, Florida. Powered by Invision Community. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Once you understand the grading scale, you need to start grading comics. I am not aware of any specific training or courses that can be taken to become a grader. "The challenge is you have to grade a comic the same way at 9 a.m. as you do at 6 p.m., and the same on Tuesday as you do on Wednesday," he says. There are a few comic book grading companies that collectors and dealers use to grade and authenticate comics. They have a team of experts who grade each comic book and then seal it in a protective case with a label that includes the grade and other information. Another important factor that affects the cost of certification is the condition of the comic. Generally speaking, however, CGC graders can expect to make around $15-$20 per hour. IF you can obtain a 3.5 grade you could likely sell it for $2,300. The next step is to assess the interior of the book. If you are looking to sell your comic book and you want to ensure that it is in good condition, then CGC grading is definitely worth it. "Like eBay dealers, they under-grade, because they don't want returns. hi, i'm 17 years old and i was wondering if there was any online class or way i could earn a certificate, so i could legitimately and professionally grade comic books as a job? Art, design, illustration. Website Directions. A comic book grader is a professional who evaluates and assigns a grade to a comic book based on its condition. Related: GPAnalysis: Is the Comic Book Valuation Service Worth the Money? This will give you access to a number of benefits, including discounts on grading services and the ability to submit books for grading at no charge. "I'm working 6-7 days a week, and we still can't keep up with the volume that's coming in. A few stress lines are acceptable. The final step is to gain experience in handling and inspecting comics. % of people told us that this article helped them. This grade can then be used to determine the books value. So should you get your comics graded? Look for signs of rust on the staples, as well as "popped" staples. Employer has a college degree, owns his own home and business in the comic books and gaming industry, and is seeking help to organize all the pieces needed to maintain a well-balanced life. For example, the cost of certification for a comic that is valued at over $1,000 can be as high as $300. ", "We are definitely feeling it in comics," Nelson says. In general, a comic book that has been graded by CGC will sell for more than a comic book that has not been graded. It doesnt publicly release how it grades its comics, but as it has graded over 5 million comics since its inception, there are plenty of examples in different grades to gauge a books standard. Privacy. Certified Guaranty Corporation Founded in 1999, CGC is the first independent, professional third-party grading service for comic books, magazines, lobby cards and photographs. Restoration is any alteration made to a comic book that attempts to improve its appearance. Thus, Bill Cole Enterprises was born. It may be missing pages, have water damage, or be completely unreadable. This will help you determine if the job is a good fit for you. How do I become certified to grade comics? Part of the problem in filling the holes in grading is finding someone who knows what they're doing. In it, I walk you step by step through 27 comics at every grade level from 0.1 to 10.0, explaining in detail why they received that grade. Well, thats up to you to decide. Lets explore everything you need to know about this comic book grading service. Key Skills. What is CGC comic grading? CIOM - Italy; Ellegi Medical - Italy; Med Logics, Inc - USA; Everview - Korea; Welch Allyn - USA; Fim Medical - France; Ion VIsion, Inc. - USA; Schmid Medizinetechnik . CGC is the most popular grading company. Is it worth the money? The system is as follows: Near Mint (NM) = A comic book that is almost perfect. It may have some noticeable defects, but it will still be in readable condition. Still, the volume is overwhelming. Usually, PLODs sell for 10-30% of the price of their Blue-label counterparts. Some comic book graders also work for themselves. Some comics are "slabbed" by CGC or CBCS . In short, certification is the process of verifying that a product or service meets specific requirements. Those with more experience may earn a higher salary. Not only do you have to pay for the grading itself, but you may also have to pay for shipping and insurance. When CGC started grading these comics, the collectors were unhappy to learn that their prized possessions were restorations, without being advertised as such. When it comes to having your comics graded and "slabbed" by an impartial and independent third party, there are three main companies available to choose from - CGC, CBCS & PGX. What is the best comic book grading company. Those who are new to the field may start out earning a lower salary, but with experience, they can eventually earn a higher salary. Book grading is used by booksellers, collectors, and other book enthusiasts to describe the condition of a book for buying and selling purposes. how to become a certified comic book grader. Copyright 2023 Quality Comix, LLC.All Rights Reserved. This number/grade will be displayed on the comic books label, and will also be included in the CGCs online database/CBCSs online database. 3% of Fair Market Value ($150 Minimum, $5,000 = max), Submit the online form Once youve signed up for the Collectors Society, youll have to log in at cgccomics.com and. By using our site, you agree to our. Is there a course, training, or internship program? Both companies have their pros and cons. Grading comics is a hands on experiance. If the comic is well-read but still intact, give it a "good" grade. As with grading all collectibles, there is a degree of subjectivity as there are many factors to consider and all of them must be weighed to determine an overall grade. Probably a "Fair", but I am not certain. Salary for a CGC grader can vary depending on a number of factors, including experience, employer, and location. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f3\/Grade-Comic-Books-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Grade-Comic-Books-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f3\/Grade-Comic-Books-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1407183-v4-728px-Grade-Comic-Books-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"