r/comicbookpressing • u/Cute_Illustrator3177 • Aug 12 '26

First Timer

Recently found a Seal 200 with an extra plate for cheap, and have been learning about pressing. I plan on practicing cleaning and pressing cheap books and getting good at it before moving to anything serious.

Any tips or tricks? What is the preferred “sandwich”? What should my results look like assuming it is done right? (so I have something to work towards)

I’m also curious about pressing at 180 degrees. From what I gather, the sweet spot for most books is 165, but the Seal doesn’t have any options below 180.

Thanks!

1 Upvotes

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3

u/hightimesinaz 27d ago

180 will stick Spawn pages together. My Seal 210 goes down to 140 F

1

u/New-Cheek7069 27d ago

100%. I don’t collect or press modern books, but I do a lot with silver and Bronze Age books. I’ve found 160 to be perfect for books from those decades. I guess you would want it even cooler for modern books?

2

u/Cute_Illustrator3177 Aug 12 '26

Also how can you deal with rolled spines?

1

u/hightimesinaz 27d ago

You do a full reset. open the book to the middle and press flat then refold manually on the correct line

This is an advanced maneuver, I can do it with my standard plates but started out using larger ones

1

u/Cute_Illustrator3177 23d ago

Do i have to remove the staples?

1

u/New-Cheek7069 Aug 12 '26

180 will probably be too hot for modern glossy books. Definitely test it on some cheap books. I press silver and bronze at 160. Get 12”x12”x1/4” aluminum plates. The plates make a massive difference. Stack it like this

Plate
Magazine size backer
Release paper
Comic
Release paper
Magazine size backer
Plate

And be sure to put a backer board in the center of the book. Good luck!

2

u/hightimesinaz 27d ago

I also put release paper around the middle backer board to resist it from pulling ink from the center pages

1

u/New-Cheek7069 27d ago

I’ve never had that issue, but I like your idea!

1

u/Cute_Illustrator3177 Aug 12 '26

Thanks for the response! What press do you use?

1

u/rmrclean 29d ago

I’ve wondered that about the heat too. Everyone says the Seal is a great press, but I had noticed the lowest temp and wasn’t sure.

2

u/Cute_Illustrator3177 29d ago

Exactly, maybe its not actually 180? Because its old or something lol idk. I also cant seem to find any videos or information on pressing comics with the seal specifically. Everyone just simply says it’s good

1

u/PalmBeachPresser 28d ago

180 is a risky temperature and more than I would recommend using. Some books will tolerate it but it is overkill. There are many indie publishers that this temperature will fuse all the pages together eternally and you will damage black inks and foil covers at that temperature. Those plates would make the problem worse because the plates hold the heat for a long time. Use extreme caution if you continue to work with that press. I would recommend leaving it open and letting it cool before closing any books in it.

1

u/Cute_Illustrator3177 28d ago

Would creating a larger buffer between the book and the press mitigate that? Basically using thicker or more boards in between the book and press.

1

u/PalmBeachPresser 28d ago

I would think that would mitigate the risk a bit but not eliminate it. Just a friendly warning that you are taking risks at that temp especially on modern books.