Beginner's guide
CGC Comic
Grading
Everything you need to know about getting your comics professionally graded, from the 10-point scale to submitting your first book.
What is CGC?
Certified Guaranty Company (CGC) is the leading third-party grading service for comic books. Founded in 2000, they authenticate, grade, and encapsulate comics in tamper-evident plastic holders called "slabs."
A CGC grade gives buyers and sellers a trusted, objective assessment of a comic's condition — which directly affects its value. A graded comic can be worth significantly more than an ungraded copy.
The grading scale — click a grade to learn more
10
Pristine / Gem Mint
9.8
Near Mint / Mint
9.6
Near Mint+
9.4
Near Mint
9.0
Very Fine / NM
8.0
Very Fine
6.0
Fine
4.0
Very Good
2.0
Good
0.5
Poor
The submission process
1
Create a CGC account
Register at CGCcomics.com. Choose a membership tier — higher tiers offer faster turnaround and more submissions per year. A basic account works fine to start.
2
Select your submission tier
CGC offers multiple service levels from Economy (slowest, cheapest) to Walk-Through (same-day at shows). Cost ranges from ~$25 to $150+ per book. Pick based on value and urgency.
3
Bag, board, and pack carefully
Place each comic in a Mylar bag with an acid-free board. Wrap in bubble wrap, use rigid cardboard on both sides, and pack in a sturdy box. Shipping damage is your risk.
4
Fill out submission form
List each comic's title, issue number, publisher, year, and declared value. The declared value affects insurance coverage and is used to calculate some fees.
5
Ship and wait
Use insured shipping (USPS Priority Mail or UPS). CGC will update your online account when books are received, graded, and shipped back. Economy can take 6–9 months.
6
Receive your slabbed books
CGC returns comics sealed in their hard plastic slab with a label showing the grade, title, issue info, and a unique certification number you can verify online.
CGC label colors
Blue label
Universal grade. The most common label — the comic has been graded without any qualifying notes about restoration or signatures.
Yellow label
Qualified grade. The book has an unverifiable defect (like a missing centerfold) or a feature CGC couldn't assess. Grade comes with a note.
Purple label
Restored. Professional restoration was performed on the book (cleaning, pressing, color touch). Still graded, but worth less than a blue-label copy.
Green label
Signature Series. A creator signed the book in the presence of a CGC witness. Signatures are authenticated and guaranteed.
Key defects graders look for
Spine roll
The spine curves due to improper storage or reading
Staple rust
Oxidation on the staples, often bleeding into the paper
Brittleness
Paper has dried out and is fragile — common in older books
Color breaking
Ink cracks visible along the spine when the cover is opened
Foxing
Brown spots from moisture and mold on the paper
Coupon cut
A coupon or ad has been cut out from an interior page
Bindery tear
Tear at the spine from the original manufacturing process
Water stain
Tide lines or rippling from liquid exposure
Beginner tips
Only grade what makes financial sense. Grading costs $25–150+ per book. A comic worth $20 raw almost never makes sense to submit.
Consider pressing first. CGC-affiliated pressing can remove non-color-breaking defects before grading. A pressed book often grades one tier higher.
Research census data. The CGC Census shows how many copies of each book exist at each grade. Rarity at high grades drives value.
Avoid handling the cover directly. Skin oils are the enemy. Use cotton gloves or handle by the edges when examining a book you plan to submit.
9.8 is the sweet spot. For modern books, the difference between 9.6 and 9.8 can mean 3–10x in value. Truly Mint copies (9.9–10.0) are extraordinarily rare.
