Ok. I don't want to sound like a dork - well I didn't want to sound like a dork, that's why I've never asked anybody this question. But I need to know the rules on putting cards into pages in binders.
When I stopped collecting as a kid, the cardinal rule back then was that cards didn't go into binders. It just wasn't allowed; not in the card shop, not by my dad or by anybody I knew who collected. The reasons given were simple. Putting cards into binders has a greater chance of dinging the corners and edges while putting them in and pulling them out. And more importantly, the plastic sheets themselves would "meld" into the face of the card if the card was left in the binder for too long.
Many of you probably have seen what I'm talking about. The card sticks there for a few years and then once you take it out, the card is stuck and then once free, the front of the card is faded and the graphic is imposed on the inside of the binder page.
So for as long as I can remember, I've put all of my cards in boxes. And there they sit. Now the huge downfall to this is that you really can't show the collection off.
My question is this: how safe is it to put cards in binders? Do you have to put the card in a penny sleeve first? And I guess, is the plastic used to make the binder pages better now so that it doesn't have the same effect on cards as before?
Any help is appreciated. I'd really like to start showing off this Murad set, but some weird childhood phobia of binders is stopping me.
6 comments:
pages now are acid and pvc free, so no sticking.
Drizz,
Thanks. I was hoping that would be the case - I've been out of set building for so long, I had no idea.
The plastic sheets (I've always called them sheets - no idea why) are also more forgiving as far as potentially dinging the corners of your cards, but that problem will always persist to some extent I'm sure.
I would also advise keeping the binders flat rather than upright (pretty much the opposite of what you'd do with vinyl records) because you'll get less dust/dirt that way, but make sure not to overstuff your binders. It's really easy to find the topmost pages sliding over the metal rings if there are too many pages in the binder, if that makes sense.
Hey G,
I've always been told that for long term storage that boxes were best but now with collecting supplies being archival safe like Drizz mentioned its up to U. You can put a penny sleeve on the card I do beleive they fit. It's the old hiker trick wearing 2 pairs of socks the first pair of socks takes all the friction not your foot, so it's the same with the penny sleeve. That's also why you should always put a penny sleeve on your card before you put it into a top loader. As for dinging corners you are just as likely to ding a corner putting and taking cards out of a box. Here's what it comes down to. If you want to view your cards and display them a nine card page and D binder are great. Just watch to make sure that cards don't start falling out on you.
As a set builder and player collector I like to build my sets and store them in boxes. They're easy to store and move around and as long as there packed tightly, I like to use monster pads to take up space, they usually keep very well. But for my player collection I like to keep cards in a binder to enjoy. Different strokes for different folks. My guess is you will get a lot of different advice on it. And it boils down to that pages are archival safe now and it's fun to flip through a binder of cards reading the back full of facts and stats. I know that alot of the blogs out ther like to put there sets in binders.
Sorry this is getting long. After doing what you want and what is economically viable to you, Boxes cost a buck, penny sleeves a penny, binders 5 to 10 bucks and 100 count boxes of pages somewhere between 20 and 30 bucks. For great deals on supplies check out tcbulk.com. You should store your collection in a dry, but not too dry, place out of direct sunlight. Welcome back to the hobby.
yeah, it all depends on the supplies you use. I use Ultra Pro Platinum Series pages. The are acid and pvc free... so no sticking or yellowing. Ultra Pro pages also have a feature where the sides of the little pockets do not come up completely to the top. This makes it easier to place the cards in their pocket. (No dinged corners)
I've had sets in these pages for 20 years (since I first started using this brand) and never had a problem.
Other brands, not so much.
Also, if the funds are there, use "D" ring binders. Keeps the cards that much safer.
Guy, if you are really worried about keeping you cards safe, especially your Murad a Heritage, simply send them over to me and I will store them in a safe evnironment for you. Free of charge, too! You can't beat that!
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