How I Make Side Cash

We all wish we could have more money. Not one of us here wishes otherwise. I have a system to generate that extra side cash and half the time I’m too lazy to do it. Between running my own business, family, friends, pets, and normal life...the last thing I want to do is add more side work on top of my schedule. But that’s what I’m going to start doing...soon.

Ya see...I can press comics. I’m pretty decent at it. I taught myself and bought my own presses and through trial and error and a shit ton of practice, I’m comfortable taking other people books. Pressing a comic is basically helping to get some of the kinks out. It is not restoration but can really help a book immensely. Getting out spine roll, non color breaking creases, waviness, and even some water damage. It can repair some of those flaws which can increase the value greatly on a book. I have a system of steaming, then a hot press, then straight to the cold press.

I typically charge $15.00 a book although that can fluctuate and I’m thinking of raising it a few bucks as it is a pain and the market prices are rising for this specific service. It is in demand greatly with the rise of folks submitting books to get graded...they want to submit the best possible version of that book. That’s where I step in.

Take this for example. Last night I had to press 10 books for a gentleman. Some cool stuff and each one made a difference but take a look at the before and after on the House of Secrets #92 & Silver Surfer #4

Before the press. See all the little creases and debts? The inperfections plague this cover.

Here is the after. Look like a completely different book.

Here is the before on the Silver Surfer.

Now take a look at the after.

Difference like this can make an insane difference in the value of the book. I did a book for a client last year. Wonder Woman #98...the first Silver Age Wonder Woman. This was not his book. This was before I was taking before and after pics. I’m using a stock photo just to show the book.

He bought the book for $1400 and I fixed this book up nice. I mean it looked amazing. He got it graded and turned around and sold it for $5500!! That’s a trenendous difference. All he paid me was $15 bucks and it helped his book that much.

My problem is time. This is a time consuming process and takes a ton of precision and care. After all I’m handling something that is not mine, and is of great value and importance. It’s also a great way to make spare cash. I can do it in my home and when I get a stack, that adds up.

We just moved into our new home a few months back and in the coming months as we get set up and organized, it going to set up my permanent pressing station. At that point I’m out of excuses to not take on more work with it. So if you have some good key issues with some flaws that I described...show some pics here and I’ll let ya know if I can help it!!