Common causes of waviness
Paper expands and contracts as humidity changes. Tight bags, poor boards, uneven stacking and some printing or storage conditions can leave otherwise clean books wavy.
Identify whether the distortion affects only the cover or continues through the interior pages.
Responsive versus permanent damage
Smooth waves without tide lines, odour or staining may respond to controlled treatment. Water damage can leave hardened fibres, cockling, colour transfer and tidelines even after the book becomes flatter.
Glossy or unusual cover stocks can react differently from standard newsprint and require suitable methods.
Check for active moisture issues
Do not seal or press a comic that is damp or shows suspected mould. Isolate it from the collection and seek conservation advice.
Pressing is preparation, not remediation for biological contamination or severe water damage.
What to do next
Use this guidance to shortlist suitable comics, then use the Fantasy Road submission form for current prices and service eligibility. CGC assigns the final grade and its published turnaround times are estimates, not guarantees.
