Complete the form
Add each comic, declared value and chosen services.
Authorised UK CGC dealer & submission service
CGC grading UK.
Press. Clean. Track.
Every Fantasy Road CGC submission is tracked from UK intake to return.Follow each comic through preparation, twice-monthly onward dispatch, CGC grading and insured return.
Submit comics to CGC through one accountable UK service, with optional in-house pressing and dry cleaning, JSA signature authentication and clear prices before you pay.
CGC independently assigns the grade. Pressing cannot guarantee a grade increase. Prices in GBP.
Authorised dealerUK-based CGC submission route
Twice monthlyScheduled onward CGC submissions
Fully insuredSpecialist cover through the managed process after receipt
About 21 daysCurrent in-house pressing estimate after intake
The route to a slab
How CGC submission works
You do not need to arrange separate journeys between a presser and CGC. Choose only the services each comic needs, then follow the submission from your account.
Read the complete UK submission guide →Post to Fantasy Road
Use suitable insured UK postage and the supplied packing instructions.
Intake & preparation
We receive, match, visibly check and log each book. Booked pressing currently takes about 21 days after intake.
Twice-monthly dispatch
Prepared books join the next scheduled onward CGC submission. CGC’s own published estimate then applies.
Tracked insured return
Recorded milestones appear in your account before the arranged insured UK return.
Known before you send
Clear handling, timing and cover
The practical details that affect a UK submission are stated upfront. Intake means receiving your parcel, matching the comics to the paid order, checking quantity and visible arrival condition, and logging each book to your account.
Status
Authorised CGC dealerFantasy Road prepares and manages CGC submissions for UK collectors.
Submission schedule
Twice per monthConsolidated onward submissions leave for CGC twice monthly. Arrival after a cut-off means the next scheduled dispatch.
Pressing estimate
Approximately 21 daysCurrent in-house pressing and dry-cleaning time after intake. This is a working estimate, not a guaranteed deadline.
Specialist insurance
Covered through the managed processAfter receipt, cover extends through handling, pressing, onward submission and arranged return—not only fire and theft at the premises.
Before Fantasy Road receives the parcel: use tracked postage with insurance appropriate to the comics’ full replacement value. Customer-arranged transit remains the customer’s responsibility until receipt and intake.
Transparent UK pricing
CGC grading prices
Select the tier by publication year and fair market value. These are Fantasy Road’s current customer prices; the submission form calculates the order before payment.
| Service | Price per comic | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Modern CGC | £42.00 | Published 1975 onwards; value up to £300.00. |
| Vintage CGC | £55.00 | Published in 1974 or earlier; value up to £300.00. |
| High Value | £110.00 | Any year; value up to £750.00. |
| Unlimited Value | 6% of FMV £150.00 minimum | Any year and value; use above capped tiers. |
| Reholder | £30.00 | For an eligible comic already in a CGC holder. |
| Mail-in prescreen | £20.00 | Pre-submission screening; value up to £300.00. |
| Slab crack + Modern | £57.00 | Existing holder to Modern submission; value up to £300.00. |
| Slab crack + Vintage | £70.00 | Existing holder to Vintage submission; value up to £300.00. |
Also payable: £2.50 handling per comic. Insured return postage is £15.45 for the first comic plus £5.00 per additional comic.
FMV is the comic’s reasonable current value in its submitted condition. Incorrect tiers may need adjustment. The live form remains the authoritative itemised total.
Example CGC submission totals
These examples include the displayed tier or option, per-comic handling and insured return postage. They are calculated from the same pricing rules as the submission form.
One Modern comic
£59.95Items £44.50 + insured return £15.45Five Modern comics
£257.95Items £222.50 + insured return £35.45Modern + press & clean
£89.95Items £74.50 + insured return £15.45Vintage + press & clean
£107.95Items £92.50 + insured return £15.45Modern + one JSA signature
£92.45Items £77.00 + insured return £15.45One CGC Reholder
£47.95Items £32.50 + insured return £15.45Prices and service information last reviewed: 25 August 2026.
Standalone or before grading
Comic pressing & cleaning
Pressing uses controlled pressure, heat and—where appropriate—humidity to reduce certain physical distortions. Dry cleaning removes some surface deposits without adding colour or material.
Honest assessment matters: a press is useful only when the likely benefit justifies the cost and handling risk. It cannot turn every comic into a 9.8.
No CGC submission is required.
Book pressing and dry cleaning on their own and we will return your raw comic when the work is complete. On the order form, simply choose “Modern Press & Clean Only” or “Vintage Press & Clean Only”.
Defects that may improve
- Non-colour-breaking bends
- Dents and impressions
- Light spine roll
- Rippling or waviness
- Folded corners
- Some surface dirt
Defects pressing cannot repair
- Colour-breaking creases
- Tears or missing paper
- Detached covers
- Heavy staining or foxing
- Faded ink
- Brittle pages
Modern press & clean only
£30.00 per comic
For comics published from 1975 onwards. Returned raw; CGC grading is optional.
Vintage press & clean only
£35.00 per comic
For comics published before 1975. Returned raw; CGC grading is optional.
Important
No promised grade
Pressing can improve suitable defects but cannot guarantee a future grade.
Book standalone pressing & cleaning →
Use the same simple form and select a “Press & Clean Only” service—do not add a CGC grading tier.
Fantasy Road account tracking
End-to-end tracking on every submission
Each comic is attached to your Fantasy Road submission record, so you can see its latest recorded stage and history from intake through preparation, CGC grading and return. Tracking shows recorded milestones rather than a live courier location or guaranteed completion date.
ReceivedPreparedSentAt CGCGradedReturned
Read the tracking video transcript
The demonstration opens the Fantasy Road account area and shows CGC submissions recorded against the customer account. Individual comics display their latest stage and progress history, covering receipt by Fantasy Road, preparation, onward dispatch, arrival at CGC, grading and return. This lets collectors check recorded milestones without relying solely on email updates.
Supporting content
Prepare before you submit
Practical, answer-first guidance for the decisions collectors make before paying: how to pack safely, understand CGC labels, plan the timeline and decide whether grading is worthwhile.
Packing guide
How to package comics for CGC from the UK
Bagging, rigid protection, boxing, order references and appropriate insured postage.
Read the guide →Label guide
CGC labels and restoration explained
Understand grades, signatures, qualified outcomes, restoration and conservation before submitting.
Read the guide →Timing guide
CGC turnaround times from the UK
Plan for intake, optional pressing, twice-monthly dispatch, CGC processing and return transit.
Read the guide →Decision guide
Is CGC grading worth it?
Compare likely value, condition, fees and your reason for grading before choosing a service.
Read the guide →Unwitnessed autographs
CGC × JSA signature authentication
JSA can examine an unwitnessed autograph before CGC grading and encapsulation. This is different from a witnessed signing: authentication is an expert opinion, not proof that JSA or CGC saw the signature being applied.
Fantasy Road price: £32.50 per signature. Optional signature grading may be selected where offered.
Why use Fantasy Road?
One accountable UK workflow
Collectors can submit through CGC UK directly. Fantasy Road is for people who value book-level tracking on CGC submissions, in-house preparation, or a standalone press and clean without grading.
In-house preparation
Book pressing and dry cleaning on their own, or before an onward CGC submission.
Choices per comic
Choose a standalone preparation service or add grading, declared value and authentication for each book.
Role clarity
Fantasy Road handles preparation and submission services. CGC grades; JSA evaluates eligible signatures.
Collector questions
CGC grading FAQs
Practical answers for UK collectors before they send a comic away.
How do I get comics CGC graded in the UK?
Complete Fantasy Road’s online submission form, choose a grading tier and any pressing, cleaning or JSA options, then post your comics to Fantasy Road. We log the books, prepare the submission, send it to CGC and return the encapsulated comics to you.
How much does CGC grading cost through Fantasy Road?
Prices start at £42.00 per comic for Modern and £55.00 for Vintage. A £2.50 handling fee applies per comic, and insured return postage starts at £15.45 for the first book. The correct tier depends on age and declared value.
Can I submit comics directly to CGC from the UK?
Yes. CGC accepts submissions through its UK office. Fantasy Road is an alternative for collectors who want one UK-based workflow that can also include in-house pressing and cleaning, submission preparation and per-book account tracking.
Can I book comic pressing and cleaning without CGC grading?
Yes. Fantasy Road offers standalone pressing and dry cleaning for modern and vintage comics. You do not need to book CGC grading: select a Press & Clean Only service on the form and your raw comic will be returned after the work is complete.
Should I press a comic before CGC grading?
Consider pressing when a comic has potentially improvable, non-colour-breaking defects such as ripples, dents, bends or a light spine roll. It may not be worthwhile for low-value books or comics dominated by defects pressing cannot remove.
Does comic pressing count as restoration?
CGC does not generally classify proper dry cleaning and pressing as restoration. Adding material, colour touch, tear seals, chemical cleaning or other restorative work is different.
Can pressing guarantee a higher CGC grade?
No. Pressing can improve presentation where suitable defects are present, but it cannot guarantee any grade increase. CGC alone assesses and assigns the final grade.
What defects can comic pressing and cleaning improve?
Suitable defects may include non-colour-breaking bends and creases, dents, waviness, light spine roll, fingerprints and some dry surface dirt. Pressing cannot replace missing paper or remove colour breaks, tears, heavy staining, foxing or brittle pages.
How long does CGC grading take from the UK?
Fantasy Road currently allows approximately 21 days after intake for booked in-house pressing and dry cleaning, then sends consolidated CGC submissions twice per month. CGC’s own published tier times and international transit are additional estimates, not guarantees. Customers can follow each recorded stage in their account.
Can signed comics be CGC graded?
Yes. Unwitnessed signatures can be submitted for JSA authentication with CGC grading at £32.50 per signature. A signature can also be graded where the relevant option is selected.
Is CGC grading worth it?
It can be worthwhile for keys, scarce variants, high-grade copies, valuable signed books and comics where authentication or protection matters. Compare likely graded value with all service and postage costs first; many common or low-value comics are better kept raw.
Read the complete CGC grading guides, assess value in the comic valuation and selling guide, explore the comic resources directory, or ask about an unusual submission.
Ready when your books are
Choose grading or press & clean only
Use one form to submit comics to CGC or book standalone pressing and dry cleaning. CGC grading is not required for our preparation service.
Choose the right route
Direct CGC UK or Fantasy Road?
UK collectors can submit directly to CGC or use an authorised dealer. The grading decision is always CGC’s; the difference is who prepares, coordinates and tracks the journey.
| What matters | Direct with CGC UK | Through Fantasy Road |
|---|---|---|
| Account and submission | Create a CGC account and build the submission with CGC. | Use one Fantasy Road order and UK intake point. |
| Pressing and dry cleaning | Arrange the preparation option or provider you prefer. | Optional in-house pressing and dry cleaning before onward submission. |
| Dispatch schedule | You send according to your own timetable and CGC’s instructions. | Consolidated onward submissions leave twice per month. |
| Tracking | Use the status information supplied by CGC and your couriers. | Every comic has recorded Fantasy Road account milestones from intake to return. |
| Prices | CGC’s current fees and your applicable delivery costs. | Published GBP service prices, per-book handling and insured return shown before payment. |
| Insurance responsibility | You arrange suitable cover for the journeys you control. | You insure delivery to Fantasy Road; specialist cover applies through our managed process after receipt. |
| Who assigns the grade? | CGC. | CGC—not Fantasy Road. |
See CGC’s official UK submission routes and requirements. Choose the route that best fits the preparation, coordination and visibility you need.
