Updated August 2026
Comic Grading Costs
The fee is the small print — the real costs are the 8–18 month turnaround and the pressing decision. Here's the complete 2026 math, plus exactly how to submit.
Fees checked August 2026 — verify on official sites before submitting
CGC fees and turnarounds, 2026
| Tier | Fee / book | Max value | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modern (post-1975) | $28 | $200 | 8–12 months |
| Economy | $35 | $400 | 12–18 months |
| Standard | $65 | $1,000 | 4–6 months |
| Express | $130 | $3,000 | 2–3 months |
| Walkthrough | $700+ | No cap | 5–10 business days |
CBCS tiers run slightly cheaper at comparable service levels. Both charge two-way insured shipping on top.
Pressing: the $20 that makes 9.8s
Pressing professionally flattens dents, ripples and spine rolls before grading — defects that would cap a book at 9.4. At $15–30 per book it's frequently the highest-ROI money in the whole process, if the defects are pressable (color breaks and tears are not). It also adds months to the timeline.
How to get comic books graded — step by step
- 1. Pick the grader: resale → CGC; budget or unwitnessed signature → CBCS (comparison).
- 2. Decide on pressing — inspect under angled light for dents and ripples.
- 3. Pick the tier by value and urgency — declared value caps matter; a $500 book doesn't belong in Modern.
- 4. Package properly: bag/board each book, sandwich between cardboard, sturdy box, full insurance both ways.
- 5. Do the math first: the worth-grading calculator weighs fee, pressing, shipping and honest 9.8 odds — most mid-grade commons fail it.
FAQ
Why is CGC so slow?
Volume. The cheap tiers queue behind everything else — if timing matters, Standard and up is the real price of grading.
Does pressing count as restoration?
No — professional dry pressing is grading-neutral and disclosed nowhere on the label. Trimming, color touch and tear seals are restoration and tank value.
What does it cost to grade a key issue?
Declared value sets the tier: a $2,500 key needs Express ($130). The premium a 9.8 slab adds usually covers it — verify with the calculator.