Jim James – improvecollecting.com

If your comic has a corner crunch, even one that goes all the way through the book, don’t panic—it can be repaired. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the exact method I used to fix a GI Joe #2 with severe corner damage affecting every interior page and the cover. You don’t need fancy equipment, but you do need the right process. Below is everything I used, and a step-by-step breakdown of how I handled it from start to finish. https://youtu.be/I4g5tlFb55g 🧰 What You’ll Need A chamfered board (cut to size) SRP paper (cut to match the board) Tack iron (I use a Hangar 9, but any reliable model will work) Flat, clean work surface Patience and a steady hand 🔗 Find all the tools you need on my products page 🛠️ Step-by-Step Process (with Photos) ⚠️ Always start with the interior pages and work your way out. If you press the cover first, you’ll likely reintroduce creases during handling. 1. Assess the Damage Look closely at how deep the crunch goes. In this example, the damage ran through the entire book—including all interior pages. 2. Prep the Work Area Lay SRP paper on a chamfered board of the same size. This combo keeps your alignment tight and prevents pressing past the edge, which could create new creases. Chamfered board SRP paper cut to same width as board 🔗Buy a Chamfered Board Here 🔗Pick up SRP Paper Here 3. Set Up the Tack Iron Heat your tack iron to somewhere between 130–160°F. That’s the sweet spot—hot enough to relax the paper fibers without burning or glossing. My Recommended Tack Iron Some Prefer Larger Irons 🔗Buy a Tack Iron 4. Humidify and Relax the Paper There is more than one way to humidity the paper, which will allow the repairs to better take hold. 🧪 I break down my exact humidification technique—including how I avoid over-saturation and warping—in the full lesson inside the Improve Collecting community. If you’re serious about learning how to do this right, without risking damage to your book, this is where you’ll want to go next. 🔗 Join here to unlock the full training » 5. Repair One Page at a Time At this point, I prepare each interior page one by one using a specific method that helps flatten the crunch without introducing new bends. 💡 Want to see exactly how I align the page, apply the iron, and control pressure and heat? This detailed technique is also part of the full training inside my Improve Collecting community. Members get step-by-step demos, access to Q&A replays, and direct help with their own restoration work. 🔗 Click here to join and get full access » 6. Repair the Cover Once the interior is smooth, treat the cover the same way. Be extra careful here—cover stock can behave differently, and it’s easier to cause gloss loss or flaring if you’re not precise. Here is the setup Use circular motions with light pressure To repair the crunch, I place the tack iron directly over the damaged corner and use slow, gentle circular motions with light pressure. The goal here isn’t to flatten the paper all at once—it’s to gradually relax the fibers so they settle back into place on their own. I keep the iron moving in small circles, never staying in one spot too long, and let the heat do the work without forcing it. Rushing this step or pressing too hard can lead to gloss loss or uneven texture, so I take my time and work the area patiently until the bends soften and lift. 🎯 Final Thoughts Corner crunches like this can look intimidating, but they’re manageable if you take your time and follow a proven process. I’ve used this exact approach on dozens of books and have had consistent results. 👥 Want More Step-by-Step Lessons Like This? This is just one of many restoration techniques I teach inside the Improve Collecting community. As a member, you’ll get: Full access to my training library Behind-the-scenes looks at real client submissions Members-only livestreams and Q&As Feedback on your own cleaning and pressing work 🔗 Join here and lock in your annual rate » Whether you’re just getting started or refining your skills, you’ll find tools, support, and insight that you won’t get anywhere else.