Found a cheap way to stop my comics from getting those annoying spine creases

I kept getting a single line down the middle of my new books after just one read. My friend Mike said to try using a piece of acid-free backing board behind the cover while I read. I cut one to size from an old art supply store board, and it totally works! The cover stays flat and the spine looks brand new. Has anyone else found a good trick like this for keeping floppies mint?

4 comments

4 Comments

ray_burns602mo ago

Spine creases are the worst, man.

riverb132mo ago

Yeah, saw a thing where a librarian said it's all about supporting the whole book when you read it. Like, don't let it flop open flat, you gotta hold the covers. Makes sense, right?

abbyr542mo ago

Actually, holding the covers too tight can cause its own stress on the hinge. The backing board trick is solid because it gives even support. Ray_burns60 is right about creases being the worst, but a little controlled bend while reading is better than forcing it completely flat. You want to avoid that sharp, sudden fold.

owens.laura15d ago

That backing board trick sounds good in theory, but doesn't it still put pressure on the spine if you're holding the book with one hand? I've heard some people swear by the "V" method where you let the book rest in your palm and only open it about 120 degrees. Just wondering if anyone here has tried that long-term and seen a real difference in spine wear.

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