CGC uses a highly accurate, industry standard 10-point grading scale to evaluate comic books, magazines, concert posters and lobby cards. Additional scales are used to define Page Quality and Restoration Grading.
Standard | Page Quality | Restoration
CGC’s Restoration Grading Scale is a transparent system that is much more descriptive and accurate than before. Every type of restoration found on each book will be individually graded for quantity and quality, with a cumulative score determining the final restoration grade assigned.
Determined by materials used and visual quality of work
| Excellent A |
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| Fine B |
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| Poor C |
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Determined primarily by extent of piece fill and color touch
| Slight 1 | All conservation work, re-glossing, interior lightening, piece fill no more than size of two bindery chips, light color touch in small areas like spine stress, corner crease or bindery chip fill. Married cover or interior pages/wraps (if other work is present) |
| Slight/Moderate 2 | Piece fill up to the ½” x ½” and/or color touch covering up to 1” x 1”. Interior piece fill up to 1” x 1” |
| Moderate 3 | Piece fill up to the size of 1” x 1” and/or color touch covering up to 2” x 2”. Interior piece fill up to 2” x 2” |
| Moderate/Extensive 4 | Piece fill up to the size of 2” x 2” and/or color touch covering up to 4” x 4”. Interior piece fill up to 4” x 4” |
| Extensive 5 | Any piece fill over 2” x 2” and/or color touch over 4” x 4”. Recreated interior pages or cover |
Conservation repairs are performed with the intent of preserving the structural or chemical integrity of a comic book using professional techniques and materials. It excludes aesthetic repairs such as color touch and piece fill. All conserved grades must satisfy the CGC quality scale of "A" and quantity scale of "1".
Materials Used for Conservation Repairs