THE C-NOTCH METHOD
For comic book staples that are 1/8" or more inside from spine edge
The C-Notch Method is the procedure used for vintage comic books featuring staples located 1/8” or more inside from spine edge. When staple placement is so far inward from spine, you cannot cup the interior stacking layers as close to the spine as possible in order to push out spine denting and spine ticks. The C-Notch Method is the most effective way to push out the spine denting. It is only required to do one side of the centerfold. It is unusual for the staple to be on the rear cover side unless there is a spine roll repair.
In most cases, this method will be performed under the front cover side of book. The other stacking layer for back cover does not need to be notched. This staple placement is commonly found on Golden, Silver, and Bronze Age comic books.
THE C-NOTCH METHOD FOR COMIC BOOKS
1. HUMIDITY TANK
3. ASSESS STAPLE TEARING
2. PREPARE SUPPLIES
1. Place closed book in humidity tank for 1 hour with a fresh gallon of boiled water.
2. PREPARE SUPPLIES
3. ASSESS STAPLE TEARING
2. PREPARE SUPPLIES
2. Prepare your supplies: Pencil, two sheets of 65 lb cardstock paper, and scissors.
3. ASSESS STAPLE TEARING
3. ASSESS STAPLE TEARING
4. MARK TOP AND BOTTOM EDGE
3. If comic book has a spine split or staples that look like they could tear, instead of inserting C-Notch underneath front cover, you will insert it 1-2 pages back from the front cover.
4. MARK TOP AND BOTTOM EDGE
4. MARK TOP AND BOTTOM EDGE
4. MARK TOP AND BOTTOM EDGE
4. Position 1 sheet of 65 lb cardstock paper on top of front cover. Do not move cardstock paper once you have made the first mark. Mark where the top and bottom edge are on the C-Notch sheet. These are your primary hash marks for locating staple positions.
5. STAPLE HASH MARKS
4. MARK TOP AND BOTTOM EDGE
5. STAPLE HASH MARKS
5. Verify top and bottom hash marks are lined up with edges of book. Mark 2 hash marks at both top and bottom staples. Make sure hash marks are larger than actual staple size.
6. CLOSE HASH MARKS
4. MARK TOP AND BOTTOM EDGE
5. STAPLE HASH MARKS
6. Connect hash marks by drawing a vertical line at both staple locations on C-Notch sheet.
7. CUT AND FOLD NOTCHES
9. HOT SHOT AROUND STAPLES
7. CUT AND FOLD NOTCHES
7. Cut both horizontal hash marks at both staple locations on C-Notch sheet. Fold over both tabs using your thumb. Now fold the tabs over the opposite direction using your thumb.
8. CUT OFF TABS
9. HOT SHOT AROUND STAPLES
7. CUT AND FOLD NOTCHES
8. Cut tabs off at both staples on the C-Notch sheet. Use an eraserto remove pencil marks.
9. HOT SHOT AROUND STAPLES
9. HOT SHOT AROUND STAPLES
9. HOT SHOT AROUND STAPLES
9. Apply a Hot Shotalong spine. Squeeze Hot Shot, lift and slide down and repeat. Do not rub Hot Shot along spine. Press Hot Shot down firmly on both staples for a few seconds.
10. SLIDE C-NOTCH SHEET
12. BE MINDFUL OF STAPLE TEARS
9. HOT SHOT AROUND STAPLES
10. Special Instructions: If the comic book is a Golden Age or Silver Age book, insert the C-Notch sheet 1-2 pages back from the front cover. Slide the C-Notch sheet as far inside spine as possible. For any comic book from 1970-Present, (with healthy staple areas) you may slide the C-Notch sheet underneath front cover. The other sheet of 65 lb cardstock paper will be inserted underneath the back cover during pressing.
11. LINE UP C-NOTCH SHEET
12. BE MINDFUL OF STAPLE TEARS
12. BE MINDFUL OF STAPLE TEARS
11. If there is resistance, check that both top and bottom hash marks are lined up with top and bottom edge of comic book.
12. BE MINDFUL OF STAPLE TEARS
12. BE MINDFUL OF STAPLE TEARS
12. BE MINDFUL OF STAPLE TEARS
12. The C-Notch Method can cause staple tears. Inspect the staples carefully and look for any signs of what could easily become a horizontal tear. In panel 3, you can see the top staple looks like it could tear. From the introduction image at the top of this page, it looks like the top staple could tear (of course, it did tear after we inserted the C-Notch). We found that placing the C-Notch 1-2 pages back from cover prevents any additional damage from occurring. Press book immediately in press machine while following the guidelines of the corresponding formula in Comic Book CPR: First Edition.
THE SQUAREBOUND C-NOTCH METHOD FOR COMICS AND MAGAZINES
Glued Covers and Stapled Page Blocks
The Squarebound C-Notch Method is the procedure used for vintage comic books featuring staples located 1/8” or more inside from spine edge that also have a cover that is glued to the spine. When staple placement is so far inward from spine, you cannot cup the interior stacking layers as close to the spine as possible in order to push out spine denting and spine ticks.
The C-Notch Method is the most effective way to push out the spine denting. Every C-Notch cardstock paper stacking layer including the backer board at the centerfold must be notched to fit properly inside the book. Since there is no centerfold for these books, a middle C-Notch magazine sized backer board should be placed somewhere in the approximate middle area of the book.
THE SQUAREBOUND C-NOTCH METHOD
SQUAREBOUND COMICS
In the 1960s and 1970s, there were comics and magazines that both had a glued cover to a stapled book. If you don’t use a C-Notch on each stacking layer, the cardstock paper can’t reach as close to the spine as possible to push out spine denting. Think of books like Silver Surfer #4, Warren Magazines, Marvel Feature, etc.. These types of books always had staples on the inside, away from the spine.
Key Information:
• Staple tears common at last 2 pages
• Bunched up at staples at first 2 pages
• Glue can cause spine twist
Advanced Method of the C-Notch
The Squarebound C-Notch Method is the best procedure for removing difficult spine damage on these types of books. It does require more C-notch sheets and a centerfold C-notch.
ADDITIONAL C-NOTCH SHEETS
Unlike a regular comic book that uses only one C-Notch sheet, you will have to produce 3 different C-Notch stacking layers. The locations are specific in order to prevent staple tearing.
Required Squarebound C-Notch Sheets:
• 2 pages back from first page
• Backer board at the middle
• 2-3 pages back from last page (depends on tears)
THE SQUAREBOUND C-NOTCH METHOD FOR COMICS AND MAGAZINES
1. HUMIDITY TANK
3. TWO PAGES BACK FROM COVER
2. PREPARE SUPPLIES
1. Place closed book in humidity tank for 1 hour with a fresh gallon of boiled water.
2. PREPARE SUPPLIES
3. TWO PAGES BACK FROM COVER
2. PREPARE SUPPLIES
2. Prepare your supplies: Pencil, two sheets of 65 lb cardstock paper, and scissors.
3. TWO PAGES BACK FROM COVER
3. TWO PAGES BACK FROM COVER
3. TWO PAGES BACK FROM COVER
3. You will insert C-Notch sheet 2 pages back from the front cover to prevent staple tearing.
4. HASH MARKS
5. MARK STAPLE LOCATIONS
3. TWO PAGES BACK FROM COVER
4. Position 1 sheet of 65 lb cardstock paper on top of front cover. Do not move cardstock paper once you have made the first mark. Mark where the top and bottom edge are on the C-Notch sheet. Draw where the top staple is located. Make sure the outline is quite larger than actual staple size location.
5. MARK STAPLE LOCATIONS
5. MARK STAPLE LOCATIONS
5. MARK STAPLE LOCATIONS
5. Now do the same thing for the bottom staple. Make sure the outline is quite larger than the actual staple size location.
6. VERIFY ALL HASH MARKS
5. MARK STAPLE LOCATIONS
5. MARK STAPLE LOCATIONS
6. Verify both staple sizes are larger than the actual staple and verify the location of both staples.
7. CUT AND FOLD MARKS
7. CUT AND FOLD MARKS
7. CUT AND FOLD MARKS
7. Cut both horizontal hash marks at both staple locations on C-Notch sheet. Fold over both tabs using your thumb. Now fold the tabs over the opposite direction using your thumb.
8. CUT OFF NOTCHES
7. CUT AND FOLD MARKS
7. CUT AND FOLD MARKS
8. Cut tabs off at both staples on the C-Notch sheet. Use an eraserto remove pencil marks. You will need to make 2 cardstock C-Notch sheets. Make a third centerfold magazine-sized backer board C-Notch for the approximate middle of the comic book or magazine.
9. HOT SHOT AT STAPLES
7. CUT AND FOLD MARKS
10. CREATE THREE C-NOTCHES
9. Apply a Hot Shot along spine. Squeeze Hot Shot, lift and slide down and repeat. Do not squeeze and rub Hot Shot along spine.
10. CREATE THREE C-NOTCHES
10. CREATE THREE C-NOTCHES
10. CREATE THREE C-NOTCHES
10. Special Instructions: Insert top C-Notch cardstock sheet after page 2. Insert middle C-Notch magazine-sized backer board at the approximate middle area of the book. Insert the bottom C-Notch cardstock sheet 2-3 pages back from the rear cover. If there is resistance, check that both top and bottom hash marksare lined up with top and bottom edge of the comic book.
11. INSERT COPY PAPER
10. CREATE THREE C-NOTCHES
11. INSERT COPY PAPER
11. Place one sheet of 20lb copy paper underneath both covers.
12. PRESS IMMEDIATELY
10. CREATE THREE C-NOTCHES
11. INSERT COPY PAPER
12. Press book immediately in press machine while following the guidelines of the corresponding formula in Comic Book CPR: First Edition. Place 1” backer board strips parallel along spine as a spine cushion to prevent staple push and color rub.
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