<p>Welcome to the community!
I don't know if you want to do this, but there's something called &quot;fixative spray&quot;.
In Walmart for $6 you can buy it, it's so effective, you can even edit after spraying.
Just let it rest after 1 hour and you'll be fine! That's the solution! the substitute is hairspray, that's a cheaper option, but you won't be able to edit again, just with the fixative. Hope this helps!</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-06T16:41:34.653Z
**No no no!** If he was the artist this would be the answer, but a buyer of art should not do anything to the work that may change its appearance, and spray fix can definitely do that. The best thing is to frame it properly under glass.
rebusB
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-06T19:15:23.543Z
Amen. This answer is insane. It's like telling someone spray-varnish from a hardware store on an original da Vinci or Picasso or something. Yeesh. It wil alter the appearance of the original and destroy any investment/resale value
Gwyn
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-15T05:02:46.177Z
oh, i thought u were the atist
Isaac750
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-15T05:03:16.947Z
and i thought u were trying to keep it from smudging and all that stuff, omg, everyone else said fixatif spray!, i said the same thing!!
Isaac750
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-12-20T14:58:00.757Z
On top of the other comments, hairspray *should never be used on artwork,* especially purchased artwork! It's not archival, damages the piece, and deteriorates rapidly. NEVER use hairspray!
Allison C
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-05T22:11:08.340Z
2021-01-05T22:11:08.340Z
Isaac750
<p>Mylar sleeves for storage are the most common way comics collectors protect original art, being the sturdiest and least likely to cause chemical damage to the paper. Mylar and acid-free cardboard are pretty much your first line of defense with anything comics-related.</p>
<p>See also: <a href="https://www.comicartfans.com/comic-art-collecting-caring.asp" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.comicartfans.com/comic-art-collecting-caring.asp</a></p>
<p>I've attended San Diego Comic-Con for 40 years, and the majority of the dealers I've seen there over the decades display/store/ship vintage original art (usually ink over pencil or blue lines on Bristol Board) in mylar sleeves.</p>
<p>Uninked pencil art is also displayed this way if it's not framed or boxed, but I've more often seen that in the poly sleeves of artist's portfolios, being sold by the artist themselves, and that's far less suitable storage for any art.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-22T00:52:54.693Z
2021-01-23T21:20:17.673Z
2021-01-23T21:20:17.673Z
inkista
<p>not sure if that is the best option, but on dry chalk paints I use common/regular hair lack in rattle can.<p>
It does fix the last chalk layer enough, dries fast enough, and do not smell that much as synthetic lack I use for car repairs etc.<br>
As it dry really fast the next chalk layer can be made within seconds.
However repairs to previous layers are a bit hard.
Use higher weight, stiffer paper, like those for acrylic painting, and spray very lightly, no puddles of lack as it would warp the paper.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-06T08:07:12.940Z
Hair spray is not a very good choice, as it yellows quite easily over time.
Joachim
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-06T08:30:08.087Z
Well, I'm not doing white surfaces, painting is usually covered with chalk. My understanding is that yellowing is caused by UV, so not exposing it to light too much would help + those hair lacks are usually UV resistant to some level.
Alt. to lack might be framing behind the glass panel.
Tom Silver
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-06T08:44:35.580Z
The question is about comics, however. Since no deviations from the norm are mentioned, I think it's safe to assume these were made on white paper. Not all yellowing is caused by UV radiation, and hair spray's acidic nature usually causes discoloration and will harm the structure of paper. Do you have some older works you can compare to your current ones, to see the differences?
Joachim
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-06T13:03:13.547Z
Nothing older then few years and it's still OK. But it's chalk and where there is white, it was prepped with white chalk on paper and then fixed by lack. Exposed paper base and pencil drawings might act differently.
If those comics are precious, then how about to ask some museum custodian or someone specialized in art restoration .. I take this forum more like DIY tips.
Tom Silver
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-06T13:29:11.463Z
@TomSilver We can actually handle either archival quality protection or more everyday questions, and have done so. (You may be thinking of LifeHacks.SE?) The DIY tips are absolutely welcome, though, I'd just suggest including a disclaimer in cases where it may cause any problems. Thank you for your answer :)
Erica
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-06T19:19:20.737Z
This is even worse than using purposemade fixative. People, this will destroy any investment/resale value. Do not do anything to original art that may alter its appearance.
Gwyn
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-07T00:11:17.637Z
@Erica and others thanks for insights into art preservation. Unfortunately original question is so broad that it does not indicate if those comics are 'art' like Picasso or 5 bucks/piece from local flee market but still so nice that owner wants to preserve them somehow. I probably misunderstood intended content of this forum. My apology.
Tom Silver
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-06T07:25:27.563Z
2021-01-06T07:25:27.563Z
Tom Silver
<p>There are a number of ways to preserve pencil drawings.  This question is explicit in distinguishing that the drawings were purchased, which introduces another consideration.</p>
<p>A common way to preserve pencil drawings is with a fixative.  <a href="https://crafts.stackexchange.com/questions/1785/how-can-i-protect-my-pencil-charcoal-drawings-once-complete">How can I protect my pencil &amp; charcoal drawings once complete?</a> goes into recommendations and discussion on that approach.  A fixative works to protect it, but it modifies the surface, and can change the appearance a little.  For acquired works, the fixative would be something the original artist did not apply, and would be an alteration of the work.</p>
<p>If you just want to keep the work for its value to you, protect it any way you like. But if investment/resale value is a consideration, or it's a historical work, your applying a fixative to it could seriously degrade its value.</p>
<p>In this case, a better way to preserve it is to either store it in acid-free, archival quality flat files between layers of glassine paper, or have it professionally framed behind (UV-resistant) glass so it can be displayed and enjoyed.</p>
<p>For completeness, plastic sleeves were also suggested as a means of protection, but <a href="https://crafts.stackexchange.com/users/2731/allison-c">Allison C</a> advised that smudging can result.</p>
<hr />
<p>This is a summary of the comments (primarily by <a href="https://crafts.stackexchange.com/users/416/rebusb">rebusB</a>, <a href="https://crafts.stackexchange.com/users/30/erica">Erica</a>, and <a href="https://crafts.stackexchange.com/users/9490/gwyn">Gwyn</a>) from within this thread and the <a href="https://chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/118172/discussion-on-question-by-blanc-how-to-preserve-comic-pages-drawn-by-pencil">linked chat discussion</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-09T00:09:04.500Z
It's polite to credit the originators when you quote their comments, though. Especially since Erica  has since removed many of the original comments you are quoting from ...
Gwyn
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-09T02:32:46.993Z
@Gwyn, good catch.  This was mostly summarizing and paraphrasing, but yeah, added attribution.  :-)
fixer1234
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-09T02:39:37.293Z
BTW, I made this community wiki to encourage people to edit and tweak the wording as appropriate.
fixer1234
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-08T22:10:24.477Z
2021-01-09T09:13:15.283Z
2021-01-09T09:13:15.283Z
fixer1234
<p>I bought pieces of comics that are drawn with pencil, and I’m afraid that they get blurred. How can I preserve them? Can this be done the same way as with sketches?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-05T14:36:23.637Z
Welcome! Are you hoping to protect them for storage or for display?
Erica
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-05T22:53:16.410Z
I want to protect them for storage, but I want to know both. Are there any difference?
blanc
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-06T05:48:45.767Z
Does this answer your question? [How can I protect my pencil & charcoal drawings once complete?](https://crafts.stackexchange.com/questions/1785/how-can-i-protect-my-pencil-charcoal-drawings-once-complete)
Elmy
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-07T18:42:41.253Z
Folks -- ***please* do not answer in comments** even though the question is closed and you want to share information. If it should be re-opened, vote. If we need to discuss it extensively, [meta]. If you have an answer, for now use the linked duplicate (or vote/discuss).
Erica
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-07T18:43:05.320Z
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been [moved to chat](https://chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/118172/discussion-on-question-by-blanc-how-to-preserve-comic-pages-drawn-by-pencil).
Erica
<preservation><pencils><comics>
How to preserve comic pages drawn by pencil?
blanc
# How to preserve comic pages drawn by pencil?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-01-05)

I bought pieces of comics that are drawn with pencil, and I’m afraid that they get blurred. How can I preserve them? Can this be done the same way as with sketches?

**Tags:** preservation, pencils, comics

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Welcome! Are you hoping to protect them for storage or for display?  
> **username_0**: I want to protect them for storage, but I want to know both. Are there any difference?  
> **username_2**: Does this answer your question? [How can I protect my pencil & charcoal drawings once complete?](https://crafts.stackexchange.com/questions/1785/how-can-i-protect-my-pencil-charcoal-drawings-once-complete)  
> **username_1**: Folks -- ***please* do not answer in comments** even though the question is closed and you want to share information. If it should be re-opened, vote. If we need to discuss it extensively, [meta]. If you have an answer, for now use the linked duplicate (or vote/discuss).  
> **username_1**: Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been [moved to chat](https://chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/118172/discussion-on-question-by-username_0-how-to-preserve-comic-pages-drawn-by-pencil).  

---

## 4 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2021-01-05. Score: -5 | Accepted answer

Welcome to the community!
I don't know if you want to do this, but there's something called "fixative spray".
In Walmart for $6 you can buy it, it's so effective, you can even edit after spraying.
Just let it rest after 1 hour and you'll be fine! That's the solution! the substitute is hairspray, that's a cheaper option, but you won't be able to edit again, just with the fixative. Hope this helps!

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: **No no no!** If he was the artist this would be the answer, but a buyer of art should not do anything to the work that may change its appearance, and spray fix can definitely do that. The best thing is to frame it properly under glass.  
> **username_5**: Amen. This answer is insane. It's like telling someone spray-varnish from a hardware store on an original da Vinci or Picasso or something. Yeesh. It wil alter the appearance of the original and destroy any investment/resale value  
> **username_3**: oh, i thought u were the atist  
> **username_3**: and i thought u were trying to keep it from smudging and all that stuff, omg, everyone else said fixatif spray!, i said the same thing!!  
> **username_6**: On top of the other comments, hairspray *should never be used on artwork,* especially purchased artwork! It's not archival, damages the piece, and deteriorates rapidly. NEVER use hairspray!  

---

### Answer by username_10 on 2021-01-08. Score: 4

There are a number of ways to preserve pencil drawings. This question is explicit in distinguishing that the drawings were purchased, which introduces another consideration.

A common way to preserve pencil drawings is with a fixative. [How can I protect my pencil & charcoal drawings once complete?](https://crafts.stackexchange.com/questions/1785/how-can-i-protect-my-pencil-charcoal-drawings-once-complete) goes into recommendations and discussion on that approach. A fixative works to protect it, but it modifies the surface, and can change the appearance a little. For acquired works, the fixative would be something the original artist did not apply, and would be an alteration of the work.

If you just want to keep the work for its value to you, protect it any way you like. But if investment/resale value is a consideration, or it's a historical work, your applying a fixative to it could seriously degrade its value.

In this case, a better way to preserve it is to either store it in acid-free, archival quality flat files between layers of glassine paper, or have it professionally framed behind (UV-resistant) glass so it can be displayed and enjoyed.

For completeness, plastic sleeves were also suggested as a means of protection, but [username_6 C](https://crafts.stackexchange.com/users/2731/username_6) advised that smudging can result.

---

This is a summary of the comments (primarily by [username_4](https://crafts.stackexchange.com/users/416/username_4), [username_1](https://crafts.stackexchange.com/users/30/username_1), and [username_5](https://crafts.stackexchange.com/users/9490/username_5)) from within this thread and the [linked chat discussion](https://chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/118172/discussion-on-question-by-username_0-how-to-preserve-comic-pages-drawn-by-pencil).

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: It's polite to credit the originators when you quote their comments, though. Especially since username_1  has since removed many of the original comments you are quoting from ...  
> **username_10**: @username_5, good catch.  This was mostly summarizing and paraphrasing, but yeah, added attribution.  :-)  
> **username_10**: BTW, I made this community wiki to encourage people to edit and tweak the wording as appropriate.  

---

### Answer by username_7 on 2021-01-22. Score: 3

Mylar sleeves for storage are the most common way comics collectors protect original art, being the sturdiest and least likely to cause chemical damage to the paper. Mylar and acid-free cardboard are pretty much your first line of defense with anything comics-related.

See also: <https://www.comicartfans.com/comic-art-collecting-caring.asp>

I've attended San Diego Comic-Con for 40 years, and the majority of the dealers I've seen there over the decades display/store/ship vintage original art (usually ink over pencil or blue lines on Bristol Board) in mylar sleeves.

Uninked pencil art is also displayed this way if it's not framed or boxed, but I've more often seen that in the poly sleeves of artist's portfolios, being sold by the artist themselves, and that's far less suitable storage for any art.


---

### Answer by username_8 on 2021-01-06. Score: -4

not sure if that is the best option, but on dry chalk paints I use common/regular hair lack in rattle can.

It does fix the last chalk layer enough, dries fast enough, and do not smell that much as synthetic lack I use for car repairs etc.  
As it dry really fast the next chalk layer can be made within seconds.
However repairs to previous layers are a bit hard.
Use higher weight, stiffer paper, like those for acrylic painting, and spray very lightly, no puddles of lack as it would warp the paper.

> **Comments:**
> **username_9**: Hair spray is not a very good choice, as it yellows quite easily over time.  
> **username_8**: Well, I'm not doing white surfaces, painting is usually covered with chalk. My understanding is that yellowing is caused by UV, so not exposing it to light too much would help + those hair lacks are usually UV resistant to some level. Alt. to lack might be framing behind the glass panel.  
> **username_9**: The question is about comics, however. Since no deviations from the norm are mentioned, I think it's safe to assume these were made on white paper. Not all yellowing is caused by UV radiation, and hair spray's acidic nature usually causes discoloration and will harm the structure of paper. Do you have some older works you can compare to your current ones, to see the differences?  
> **username_8**: Nothing older then few years and it's still OK. But it's chalk and where there is white, it was prepped with white chalk on paper and then fixed by lack. Exposed paper base and pencil drawings might act differently. If those comics are precious, then how about to ask some museum custodian or someone specialized in art restoration .. I take this forum more like DIY tips.  
> **username_1**: @username_8 We can actually handle either archival quality protection or more everyday questions, and have done so. (You may be thinking of LifeHacks.SE?) The DIY tips are absolutely welcome, though, I'd just suggest including a disclaimer in cases where it may cause any problems. Thank you for your answer :)  
> **username_5**: This is even worse than using purposemade fixative. People, this will destroy any investment/resale value. Do not do anything to original art that may alter its appearance.  
> **username_8**: @username_1 and others thanks for insights into art preservation. Unfortunately original question is so broad that it does not indicate if those comics are 'art' like Picasso or 5 bucks/piece from local flee market but still so nice that owner wants to preserve them somehow. I probably misunderstood intended content of this forum. My apology.  

---

