CGC Help Center

For answers to frequently asked questions about CGC membership, submissions, grading and more, scroll below. To contact CGC Customer Service, click here.

Help Topics

About CGC

CGC Membership

Submitting to CGC

CGC Grading

CGC Signature Series

CGC Pressing

CGC PreScreen Service

What is PreScreen service?

PreScreening allows you to submit multiple books for grading while requesting that only those that achieve a certain grade or higher are slabbed.

How long will it take to have my books certified through PreScreen?

Prescreen turnaround times are the same as the tier they are submitted under. When CGC experiences higher submission volume, Prescreens may incur longer turnaround times for logistical reasons. For the latest turnaround times please visit the Services and Fees page of our website.

Can I submit a WalkThrough or Express using PreScreen service?

No. PreScreen service is available with the Modern, Vintage and High Value tiers. If you have Unlimited Value submission that you would like to submit for PreScreen, please call to make special arrangements. For more information, contact CGC at 877-GRADE-10 (877-472-3310).

Can I use the PreScreen service for CGC Signature Series books?

No, PreScreening services are not available for Signature Series books.

What grade can I request when submitting for PreScreen service?

Your choice, any grade up to 9.8. CGC does not PreScreen for 9.9s & 10s.

What minimum grade should I choose when submitting through PreScreen service?

CGC will accept a PreScreen at any grade level except 9.9 and 10.0. You should choose a minimum grade that meets your collecting needs and goals. The Official CGC Guide to Grading Comics, written by CGC President Matt Nelson, is an excellent resource for learning how to evaluate the condition of comic books.

If I select a PreScreen grade of 9.0, will any of my books grade above 9.0?

If a comic book that is a 9.6 is submitted through a 9.0 PreScreen, the comic book would be certified as a CGC 9.6. The PreScreen grade is simply the minimum grade requested for CGC to certify the comic book, per your instructions. CGC certifies many comics submitted through PreScreen at grades much higher than the PreScreen grade chosen.

How many books are necessary to qualify to send in a PreScreen?

There is no minimum submission requirement to select Grade PreScreen.

I have 100 books that I want to submit through PreScreen. Can I break them up into different PreScreen levels?

Yes. For example, you could submit 25 for an 8.0 PreScreen, 25 for a 8.5 PreScreen, 25 for a 9.0 PreScreen, and 25 for a 9.2 PreScreen. Remember, you can pick any grade you choose.

I have a submission of 25 books that I'd like to send in. Can't I just put the PreScreen grade next to each book because I want a different minimum level for each of them?

No, CGC can only accept a PreScreen if all the books on the submission form have the same minimum grade.

What happens if I send in a book for PreScreen service that meets my minimum grade, but has been restored?

It will be certified with a Restored label (purple). In addition, if a comic book meets your minimum grade, but has a page or coupon missing, it will receive a Qualified label (green). For both Modern/Vintage prescreens, graders are looking for restoration and determining the grade at the same time. For vintage books, a pre-grader looks at the book first and counts the pages. Pre-graders also evaluate the book for restoration and married parts (for both the cover and the pages) and give their grade. The finalizing grader goes through the same process. Similarly, a CGC grader verifies page counts after the PreScreen process has occurred.

Will I still get charged grading fees for books that don't meet my PreScreen grade requirement?

Yes. CGC will charge for grading and "reject fees" for books that don't meet your grade requirement, but since those books will not be slabbed there is no encapsulation fee. To see a list of fees click here.

I sent in 50 books through PreScreen and six passed. Will I be charged a fee for books that don’t meet my Prescreen grade requirement?

CGC assesses Reject Fees on a per book basis. For example, if 5 books did not meet the Prescreen grade requirement you assigned at submission, the fees would be $9 per book x 5 = $45. The books that meet the Prescreen grade requirement would be charged the tier fee and any membership discounts would still apply. Reject Fees are not eligible for membership discounts. For further information please visit our Services and Fees page.

Still not finding an answer? Contact CGC Customer Service at 1.855.GRADE.10 or Service@CGCcomics.com.