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Protecting Modules - Bags or Top loaders?
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Mars
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Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 2:49 pm

Kingofpain89 wrote:Magazine size bags ... Role-Playing size bags ...

Do you know what the dimensions of the bags are? I have found that different companies have different sizes for these things. The last bunch of bags I bought that were magazine and roleplaying bags - the magazine bags ended up being too small for any North American modules but I ended up using them for UK and Australian items. And the Roleplaying bags were huge so I bundles groups of magazines inside them.

Mars
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Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 2:50 pm

Guy Fullerton wrote:A previous discussion with some good info is here:
about7489.html

I've updated my list to include the sizes from that thread:

Mars wrote:* General modules - 8 3/4 wide
* Thicker modules and perfect bound supermodules such as ToEE, A1-4 - 8 7/8 wide
* Hardcovers such as 1st Ed PH, MM, FF, etc
* Hardcovers such as 1st Ed DMG, Rules Cyclopedia, etc
* Boxed Sets - standard size such as BECMI
* Boxed Sets - thin sized such as Cities of the Bone, Secrets of the Lamp, Golden Voyages, etc
* Boxed Sets - Large sized such as Rod of Seven Parts, Planescape boxes, etc

Kingofpain89
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Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 7:02 pm

Mars wrote:
Do you know what the dimensions of the bags are? I have found that different companies have different sizes for these things. The last bunch of bags I bought that were magazine and roleplaying bags - the magazine bags ended up being too small for any North American modules but I ended up using them for UK and Australian items. And the Roleplaying bags were huge so I bundles groups of magazines inside them.

The magazine size bags I use are the Ultra Pro brand. The dimensions are 8 3/4" x 11". I dont remember the dimensions of the RPG size bags off the top of my head but they are pretty big.

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Mars
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Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 7:07 pm

Kingofpain89 wrote:The dimensions are 8 3/4" x 11".

Okay, so they are the same size as the ones I have listed for general modules.

Gnat the Beggar
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Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 11:38 pm

Ultra Pros - Role Playing Size Bags are 10" x 13" and have a 1-1/2" lip (Flap at the top).

Most role playing books will easily fit into one.

They come in 100 count packages.

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Cardboard Carnage
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Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 11:42 pm

What about the 9" x 11.5" size for the standard modules? It seems like 10" x 13" will leave a lot of extra room around the edges...

D.

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Grug Greyskin
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 12:17 am

Cardboard Carnage wrote:What about the 9" x 11.5" size for the standard modules? It seems like 10" x 13" will leave a lot of extra room around the edges...

D.

I think the 10 x 13 are meant for softcover rule books or supermodules and probably most 1E hardcovers would fit into those as well. Your typical module fits well in the standard magazine size bags.

PaulKM
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 3:01 am

Grug Greyskin wrote:
I think the 10 x 13 are meant for softcover rule books or supermodules and probably most 1E hardcovers would fit into those as well. Your typical module fits well in the standard magazine size bags.

Grug, the 10x13 you note: is this for Gerber's Mylar, BCE's mylar, BCW, or Ultrapro's bags?

Best,

Paul

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Grug Greyskin
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 9:06 pm

PaulKM wrote:
Grug, the 10x13 you note: is this for Gerber's Mylar, BCE's mylar, BCW, or Ultrapro's bags?

Best,

Paul

I actually don't bag any of my hardback books, so I am really just speculating, but the actual size of a 1E hardback is 8 3/4 by 11 1/4, roughly, so any 10 by 13 size bag, regardless of brand, should be plenty big for even something as thick as a 1E DMG. 10x13 is a standard size collectors bag (never heard it called a roleplaying bag, usually just book bag) that should be readily available. The 2e hardbacks are slightly smaller, so if you wanted to bag a 2E Monstrous Manual or the Rules Cyclopedia, that should probably also work. I haven't seen the 10x13 size bags available in Mylar, just in standard polypropelene.

I fit my supermodules into the 2 Mil Mylar Magazine size bag from BCW. I put the map book into the same bag, on the opposite side of the backing board. I find these bags are useful for anything up to about 100 pages. It can be a tight fit, and I don't force anything. If it ain't gonna work, it goes on the bookshelf.

TheMilford
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Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:15 am

Just ordered a batch of Gerber Mylite2 and Half-backs... after doing some price comparisons and some research of discussion on the web. the E. Gerber stuff is priced better and the quality control is supposed to be much better than even the uber-pricey Bill Cole stuff.... it's also cheaper than both BCW and Bags Unlimited mylars.

I got the 8.75" magazine bags in 2mil and their Half-Backs since modules and rulebooks don't need much "backing". 50 bags and 50 backs for $48 shipped.

I'm still undecided as to how to protect the hardbacks and boxed sets. I think getting some sheet mylar and making bookcovers would be neat. Otherwise I'll need to play around with the other bags E. Gerber sells.

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Xaxaxe
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Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:20 pm

Bags and boards.

Any reputable brand will do. After a certain point, it all comes down to minute differences that, frankly, the average collector couldn't possibly discern.

TheMilford
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Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:28 pm

Xaxaxe wrote:Bags and boards.

Any reputable brand will do. After a certain point, it all comes down to minute differences that, frankly, the average collector couldn't possibly discern.

Maybe, but why chance it? Before obsessing over this wacky hobby my attention was on collecting LP records (I have over 1500)... and in my travels I've seen the side effects of using cheap bags... I worked in a store that specialized in vinyl (new and old) for 3 years and it was obvious that the mylar stuff did a better job of protection... and the bags themselves seemed to hold up longer as the cheaper poly-bags would get cloudy after a year or so.

They Mylar is more stiff which helps against bending and creasing, free from a lot of the chemicals in other poly bags (not something I wanna find out the hard way 20 years from now) and will stay crystal clear forever.

I just think it's a small price for insurance.

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PaulKM
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Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:18 pm

TheMilford wrote:
I got the 8.75" magazine bags in 2mil and their Half-Backs since modules and rulebooks don't need much "backing". 50 bags and 50 backs for $48 shipped.

I'm still undecided as to how to protect the hardbacks and boxed sets. I think getting some sheet mylar and making bookcovers would be neat. Otherwise I'll need to play around with the other bags E. Gerber sells.

I use Gerber's 9x11 1/2 2mm with half-backs for modules. I wish I could get one 10x13 and test it with a DMG or something similar.

If you find a good way to wrap boxed sets with mylar, please post!

Best,

Paul

Even a stopped clock tells the right time twice a day, and for once I'm inclined to believe...we are indeed drifting into the arena of the unwell.

TheMilford
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Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:37 pm

PaulKM wrote:
I use Gerber's 9x11 1/2 2mm with half-backs for modules. I wish I could get one 10x13 and test it with a DMG or something similar.

If you find a good way to wrap boxed sets with mylar, please post!

Best,

Paul

Aren't the 9-inchers pretty wide? Most TSR mods are less than 8.5" and pretty thin... I have a Mylar 9" sleeve on my S3, which is thick, and it's a little wide.

I'm still researching the Mylar wrap idea...

Also, I think I got Gerber to throw in a single 10x13" I'll report back as soon as I know.

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Cardboard Carnage
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Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:33 am

I got my samples in today and I think out of all of the different things, I like the top loaders the best, they modules look really nice in them and are well protected! The drawback is how expensive they are though, they are nowhere near as cheap as the mylar bags.

D.

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PaulKM
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Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:51 am

TheMilford wrote:
Aren't the 9-inchers pretty wide? Most TSR mods are less than 8.5" and pretty thin... I have a Mylar 9" sleeve on my S3, which is thick, and it's a little wide.

I'm still researching the Mylar wrap idea...

Also, I think I got Gerber to throw in a single 10x13" I'll report back as soon as I know.

I find the 2mm nine inch bag with a half-back gives just enough wiggle room for modules to be snug but not loose.

The nine inch bag provides a nice border to protect the module: 1/2 inch or more to the top/bottom and 1/8th to 1/4th of an inch to either side. As long as the module isn't shifting, I like having the security.

The nine inch bag with the half back is too tight for my tastes with something as thick as the ToEE. Then again, I might be way too damn fussy.

Great news about the 10x13. I'm dying to know.

Best,

Paul

Even a stopped clock tells the right time twice a day, and for once I'm inclined to believe...we are indeed drifting into the arena of the unwell.

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Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 4:25 am

Heres my opinion: I sell mostly magazines, but I do have a large collection of D&D related stuff. I use all sorts of shapes and sizes to cover my magazines and I keep all my D&D stuff covered. I like the BCW stuff, but I wouldn't buy directly from them, you can usually find a wholesale dealer that sells them cheaper if they are in your area as the shipping cost is less. If anyone is on the west coast of the U.S. hit me up and I'll give you the name of my supplier. Low prices with very minimal shipping cost. Anyhow, here is my list of what I use:

Hardbacks (MM, Players Handbook) - Book Bags 10X13 (perfect fit)
Normal Modules - Magazine Bags + Magazine Boards
Large Modules or Softcover Books - Book Bags 10X13
Small Items (less than a module) - Manga/Digest Bags + Digest Boards
Boxed Sets - Life Magazine Bags (you would be surprised at what fits in these)

Out of 500+ D&D related items, all are covered using the above except for one large boxed set (Wizard Spell Cards TSR 9356)

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Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 4:31 am

Oh and as far as the toploaders, I find them awesome for displaying my personal autographs on magazines but end up bagging and boarding them first before putting them in. They tend to not be as snug as I want them which leads to some shifting. I can only imagine a module in one of these, dinging up the corners.

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