FANGORIA Collector Care Guide

Keep the horror on the page. A few everyday habits can help you care for your FANGORIA collection without making it impossible to enjoy.

Give every issue support

Store magazines upright with even support so they do not lean or slump. If an issue cannot stand without bending, store it flat in a small stack instead. Avoid tightly packed shelves and heavy piles. Choose correctly sized storage boxes and acid-free paper or board for materials that touch your magazines; check the supplier’s material specifications rather than relying on an “archival” label alone.

Sleeves, backing, or binders?

A properly sized sleeve can help limit handling wear. Choose sleeves intended for paper collections, such as uncoated polyester, polyethylene, or polypropylene, and avoid PVC. An acid-free backing board can add support, but should fit without putting pressure on the issue. Never force a magazine into a tight sleeve or let adhesive touch it.

Binders are convenient for browsing, but do not punch holes in an issue or use a system that clamps or strains its spine. For fragile copies, individual sleeves in a supportive box are a gentler option than repeated binder handling.

Keep the environment steady

Choose a cool, dry interior space with reasonably stable humidity. Avoid damp basements, hot attics, radiators, and places at risk of leaks. Keep magazines out of direct sunlight and limit prolonged bright-light exposure. Sleeves and cases are not substitutes for a suitable storage environment; never enclose a damp issue.

Handle with care

Use clean, dry hands and a clean surface. Keep food and drinks away, support the magazine as you read, and do not force it flat or fold back the cover. Lift an issue with support rather than pulling it out by the top of its spine.

Where a slipcase fits

A FANGORIA Slipcase can keep compatible issues together and make routine shelving and browsing easier. Leave enough room to slide issues in and out without rubbing, bending, or forcing them. Check their condition occasionally and keep the case away from sunlight and damp areas, just as you would loose issues.

A slipcase is one part of everyday care, not a guarantee against fading, moisture, or paper aging. We make no claim here that its materials are acid-free, conservation-grade, or suitable for long-term archival storage.

These are general care tips, not conservation treatment instructions. For mold, water damage, brittle paper, or particularly valuable issues, consult a qualified paper conservator before attempting repairs or cleaning.