What Size of Bags and Boards Do You Need to Protect a Magazine Collection?

To best preserve a magazine collection, store them in a dark, dry, cool environment. To further protect magazines, place them in sealed magazine bags with a magazine backing board inserted in the bag behind each magazine. The bags and boards will protect the edges, keep the covers in good condition, and minimize the effects of oxidation (the paper turning yellow). BCW magazine bags are made from polypropylene, with the exception of bags made from Mylar. Both materials are acid-free. BCW backing boards are acid-free as well.

Many modern magazines are similar in dimensions. As an example of a common size, a 2018 issue of Sports Illustrated measures 7 7/8” wide, 10 7/16” high, and about 1/8″ thick. BCW Magazine Bags (1-MAG) are 8 3/4” x 11 1/8”, which provides enough space for the inserted magazine backing board (1-BBMAG) and the magazine. However magazine dimensions vary, so it’s important to measure your magazines to get the appropriate bags and boards. Many publications have changed their dimensions over the years, which is another good reason to measure your magazines, and not just rely on various dimensions listed on the internet. To accommodate for the depth (thickness) of your magazine, add its depth size to both the width and height and select the bag with those dimensions, or a bit larger.

BCW Supplies offers a large range of sizes of bags and boards to protect magazines. See the lists of bags and boards below to select the correct size for your magazines. To preserve National Geographic magazines, we suggest Silver Thick Comic Book Bags and Boards. More Nat Geo information here.

To protect the edges of magazines, and to keep their spine straight, insert a backing board in the bag behind the magazine. Make sure to get the appropriate boards that fits in the corresponding bags.

In addition to bags and boards, BCW offers other supplies to store magazine collections. To organize a small series of magazines, try a Magazine Stor-Folio. For a larger collection, try a Magazine Box, or our premium Magazine Bins. Magazine Dividers can be used in the boxes or bins to further organize collections. For rigid protection of a magazine or program, try a Magazine Toploader. Lastly, Magazine Shippers keep magazines safe during shipping.