the difference between a laser copy and a hand 
painted is 

1. the paint used for handpainted bgs tends to 
be powdery and it will bleed through the cel 
paint if its dark enough or left on the B/G long 
enough. It will also rub off if the cel is left 
to rub against it for a long time.

2 laser copys are a laser printout of the scene. 
I dont know about ALL laser copies..
The Only one I have is printed out like I went 
to kinkos and had them print a copy for myself. 
The ink is the usual kind found in computer 
printers and doesn't have the thick powdery 
texture of handpainted BGs. 

I still put plastic behind it because I dont 
want my cel stuck to it and celpaint will stick 
to anything if you leave it there long enough.


this said I dont like to separate my B/gs from 
my cels so I put plastic between the layers and 
store my bg cels against backing boards upright 
in a box..separate from the cels I store in my 
cel books... because staples will do some damage 
to other cels if you press them together in a 
book..

as to whcih one is better for the cel..they both 
have drawbacks if you dont store them 
properly..but as a collector I prefer 
handpainted to laser copy..

good luck in your collecting..

pale