Keeping the points of the maunal archiving method in mind:
Tried using fireshot plugin in firefox. it worked as desired for a single complete thread cap. used png format.
tried using MozArchive plugin for storing a single thread. works as desired for both MAFF and MHT formats.
saving as pdf in the fireshot plugin did not work correctly; it produced a blank pdf..
As long as the idea of "expanding all the images" is done prior to the save, these methods are sufficient for small boards such as mine. Quick and dirty, and it works.
For something like /comms/ or the other community boards, the automated archiving avenue would be super beneficial, imo. I'd use it just because Cadillacs are cool, too.