Use a fresh penny sleeve
Always use a brand-new penny sleeve. Reused sleeves carry dust, debris, and micro-scratches from previous cards. A sleeve that cost a fraction of a cent is not worth risking a PSA 10.
Grading prep guide
Prepare your cards the right way
How you store, sleeve, package, and ship your cards directly affects whether they arrive at the grading company in the same condition they left your hands. This guide covers every step.
01 / SLEEVES
Penny sleeves & perfect fits
The first layer of protection goes on before anything else. Getting this wrong introduces micro-scratches before the card ever leaves your house.
Perfect-fit sleeves for high-end cards
For High End Vault submissions — refractors, 1/1s, serial-numbered cards — add a perfect-fit sleeve under the penny sleeve. Perfect fits hug the card tightly and eliminate movement inside the outer sleeve.
Slide in face-down
Insert the card face-down into the penny sleeve so the open end is at the bottom. This keeps the card face away from the sleeve opening and reduces the chance of surface contact during insertion.
No tape on sleeves
Never tape a sleeve closed. Tape residue can transfer to the card surface and is an instant condition flag. If you need a sealed sleeve, use a team bag instead.
02 / HOLDERS
Top loaders & card savers
Once sleeved, your card needs a rigid holder to survive handling and shipping. Choosing the right thickness matters more than most collectors realize.
Match the top loader to the card thickness
Standard cards fit a 35pt top loader. Thicker cards — chrome refractors, prizms, relics, patches — need 55pt, 75pt, or higher. A card rattling inside an oversized top loader will arrive with corner and edge damage.
Card savers for grading submissions
PSA and BGS prefer Card Saver I semi-rigid holders over hard top loaders because they're easier to remove without touching the card. If you're submitting directly to a grading company after your pre-screen, switch to Card Saver Is.
Check the top loader for scratches first
Inspect the inside of the top loader before inserting your card. Scratched or dirty holders transfer damage. If in doubt, use a new one.
Secure the opening with painter's tape
Once the sleeved card is in the top loader, fold a small piece of painter's tape over the open end. Painter's tape peels cleanly and holds the card in place without leaving residue on the sleeve or card.
03 / HANDLING
Handling without damage
Most condition damage happens during handling — not shipping. These habits protect your cards every time you touch them.
Hold by the edges only
Never touch the face or back of a card with bare fingers. Skin oils leave prints that can affect surface grades. Hold the card by its edges with light pressure, or use cotton gloves for your most valuable cards.
Work on a clean, soft surface
Place a microfiber cloth or clean felt mat on your work surface before handling cards. Hard surfaces — desks, tables, glass — cause edge and corner damage if a card slides or is set down at an angle.
One card at a time
Never stack unsleeved cards or fan them like a hand of playing cards. Card-on-card contact is one of the most common causes of surface scratches and edge wear.
Avoid humidity and direct light
Prepare cards in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight. Humidity causes warping and curling. Even a few minutes under a bright lamp can affect a card's surface sheen.
04 / PACKAGING
Packaging for shipment
A well-packaged card can survive a rough postal journey. A poorly packaged one won't survive the first sorting machine.
Team bag the top loader
After taping the top loader closed, slide it into a team bag and seal it. This adds a second layer of protection against moisture and keeps the top loader from shifting inside the outer packaging.
Use bubble mailers for single cards
For one to three cards, a rigid bubble mailer works well. Place the team-bagged top loader between two pieces of cardboard cut slightly larger than the holder, then slide the sandwich into the bubble mailer.
Use a small box for larger submissions
For Value tier submissions (2–25 cards), use a small rigid box. Stack top-loaded cards vertically — not flat — with bubble wrap or foam padding on all sides. Cards packed flat can shift and collide.
05 / SHIPPING
Shipping & insurance
How you ship is as important as how you package. The right service and the right insurance protect your investment from door to door.
Always use tracking
Never ship cards without a tracking number. USPS First Class, Priority Mail, UPS, and FedEx all include tracking. A tracking number is your only proof of delivery if something goes wrong.
Insure based on card value
APSB4G does not insure any items at any time. You are responsible for selecting your own level of insurance through your local post office or your own mailing preferences. For high-value cards, declared value insurance through USPS, UPS, or a third-party insurer like Collectibles Insurance Services is strongly recommended.
Photograph everything before sealing
Before you seal the package, photograph the card in its sleeve and holder, the sealed package, and the shipping label. This documentation is essential for any insurance claim.
Avoid shipping in extreme weather
Heat and cold affect cards in transit. Avoid shipping during heat waves or freezing temperatures when possible. If you must ship, add a silica gel packet to absorb moisture and consider expedited shipping to minimize transit time.
PREP
Ready to submit?
Card prepped. Now get the call.
Once your card is sleeved, held, and ready to ship, get a professional pre-screen opinion before it goes to the grading company.
Start your pre-screen