The first step in getting your baseball cards graded is to choose a grading company. The three largest and most reputable companies are PSA, BGS (Beckett Grading Services), and SGC (Sportscard Guaranty Corp). Each company has their own standards and population reports, so do some research to see which company specializes in the player, team, or era of the cards you are looking to grade.
Once you’ve selected a grading company, you’ll need to purchase the necessary cardboard holders and submission forms from them. PSA, BGS, and SGC all sell plastic holders and submission forms on their websites that are required to safely encapsulate and identify your cards during the grading process. The cost of the holders and forms varies depending on how many cards you are submitting.
When preparing your cards for submission, it is important that they are clean and in the best possible condition prior to grading. Gently wipe the front and back of each card with a microfiber cloth to remove any dirt, fingerprints, or other debris. Inspect each card closely under bright lighting for flaws, nicks, or imperfections that could affect the grade. Consider having professionally cleaned or pressing done by a third party service if there are serious creases, stains, or other problems with a card’s surface or edges.
Once clean, you’ll need to carefully place each card into the correct plastic holder for its size. Alignment is critical, as any tilt or offset could cause the card to receive a lower sub-grade. When inserting the card, use smooth, steady pressure to avoid fingerprints or additional damage. Don’t force the card if it doesn’t fit smoothly. The surface of the card must lay perfectly flat without tilting or angling when fully inserted into the holder.
After the card is securely in its holder, fill out a submission form for each item. The form needs to include your name, return shipping address, payment information, and a detailed description of the card and any identifying markings. On the back of each holder, write the corresponding form number to match it to the description. Take photos of any significant flaws, grade-affecting defects, or historical significance of the card and include them with the submission forms for the graders’ reference.
Once all your cards are in holders with filled out forms, you’ll need to pack them securely for shipping. Individually bubble wrap each holder and form together, being careful not to bend or damage the cardboard. Pack the items tightly together in a rigid shipping box with ample packing material like bubble wrap or air pillows on all sides. Seal and tape the box well and attach the prepaid shipping label from the grading company. Keep documentation of the submission process by taking photos of the packed boxes before shipping.
When the graders receive your submission, it will enter the queue to be inspected. Turnaround times vary greatly depending on workload but typically range from a few weeks to several months depending on service level. During grading, trained authenticators meticulously examine each card under high powered lighting and magnification for flaws, centering, corners, edges and surface quality. They will then determine a numerical grade on the widely recognized 1-10 point scale.
After grading, the card and holder are sonically sealed in plastic to preserve the condition. Your cards will then be returned along with a detailed individual grading report for each item. The reports note the assigned numerical grade as well as sub-grades for various aspects. You’ll receive your cards back securely packaged in their holders along with any other included items like photos or cards not eligible for grading. Review all items carefully upon return and contact the company promptly if anything is missing or incorrectly attributed.
The slabbing and records provided by third party grading adds validity, transparency and standardized evaluation that is valuable when determining value and for resale purposes. Properly researching submission procedures, carefully preparing cards, using reputable grader and precisely following instructions helps ensure a smooth grading experience. With some planning and care, collectors can have their prized vintage cards authenticated and encapsulated for preservation and to spotlight their true condition and quality.
