The first step is to select the cards you want to grade. Make sure to choose high quality vintage or modern cards that are in the best possible condition. Grading will not increase the value of heavily worn or damaged cards. It’s best to focus on high value rookie cards, autographs, rare parallels, and vintage Hall of Famers.

Once you’ve selected the cards, you’ll need to prepare them for submission. Remove the cards from any sleeves, toploaders, or other holders. Gently wipe the surface of the card with a microfiber cloth to remove any fingerprints or residue. Make sure the card is clean on both the front and back. Carefully inspect the card under good lighting for any flaws, nicks, or wear that could affect the grade. Document any flaws you notice for the submission form.

Now you need to submit your cards to PSA. Go to PSAcard.com and create an account if you don’t already have one. Then navigate to the “Submit Cards” section. Here you’ll choose your submission service level, fill out the online submission form, and generate shipping labels. Be sure to accurately describe the condition of each card including any flaws or flaws you found during inspection.

There are several submission service levels to choose from, with different turnaround times and costs. The most basic is the Value service, which is best suited for commonly available modern cards and offers a 30-day approximate turnaround. For more valuable vintage cards, you may opt for the Express service with a 7-10 day turnaround. Just be sure the declared value of the cards matches the service level purchased for insurance purposes.

Once your submission form is completed online, it’s time to package the cards carefully for shipping. Place each card in a soft, acidic-free sleeve to avoid scratches or fingerprints. You can purchase submission cards/sleeves directly from PSA. Then organize the cards in numerical order according to the sequence on your form. Secure the sleeves together neatly with a small piece of tape.

Also include a printed copy of your completed online submission form. Place the form along with the packaged cards inside the prepaid shipping label PSA provided you. Seal the box securely with packing tape. For very valuable submissions over $500 in declared value, you may want to consider using registered mail for security. Just drop the sealed, labeled box in any USPS mailbox or collection box.

After being received by PSA, your cards will go through the rigorous multi-point inspection process. Graders will examine each card front and back under heated lighting tables and high power magnification equipment. They will meticulously analyze factors like centering, corners, edges, surface, and consider the grade criteria for the specific card issue/year.

You can track the status of your submission online through your PSA account. Typically grading takes 4-6 weeks for Value submissions depending on current volumes, but Express levels are much faster. Once grading is completed, PSA will encapsulate qualifying cards in tamper-evident holders with the assigned numerical grade.

PSA will then mail your graded cards back to the address provided. Be sure to check for any extras like autographed label requests. Review the official PSA graded labels and modern slabs for accuracy. If satisfied, consider having qualifying vintage cards crossed over to higher tier holders for added preservation and value later. And that concludes the detailed process for submitting cards to PSA for professional third-party authentication and grading. Let me know if any part of the process needs further explanation!