The major companies that provide grading services for baseball cards are PSA, BGS (Beckett Grading Services), SGC (Sports Grading Company), and HGA (HQGrading). Each company uses their own grading scale to assign a grade to the card’s condition and aesthetics.

The first step is to select the cards you want to have graded. It’s best to submit higher value vintage or modern cards from the 1950s-present as lower value cards may not be worth the cost of grading. Inspect each card closely under good lighting for any flaws, fingerprints, scratches, corners/edges damaged, or centering issues off to determine its potential grade.

Once you’ve selected the cards, you’ll need to send them to the grading company. Most companies offer different submission tiers based on turnaround times and levels of service. Generally the higher tiers cost more but provide faster return times. Standard bulk submissions can take months to return. You’ll need to research each company’s submission guidelines and use the proper card holders/submission forms.

Proper packaging is important to ensure the cards arrive safely. It’s best to use thick cardboard or plastic holders to sandwich the cards and provide solid protection. Avoid using common envelope mailers as cards can get bent or damaged in transit. Trackable shipping with insurance is strongly recommended in case anything happens in transit. Most companies have specific packaging requirements so be sure to follow their guidelines.

At this stage you’ll also need to select your submission tier and pay the corresponding grading fees. Pricing varies between companies but typical bulk submission fees are around $10-15 per card. Higher tier express services can range from $20-50+ per card depending on turnaround time. Additional shipping costs to and from the company also need to be factored in. Some grading companies offer membership programs for volume submitters to reduce costs per card.

Once received, the card grading process takes careful examination under high magnification cameras and lighting booths by experienced graders. They analyze factors like centering, corners, edges, surface for any flaws, and note attribute details. The card is then sealed in the iconic plastic holder labeled with the card details and assigned numerical grade.

After grading, the company performs quality control checks before packaging and returning all the submitted cards. From this point, turnaround times vary depending on the selected submission tier but can range from a few weeks up to several months for bulk submissions. Companies provide order tracking online to monitor progress.

Upon receiving thegraded cards back, you’ll want to inspect the holders and make sure all your cards were received in the condition sent. Sometimes resubmissions are needed if flaws were missed or a card received further damage. Now you’ll have professionally certified impartial analysis of the cards’ condition that can be trusted in the marketplace. Graded vintage cards especially have seen their values multiply over raw ungraded cards.

The grading process ensures preservation of the cards in protective holders that maintain their condition over long periods of time compared to loose raw cards subject to damage. While there are costs involved, grading provides authentication, protection, and quantification of condition that adds value – especially for high end vintage cards being considered for significant financial transactions. Following the proper procedures outlined above will result in a successful submission and grading experience.