There are several major professional sports card grading companies that offer grading services for baseball cards. The two most popular companies are Beckett Grading Services (BGS) and Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA). Both companies charge fees to grade cards and also provide slabs to protect the cards once they are graded.

To submit cards to either BGS or PSA, you will first need to create an account on their website if you do not already have one. Once logged in, click the “Submit Cards” or “Submit Grading Order” link. You will then be prompted to provide details about the cards you want to submit such as the sport, year, brand, and whether you want Express or Standard grading turnaround times.

Standard grading takes longer but costs less per card, while Express is more expensive but returns the graded cards to you much faster. Typical Express grading turnaround is 1-2 weeks while Standard can take 1-3 months depending on volumes. Consider your preferences when selecting a service level.

Next, you need to prepare your cards for submission. Both BGS and PSA require cards to be housed in semi-rigid holders or toploaders to prevent bending or damage during transit. Accepted holders include BGS/PSA approved plastic sleeves, toploaders, or rigid plastic holders. Make sure the barcodes on the sleeves or holders are clearly visible.

You also need to fill out one physical label or barcode sticker for each individual card you are submitting. The labels need your customer account number and the details entered online about each specific card such as the sport, year, brand, and which service level you chose. Stick one label on the back plastic or paper of each holder.

Once your cards are properly protected and labeled, you need to package them securely for shipping. Place cards in a rigid plastic shipper box or use a bubble mailer with adequate padding on all sides. Include a physical copy of your online submission form that lists all the cards.

You will also need to select and purchase a shipping method. Both BGS and PSA provide prepaid shipping labels you can print, or you can use your preferred carrier like FedEx or USPS. Be sure to get insurance in case of damage or loss in transit.

When sending cards for grading, it’s important to set realistic expectations on potential grades. Brand new near-mint cards usually grade 8-10, while very well-preserved used cards may score 6-8 depending on wear. Heavily played cards typically grade 1-5. Understand grading is subjective and condition issues may lower scores.

After arriving at the grading company, your cards will undergo a multi-point inspection where trained graders analyze factors like centering, corners, edges and surfaces under heavy magnification. The entire grading process usually takes the time stated for the service level you selected unless volumes require longer timeframes that grading companies announce on their websites or via email.

Once grading is finished, your group of cards will be returned to you sealed individually in protective plastic slabs with the assigned numeric grade and your account holder name prominently displayed. Coinslabbed cards maintain their grades and are protected against further wear, damage, or alteration, increasing their collectability and value.

Properly submitted, prepared, packaged and insured cards should arrive safely and be processed without issue. Both PSA and BGS have customer service representatives available online or by phone if you have any other questions during the submission or return process to ensure a smooth grading experience. The detailed steps outlined here provide a straightforward path to get hobby cards authenticated and encapsulated to enhance collections.