Getting baseball cards professionally graded by PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) is a multi-step process. PSA is considered the gold standard for third-party grading of trading cards due to their expertise and reputation for assigning accurate grades. Here are the basic steps to submit cards to PSA for grading:
First, you need to determine which cards you want to submit for grading. It’s recommended to only submit high-value cards that could potentially grade as gem mint (9 or 10 on the PSA grading scale) as there are costs associated with the grading process. Carefully examine each card under bright lighting and a loupe or jeweler’s loupe to inspect for any flaws, nicks, or corners that may lower the potential grade. Only cards that look pristine should be considered for submission.
Once you’ve selected the cards, you need to properly prepare them for shipping. Place each individual card in a standard penny sleeve protector with the front of the card facing outwards. Then place the sleeved card into a semi-rigid card holder made of plastic, plastic and cardboard, or plastic and acrylic. Card savers are the most commonly used card holders. The card holder should securely hold the card without any room for movement.
Afterward, log into your PSA account and initiate a new submission order. Or if it’s your first time, create a PSA account by providing basic contact and payment details. You will need to select your preferred grading service level – there are different tiers that balance turnaround times and costs. Standard service is the most affordable option but has 3-4 month wait times typically. Faster Express services are available for rush jobs.
With your submission order open, enter details for each individual card like the player, year, set, and any other relevant identifiers. You can submit cards in lots of 5, 10, or 25 to potentially save on fees. PSA also offers various special group tier submissions that are even more economical when submitting larger quantities. Carefully follow the online instructions for bundling and labeling your cards.
After entering your card specifics, you will need to pay the associated grading fees. PSA fees are based on declared card values and service levels. Plan to spend at least $10-15 per card on average between base grading prices and shipping/insurance costs. You can pay online with a credit card securely.
Once payment is received, you will receive shipping labels, bubble mailers, and instructions from PSA. Place each card holder into the correct spot on the submission form. Then carefully sandwich the form between two foam panels and securely tape it inside the PSA-approved bubble mailer. Don’t bend or damage the cards during packing. Ship your cards to PSA using a trackable service like USPS Priority Mail within the specified window.
After PSA receives your submission, the cards will undergo a multi-point inspection process. Graders will examine each front and back under bright lighting and powerful magnification for flaws and imperfections. Edges will be evaluated closely as will corners for sharpness and dings. Centering is also an important component of the grade. Card condition is subjectively assigned a grade on the 1-10 scale.
Typically 4-8 weeks later, PSA will have your cards graded and you will receive an email when your order is complete. You can then log into your PSA account and view photos of each card front/back along with the assigned numerical grade. Cards will be secured within plastic slabs imprinted with logos, IDs, and grades for easy verification of authenticity.
You would arrange shipment of your graded cards back to your home or designated shipping address. Comprehensive insurance is included, although additional handling fees may apply for special requests. Congrats, your cards are now officially certified and authenticated by the top third-party grading service. You can enjoy, display, or sell your new PSA-graded baseball card collection.
That covers the basic step-by-step process for submitting cards to PSA for professional authentication and grading. Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions! Properly preparing cards and following PSA’s specific submission guidelines is important to getting accurate certified grades from the leaders in the trading card industry.
