The first step in the process is to prepare your cards for submission. Only send your best conditioned and most valuable cards to PSA, as there is a cost involved with the grading process. Make sure to thoroughly inspect each card and only submit those that have strong corners, clean surfaces and are not off-centered. It’s a good idea to catalog your cards beforehand so you know which ones you want to grade.
Once you’ve selected the cards, you will need to obtain the proper submission forms and holders from PSA. They offer different tiers of service depending on your turnaround timeline and card value. The most basic option is the standard service, which takes 4-6 months on average. For higher priced cards, you may opt for a faster express service. You can purchase the submission forms, holders and return shipping labels on PSA’s website. They offer both individual card submissions as well as larger bulk submission options.
The next critical step is properly preparing each individual card for encapsulation. Carefully fit the card into the specially designed PSA holder. Make sure not to touch or mark the surface of the card. Also inspect for any dirt, oils or imperfections on the surface and clean using proper archival materials if needed. Fill out all necessary fields on the submission form such as your customer information, service level and value of each card.
Once the cards and forms are complete, you will need to ship them to PSA. Package the submission very carefully to avoid any possible damage in transit. It’s recommended to send cards using a trackable method like USPS Priority or UPS. Enclose payment and include a copy of the submission form for reference. PSA has various addresses depending on the submission volume, so be sure to use the appropriate one.
Upon receiving the submission, PSA will log it into their system and begin the extensive grading process. Grading involves thoroughly inspecting each card under controlled lighting and magnification across 10 different attributes. Authenticity is also confirmed using various technical examination tools. Once grading is finished, the encapsulation process seals the card for protection inside a specially designed plastic holder.
Customers can track the status of their submission online through a PSA assigned membership number. Typical turnaround ranges depending on the service level but may be faster or slower depending on seasonal workload volumes. When grading is complete, PSA will ship the encapsulated cards back along with a unified grading report listing the analysis results for each card.
Receiving the cards back from PSA with their official numerical grades printed on the holder is a very exciting moment for collectors. Higher grades significantly boost the value and collector appeal of cards. Cards that receive the illustrious PSA Gem Mint 10 grade are considered the pinnacle and highly sought after trophies. PSA slabbing also provides independent certification and security should collectors ever choose to re-sell their top cards.
By carefully preparing cards for submission, using the proper services and shipment methods, collectors can reliably utilize PSA’s third party authentication to officially grade and encapsulate their most prized collectibles. The process requires time and costs but yields expert analysis that brings much greater demand and value to top cards once returned and proudly displayed in their protective plastic holders with PSA’s respected and recognized authenticating seal. With care and patience, collectors can maximize their submission’s potential return.
