Scanning your baseball card collection is a crucial first step if you want to sell your cards on eBay. Taking high quality digital images of each card allows potential buyers to inspect the condition and investigate details without physically holding the card. It also means you only have to describe a card’s condition and features once in the listing rather than answering the same questions repeatedly.
While it may seem like a tedious process, scanning your cards efficiently will save you time versus photographing them one by one with your phone. A desktop scanner designed for photos is ideal, as it allows you to scan multiple cards simultaneously. Flats are especially efficient for scanning large collections – you can lay 10-20 cards facedown at once. Make sure to clean any dirt or fingerprints from the surface before scanning.
When first starting out, it’s a good idea to scan your entire collection regardless of estimated value. You never know when a common card from the 1990s might pique a collector’s interest. Scanning now also ensures you have a permanent digital record of your entire collection in case of an unexpected accident like a fire or flood down the road. Digital files can be easily backed up to an external hard drive or cloud storage for extra protection.
In terms of file types, most collectors recommend scanning baseball cards as high resolution JPEG files at 300 dots per inch or higher. This captures enough detail for potential buyers to inspect autographs, jersey swatches, and centering issues. JPEGs also allow room for cropping or digital touch-ups if needed. Avoid scanning as PNGs, which produce larger file sizes without significant quality improvement for most photo needs.
Name each JPEG file clearly using a consistent naming convention like ‘Year-Brand-PlayerName.jpg’. This helps keep your files organized and searchable. Be sure to back up your collection periodically as it grows to prevent data loss issues. You can always re-scan problem cards if fingerprints or dirt were missed initially. Having pristine digital images will boost the perceived condition and overall appeal of even well-loved cards from childhood collections.
When listing cards on eBay, include 3-5 high quality scans within the listing itself. This gives buyers a clear visual of what they’re purchasing without needing to open additional images. Make scans fill as much of the frame as possible while still showing the entire card front and back. Too much blank space around the edges wastes digital “real estate.”
In the description, note the card’s specific year, brand (Topps, Fleer, etc.), number in the series, and any memorable players or symbols featured on the front. Then evaluate its condition closely with a bright light and loupe or jeweler’s loupe. Grade the centering, corners, edges and surface for any flaws, wrinkles or damage. Comparing to established grading scales like the one used by Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) or Beckett helps buyers understand condition in a standardized way.
Highlight any redeeming features of the card like a sharp autograph, rare serial number, or interesting action photo. But be fully transparent about any defects. Sellers who try to exaggerate condition or hide flaws will quickly get negative reviews that hurt future sales. Buyers appreciate honesty, so focusing your description on truthful condition reporting builds trust in the marketplace.
When shipping cards, use a soft sleeve and stiff backing to prevent bending during transit. Then sandwich the sleeved card tightly between two rigid pieces of cardboard cut slightly smaller than a standard business envelope. Use clear packing or sealing tape along all four edges and folds to fully enclose and reinforce the homemade cardboard “toploader.”
This diy toploader method is cheaper than buying costly penny sleeves or magnetic holder sheets in bulk. Tape everything securely inside a bubble mailer with enough cushioning material to prevent shifting during delivery. Always ship within one business day of a sale through a service like USPS First Class with tracking. Prompt communication and packaging your cards safely leads to happy repeat customers.
With a little effort upfront scanning and photo archiving your baseball card collection, you’ll gain a huge advantage selling on eBay. Taking the time now pays off through crystal clear listings that move cards quickly. Organized scanning allows you to focus sales efforts on describing condition accurately instead of also handling photos. Digital archives preserve your collection’s history for future generations of fans as well.
