Graded baseball cards are a big investment, so it’s important to properly store and protect them. One way collectors do this is by scanning their graded cards so they have a digital copy. Not all scanners are created equal when it comes to scanning cards inside protective cases like those from PSA, BGS, SGC and others. You need a scanner with the right features and capabilities to get high-quality scans that do the expensive cards justice.

There are a few key things to consider when choosing a scanner for graded baseball cards. First and foremost is the scanning bed size. You want it to be large enough to comfortably fit cards in their standard plastic holders without having to remove them. Most graded cards are housed in cases that are roughly the size of a standard trading card, so around 3.5 x 2.5 inches. So a scanning bed around 8.5 x 11 inches or larger is ideal.

Another important factor is scanning resolution. For preserving the finest details in valuable cards, you’ll want a resolution of at least 1200 dpi, with higher resolutions like2400 or 3600 dpi being even better. Most flatbed scanners top out at 1200 dpi, but photo scanners and sheetfed scanners can achieve much finer resolutions that future-proof your scans.

A third key spec is image file format support. Scanners should be able to save scans as TIFF files for the highest quality preservation of details. JPG/JPEG files are also common but involve more compression that can degrade image quality over time or with editing. Support for PDF is handy as well for creating digital card catalogues.

With those factors in mind, here are some of the top options for scanning graded baseball cards based on reviews and collector feedback:

Epson Perfection V600 Photo Scanner – This dedicated photo scanner has a large 8.5 x 11.7 inch scanning area, so it can comfortably scan cards in holders. It also delivers incredible 6000 x 4800 dpi resolution scans in a variety of file formats including TIFF. The auto document feeder makes batch scanning easy. Many collectors consider this the gold standard for card scanning.

Epson WorkForce ES-300W Wireless Sheetfed Scanner – As a sheetfed scanner, you have to manually feed each card, but it offers fast 48-bit color depth scans at 2400 x 4800 dpi resolution. The scanning surface is a generous 8.5 x 11.75 inches. It’s more affordable than photo scanners and delivers excellent image quality scans.

Canon CanoScan LiDE 220 – This affordable flatbed scanner has an 8.5 x 11.7 inch scanning area and can scan at 1200 x 2400 dpi. While not the highest resolution, it’s sufficient for most uses and the price can’t be beat. The auto document feeder also streamlines batch scanning of cards. It’s a top budget pick.

Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300i Wireless Sheetfed Document Scanner – Like the Epson sheetfed option, you manually feed each card, but it scans at an incredible 600 dpi optical resolution (2400 dpi enhanced). Its scanning surface is a full 8.5 x 11.7 inches as well. It’s fast and delivers scans almost as good as dedicated photo scanners.

Plustek OpticFilm 8200i Film & Photo Scanner – As a dedicated film/photo scanner, it has all the features serious collectors need – a huge 8.5 x 11.7 inch scanning bed, 48-bit color depth, and resolutions up to 4400 dpi. The auto document feeder and included software bundle make it a complete scanning solution. It’s pricier but worth it for high-value collections.

While flatbed and sheetfed scanners work well for most collectors, dedicated photo scanners tend to produce the highest quality scans suitable for the most valuable graded cards. They have larger scanning areas, higher resolutions, and better color accuracy. But you don’t necessarily need to spend top dollar – the Epson and Canon options are also excellent for the money. Just be sure any scanner you choose fits your needs and budget. Properly archiving your collection digitally helps preserve it for years to come.