The first step in the process of getting baseball cards graded and appraised is to choose a grading company. The three largest and most reputable grading companies for sports cards are Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), Beckett Grading Services (BGS), and Sportscard Guaranty Corporation (SGC). Each company has its own grading scale and standards.

Once you’ve selected a company, you’ll need to package your cards securely for shipping. It’s recommended to put each card in a penny sleeve to avoid scratching, then place the sleeved cards inside cardboard holders or toploaders. Arrange the cards carefully in a box with plenty of padding around them. You’ll also need to fill out a submission form listing all the cards and services requested. Most companies allow you to submit cards online through their websites.

When submitting your cards, decide on the different grading service levels. All companies offer standard grading which just authenticates and grades the card’s condition. You can also choose more expensive express services for faster turnaround times. Another option is to just have cards authenticated without a numerical grade assigned. Be sure pricing includes the cost of return shipping as well.

The grading companies will then carefully inspect each card. Graders take into account factors like centering, edges, corners and surface to determine the card’s condition on their numeric scale. PSA and BGS both use a 1-10 scale while SGC uses a 1-9 scale. Cards are analyzed under strong lighting and magnification to detect even the slightest flaws. This grading process usually takes 4-6 months for standard submissions.

Once grading is complete, the qualified authenticators will encase qualifying cards in protective plastic slabs with the assigned grade label securely affixed. These slabs protect the valuable cards while also clearly communicating their condition to potential buyers. Sub-grades for individual aspects may also be noted. Cards that don’t meet a company’s standards for grading will be returned unslabbed.

You’ll then receive your graded cards back along with a detailed invoice listing the grading costs. Pricing is based on the number of cards submitted and requested services. For example, a standard PSA submission of 25 cards averages around $10-15 per card depending on turnaround time selected. High-end express services can go well over $100 per card.

Now that your cards are professionally graded, you have a better sense of their true conditions and market values. The assigned numerical grades provide standardized condition reports that are understood industry-wide. This enables easier pricing comparisons when potentially selling the cards or adding them to a collection. The protective slabs also preserve the condition assessed by the graders.

In order to get an accurate appraisal, you may need to research recently sold “comps” or comparable cards on the secondary marketplace. Sites like eBay allow you to search for the same graded card and see what it has sold for. Alternatively, you could work with an experienced card dealer or auction house who can examine the cards in-hand and provide professional appraisal letters detailing estimated fair market values. An auction guarantee of a minimum sell-through price is also sometimes possible.

Getting sports cards professionally graded is a crucial step for condition assessment, preservation and establishing reliable market values. Though it requires careful packaging, submission planning and patience while waiting for the process, certified grading greatly enhances the long-term value, liquidity and enjoyment of any collection. With some market research, collectors can feel confident in the appraisals of their graded cards.