The first step to get a PSA rating on your baseball cards is to select the cards you want to submit. Make sure to choose high quality vintage or rare cards that would be worthy of a PSA rating. Common base cards may not be worth the cost of grading. Carefully examine each card under good lighting and make sure there are no flaws, creases, corners cuts or other defects that would negatively impact the grade.
After selecting the cards, you’ll need to purchase supplies from PSA such as submission forms, sleeves and holders to safely package your cards. Print out the proper submission form and fill it out with the required details such as your name, address, email and payment information. Place each card in its own protective penny sleeve and then toploader or magnetic holder depending on the card value. Write the corresponding number from the submission form on the holder with a marker so cards don’t get mixed up.
Package the individually sleeved and identified cards securely in a cardboard mailer or box with ample padding to prevent shifting during transit. Seal the package and fill out the prepaid shipping label. PSA offers various submission service levels ranging from economy to express depending on turnaround timeline needed. Economy bulk submissions are cheaper per card but have the longest wait whereas express submissions are graded faster but cost more per card. Select the appropriate service level and include payment.
Once received, PSA graders will remove each card from its holder and carefully examine it under high powered lighting and magnification looking at centering, corners, edges and surface for any defects, abnormalities or signs of alteration. The cards are then assigned numeric grades on the iconic 1-10 scale used in the industry with 10 being a flawless gem mint card. Various authentication technologies such as black light and precision measurement tools are used during the process.
After grading, the cards are sorted and the holders are sent through a customization line where the assigned numeric grade is applied directly onto the holder with a special foil process making it permanently attached and protected under a clear coating. Security labels and other identifiers are also added during this step to deter potential alteration after grading. The now certified holders with the encapsulated cards are quality checked before being packaged for return to the customer.
Customers can track their submissions online through the PSA tracking system and be alerted by email once grading is complete. Cards are then shipped back usually within a few weeks for bulk submissions up to just days for express. Upon receipt, customers can admire their newly certified vintage and rare cards now protected in the clear holders with the authoritative PSA imprint and numeric grade clearly displayed through the plastic. Certified PSA holders add significant value and authentication that allows for easy resale whenever the collector decides to sell.
The grading process provides permanent certification and authentication that gives collectors confidence in the condition and genuine authenticity of their valuable vintage cards. The assigned numeric grades also provide a universal standard for comparing similar cards and determining relative condition, scarcity and corresponding value. While there is a cost to the service, the protection, certification and added value far outweigh the grading fees, making PSA the undisputed gold standard for vintage sportscard grading worldwide. Taking the steps to submit cards to PSA allows collectors to truly show off their best pieces and gives added credibility to their valuable vintage card collections.
To get a PSA rating on baseball cards, the process involves carefully selecting worthy cards to submit, preparing the submission forms and holders, shipping to PSA, awaiting grading and encapsulation into the certified protective plastic slabs, then receiving back the now certified cards complete with the iconic grading scale number for easy comparison and added collectibility. The professional authentication and permanent record boosts confidence and value far above raw ungraded cards.
