PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) is considered the gold standard in third-party grading and authentication of sports cards and memorabilia. Getting cards professionally graded can significantly increase their value, especially for high-end valuable cards. Here is a comprehensive overview of the process:

Registration – You will first need to register for a PSA account on their website PSACard.com. This requires providing basic contact and payment information. Make sure to thoroughly read their submission guidelines and fee structure pages. PSA offers various membership tiers with different submission caps and benefits.

Prepare cards – Thoroughly inspect each card you want to submit and note any flaws. Clean them carefully without disturbing the surface. Place each card in a standard penny sleeve then toploader for protection during shipping. Double check for any existing autographs or inscriptions which need to be authenticated.

Select service level – PSA offers several grading tiers with different turnaround times and costs. Economy and Standard are the most common for regular submissions. Express is very fast but expensive, while Bulk is cheaper per card for large quantities. Choose the appropriate level based on your needs and card values.

Complete submission form – On your PSA account, generate a submission form listing all the cards you are sending along with their serial numbers. Note service level, value (for insurance), and special requests like subgrades. Print two copies of the form.

Prepare payment – Calculate total fees including shipping costs. Pay securely on the PSA site using credit card or cryptocurrency. Keep proof of payment for your records.

Package cards securely – Place cards securely between sturdy cardboard or foam to prevent damage or shifting during travel. Include both submission form copies, insurance form if needed. Seal the box securely with packaging tape.

Ship to PSA – Use a trackable carrier like USPS Priority or UPS for delivery to PSA. Insuring the package for the declared value is recommended. Contact support for international shipping instructions.

Grading process – PSA experts will carefully examine each card under magnification for centering, corners, edges and surface flaws. Attributes are assigned numerical grades on the widely followed 1-10 scale.

Receive graded cards – Within the estimated turnaround timeframe, PSA will ship your cards back in individual plastic holders labeled with the grade, your customer ID and other details. Carefully inspect each one upon receipt.

Report problems – Contact PSA immediately if any cards appear damaged or unlabeled upon return. They will investigate and work to resolve errors or re-grade as needed free of charge within a time window.

Once you receive back your professionally graded cards from PSA locked safely in their protective holders along with the accompanying certificate of authenticity, their value on the secondary market usually increases compared to raw ungraded cards. Properly following the submission process and guidelines is important to have a smooth experience with the leading company in the hobby.