The process of getting baseball cards professionally graded involves several key steps. The first step is to select the cards you want to submit for grading. Make sure to only submit high quality, mint condition cards that could potentially receive top grades. Worn, damaged, or low value cards are usually not worth the cost of submitting.
Once you’ve selected the cards, you’ll need to register an account with one of the major third-party grading companies like PSA, BGS, or SGC. These companies set the industry standard for grading and authentication of sports cards. On their website, you can set up a profile, add your submission, and pay the grading fees. Standard submission fees range from around $10-$20 per card depending on the turnaround time and service level selected.
Next, you’ll need to properly package your cards for shipping. The grading companies have strict instructions on how cards must be packaged to arrive safely and intact. Typically this involves placing each card in a rigid holder or sleeve. Then grouping multiples of sleeved cards between cardboard or plastic panels. This whole package then gets placed in a shipping box with ample packing material like bubble wrap or air packs. Proper packaging is critical to avoid damage in transit which could affect the grade or cause rejection.
When assembling your submission, be sure to include any paperwork required like the submission form listing what’s being graded. You may need to note the turnaround service requested and provide a return shipping address as well. Carefully following all instructions will help ensure a smooth process. Once packaged correctly, simply ship your submission to the grading company using a tracked carrier like USPS, UPS, or FedEx.
After being received, the grading company will log in your submission and begin the multi-step grading process. Experienced grade members will first thoroughly inspect each card under high magnification lighting to examine for flaws, centering issues, corners, edges and surface quality. The actual grade is determined using the industry standard 1-10 point numerical scale which considers the card’s overall condition and quality retention relative to when it was originally packaged from the manufacturer.
Once graded, the card is then authenticated by verifying production details match factory records to avoid counterfeits. After authentication and grading is complete, the card is slabbed – which means it’s placed in a durable plastic holder that locks and seals the grade, description and identifying markers on the back. This slab protects the card and deters potential tampering or alterations to the official grade.
Slabbed cards are then quality checked before finally being packaged and shipped back to the customer together with any other submitted cards and a detailed grading certificate listing individual results. Turnaround times can range from a few weeks up to several months depending on volume and the service level. Expedited services are available for rush submissions.
Upon receiving back the graded cards, customers then have valuable collectibles with an official third-party certification of quality, condition and authenticity which can significantly impact their appraised market values. Professionally graded cards are essential for high value transactions whether buying, selling or consigning pieces in a dealer’s marketplace. This rigorous process helps both buyers and sellers transact with confidence in the hobby.
Grading involves selecting cards to submit, registering with a company, proper packaging, shipping to the grader, an extensive examination process, encapsulation, quality control, and return shipment with certificates. Following all instructions closely ensures smooth submissions and reliable, trusted grading reports that benefit collectors and the larger sports card marketplace. With valuable cards, it’s always recommended to use experienced, reputable third-party experts to objectively assess condition.
