PSA is considered the gold standard in the sports card grading industry. They have graded over 50 million cards since the company started in the 1980s. PSA provides a reliable assessment of a card’s condition and this grade significantly impacts the value. There is a process owners must follow to submit cards for grading.
The first step is to register for an account on the PSA website if you do not already have one. On your account dashboard, you can then click to start a new submission order. You will need to select the appropriate service level depending on the turnaround time you need. The most basic is their regular service that takes 4-6 months on average. For a faster 1-10 day turnaround, you would select their express service which is significantly more expensive.
Once you select the service level, you then need to prepare the actual cards for submission. PSA has very specific guidelines on how cards must be submitted to be eligible for grading. Each card needs to be encapsulated in a standard plastic PSA/DNA graded card holder or slab. These holders can be purchased directly from PSA in packs. The card should not be in a toploader, sleeve, etc. Each holder also needs a label with the company’s barcode stuck to the back to identify the card.
In addition to the encapsulated card, PSA also requires a completed submission form providing details on each card. This includes information like the card issue year, sport, player name, set and any identifying numbers on the card. For particularly valuable vintage cards, high resolution photos may also need to be uploaded. Once complete, you generate a shipping label through your account and pack everything securely for shipment.
PSA has guidelines on how cards must be packaged for shipment. They recommend using a cardboard box vs. envelopes and to use ample packing materials like bubble wrap or air bags to protect the cards. The completed submission form and fees need to be included. Payment can be made in advance online via credit card or later by check. Fees depend on service level selected but start at around $10-$15 per card plus additional charges.
Once received, PSA will log in the order and cards are then sorted for grading. Experienced authenticators and graders will thoroughly inspect each card under high powered lighting and magnifying tools. They examine several factors like centering, corners, edges and surface to determine the appropriate numerical grade on the 1-10 scale.
After grading, the encapsulated cards return with the assigned grade prominently displayed on the holder. Account holders can then track the status online and are notified by email when grading is complete. Cards can either be returned directly or you can choose to consign them to be resold on PSA’s Collectors Universe marketplace.
Getting cards graded by PSA provides an impartial assessment that brings clarity and security to the collecting hobby. While there is a cost and time commitment, it creates a standard that benefits buyers and sellers. Following their detailed submission process increases the chances your valuable cards will be properly protected and accurately appraised.
