PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) is considered the top grading service for sports cards like baseball cards. With the expanding sports card collecting market, many collectors are looking to submit their vintage and modern cards to PSA to slab and grade. The grading process provides authentication and assurance of a card’s condition which dramatically impacts its value. Sending cards to PSA takes some planning and knowledge of their process to get the best results.
To start, you will need to register for a PSA account on their website PSACard.com. Here you can track submissions, get estimate shipping costs, and view turnaround times. PSA offers several service levels for grading with different costs and processing speeds. The most popular is the regular service, which currently has a 14 week stated processing time but is quicker recently. Expedited options are available too for a premium fee if a faster return is needed.
Before submitting, take the time to carefully inspect each card you plan to grade. Judge the centering, corners, edges and surface very critically to form your own condition estimate. PSA graders are extremely strict so cards need to be pristine inside and out to score high enough to impact value positively. Minor nicks, dents or imperfections could result in lower grades that don’t enhance the card’s worth. It’s best to submit only top condition vintage cards when starting out.
Once you have your cards selected, you will need custom PSA submission holders to safely ship them. These are plastic toploaders with adhesive slabs that the cards sit facedown in. Proper sizing is key so cards don’t shift during transit. Standard sizes are available online or at hobby shops but odd sized rookie cards may require custom orders. Take care when placing cards in the holders to avoid fingerprints or any tilt.
You’ll then need to fill out PSA submission forms listing each card along with the estimated grade and value. Accurate population report research helps support your grade predictions which PSA considers. Under or over estimating can impact fees charged. Your goal is to closely match graders while giving yourself room for slight variances down. Listing estimated values also protects you in case of damage or loss during the process.
Shipping methods to PSA is another consideration. Regular USPS mail is inexpensive but risks damage more. Registered mail adds traceability but isn’t much quicker. UPS or FedEx with tracking are recommended by many as the safest option, especially for higher valued cards. Proper packaging is needed regardless of carrier. Double boxing submissions and using plenty of bubble wrap minimizes potential transit issues.
Once received, PSA has a detailed multi-step grading process cards go through including initial inspection, microscope analysis, attribute verification and final grading. Cards are then encapsulated in hard plastic holders with the signature black labels stating grade, ID number, sport and other details. Speed and accuracy is their priority to get collectibles safely graded and back to customers.
Tracking and status updates are available on the PSA website during processing to see where a submission is at in the queue. Notifications are also sent upon completion with final values and fees due. The return shipment then heads back to you, again ideally with tracking and insurance for high value cards. Seeing prized vintage cards slabbed and authenticated is very rewarding after the wait!
Being meticulous in card selection, proper packaging and submission forms is key to having a smooth first PSA grading experience. Take time researching population reports, condition census and listening to experienced collectors feedback on forums too. While fees add up for large submissions, third party authentication at the highest levels improves sellability and collector confidence tremendously in this booming marketplace. With care and planning, your cards have an excellent shot at solid grades to enhance value and historical preservation when sent to the leader that is PSA.
