Submitting Baseball Cards to PSA: A Complete Guide

Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) is considered the gold standard for third-party baseball card grading. Receiving a high grade from PSA can significantly increase the value of a card. Submitting cards to PSA also involves fees, waiting times, and following proper submission guidelines. This comprehensive guide will outline everything you need to know to successfully submit your baseball cards to PSA.

choosing cards to submit

The first step is selecting which cards you want to grade. Only cards in gem mint or near-mint condition should be considered, as anything lesser will likely receive a grade of 6 or lower, doing little for the value. Carefully examine each card under bright lighting for any flaws, scratches, corners, or edges issues that could deduct grading points. Make sure there are no creases, prints, or stains present on the surface. Higher-value vintage and rookie cards typically have the most potential to gain value from a PSA grade. But even common cards from the 1975-1978 era in pristine condition can sometimes triple or quadruple in value with a PSA 10 designation.

submission tiers

Once you’ve chosen your cards, you’ll need to select a submission tier based on your desired turnaround time and level of service. PSA offers several tiers including value, economy, regular, express and 10-day. Fees vary based on tiers but as a general rule, economy and regular provide basic service for bulk submissions at lower costs, while express and 10-day options guarantee faster returns for urgent submissions or valuable cards. Make sure to review PSA’s website for current pricing and estimated turnaround times for each tier. You’ll need to include payment and select your tier when initially creating your order.

packaging guidelines

Proper packaging of cards is crucial to avoid damage during transit and grading. All cards must be individually encapsulated in acrylic holders commonly known as “slabs.” PSA sells empty slabs, penny sleeves and toploaders/sheets for bundling cards on their website. Most card shops also carry these supplies. Place each card in a penny sleeve then inside the corresponding front and back slabs. Make sure the card is centered and there is no tilt or movement within the sleeve. Bundle 10 carded slabs together between cardboard sheets, securing with tape on all edges. Place bundled card sheets inside a shipping box with ample packing material like bubble wrap or foam peanuts to prevent shifting during transit. Clearly label the box with your PSA member ID number.

submission form

A properly filled out submission form is required for every order. The online submission form asks for your member info, payment details, requested tier, number of cards and whether reholdering is allowed for any potential resubmissions. It’s important that all info like the card name, year, sport, manufacturer matches what is contained within the slab. Double check that everything is accurate before submitting. PSA may return cards with submission errors. You’ll receive a confirmation email once your order is received and enters the grading queue.

waiting for grades

From this point, it’s simply a waiting game as your cards make their way through the cleaning, grading and quality control process. Check the PSA website for average turnaround times based on the tier you selected. Those seeking quick returns will want the express option. Most standard submissions take 4-6 months currently due to high volume. You’ll receive an email once your order is graded with tracking to monitor shipment. Login to your member account to view full details on each card including photos and assigned numerical grade.

payment and resubmissions

After completing the process, you’ll receive an invoice for grading fees minus your initial payment. Pay the balance within 30 days or resubmission discounts may not apply to repeats of the same cards. Cards assigned lower grades than hoped have the option to “crack and resubmit” by returning just the front slab to try for a higher grade. Resubmission fees are discounted versus new submissions. Only resubmit if flaws are very minor – major issues will likely result in the same lower grade. Carefully consider whether additional cost is worth potential improvement in assigned grade.

selling and protecting value

With that coveted PSA grade in hand, your card’s collectible value should be significantly increased provided a desirable high number was received. Consider various options for selling like on eBay, through a local card shop or large auction houses. Or store long term to potentially gain additional collector interest and value as the years pass. Make sure PSA slabs are kept in protective holders or cases to maintain their pristine condition, as any damage could negatively impact future resale price down the road. Proper long-term storage is key to preserving and protecting that certified PSA grade value for the future.

With care taken in card selection, following PSA’s submission guidelines and patience during the grading process, submitting your baseball cards can be a rewarding experience. A desirable PSA grade has the power to transform even common issues into highly valuable pieces of collecting history. With diligence, the guide outlines everything needed for a smooth experience submitting to the card industry’s most respected third-party authenticator.