How to Submit Cards for Grading?
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🏆 How to Submit Cards for Grading: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re sitting on a stack of raw sports cards and wondering whether to grade them, you’re not alone. Grading your cards can boost their value, preserve their condition, and give collectors peace of mind with third-party authentication.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to submit cards for grading—plus where to send them.
📦 Why Grade Your Cards?
Grading adds:
- ✅ Authentication (no more guessing if it's real)
- ✅ Condition guarantee (1–10 scale)
- ✅ Resale value (graded cards often sell for 2–10x raw)
Especially for rookie cards, low-population inserts, or iconic players, grading can be a smart move.
🧠 Step 1: Choose the Right Grading Company
Each grading company has its strengths. Here are the big players:
🔹 PSA – Professional Sports Authenticator
- The most recognized name in the hobby.
- Strong resale value.
- Grading scale: 1–10 (with “Gem Mint 10” as the gold standard).
🔹 BGS – Beckett Grading Services
- Known for subgrades and thick slabs.
- Popular among modern collectors and high-end cards.
🔹 SGC – Sportscard Guaranty
- Fast turnaround, especially since the 2020–2021 boom.
- Clean black slab design.
- Gaining popularity in vintage and modern markets alike.
🔹 TAG Grading
- Tech-driven, fully automated grading.
- Transparent grading reports and pop tech appeal.
🔹 CGC Cards
- Branch of a long-established comic book grader (CGC).
- Competitive pricing, sleek slab design.
📋 Step 2: Prep Your Cards
Before shipping, you’ll want to carefully clean and protect your cards. Here's what to do:
- Inspect with good lighting and a magnifier
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- Look for scratches, dimples, whitening, and print lines.
- Wipe gently with a microfiber cloth (optional)
- Place in a penny sleeve, then into a card saver or semi-rigid holder (required by most graders).
- Do not use top loaders—most grading companies reject them.
📝 Step 3: Fill Out the Submission Form
Each company has an online submission form where you:
- Enter card details (player, year, set, etc.)
- Choose your service level (based on turnaround time/value)
- Print the packing slip
💡 Most companies have bulk discounts or membership options. PSA, for example, requires a Collectors Club membership for some submission tiers.
📦 Step 4: Ship Safely
- Stack your cards in order as listed on the form.
- Use bubble wrap, cardboard, and a sturdy box.
- Include the printed submission form inside the box.
- Ship with tracking and insurance via UPS, FedEx, or USPS.
⏳ Step 5: Wait for Results (and Get Notified!)
Once your cards are graded, you’ll receive:
- Your graded slabs
- A grading report
- In some cases, high-res scans or pop reports
Turnaround times range from a few days to several weeks, depending on your chosen service.
🧠 Final Tips:
- Only grade cards with strong condition potential.
- Consider value vs cost: grading fees range from $10 to $100+.
- Watch the market—grading a card too late might mean missing a hot moment.
🛒 Want Help with Grading?
Some trusted third-party companies offer grading submission services where they handle the paperwork and shipping for you. Keep an eye on our break schedule or join our next stream—we often run group subs or grading tips live.
Ready to boost your card’s value?
Click the links below to get started: