Unlock Your Collection’s Value: A Comprehensive Guide to Getting Your Pokemon Cards Graded

Pokemon cards aren’t just pieces of cardboard; for many, they’re cherished memories, investments, and works of art. If you’re a serious collector or even just curious about the potential value of your cards, getting them graded by a professional service is an important step. Card grading assigns a numerical score to a card’s condition, which significantly impacts its market value and desirability. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about getting your Pokemon cards graded, from choosing the right service to preparing your cards for submission.

Why Get Your Pokemon Cards Graded?

Before we dive into the “how,” let’s explore the “why.” There are several compelling reasons to have your Pokemon cards professionally graded:

• Increased Value: A graded card, especially one with a high grade (e.g., PSA 9, BGS 9.5, CGC 9.5), is generally worth significantly more than an ungraded version. The grade provides an objective assessment of condition, assuring potential buyers of the card’s quality.
• Authenticity: Grading services authenticate your cards, verifying that they are genuine and not counterfeit. This is particularly important for older or rarer cards.
• Protection: Graded cards are encased in tamper-evident slabs or cases, protecting them from further damage like bending, scratching, or fading. This ensures your cards will retain their condition over time.
• Peace of Mind: Grading can give you peace of mind, knowing your cards are accurately assessed and protected. This is especially helpful for insurance purposes or if you ever plan to sell them.
• Enhanced Display: Graded cards look fantastic on display and create a more visually appealing collection.
• Selling Potential: A graded card is easier to sell. It’s easier to market, as you can easily put the graded version up for sale. Graded cards also remove a layer of uncertainty for potential buyers.

Choosing the Right Grading Service

The first step in getting your Pokemon cards graded is selecting a reputable grading service. The three most prominent and widely recognized companies are:

• Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA): PSA is one of the largest and most well-known grading services, particularly popular for sports cards and also very commonly used for Pokemon cards. They are known for having a stricter grading scale, which can sometimes mean higher values for high-graded cards.
• Beckett Grading Services (BGS): BGS is another leading grading service known for its subgrades (centering, corners, edges, surface), which provide a more detailed breakdown of a card’s condition. BGS slabs are also popular among collectors who prefer their overall aesthetic. They are seen as more generous than PSA.
• Certified Guaranty Company (CGC): Originally focused on comic books, CGC has expanded into card grading and is quickly gaining popularity. They are known for their clear, sturdy slabs and are seen as having a very detailed grading process. CGC is quickly gaining ground as one of the top choices.

Here’s a brief comparison table to help you decide:

Consider these factors when making your choice:

• Personal Preference: Some collectors prefer the slab design of a particular company.
• Grading Scale Preference: Some collectors prefer to go to PSA, where a high grade is harder to get. Other collectors may be ok with the slightly more generous grading of BGS.
• Budget: Each company has varying service levels with different turnaround times and costs. Compare prices and choose what works best for your budget.
• Market Demand: While all three services are reputable, some cards or collectors may prefer a particular service for trading or resale value. PSA is generally considered the most popular.
• Turnaround Times: Grading times can vary wildly. Be sure to check before submitting.

Once you’ve chosen a grading service, it’s time to move to the next steps.

Preparing Your Pokemon Cards for Grading

Proper preparation is essential for ensuring your cards are graded accurately and safely. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Assess Your Cards: Before submitting any card, carefully assess its condition. Look for the following:
• Centering: Is the image centered on the card? Uneven borders can lower the grade.
• Corners: Are the corners sharp or rounded, chipped, or frayed? Sharp corners are crucial.
• Edges: Are the edges clean, free of nicks, and smooth? Dents and nicks will hurt the grade.
• Surface: Check for scratches, dents, fingerprints, creases, and other surface damage. The surface should be pristine, ideally.
• Color and Gloss: Is the color vibrant and the gloss intact? Fading will lower the grade.
• Print Quality: Are there any printing defects, like ink spots or blurry images?

If your card has any major flaws, it may not be worth grading, as the cost may outweigh the value gained. Grading a card in poor condition might not help much and may not be worth the cost.

2. Clean Your Cards (Carefully): If your cards have minor dirt or fingerprints, you can gently clean them. Use a soft microfiber cloth. Do not use any liquid or abrasive cleaners. Overly cleaning can cause even more damage. Only attempt to clean if there are smudges.
3. Sleeve Your Cards: Place each card in a penny sleeve to prevent them from further damage. You need to handle the card carefully here, as even minor bending or scratching can make the cards lower in value. Be sure the penny sleeve is new and clean.
4. Topload Your Cards: For added protection, place the sleeved card in a toploader. Toploaders are rigid plastic holders that provide an extra layer of defense against bending. This is very important to do for the submission.
5. Research Service Levels and Turnaround Time: Grading services offer different levels, including standard, express, and economy. Make sure to check which grading service you choose, as each service will have different turnaround times and prices. Generally, lower prices have longer turnaround times. Express service costs more, but gets the card graded quicker.
6. Sort and Organize Your Cards: For your personal purposes and for the grading services, sort your cards in the order you intend to submit them. Keep track of which card is which.
7. Take Photos: Take clear photos of both the front and back of each card before you submit them, especially if you are submitting a large amount of cards.
8. Review the Grading Company’s Submission Form: Carefully fill out the submission form provided by your chosen grading service. Be sure to read everything to avoid errors. Some submission forms require a specific format. Provide accurate card information, declared value, and other required details.
9. Double-Check your Order and Card Selection: Double check everything and make sure the cards are the cards you intend to send, and that you filled out the form correctly. If there is an error, you might have a difficult time with your submission.

Submitting Your Cards for Grading

The submission process varies slightly between grading services, but generally follows these steps:

1. Create an Account: Create an account on the grading service’s website if you don’t have one already.
2. Complete the Online Submission Form: Fill out all required information. Pay close attention to detail. Be accurate and double-check everything.
3. Package Your Cards Securely:
   • Place each sleeved and toploaded card in a team bag or similar protective bag. This will help prevent cards from moving around within the package during transit, and adds another layer of protection.
   • Use a sturdy box for shipping. It’s crucial that your box is not too flimsy and will withstand a fair amount of bumping and transit.
   • Pack the cards snugly. Use bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or other cushioning materials to prevent the cards from shifting or being damaged during shipping. Make sure there is no space for the toploaders to wiggle and move around.
   • If you are sending multiple cards, ensure that they are securely stacked and packaged so that the cards do not bump into each other.
4. Insure Your Shipment: Insure your package for the declared value of the cards. This protects you in case the package is lost or damaged during shipping. Remember that the insurance is not for the value of the cards graded, but rather the declared value of the cards before grading.
5. Ship Your Package: Send your package through a reputable carrier. Keep the tracking number for your records. Pay for signature confirmation, so that you know that the package has been received.
6. Track Your Submission: Monitor the progress of your submission on the grading service’s website.

After Grading: Receiving and Handling Your Cards

Once your cards have been graded, they will be returned to you in their protective slabs. Here are some key steps to take:

1. Inspect Your Graded Cards: Upon receiving your graded cards, carefully inspect them to ensure that you are satisfied. Check that there are no scratches or chips on the grading slab. If you do find any issues, contact the grading company immediately.
2. Store Your Cards Properly: Store your graded cards in a safe, dry location, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Consider using specialized storage boxes or display cases to further protect your cards.
3. Manage Your Collection: Use card organization systems or databases to keep track of your graded cards. Keeping your collection organized will make it easier to sell, trade, or track the value of the cards over time.
4. Reassess if Needed: Check prices and market values on a consistent basis and see if your cards have gone up or down in value.
5. Consider Selling: If you intend to sell, use online platforms and markets to showcase your graded cards.

Additional Tips for Grading Pokemon Cards

• Start with Lower-Cost Cards: If you’re new to card grading, start by submitting some lower-cost cards to get experience with the process. This way you can learn on cards that are not as high of an investment.
• Be Realistic About Grades: Grading is subjective, and not every card will receive the grade you expect. Be honest with yourself about your card’s true condition. Do not expect a grade that is not warranted.
• Consider Bulk Submissions: If you have many cards to grade, look into bulk submission options, which are often offered at discounted rates.
• Stay Updated: Keep up with the latest news and trends in the card grading world. Check if there have been any changes to pricing or turnaround times.
• Join Forums and Communities: Participate in online forums and groups dedicated to card collecting to gain insights and advice from other collectors.
• Research the Grading Company’s Reputation: Research each grading company for their overall reputation. Some may have a better reputation for handling higher value cards.
• Understand Grading Terminology: Become familiar with terms like “Mint,” “Near Mint,” “Excellent,” “Good,” etc. Familiarizing yourself with the standards of grading will allow you to better understand your card’s condition.

Conclusion

Getting your Pokemon cards graded is a rewarding process that can significantly increase their value, protect their condition, and enhance your overall collecting experience. By following these steps, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the grading process with confidence and unlock the true potential of your cherished collection. Remember to be patient, thorough, and enjoy the journey of preserving and enhancing your precious Pokemon cards.