The process to get baseball cards graded involves selecting a reputable grading company like PSA, Beckett, or SGC, carefully packaging your cards, completing their submission form, and sending your cards to them. Once graded, you’ll receive your cards back with a grade that significantly impacts their value.
How Do You Get Baseball Cards Graded? A Comprehensive Guide
If you’re like me, you probably have a shoebox full of baseball cards tucked away somewhere. Maybe you collected them as a kid, or perhaps you’re a more recent enthusiast. Either way, you might be wondering: how do you get baseball cards graded? Getting your cards graded can significantly increase their value and protect them for years to come. As someone who’s been through the grading process myself, I can share some firsthand experience and insights.
Why Grade Your Baseball Cards?
Before diving into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” Grading provides an objective assessment of your card’s condition. This is crucial because condition is king when it comes to card value. A card in mint condition will fetch a much higher price than the same card in poor condition. Grading also authenticates the card, preventing counterfeits and providing peace of mind.
Choosing a Grading Company
The first step is selecting a grading company. The big three are:
- Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA): Known for its widespread recognition and strong influence on card values, PSA is a popular choice.
- Beckett Grading Services (BGS): Beckett is renowned for its subgrades, which break down the overall grade into categories like centering, edges, corners, and surface.
- Sportscard Guaranty Corporation (SGC): SGC is known for its stricter grading standards and vintage card expertise.
I’ve used PSA and Beckett. In my experience, PSA is more widely recognized, which can translate to higher resale values. However, Beckett’s subgrades are useful for understanding a card’s strengths and weaknesses. When I sent in a few of my cards to both, I noticed PSA’s turnaround times were generally longer.
Ultimately, the best company for you depends on your goals and the type of cards you have. For vintage cards, SGC is often recommended. For modern cards and maximum resale value, PSA is usually the go-to.
Assessing Your Cards: Are They Worth Grading?
Not every card is worth grading. Grading costs money, so you want to ensure the potential increase in value outweighs the expense. I typically only consider grading cards that I believe could receive a grade of 8 or higher. Here’s what I consider when assessing a card:
- Centering: Is the image properly aligned on the card?
- Edges: Are the edges sharp and free from fraying?
- Corners: Are the corners sharp, or are they rounded or damaged?
- Surface: Is the surface clean and free from scratches, dents, or print defects?
I’ve found that using a magnifying glass helps me spot minor imperfections that I might otherwise miss. Also, comparing your card to grading guides online can give you a better idea of how it might be graded. Be honest with yourself! It’s better to overestimate a card’s flaws than to be disappointed with the grade you receive.
Preparing Your Cards for Submission
Careful preparation is key to preventing damage during shipping and ensuring the grading company can accurately assess your cards.
- Clean Your Cards (Carefully): Use a soft microfiber cloth to gently remove any dust or fingerprints. Avoid using any liquids or harsh chemicals.
- Sleeving: Place each card in a soft, acid-free penny sleeve. This protects the surface from scratches.
- Semi-Rigid Holders: Insert the sleeved card into a semi-rigid card holder like a Card Saver I. These provide additional protection without damaging the card. I’ve found that Card Savers are the perfect balance between protection and ease of handling.
- Team Bags (Optional): You can group similar cards in team bags for added organization.
I learned the hard way that skipping these steps can lead to damaged cards and lower grades. Trust me, the extra effort is worth it!
Completing the Submission Form
Each grading company has its own submission form, which you can find on their website. This form will ask for information about you, your cards, and the services you require. Here are a few tips for completing the form:
- Research Service Levels: Grading companies offer different service levels based on turnaround time and price. Choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.
- Declare Value Accurately: Be honest about the value of your cards. This affects the insurance coverage in case of loss or damage during shipping.
- Specify Minimum Grade (Optional): Some companies allow you to specify a minimum grade. If your card doesn’t meet that grade, they won’t grade it, and you’ll save on grading fees. I usually don’t specify a minimum grade unless I’m very confident in a card’s condition.
- Double-Check Everything: Before submitting, carefully review the form for any errors. Mistakes can delay the grading process.
Packaging Your Cards for Shipping
Proper packaging is crucial to protect your cards during transit. I’ve developed a system that has worked well for me:
- Layer of Protection: Wrap the semi-rigid holders in bubble wrap.
- Secure in a Box: Place the wrapped cards in a sturdy cardboard box. Avoid using padded envelopes, as they don’t offer enough protection.
- Fill Empty Space: Fill any empty space in the box with packing peanuts or bubble wrap to prevent the cards from shifting.
- Seal Securely: Seal the box with strong packing tape.
- Label Clearly: Clearly label the box with the grading company’s address and your return address. I also like to write “FRAGILE” on all sides of the box.
I once shipped a box of cards that wasn’t properly packaged, and the box arrived crushed. Thankfully, the cards were okay, but it was a stressful experience.
Shipping Your Cards
Choose a shipping method that includes tracking and insurance. This provides peace of mind and protects you in case of loss or damage. I typically use USPS Registered Mail or UPS with full insurance coverage.
What Happens After You Submit?
Once the grading company receives your cards, they will be logged into their system, and you’ll receive a confirmation email. The grading process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the service level you selected.
Receiving Your Graded Cards
When your cards are graded, they will be returned to you in a protective graded holder. The grade will be clearly displayed on the label. This is where all your hard work pays off! Carefully inspect your cards to ensure they are in the condition you expect.
What If You Disagree With the Grade?
If you disagree with the grade, you can contact the grading company to request a review. However, be aware that there’s no guarantee they will change the grade. I’ve only requested a review once, and the grade remained the same.
How to Store Your Graded Cards
Proper storage is essential to protect your graded cards. Keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. I store mine in a专门 designed graded card storage box.
Understanding Grading Scales
Each grading company uses a slightly different grading scale, but the most common scale is from 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest grade. Here’s a general overview:
- 10 (Gem Mint): Perfect card with no flaws.
- 9 (Mint): Near-perfect card with only minor flaws.
- 8 (Near Mint-Mint): High-grade card with slight imperfections.
- 7 (Near Mint): Card with noticeable flaws but still in good condition.
- 6 (Excellent-Mint): Card with more significant wear and tear.
- 5 (Excellent): Card with moderate wear and tear.
- 4 (Very Good-Excellent): Card with significant wear and tear.
- 3 (Very Good): Card with heavy wear and tear.
- 2 (Good): Card with severe wear and tear.
- 1 (Poor): Card with extreme damage.
Can You Get Baseball Cards Graded at a Show?
Yes, some grading companies offer on-site grading at card shows. This can save you shipping costs and turnaround time. However, on-site grading is often more expensive, and you may not have as much time to assess your cards beforehand. I’ve used on-site grading a couple of times when I was unsure if I wanted to grade a card.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Baseball Cards Graded?
The cost of grading varies depending on the grading company, service level, and declared value of your cards. As of today, you can expect to pay anywhere from $15 to $100 or more per card.
Does Grading Always Increase Value?
While grading generally increases the value of valuable cards, it’s not a guarantee. The increase in value depends on the card’s grade, rarity, and popularity. Grading a common card in poor condition won’t necessarily make it more valuable.
How Long Does It Take to Get Baseball Cards Graded?
Turnaround times vary depending on the grading company and service level. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to get your cards graded.
Should You Grade Your Entire Collection?
Unless you have a particularly valuable or rare collection, grading your entire collection is likely not cost-effective. Focus on grading the cards that have the highest potential value.
Grading baseball cards can be a rewarding experience, both financially and emotionally. By following these steps, you can increase the value of your cards and protect them for years to come. Remember to do your research, prepare your cards carefully, and choose a reputable grading company. Happy collecting!
FAQ
How do you choose the right baseball card grading company?
Consider the company’s reputation, grading fees, turnaround times, and the type of cards you want to grade; PSA is popular for resale, Beckett offers detailed subgrades, and SGC is known for vintage cards.
What are the key factors to consider when assessing a baseball card’s condition before grading?
Evaluate the card’s centering, edges, corners, and surface for any imperfections like scratches, dents, or wear, using a magnifying glass to identify minor flaws.
What’s the best way to prepare baseball cards for submission to a grading company?
Carefully clean cards with a microfiber cloth, place them in acid-free penny sleeves, then insert them into semi-rigid card holders like Card Savers to prevent damage during shipping.
How should baseball cards be packaged for shipping to a grading company?
Wrap the semi-rigid holders in bubble wrap, place them in a sturdy cardboard box, fill any empty space with packing peanuts, and seal the box securely with packing tape, labeling it clearly with the grading company’s address and “FRAGILE.”
What happens after you submit your baseball cards to a grading company?
The grading company logs your cards into their system, sends a confirmation email, assesses the cards based on their condition, assigns a grade, and returns them in protective graded holders.
Is it always worth grading baseball cards, and when should you avoid it?
Grading is typically worthwhile for valuable cards in good condition, but avoid grading common cards in poor condition as the cost may outweigh the potential increase in value.