Card Protection
Penny Sleeves: Soft plastic sleeves that protect a card's surface from scratches resulting from handling or storage. All cards that you intend to keep (above $1-2 in value) should be immediately penny sleeved. If the value of a card exceeds this amount, additional protection method are recommended which will be explained below.
Top Loaders: Hard plastic sleeve that protects a card's corners and edges from handling or storage. Given that top loaders are hard plastic, a penny sleeve should be used before a card is placed into a top loader to prevent surface scratches. The penny sleeve/top loader combo is the gold standard for protecting cards whenever they are not being handled for pictures/listing.
Team Bags: Soft plastic sleeves with an adhesive envelope-style flap. Given that both soft penny sleeves and top loaders have openings on top, team bags offer a method for encasing the first two layers of protection without the use of tape. Buyers do not like tape anywhere near their cards but if you do not want to use team bags, use painter's top over the opening of the top loader to prevent the card from sliding out.
Magnetic One-Touch Cases: For higher priced cards, it is common to see magnetic one-touch cases as the preferred protection method. Averaging around $5 per case, this option allows for a card to be placed between two thick pieces of hard plastic for ultimate protection and reduces the risk of any damage resulting from sliding a card into a top loader.
Semi-Rigid Sleeves: If you are looking to submit cards for grading, the grading companies advise you to submit your cards in semi-rigid sleeves. These are larger medium-soft plastic sleeves that do not offer as much protection as top loaders but allow for easier removal by the grading company. Similar to top loaders, you should always put the card in a soft penny sleeve before putting it in a semi-rigid sleeve.
*All of these card protection options have several sizes available. This is because football cards can range in thickness. It is important to size you card correctly to reduce any chance of damage from handling or storage. To determine the best size option, you can use a thickness gauge which you can print for free with a quick download (also depicted here).
Slab Protection
PSA Team Bag: Protection does not stop after a card has been graded. The hard plastic encasements that grading companies use can still be scratched, cracked and chipped. To prevent scratches, team bags are available in slab sizes to offer surface protection during storage and handling. Fitted team bags are the most aesthetically pleasing. The depicted bag is meant specifically for PSA slabs.
BGS Team Bag: Not all grading companies are created equal. And neither are their graded slab encasements. BGS uses thicker plastic encasements that require a larger team bag than a PSA slab. Fitted team bags are the most aesthetically pleasing. The depicted bag is meant specifically for BGS slabs.
Collection Protection
Deck Boxes: More commonly used for trading card games (TCG), deck boxes offer an excellent storage method for penny sleeved cards that are under $10 in value. A typical deck box can hold around 50 penny sleeved cards which can then be put into a backpack or hard-shell case for at-home storage of a personal collection. If you are selling at a show or in-person, there are long cardboard boxes that sellers should use so that buyers can quickly thumb through your inventory.
Top Loader Boxes: Top loaders do not fit in a standard deck box so you will need to search for a larger alternative. Card in top loaders will typically be reserved for higher valued cards so you will want additional protection as well. An added bonus to some storage option is a clear encasing that allows you to see inside the box (as depicted).
Backpack Storage: A backpack is the best storage option for anyone traveling or prefers their hands to be free. This method is especially useful when traveling to card shows or your local card shop (LCS) for trading/selling cards. The backpack depicted (similar to a camera backpack) offers customizable dividers and depth dimensions that are perfect for slabs and smaller storage boxes alike. The cushioned lining and semi-hard front shell offers additional protection for the contents inside.
Hard-Shell Storage: This option is ideal for checked baggage travel or as a "locked vault" option at home. Typically these cases are heavier than backpack storage and require you to hold the handle at all times when you are on the move. This might not seem significant until you imagine yourself searching through card boxes or handling a camera to film. In these instances, hands-free storage is ideal. These cases also scratch and bang against glass countertops which is common in card shows and any LCS. However, the biggest advantage that this option offers is the ultimate hard shell protection for the contents inside which can be stored under "lock and key".
Card Inspecting & Cleaning
Magnifying Glass: This is the most important tool you can have when trying to determine the condition of a card. Even if a card looks "clean" to the naked eye, grading companies will be using professional magnifying tools to determine a grade. Therefore, it is important for you to use a minimum of 10X magnification to determine a card's potential for grading submission. There are many at-home magnifying glasses on the market which are large, bulky and can require power. We recommend a tool that is pocket-sized, battery-lighted, and has a large window. These attributes are critical at card shows and local card shops where time is money.
Centering Tool: One of the most commonly overlooked grading attributes is card centering. Grading companies analyze the front and back of each card to determine a centering ratio on the top-to-bottom and left-to-right centering of the card's design. Manufacturing quality control is the primary reason for this grading criteria. Not only do you have to be careful in handling cards to preserve their value but you also have to rely on Panini printing the card perfectly as well. PSA has a grading criteria for centering. Use this tool to determine a card's centering ratio which will give you a better idea of the highest grade achievable for the card.
Microfiber Cloth: Even when a card is immediately penny sleeved and top loader there is still a chance for a card to get dust particles or finger prints on the surface. The best tool for wiping down cards prior to submitting for grading is a microfiber cloth.
Handling Mat: For those familiar with playing Trading Card Games (TCG), a mat is used on top of the table surface to protect your cards from anything on the surface of the table or getting dinged from the hard table top. Similarly, you will see breakers use mats when streaming box openings to show their careful handling of cards that will be shipped out to the buyers. Follow these examples and get a handling mat for a softer surface to place your cards when you wipe them down.
Cleaning Spray: A spray solution can be used for most cards with glossy card stock surfaces (e.g. Prizm, Chrome, Optic, Refractor cards). Ideally the solution will be 100% alcohol free and can remove factory oils, fingerprints, smudges, and surface debris effectively. Quick drying, no streaking or swirls is also important.
Cotton Wipes: You do not want to spray your cleaning solution directly on the card. Instead use cotton pads (similar to the ones used for removing makeup) for direct spraying, let the cotton dry for a few seconds, and then wipe down the card you are cleaning.
Cleaning Polish: Similar to how you get your shoes buffed and polished for important events, you may want to polish your cards before submitting them for grading. Look for odorless, colorless, all-natural card polish to safely prep common surface imperfections including factory films and residue, surface spotting and elements from outside sources.The polish will bring back the luster and brilliance of the card.
Polish Applicator: These disposable application sticks have a foam head that allow you spread small amounts of polish onto the card surface in a circular motion. Remove the polish with a non-abrasive buffing pad ensuring the card is dry before being sleeved again.
Nitrile Gloves: The most embarrassing and totally preventable defect on cards is a fingerprint. You see fingerprints time and time again on grading submissions and scans of cards for sale. Even if you are the only person to ever handle the card, assume it has fingerprints. Using nitrile gloves when handling cards or cleaning cards will prevent fingerprints and skin oils from transferring onto your cards.
*All of these card cleaning options are used widely within the hobby. There are even some service providers who will attempt to clean and repair common defects for buyers who do not want to attempt these methods themselves. It is important to note, however, that grading companies do publish certain policies that would prevent them from grading a submission.
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For example, the “No Grade” term is used when an item cannot be graded by PSA for a variety of reasons. For example, PSA will not grade items that bear evidence of trimming (N1), restoration (N2), recoloration (N3), questionable authenticity (N4), altered stock (N5) or cleaning (N7). In the event that PSA rejects an item for any of these reasons, it will be returned not encapsulated, however the full grading price is still charged, as the determination to reject a card requires review by PSA's authenticators and graders. PSA will also not grade items that do not meet the minimum size requirement (N6), were miscut by the manufacturer (N8), or items we do not grade due to being an obscure issue or not fitting in our holders (N9). Items that receive N6, N8 or N9 results will not be charged grading.
Card Seller Supplies
PWE:
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BMWT:
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Hobby Guard:
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Photo Box:
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Display Stand:
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LED Magnifying USB Camera:
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Shipping Label Printer:
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