Grading

How to Grade Your Pokemon Cards

From card selection to receiving your slab — this guide covers every step of the grading process. Whether you're submitting your first card or your hundredth, proper preparation and strategy can save you money and improve your results.

Step 1: Card Selection and Pre-Screening

Before submitting any card for grading, carefully evaluate whether it is a strong candidate. Examine the card under bright, direct light at multiple angles. Check centering first — the border on the front and back should be roughly even on all sides. Even a 60/40 centering split can prevent a PSA 10. Inspect all four corners under magnification for any whitening, dinging, or rounding. Run your fingernail gently along the edges to feel for nicks or chipping. Look for surface scratches, print lines, and holo voids by tilting the card under a single light source. Estimate your expected grade honestly — a card you think might be a 7 or 8 will likely come back as a 6 or 7. Only submit cards where you believe a 9 or 10 is realistic, as lower grades rarely add enough value to cover the grading cost. Use Pokex to scan your cards and identify which ones are worth the investment based on current market prices.

Step 2: Choosing the Right Grading Company

The three major grading companies for Pokemon cards are PSA, CGC, and BGS. PSA is the market leader with the highest resale premiums and the most recognized brand — choose PSA when maximizing value on cards worth $100+ raw. CGC offers the best value with lower entry pricing ($12-18 per card) and detailed sub-grades — choose CGC for mid-value cards and personal collections. BGS provides sub-grades and the prestigious Black Label designation — choose BGS when you want the most condition detail and the thickest holder protection. Consider the math: if a card is worth $20 raw and PSA 10 sells for $80, a $20-35 PSA submission could yield $25-45 profit. But if the same card only sells for $30 in PSA 10, the grading cost exceeds the added value. Always check PSA 10 vs CGC 10 vs raw prices on completed eBay sales before choosing a company.

Step 3: Packaging and Shipping Your Submission

Proper packaging is critical — damaged cards in transit mean wasted submission fees and ruined cards. Place each card in a penny sleeve, then into a semi-rigid card saver (not a toploader, which can scratch holo surfaces during shipping). Group cards in a team bag or resealable sleeve. Place the stack between two pieces of thick cardboard cut larger than the cards, then wrap in bubble wrap. Place the bundle in a small box — do not use envelopes or padded mailers, as these provide insufficient protection. Include your submission form printed from the grading company's website with all fields completed. Declare accurate values for insurance purposes — if a card is worth $200, declare $200. Under-declaring means insufficient insurance payout if the package is lost. Ship via USPS Priority Mail, FedEx, or UPS with tracking and insurance. Never ship without tracking. Request a signature confirmation for submissions valued over $500.

Step 4: After You Receive Your Grades

Once your cards are returned, review the grades immediately. If a card received a lower grade than expected, examine the slab closely — the grader's notes on the label or online population report will often indicate the reason. You can request a review or regrade if you believe an error was made, though this costs an additional fee. For PSA, reviews start at $10 per card on top of shipping. CGC and BGS offer similar review processes. Decide whether to crack the card out of its slab for resubmission or keep the current grade — a PSA 9 often sells for more than a raw card of equivalent condition because the 9 itself conveys authentication. For personal collections, display graded cards away from direct sunlight and in temperature-controlled environments. PSA slabs can develop scratches over time; BGS and CGC holders are more scratch-resistant. Track population reports over time to understand scarcity — a card with 5 PSA 10s is significantly rarer than one with 500.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

01 How do I prepare Pokemon cards for grading?

Place each card in a penny sleeve and then a semi-rigid card saver. Inspect under bright light for centering issues, corner wear, edge nicks, and surface scratches. Only submit cards you believe can achieve a 9 or 10 grade.

02 Should I grade my Pokemon cards?

Grade cards that are worth significantly more in a 10 than raw — typically vintage holos, 1st Editions, and modern chase cards worth $100+ raw. Do not grade low-value commons, damaged cards, or cards where the grading cost exceeds the potential value increase.

03 Which grading company should I use for Pokemon cards?

Use PSA for maximum resale value on cards worth $100+ raw. Use CGC for cost-effective grading on mid-value cards and for the sub-grade detail. Use BGS for personal collections where sub-grades and holder durability matter most.

04 How long does it take to get Pokemon cards graded?

Turnaround varies by company and service level. Economy service takes 60-65 business days at all three companies. Express service takes 10-20 business days. Rush service takes 3-7 business days but costs $50-100+ per card.