So you have some Pokémon cards that are in good condition, but how do you know how valuable they actually are? When you want to sell them online or just keep them safe in your collection, having your cards professionally graded is the best way to preserve their quality. There are tons of grading companies available, and we’ll help walk you through the best options so you know what to expect throughout the entire process of getting your Pokémon cards graded.
How to get your Pokémon cards professionally graded
Here is a detailed guide to help you through the process of getting your Pokémon cards graded by professionals.
- Sort out undamaged, valuable cards to be graded. Before you send in any cards, sort through your collection to find the ones that are worth having graded. Set aside any common cards or duplicates that you have. Take out any cards that are already damaged or have printing errors since they’ll get a lower grade.
- Start an online submission with the grading service you’re using, and list all the cards that you’re sending in. Pack your cards in semi-rigid sleeves, stack them, and secure them between 2 pieces of cardboard so your cards don’t get damaged. Put your cards in a box with the packing label and some bubble wrap before sending your cards out.
- The service checks if your cards are authentic. When the grading service receives your cards, they’ll carefully inspect your cards to make sure they’re authentic. If they suspect the card has been faked or tampered with, then those cards will not receive a grade.
- The service inspects and assigns a grade to each card. The service will carefully inspect the condition of the card to determine the grade and value. They may look at if the printing is centered, if the corners are unbent, if there’s damage to the edges, and if there are any visible creases in the image. After inspection, they’ll grade your card on a scale from 1–10.
- The service encapsulates and labels your card. To preserve the quality of your cards, the services seal them in small plastic cases and put labels on top. The labels describe the set and name of the Pokémon card along with the number grade, so all of your grading info is right on the label, making it easy to see at a glance.
Why this matters
Grading your Pokémon cards helps determine their value to collectors, since it’s difficult to sell to collectors if you don’t have cards graded because people are worried about getting scammed. Once you find out your cards’ grades, it’s easier to check how much the same cards have sold for online, so you’re able to sell your cards for a similar price and the buyer knows they’re legitimate.
After a service professionally grades your card, they encapsulate it in a clear case to preserve the quality and protect it from any other damage. Since your card’s value is based on its condition, grading your cards ensures they stay safe in your collection or when you’re selling them.
