Frequently Asked Questions
Short answers to the questions collectors ask most, each linked to the page that covers it properly.
Common questions
What size toploader do I need for a standard card?
35pt. A standard modern base card is around 20pt bare and roughly 23pt to 25pt once sleeved, which sits comfortably in a 35pt holder. See best toploaders and the card thickness points chart.
Can I send cards to PSA in toploaders?
No. PSA's shipping guidance lists toploaders among the things not to use, alongside tape, pull tabs and sticky notes, and asks for a clear penny sleeve inside a semi-rigid holder instead. See card saver vs toploader.
What size is a Card Saver 1?
It measures 3 5/16" by 4 7/8", which matches the standard trading card semi-rigid size PSA names in its shipping guidance. That correspondence is why it became the submission default. See card saver sizes explained.
Do penny sleeves go inside card savers?
Yes. The card goes into a clear penny sleeve first, then into the semi-rigid holder. Use clear sleeves — solid or opaque ones can cause delays at intake.
Is card grading worth it?
For most cards, no. Grading pays when the graded sale price minus the raw price clearly exceeds the fee, both shipping legs and the supplies, at a grade the card can realistically reach. Is card grading worth it works through the arithmetic.
Which grading company should I use?
It depends on the card. PSA carries the strongest resale premium, CGC has had the cheapest active bulk tier, SGC's black-core slab suits vintage, and BGS gives sub-grades. See best card grading company.
How much does PSA grading cost?
It is set by declared value and turnaround rather than grading quality. Trade coverage in September 2026 reported a Standard tier at $59.99 with a $1,000 insured-value cap, rising through faster tiers. Pricing moved repeatedly in 2026, so confirm the current figure on PSA's own price list. See PSA grading cost.
How long does grading take?
It depends entirely on the service level you pay for. September 2026 coverage reported ranges from 5 to 7 business days on the top tiers to 90 to 100 business days on Standard. Estimates are not guarantees — see PSA turnaround times.
What is the single most common mistake collectors make?
Handling cards bare after opening a box. Surface and corner damage done in the first hour is permanent, and sleeves cost a fraction of a cent. Have supplies on the table before the box is opened.
Boxes or binders for storing cards?
Boxes for volume, for the lowest cost per card, and for anything in a toploader. Binders for sets you are building and anything you browse. Most collections need both — see boxes vs binders.
How many cards fit in an 800-count box?
BCW publishes about 700 standard 20pt cards for bare cards. Sleeved and in 35pt toploaders, plan on roughly a third of that, because a loaded holder is about three times the thickness of a bare card. See card box count sizes explained.
Where should I store a card collection?
An interior room with stable temperature, low humidity and no direct light, off the floor, with nothing heavy stacked on top. Garages, basements and lofts are the three worst common choices. See how to store sports cards long term.
Do graded slabs need extra protection?
The card does not; the case does. Slabs scratch, scuff and crack, and a visibly worn case reduces resale value at the same grade. A slab sleeve costs a fraction of the grading fee. See best slab sleeves and bags.
What are the exact dimensions of a PSA slab?
The grading companies do not publish case dimensions, and the collector-reported figures in circulation disagree with each other. PSA slab dimensions shows both reported sets rather than presenting one as fact. Measure your own if you need an exact number.
Can I put graded cards in a binder?
Not in standard nine-pocket pages — slabs are far too thick and too large. A slotted slab box protects better and costs less. See slab binders and the alternatives.
Do display cases really protect against UV?
Only the ones that publish a figure. A stated percentage of UV blocked is a checkable claim; a general 'UV protection' statement with no number is marketing. Placement away from direct sun matters more than any material. See best UV protection display cases.
Can I use a document feeder to scan cards?
Only for commons. Rollers touch both faces of every card, and thick or warped cards jam. Use a flatbed for anything valuable, where only glass touches the card. See flatbed vs ADF scanner.
What dpi should I scan cards at?
600 dpi for listing images and 1200 dpi for archival records and centering measurement, with every automatic correction switched off. See best scanner settings for cards.
Who makes licensed NBA and NFL cards now?
Topps, under Fanatics. Topps became the exclusive NBA licensee from the 2025-26 season and the exclusive NFL licensee from April 2026, ending Panini's run as the NFL card maker. See best hobby boxes.
Why does this site never print prices?
Because supply and sealed-wax prices move constantly and a number published here would be wrong within days. Every product links to the live Amazon listing where the current price is shown by the retailer. See how we pick.
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How these answers are sourced: how we pick · editorial policy