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If you’re trying to understand how to grade your cards, which grading company to choose, or whether your cards are even worth grading, you’re not alone. Card grading can feel confusing at first. There are multiple grading companies, different grading scales, and several ways to submit your cards.
This guide breaks everything down in a simple, collector-friendly way so you can feel confident about grading your sports cards, Pokémon cards, or other TCG cards.
Whether you’re a beginner or a long-time collector, this is your complete guide to card grading.
Why Should You Grade Your Cards?
Collectors grade cards for several reasons, and understanding them will help you decide whether it’s the right move for your collection.
1. Grading can increase card value
Cards in high grade — especially PSA 10, SGC 10, BGS 9.5/10 or CGC 10 — often sell for significantly more than raw cards.
2. Long-term protection
Slabs keep your cards safe from scratches, bends, fading and handling damage.
3. Authentication
High-end or frequently counterfeited cards benefit from having their authenticity verified by a trusted grading company.
4. Professional condition assessment
A third party evaluates centering, corners, edges and surface using consistent standards.
5. Increased buyer confidence
Buyers trust graded cards more, which reduces disputes and makes selling easier.
6. Faster and easier selling
Graded cards are typically easier to list, easier to price and easier to sell — especially on eBay.
The Major Card Grading Companies Explained
When collectors search “Who should I grade my cards with?” these are the four companies they’re talking about. Here’s what each grader is known for and why collectors choose them.
PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)
The most popular and most trusted card grader in the hobby.
- PSA grades more cards than any other company
- Strongest resale value for modern sports cards
- Extremely popular for Pokémon and other TCG
- Widely trusted slab design
- The hobby’s current market leader
SGC (Sportscard Guaranty Corporation)
Most trusted for vintage card grading.
- Known for accuracy with pre-1970s cards
- Strong resale value for vintage sports
- Very fast turnaround times
- Clean, bold black-tuxedo slab design
Collectors prefer SGC for older, fragile, or historically important cards.
CGC (Certified Guaranty Company)
Rapidly growing in TCG, comics and autographed cards.
- Very popular in Pokémon and TCG grading
- Known for clean, sturdy slabs
- Acquired JSA, the leading autograph authenticator
- Offers combined CGC + JSA authentication slabs
If you grade Pokémon cards, comics, or autographed cards, CGC is a top choice.
BGS (Beckett Grading Services)
A favorite for Bowman chrome autographs, thick cards/RPAs, and collectors who like subgrades.
- Popular for Bowman 1st autographs
- Known for thick-card grading
- Offers four subgrades: Centering, Corners, Edges, Surface
- Collectors chase the iconic Black Label (all four subgrades = 10)
If you want to know why your card received its grade, Beckett is the one.
How to Submit Cards for Grading
There are several ways to grade your cards, and each has benefits depending on your goals.
1. Submit Directly Through the Grading Company
This is usually the most cost-effective method.
Pros:
- Lowest prices
- Access to special deals
- Great for large submissions
Cons:
- Shipping high-value cards can feel risky
2. Submit at Card Shows or Events
Many graders accept direct submissions at shows and at their headquarters.
Pros:
- You hand cards directly to the grader
- No shipping worries
- Faster turnaround
Cons:
- You may not live near a major card show where grading companies are present, or near a grading company’s headquarters.
3. Submit Through Bulk Submitters
Pregrading Advice:
Many bulk submitters look over your cards before sending them in. They check centering, corners, edges and surface, point out flaws you may have missed and give an estimate of what grade your card might receive. This helps you avoid spending money on cards that would grade too low to be worth it.
Pros
- Often more cost-effective
- Someone else manages the forms and shipping
- Helpful pre-grading guidance
- Easy in-person drop-off at shows or shops
- GameStop also now accepts PSA submissions, offering a convenient option
Cons
- Adds an extra step before your cards reach the grader
- If shipping is involved, your cards make more stops along the way
- More hands involved can mean more chances for small delays or mistakes/errors
How Card Grading Works: The Basics
Most grading companies evaluate cards using the same key condition criteria:
Centering
How evenly the borders line up.
Corners
Sharpness and structure of the card’s corners.
Edges
Clean edges with no whitening or chipping.
Surface
Scratches, dents, print defects, fingerprints and gloss.
The better each category performs, the higher your grade will be.
Should You Grade Your Cards?
Here are the most common situations where grading is recommended:
- Your card is valuable or rare
- Your card is in strong condition
- You want long-term protection
- You plan to sell the card
- You want authentication
Cards with major creases, dents, scratches or poor centering might not be worth grading unless they are extremely rare.
Final Thoughts
Card grading is one of the most important parts of the hobby. Whether you collect modern, vintage or TCG, grading can protect your cards, increase their value and make selling easier.
If you decide to grade your cards with PSA, don’t forget that Ludex users get $25 off their first PSA order using code LUDEX25 at checkout.
If you want to learn more – and are more of a visual learner – watch our video breaking down this topic in depth!
The Ludex app is here to help you track and manage your trading card collection. Click HERE to download the Ludex mobile app for FREE!
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