How Do You Get Baseball Cards Graded?

Wondering how to get your baseball cards graded? Find out the process and what you need to do to get started.

Introduction

Graded baseball cards are becoming increasingly popular as a way to ensure that your collection is well-protected and valuable. But what does it mean to get your cards graded, and how do you go about doing it? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the process of getting your baseball cards graded, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of doing so.

The process of getting your baseball cards graded is relatively simple. There are a number of companies that offer this service, and all you need to do is send them your cards. They will then inspect the cards and assign them a grade based on their condition. The most common grading scales used for baseball cards are 1-10, with 10 being perfect condition and 1 being poor condition.

There are a number of benefits to having your baseball cards graded. Firstly, it provides a level of protection for your cards that they would not otherwise have. If your card is graded and authenticated by a reputable source, you can be sure that it is genuine and worth the value that has been assigned to it. Additionally, graded cards often sell for more than non-graded ones, so if you’re looking to make some money from your collection, getting them professionally graded is a good way to do so.

There are also a few drawbacks to having your baseball cards graded which you should be aware of before making the decision to do so. Firstly, it can be quite expensive; rates vary depending on the company you use but expect to pay around $20 per card. Additionally, the grading process itself is not perfect and there have been cases where fake or altered cards have been given high grades, so it’s always worth doing some research on the company you’re thinking of using before sending them anything. Finally, once a card has been professionally graded, it can be difficult (and expensive) to have it reversed if you later change your mind; something to bear in mind if you’re considering getting your collection graded in the future!

What is Grading?

Grading is the process of determining the condition and value of a card. A professional grading company will examine the card and assign it a condition, which is represented by a numeric grade. The higher the number, the higher the value of the card. The most important factors in grading are centering, corners, edges, and surface.

To have your cards graded, you will need to send them to a professional grading company. There are several companies that offer this service, and they all have different fee structures. You can expect to pay around $20-$30 per card, plus shipping costs. Once your cards are graded, you will receive them back in a hard plastic case with the grade printed on the label.

There are some things to keep in mind before you get your cards graded. First, grading is not an exact science, and there is always some degree of subjectivity involved. Second, once a card is graded, it is difficult (and sometimes impossible) to get it re-graded. Finally, grading can be expensive, so it is important to be sure that it is something you really want to do before you send off your cards.

How to get your cards graded

Most professional baseball card grading companies will require that you send in your cards in a protective case of some sort. This is to prevent any further damage to your cards while they are in transit. Once the cards arrive at the grading company, they will be examined by an expert and given a grade based on their condition. The most common grades are as follows:

Mint (M): This is the highest grade a card can receive. A Mint card will look like it just came off the printing press. There should be no wear or tear of any kind, and the corners should be crisp and sharp.

Near Mint-Mint (NM-M): A card in Near Mint-Mint condition is only slightly below a Mint card. There may be very minor imperfections, but they should not be noticeable without close inspection. The corners may be ever so slightly rounded, but there should be no fraying or creasing.

Near Mint (NM): A Near Mint card is still in excellent condition, but there may be more noticeable flaws than a NM-M card. The corners may show some wear, but there should be no creasing or fraying. Slight scuffing on the edges is allowable, as long as it does not obscure any of the images or printing on the front or back of the card.

Excellent-Mint (EX-M): An Excellent-Mint card is just below Near Mint condition. The corners may be noticeably rounded, and there may be light creasing on the surface of the card. There may also be some wear along the edges of the card, but all images and printing should remain clear and visible.

Excellent (EX): An Excellent card is in good condition overall, but there will be more visible flaws than an EX-M card. The corners are likely to be heavily rounded, and there may be significant creasing on the surface of the card. Some of the printing on the front or back of the card may begin to fade, but all images should remain visible and clear.

The benefits of having your cards graded

The main benefit of having your cards graded is to ensure their authenticity and value. professional graders are experts in authenticating cards, and they will also provide you with a professional opinion on the condition of your card, which can be helpful in setting an accurate value. In addition, having your cards graded can also provide some protection against counterfeiting.

The different types of grading services

Not all baseball cards are created equal. Some are in better condition than others, and the value of a card depends largely on its condition. If you want to know exactly how much your baseball card is worth, you can have it graded by a professional service.

There are several companies that provide grading services for baseball cards, and each company has its own standards for what constitutes a mint condition card. Most services will grade cards on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest possible grade. In general, a card needs to be nearly perfect to receive a grade of 10.

Here are some of the most well-known baseball card grading services:

-PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)
-Beckett Grading Services
-SGC (Sportscard Guaranty Corporation)

Each of these companies has its own strengths and weaknesses, so you’ll need to do some research to figure out which service is right for you. Depending on the company, the cost of having your card graded can range from $20 to $100 or more.

The cost of having your cards graded

The cost of having your cards graded can vary depending on a few factors. The first is the grading company you choose. Some companies charge by the card, while others have bulk discounts for larger submissions. The second factor is the turnaround time you request. Generally, quicker turnaround times will cost more. The last factor is the condition of your cards. If your cards are in poor condition, it may cost more to have them graded because the company will need to do more work to prepare them for grading.

On average, you can expect to pay $5-10 per card if you are submitting them individually. If you are submitting a large collection, you may be able to get a discount of $3-5 per card. Turnaround times can vary from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the company and the time of year.

Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing a grading company:
-How much experience does the company have?
-What is their turnaround time?
-What is their pricing structure?
-Do they have any hidden fees?
-What is their customer service like?
-Do they have a good reputation?

The turnaround time for having your cards graded

The turnaround time for having your cards graded can vary depending on the company you choose and the time of year. Generally, it takes about 4-6 weeks to get your cards back from the time you send them in. However, some companies may be faster or slower depending on their current volume.

It is important to do your research before you choose a company to grade your cards. Make sure to read reviews and compare pricing. Also, be aware that some companies may charge extra for shipping and handling.

How to ship your cards to be graded

When you have made the decision to get your baseball cards graded, the next step is to package and ship them off to the grading company. The cost of shipping will depend on how many cards you are sending as well as the shipping method you choose. The grading company will give you instructions on how to prepare your shipment. Be sure to follow these instructions carefully to avoid any delays in the grading process.

In general, you will want to use a sturdy box and padding to protect your cards during shipping. It is also a good idea to insure your shipment in case of damage or loss. Once your cards are packaged, you will need to choose a shipping method. The grading company may have a preferred shipping method, so be sure to check with them first. You can typically expect your graded cards back within 4-6 weeks from the time they are received by the grading company.

What to do with your graded cards

Now that you know how do you get baseball cards graded, and have had your collection graded, it is time to figure out what to do with your graded cards. There are a few different options available:

1) You can keep them in a display case or album. This is a good option if you want to be able to see and enjoy your cards on a regular basis.

2) You can sell them. This is a good option if you are looking to make some money off of your collection. There are a few different ways to sell graded cards, including online auctions, classified ads, and specialty dealers.

3) You can trade them. This is a good option if you are looking to trade for other cards or collectibles that you are interested in. There are a few different ways to trade graded cards, including online forums, classified ads, and specialty dealers.

4) You can donate them. This is a good option if you want to help out a worthy cause or charity. There are a few different ways to donate graded cards, including online donation sites, charity auction sites, and local donation centers.