Card Grading Prep Guide: What to Do Before Submission

Most cards lose a grade between purchase and grading from preventable damage in transit. Here's how to prevent it.

Pre-Submission Checklist

Photograph front and back at high resolution under neutral lighting. This is your evidence if a card is damaged in shipping. Inspect under a 10x loupe for surface scratches, edge whitening, and corner wear. Decide if grading economics still work. Clean only with dry microfiber. Never use water, alcohol, or eraser. Any wet cleaning leaves a residue graders detect. Sleeve in a fresh penny sleeve — never reuse old sleeves. Semi-rigid holder (Card Saver 1) with the card oriented for the grader's preference.

Service Level Selection

Bulk / economy — best for cards under $200 estimated post-grade value. Regular — cards in the $200–$1,000 post-grade range. Express / walk-through — cards over $1,000 where turnaround time matters.

Shipping to Grader

Follow the same protocol as [shipping graded cards](/blog/how-to-ship-graded-cards-safely). Submission shipments are statistically more often damaged than return shipments because graders haven't logged them yet — your insurance is your only recovery.

After You Submit

Track via the grader's portal weekly. When cards return, inspect within 48 hours and photograph each slab. If you find shipping damage, file the carrier claim immediately — most carriers have a 30-day window.