PSA grading can turn a card worth a few dollars into hundreds. Knowing when to grade and how to submit correctly is the difference between profit and an expensive mistake.
PSA vs BGS vs CGC
| Grader | Best For | Price | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | Sports, vintage Pokemon, MTG | /card | 45-120 days |
| BGS | Modern Pokemon, sub-grades | /card | 30-90 days |
| CGC | Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh | /card | 30-60 days |
When Is Grading Worth It?
The golden rule: graded value must be at least 3x the ungraded value to justify total cost (~ per card including PSA fees and shipping).
- PSA 10 sells on a raw card - Worth it (profit: )
- PSA 9 sells on a raw card - Borderline (profit: )
- PSA 8 sells on a raw card - Not worth it (break-even)
How to Pack Cards for PSA Submission
- Place card in a penny sleeve
- Insert into a Card Saver I -- semi-rigid, NOT a hard top loader
- Seal opening with blue painters tape (not touching the card)
- Bundle in groups of 20 with paper bands
- Wrap bundles in bubble wrap and pack in a sturdy box
- Insure the package for full declared value
WARNING: Do NOT use hard top loaders for PSA. Rigid holders can cause an indent on the card edge, dropping your grade by one full point. PSA requires Card Saver I (semi-rigid) only.
PSA Grade Reference
| Grade | Label | Value vs Raw |
|---|---|---|
| PSA 10 | Gem Mint | 5-20x |
| PSA 9 | Mint | 2-5x |
| PSA 8 | Near Mint-Mint | 1.5-2x |
| PSA 7 or below | Near Mint or lower | 1x or less |
Supplies You Need
Every PSA submission starts with penny sleeves. Stock up before your next batch: TCG Starter Pack (Top Loaders + Penny Sleeves) at Red Node.