How does trading card grading work?
The Grading Process
When you submit a card for grading, the company first verifies its authenticity. Then, graders examine four main criteria: centering (how well the card is centered within its borders), corners (sharpness and wear), edges (chipping or roughness), and surface (scratches, print lines, gloss). Each category is assigned a subgrade, and an overall grade is determined. The card is then sealed in a tamper-evident holder with a label showing the grade.
- Centering: 50/50 is ideal; 60/40 is acceptable for high grades.
- Corners: Any rounding or bending lowers the grade.
- Edges: Chipping or whitening reduces the grade.
- Surface: Scratches, print defects, or stains hurt the grade.
Grading Scales
Most companies use a 1-10 scale, with 10 being gem mint. PSA uses whole numbers (1-10), while BGS uses half-points (e.g., 9.5) and also provides subgrades. CGC uses a 1-10 scale with half-points for some categories. A grade of 9 or 10 can significantly increase a card's value, while lower grades may not be worth the grading cost.
Turnaround Times and Costs
Grading costs vary by company, service level, and declared value. Economy tiers might start around $15-$20 per card with turnaround times of several months, while express tiers can cost $50-$100+ per card and take days to weeks. Bulk submissions can lower per-card costs but require larger quantities.
Common mistakes
- Expecting a 10 for every card—grading is subjective, and even pack-fresh cards often get 9s.
- Forgetting that grading fees and shipping can exceed the value increase for low-value cards.
- Not checking the company's reputation—stick with well-known graders like PSA, BGS, or CGC.
