Pre-grading: assessing your Pokémon card's condition before PSA

Sending a card for grading costs money and takes time. Before you start, it is better to know what to expect. "Pre-grading" simply means examining the card yourself, methodically, the way the grading company will. You won't find the exact grade, but you will know whether the card is worth sending, and what can still be improved beforehand.

What you need to examine a card

• An adjustable lamp, to look at the card under raking light.
• A magnifying glass or a smartphone camera in macro mode.
• A thin ruler or a centering app.
• A clean microfibre cloth and clean, dry hands: every handling counts.

1. Centering

Compare the width of the borders left and right, then top and bottom, on both the front and the back. The bigger the difference, the lower the maximum possible grade. Each company publishes its tolerances: check those of the one you are aiming for.

Centering depends on how the card was cut at the factory. It cannot be corrected: if it is badly off-centre, don't expect a top grade.

2. Corners

Look at each corner with a magnifier, front and back. A perfect corner is sharp and crisp. Common defects: a slightly rounded corner, a small white mark (the cardboard showing through the ink), a crushed or lifted corner.

White marks and rounded corners are permanent. A slightly lifted corner without a break can sometimes be straightened with gentle pressure: see our guide creased Pokémon card: can you fix a crease?.

3. Edges

Run your eye along all four edges, especially on the back, where the dark blue reveals the slightest white chip ("whitening"). Also look for small nicks and rough edges from the cutting.

As with corners, a white chip cannot be repaired. However, don't mistake a chip for dust caught on the edge: a careful pass with a barely moistened fine-tip cotton swab tells the difference.

4. Surface

This is the most underestimated criterion. Tilt the card under the lamp, front then back, and look for:

• fingerprints and greasy film;
• dust and small particles;
• micro-scratches and sleeve marks;
• print lines (a factory defect);
• dents, indentations or a crease;
• a curled card.

On a holo card, a dull look often comes from a simple greasy film: see our diagnosis dull holo card: why has it lost its shine?.

What can still be improved before sending

• Fingerprints, greasy film, dust: a cleaning spray applied to a microfibre cloth, never directly onto the card, removes them without leaving a film.
• Dull holo shine: a shine gel can revive it and make light micro-scratches less visible.
• Curled card: gentle, long pressure with the flattening kit can flatten it again.
• Centering, whitened corners, edge chips, print lines, a real crease: nothing can be done, these defects are permanent.

The cleaning steps are detailed in our guide how to clean a Pokémon card before PSA grading, and the pitfalls in the 5 mistakes to avoid before sending a card for grading.

Is the card worth sending?

Once the examination is done, ask yourself three questions:

1. Is the card valuable enough to cover the grading, shipping and insurance costs?
2. Given its centering, corners and edges, what realistic grade can it aim for?
3. Does the price difference between the raw card and the card graded at that level justify the cost?

If the answer is no, keep the card raw and protect it well. If it is yes, choose the right company: see our comparison PSA, CGC or PCA: which grading to choose?.

Conclusion

Pre-grading doesn't replace a professional's opinion, but it avoids unpleasant surprises. Centering, corners and edges are set in stone; surface and flatness can still be worked on. A clean, flat and carefully examined card leaves in the best possible condition. The complete pack includes the spray, the gel and the accessories for this preparation.

FAQ

What is pre-grading a Pokémon card?

It means examining a card yourself before sending it for grading, using the same criteria as grading companies: centering, corners, edges and surface. It helps you estimate the possible grade and decide whether sending it is worthwhile.

Can you improve a card's centering?

No. Centering depends on how the card was cut at the factory and cannot be changed.

Should you clean a card before sending it to PSA?

Gentle surface cleaning (dust, fingerprints) is common and can avoid losing points for a dirty surface. It must leave no residue and must not alter the card.

Which defects are permanent before grading?

Centering, rounded or whitened corners, white chips on the edges, print lines and real creases. Surface dirt and a slight curl, on the other hand, can often be improved.