The 5 mistakes to avoid before sending a card to PSA
Getting a card graded costs money: the service, return shipping, insurance. So don’t lose points on details you can prepare. Here are the five mistakes we see most often, and how to avoid them.
- A dirty or poorly handled surface can cost avoidable points.
- A poorly packed card can get damaged in transit.
- The wrong products (water, alcohol, car polish) do more harm than good.
- Inspect every card under raking light before sending it.
Mistake 1: sending a card that hasn’t been cleaned
Dust, fingerprints, a greasy film: what you can’t see with the naked eye shows up under the grader’s lamp. A pass of microfibre and, if needed, a little spray applied to the cloth is enough in most cases. The full method is in how to clean a Pokémon card before PSA grading.
Mistake 2: handling the card bare-handed, by the face
Fingers leave skin oil on the varnish. Wash and dry your hands, hold the card by its edges and lay it on a clean surface. Thin, powder-free gloves are a plus, as long as you don’t rub them on the card.
Mistake 3: protecting the card poorly for shipping
A card that moves inside its holder can get worn corners in transit. The rule: a new sleeve, a semi-rigid holder in the right size, then rigid packaging where nothing moves. Avoid toploaders so tight that the card won’t come out without forcing it.
Mistake 4: cleaning with the wrong products
- Tap water and wet wipes make the card stock warp.
- Alcohol and nail polish remover can attack the ink and varnish.
- Wax and car polish leave a film the grader will notice.
- Paper towels and tissues scratch the surface.
Choose products made for cards, such as the Restore+ cleaning spray, alcohol-free and always applied to the microfibre cloth.
Mistake 5: sending a card without inspecting it
Before shipping, look at every card under raking light, front and back: a micro-crease, a scratch on the holo, a whitened corner, off-center printing. A card whose condition won’t allow a good grade isn’t always worth the grading fee. Our pre-grading guide helps you sort them.
The complete kit
The Pokémon card restoration kit
Alcohol-free cleaning spray, shine gel, 2 microfibre cloths, 5 applicators and 10 cotton swabs: everything you need for €59.
See the kit – €59And what you should never do
Don’t try to “repair” a card just before sending it: a straightened corner, a recoloured edge, a pressed-out crease. Grading companies reject or flag retouched cards. Clean it, but hide nothing. To go further: does restoring a card make it lose value?.
Frequently asked questions
Can I send a card straight out of the booster?
Yes, but still look at it under a lamp: a new card can carry print marks, dust or fingerprints left when opening the pack.
Do I need gloves to prepare a card?
It isn’t mandatory. Clean, dry hands and holding the card by its edges are enough. Thin gloves prevent marks, as long as you don’t rub them on the surface.
Which holder should I use for shipping?
A new sleeve, then a semi-rigid holder, the format grading companies ask for most often. Check the instructions of the company you choose when you place your order.