When should I grade my cards? This is one of the most searched and misunderstood questions in the hobby.
Grading can increase resale value, improve liquidity, and protect long term condition. But grading fees, shipping costs, and market volatility mean not every card should be submitted. The decision should be strategic, not emotional.
If you are asking when should I grade my cards, here is the framework serious collectors use.
When Should I Grade My Cards for Profit?
If your goal is resale, grading should be based on spread.
Spread equals expected graded value minus total grading cost.
Total grading cost includes:
- Grading fee
- Shipping and insurance
- Submission materials
- Time and opportunity cost
If a raw card sells for 150 and a PSA 9 sells for 175, grading likely does not make sense.
If a raw card sells for 150 and a PSA 10 sells for 600, the math may justify submission.
The key question is this:
Does the card remain profitable one grade below your expectation?
If the numbers only work at a perfect 10, risk is concentrated.
If profitability still exists at a 9, grading becomes strategic.
When Should I Grade My Cards Based on Condition?
Condition drives everything.
You should consider grading when:
- Corners are sharp
- Edges are clean
- Surface is scratch free
- Centering is within acceptable ranges
Most collectors overestimate condition. Small surface flaws often appear under magnification. A realistic grade range matters more than optimism.
If you are unsure whether your card clears PSA 9 territory, slow down before submitting.
When Should I Grade My Cards for Long Term Holding?
Grading is not only about flipping.
You may want to grade if:
- The card is a key rookie
- It is a first edition or short print
- It has low population
- You want authentication and encapsulation
- You are preserving for long term value
In these cases, grading improves liquidity and standardizes condition. Even if you are not selling today, it can protect future flexibility.
Market Demand Changes the Answer
You should grade when strong demand exists for graded copies.
High demand examples include:
- Rookie cards
- Vintage stars
- First edition Pokemon
- Serial numbered parallels
- Short prints
If buyers consistently pay premiums for graded copies, grading increases market depth.
If most sales happen raw, grading may not meaningfully change resale performance.
The Risk Most Collectors Ignore
There is another factor in the question when should I grade my cards.
The submission stage.
Cards are most exposed when:
- You handle them
- You sleeve them
- You insert them into holders
- You package them for shipment
Small mistakes here can cause surface scratches, edge wear, or corner pressure before the card ever reaches the grader.
Grading outcomes are influenced before evaluation.
Preparation influences protection. Protection influences value retention.
Why This Matters to Collectors
Grading everything is expensive.
Grading selectively builds stronger portfolios.
Collectors who ask when should I grade my cards are already thinking correctly. The goal is not volume. The goal is margin of safety.
Strategic grading creates:
- Better ROI
- Cleaner inventory
- Defined quality tiers
- Stronger resale positioning
What Collectors Should Do Before Submitting
Before you grade, ask:
- What is the realistic grade range?
- What is the raw market value today?
- What are recent sales at PSA 9 and PSA 10?
- Does profitability exist at one grade lower?
- Is demand strong for graded copies?
If the math works conservatively, submit.
If it depends entirely on perfection, reconsider.
The Submission Stage Is Where Risk Concentrates
Most grading discussions focus on the grading company.
Few focus on preparation.
Collectors are most exposed when prepping and submitting. Cards are handled directly. Pressure, friction, and shifting inside packaging can affect condition.
Trust is built at submission.
Prep and Submit With Structure
Graders Choice was built around one principle: the submission stage is the highest risk moment in the collector journey.
The Graders Choice Submission Kit is a structured prep and submit system designed to help collectors prepare cards properly before grading.
It includes:
- Penny sleeves
- Semi rigid holders
- Microfiber cloth
- Shock absorbent foam protection
- Self seal shipping box
- Clear barcode placement sticker
Rather than assembling random supplies, collectors can follow a disciplined process designed around card protection.
If you decide you should grade your cards, make sure your preparation matches the value you are sending.
Conclusion
So when should I grade my cards?
You should grade when:
- The raw to graded spread justifies the cost
- Profitability exists conservatively
- Demand supports graded liquidity
- Condition supports high grade potential
- You prepare the card properly before submission
Grading is not about chasing 10s.
It is about making calculated decisions and protecting value at the most vulnerable stage of the process.
Submit selectively.
Prepare deliberately.
Protect long term value.
English