You’ve probably heard it before.
Stack your cards between cardboard. Wrap a rubber band around the bundle. Add some bubble wrap. Ship it out.
It’s technically allowed by grading companies. But it’s also one of the most common grading prep mistakes collectors keep making. And it could be ruining your submission without you even knowing.
The Mistake Everyone Keeps Making
Collectors often rely on household packing materials when prepping for grading. The usual suspects:
- Bubble wrap
- Rubber bands
- Cardboard sheets
They look secure. They feel safe. But when used the wrong way, they’re a hidden threat to your grades.
Why They Fail:
- Rubber bands add pressure that can warp holders or dent stacks
- Bubble wrap gets wrapped too tightly or doesn’t hold cards in place
- Cardboard edges can dig into holders or allow shifting
- None of them guarantee consistency or proper alignment
Grading companies accept them, but that doesn’t mean they’re safe. Just one overwrap, one bump, or one shift in the box can mean edge damage, cracked holders, or cards out of place.
Why This Grading Prep Mistake Matters
Grading companies don’t repackage your submission. They don’t adjust or repack it.
They grade the card exactly as it arrives.
So if your rubber band bent the holder, or if your card slipped out of the penny sleeve, or if the bubble wrap compressed it during shipping, that’s how it will be graded. There’s no fix once it’s in their hands.
The right card prep can be the difference between a Mint 9 and a Gem Mint 10. One mistake and that value is lost.
Do It Like a Pro: The Right Way to Prep Your Cards
Want to submit like a pro? Then stop piecing together risky materials like rubber bands, bubble wrap, and cardboard sleeves. They’re inconsistent, and even one mistake can wreck a submission.
That’s why Graders Choice built the Submission Kit to replace guesswork with a better way.
It’s everything experienced collectors rely on, delivered in one box:
- Penny sleeves and semi rigid holders keep your cards secure and properly aligned
- A microfiber cloth removes dust and prints that hurt surface grades
- Shock-absorbing foam protects cards from movement without pressure
- A self-sealing box eliminates the need for tape, bands, or cardboard scraps
- Barcode sticker space keeps everything clean for the grader
This isn’t just safer. It’s consistent. Every card gets the same pro-level prep every time. No pressure points. No shifting. No last-minute packing hacks.
With Graders Choice, you’re not following minimum standards. You’re setting your own.
The Kit That Helps You Avoid Every Grading Prep Mistake
The Graders Choice Submission Kit is collector-designed and grading-friendly. It eliminates the most common packaging errors by giving you everything you need, nothing you don’t.
You’ll get:
- Penny sleeves and semi rigid holders
- Microfiber cloth for safe cleaning
- Custom foam that fits your cards snugly
- A shipping box built to seal securely without extra tape
- A sticker spot for barcode placement
If you’re tired of risky materials and inconsistent results, this kit is the upgrade you need.
Order now at https://graderschoice.com/store/
Final Word: Prep Like You Mean It
Rubber bands, bubble wrap, and cardboard are part of the old way. They can fail. And when they do, your card pays the price.
Collectors who grade regularly know that consistency and protection matter just as much as the card itself.
Prep smart. Avoid the grading prep mistake too many collectors keep repeating.
Submit with confidence. Choose Graders Choice.
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