If you've ever looked at a valuable Pokémon card and wondered whether it's worth getting graded, you're not alone. Pokémon card grading has become an important part of collecting, particularly for cards that are rare, valuable or in excellent condition.
But what actually happens when you send a card for grading? What do graders look for, and how does a card end up with a grade such as PSA 10?
In this guide, we'll explain how Pokémon card grading works, what graders look for, how to prepare your cards for submission and what you should consider before getting your cards graded.
What Is Pokémon Card Grading?
Pokémon card grading is the process of having a trading card professionally assessed for its condition and authenticity.
A grading company examines the card and assigns it a numerical grade based on its overall condition. The graded card is then sealed inside a protective case, commonly referred to as a slab.
A graded Pokémon card can give collectors more confidence in the card's condition and authenticity. Grading can also make it easier to compare the condition of cards when buying, selling or collecting. Whether you're grading cards pulled from Pokémon booster packs or cards from a sealed Pokémon booster box, the same condition factors can affect the final grade.
However, getting a card graded doesn't automatically make it more valuable. The card itself, its condition, rarity and current demand all play a role in determining whether grading is worthwhile
What Do Pokémon Card Graders Look For?
When a card is submitted for grading, several aspects of its condition are examined.
Centering
Centering refers to how evenly the printed artwork is positioned within the card's borders.
A card that is noticeably off-centre may receive a lower grade than an otherwise similar card with stronger centering.
It's worth checking both the front and back of the card, as centering can differ between the two sides.
Corners
The corners of a Pokémon card should be examined for whitening, bends, dents and other signs of wear.
Even small imperfections can affect the final grade, particularly when you're hoping for one of the highest grades available.
Edges
Graders also inspect the edges of the card for signs of wear.
Look for whitening, chipping, scratches or other damage along the edges. Older cards can be particularly susceptible to edge wear from years of handling or storage.
Surface
The card's surface is another important part of the grading process.
Scratches, dents, print lines, stains and other imperfections can affect the condition of the card. Some surface defects can be difficult to spot at first, so examining the card under good lighting can help.
Overall Condition
The final grade considers the card as a whole.
A card may have excellent centering but noticeable whitening on the corners, or a clean surface but a visible crease. All of these factors contribute to the final assessment.
This is why a card that looks perfect at first glance isn't necessarily guaranteed to receive the highest grade.
What Do Pokémon Card Grades Mean?
Grading companies use numerical scales to communicate the condition of a card.
In general, higher grades indicate cards with fewer imperfections, while lower grades indicate more visible wear or damage.
For collectors, a high-grade card can be particularly desirable because it represents a card that has been professionally assessed and preserved in a protective slab.
It's important to remember that grading is an assessment of condition. A lower grade doesn't mean the card is unimportant or undesirable. Some older, rare or historically significant Pokémon cards can still be highly collectible even when they show signs of wear.
How Can You Tell If a Pokémon Card Is Worth Grading?
Not every Pokémon card needs to be graded.
Before submitting a card, consider:
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How rare is the card?
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Is the Pokémon popular with collectors?
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What is the card's current market value?
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What condition is the card in?
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Is it well centred?
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Are there any visible scratches, whitening, dents or other damage?
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Would a graded copy be more desirable to collectors?
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Are the grading and related costs worthwhile for this particular card?
For example, a valuable card in excellent condition may be a stronger grading candidate than a common card with significant wear. Collectors may also choose to grade Pokémon singles when a specific card is rare, valuable or in particularly strong condition.
If you're unsure, comparing the card's current ungraded value with recent prices for graded copies can help you decide whether submitting it makes sense.
How to Prepare Pokémon Cards for Grading
Once you've decided that a card is worth submitting, it's important to handle it carefully.
Handle Your Cards Carefully
Always handle cards by their edges where possible and avoid touching the surface.
Clean hands are important when handling cards, as oils and dirt from your fingers can transfer onto the card.
Inspect the Card Before Submission
Take a close look at the front and back of the card.
Check for:
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Whitening
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Scratches
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Print lines
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Dents
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Creases
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Surface marks
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Edge damage
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Corner damage
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Centering issues
Good lighting can make it easier to spot imperfections that aren't immediately visible.
Use Appropriate Protection
Keep your cards protected while preparing them for submission.
A penny sleeve can provide an initial layer of protection, while a suitable semi-rigid holder can help protect the card during handling and shipping.
Avoid unnecessarily handling the card once it has been prepared for submission.
How Does the Pokémon Card Grading Process Work?
While the exact process can vary between grading companies, the general process is straightforward.
Choose the Cards You Want to Grade
Start by selecting the cards that you believe are worth grading.
Focus on Pokemon trading cards that are valuable, rare, highly collectible or in particularly good condition.
Inspect and Prepare Your Cards
Check each card carefully for condition issues and make sure it is properly protected for submission.
This is also a good opportunity to identify any cards that may not be worth grading.
Submit Your Cards
Your cards are then submitted to the grading service.
For PSA submissions through Ozzie Collectables, Pokémon cards can be submitted through the available PSA grading service. Cards can be brought into the store or sent in by mail.
Professional Assessment
The grading company examines the card and assesses its authenticity and condition.
The card is evaluated based on factors such as centering, corners, edges and surface before a final grade is assigned.
Encapsulation
Once the grading process is complete, the card is sealed inside a protective slab with its grading information.
This helps protect the card from handling and environmental damage while displaying the card and its assigned grade.
Your Graded Card Is Returned
Once the grading process has been completed, your cards are returned to you.
From there, you can add them to your collection, display them, keep them protected or consider selling them depending on your collecting goals.
How Much Does Pokémon Card Grading Cost?
The cost of grading depends on the grading service and the value of the card.
At Ozzie Collectables, PSA submissions start from 40AUDpercardforcardswitharawvalueunderUS200. Higher-value cards can fall into higher service tiers, and PSA may also apply an upcharge if a card's value exceeds the selected tier.
Because grading costs can add up quickly, it's worth considering the potential value and condition of your cards before submitting a large collection.
How Long Does Pokémon Card Grading Take?
Grading isn't an instant process. Your cards need to be sent to the grading company, assessed and returned before the process is complete.
Turnaround times can also vary depending on the grading service and current demand.
For PSA submissions through Ozzie Collectables, customers won't receive regular progress updates while cards are being processed. Updates are provided once the graded cards have been returned.
If you're submitting cards, it's best to be prepared for the process to take some time rather than expecting an immediate result.
Is Pokémon Card Grading Worth It?
Whether grading is worthwhile depends on the individual card and what you want to achieve.
Grading can make sense when you have:
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A rare or valuable Pokémon card
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A card in excellent condition
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A highly sought-after Pokémon
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A card you want to preserve long-term
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A card you may eventually sell
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A collection of cards you want professionally authenticated and protected
On the other hand, grading may not make financial sense for common or heavily damaged cards where the grading cost could represent a large portion of the card's value.
There is also no guarantee that a card will receive the grade you're hoping for.
Should You Grade Every Valuable Pokémon Card?
Not necessarily.
A card can be valuable without being graded, and grading isn't required for every collector.
Some collectors prefer raw cards because they enjoy examining and handling them, while others like the added protection and presentation of graded cards.
The decision ultimately comes down to the card, its condition, your collecting goals and whether the cost of grading makes sense.
Can You Get Pokémon Cards Graded Through Ozzie Collectables?
Yes. Ozzie Collectables offers PSA grading submissions for Pokémon and One Piece Singles cards.
You can bring your cards into the store for submission, or arrange to send your cards in by mail. When submitting cards, you'll need to provide the required contact details for the grading invoice.
The grading team will assess your submission and send the cards through the PSA grading process.
If you're unsure whether a card is worth submitting, bringing your Pokémon cards into the store for the TCG team to look at can be a useful first step.
Final Thoughts
Pokémon card grading can be a great way to protect, authenticate and document the condition of cards that are important to your collection.
The process starts well before a card reaches the grading company. Identifying good candidates, carefully inspecting their condition and protecting them properly can all help you make better decisions about which cards to submit.
Remember that a high grade isn't guaranteed, and not every card is worth grading. Take the time to research your cards and consider the costs involved before submitting them.
If you have Pokémon cards you're considering grading but aren't sure where to start, you can bring them into Ozzie Collectables and speak with the TCG team about your cards and the PSA submission process.