How to Get Cards Graded by PSA: Step-by-Step Submission Guide

Your First PSA Submission: Everything You Need to Know

Getting your cards graded by PSA transforms raw cardboard into authenticated, encapsulated collectibles that sell faster and for more money. But the process can feel intimidating if you've never done it before.

This guide walks you through every step — from evaluating your cards to unboxing your graded slabs.

Step 1: Decide Which Cards to Submit

Not every card is worth grading. Grading costs money (starting at $24.99 per card), so you need to be selective.

Cards Worth Grading

• Chase cards — manga rares, alt arts, secret rares, numbered cards
• High-value raw cards worth $50+ ungraded
• Cards in excellent condition — likely to receive a PSA 9 or 10
• Cards you want to sell — graded cards are easier to sell and command premium prices
• Vintage cards — authentication adds value and buyer confidence

Cards NOT Worth Grading

• Commons and uncommons worth under $10–20
• Cards with visible wear (bent corners, scratches, whitening)
• Cards you're keeping for personal enjoyment with no resale intent

Step 2: Inspect Your Cards

Before submitting, evaluate each card using PSA's four grading criteria:

Centering

Hold the card at eye level and compare the borders on all four sides. PSA allows up to 60/40 centering on the front and 75/25 on the back for a PSA 10. If borders are noticeably uneven, the card may max out at a 9.

Corners

Use a loupe or magnifying glass to inspect all four corners. Even the slightest whitening or fraying drops the grade. PSA 10 corners must be perfectly sharp.

Edges

Run your finger along each edge (gently). Look for nicks, chips, or rough cuts. Modern cards are generally better here than vintage, but factory defects happen.

Surface

Check for scratches, print lines, ink spots, or cloudiness under direct light. Tilt the card at different angles — surface imperfections often only show under specific lighting.

Pro tip: Handle cards with clean hands or cotton gloves. Place them in penny sleeves and toploaders immediately after inspection.

Step 3: Create a PSA Account

1. Go to psacard.com and create an account
2. For Value Bulk submissions ($24.99/card), you'll need a PSA Collectors Club membership — this costs $99/year but pays for itself in per-card savings if you submit regularly

Step 4: Choose Your Service Tier

PSA offers multiple tiers based on turnaround speed and declared card value. Here's a quick summary:

| Tier | Price | Turnaround | Best For | |---|---|---|---| | Value Bulk | $24.99 | 95 days | Large batches, patient collectors | | Value | $32.99 | 45 days | Small batches, moderate value cards | | Value Plus | $49.99 | 45 days | Cards valued up to $999 | | Regular | $79.99 | 25 days | Standard individual submissions | | Express | $149 | 10 days | Time-sensitive cards | | Super Express | $299 | 5 days | High-value, urgent submissions |

For a full pricing breakdown, read our PSA Grading Cost 2026 guide.

Step 5: Fill Out the Submission Form

In your PSA account, start a new submission:

1. Select the service tier you chose
2. Enter each card's details:
   • Card name and year
   • Set name and card number
   • Declared value (what you believe the card is worth raw)
3. Review and pay — PSA charges the grading fee upfront plus return shipping

Important: Declare values accurately. If PSA determines the graded value exceeds your declared tier's limit, they'll apply an upcharge.

Step 6: Prepare Your Cards for Shipping

Proper packaging prevents damage in transit — and damaged cards during shipping is the most preventable mistake submitters make.

Card Protection (Inner Packaging)

1. Place each card in a penny sleeve (soft sleeve)
2. Insert the sleeved card into a semi-rigid card holder (Card Saver 1 is PSA's preferred holder)
3. Do not use toploaders — PSA specifically recommends Card Saver 1s as they're easier to open without damaging the card
4. Label each Card Saver with the corresponding submission line number

Box Packaging (Outer Packaging)

1. Stack Card Savers neatly and secure them with a rubber band or painter's tape
2. Place the stack in a small box that fits snugly — no room for cards to shift
3. Fill empty space with bubble wrap or crumpled paper
4. Include your printed submission form inside the box
5. Place the inner box inside a slightly larger shipping box with additional padding

Shipping

• Use USPS Priority Mail or UPS with tracking and insurance
• Insure the package for the total declared value of your submission
• Ship to the address specified on your submission form

Step 7: Wait (and Track)

After PSA receives your package:

1. Receiving phase (~15 business days): Your package is logged into the system
2. Grading phase: Cards are graded by PSA experts based on the centering, corners, edges, and surface criteria
3. Assembly: Graded cards are encapsulated in PSA slabs with labels
4. Shipping: PSA ships your graded cards back to you

You can track your submission status in your PSA account dashboard. The total time from ship to return is your chosen turnaround time plus receiving time plus return shipping.

Step 8: Receive and Verify Your Slabs

When your graded cards arrive:

1. Inspect each slab for any cracks or damage from shipping
2. Verify the grades match the cards
3. Check the cert numbers — each PSA slab has a unique certification number that can be verified on PSA's website
4. Scan into your collection — use Kard to add your slabs by cert number, automatically pulling card details, grade, and images

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Submitting Cards That Won't Grade Well

The biggest ROI killer. A $30 card that gets a PSA 7 is now worth... about $30, minus the grading fee. Be honest about condition.

Using Toploaders Instead of Card Savers

PSA specifically asks for semi-rigid holders (Card Saver 1). Toploaders are harder to open and increase the risk of damage during the desleeving process.

Forgetting About Receiving Time

Your 25-day Regular turnaround doesn't start when the package arrives at PSA — it starts after receiving. Add ~15 business days to every estimate.

Under-Insuring Shipments

Ship-to-PSA packages should be insured for the full declared value. One lost package can wipe out the value of your entire submission.

What Happens After Grading?

Once your cards are back in hand, graded and slabbed, you have options:

• Hold — keep them in your collection, protected and authenticated
• Sell — list them on eBay, TCGPlayer, or showcase them on Kard with asking prices and accept offers directly from collectors
• Display — PSA slabs are designed to be displayed; many collectors use stands or wall mounts

Ready to Start?

Grading your first batch of cards is a milestone for any collector. Start with your most valuable cards in the best condition, use the Value Bulk tier to keep costs down, and package everything carefully.

Once your slabs arrive, create your Kard profile to showcase your graded collection and connect with buyers.

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For current PSA pricing, turnaround times, and submission requirements, visit psacard.com.