PSA Power Up! 2024 Guide to Grading Perfection
Submitting your Pokémon cards to the Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) for grading can be a wise decision, especially if you want to increase their value and ensure their authenticity. However, the process can be intricate, requiring attention to detail and careful consideration. The Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) provides a trusted grading service for Pokémon cards, ensuring their legitimacy and quality. Understanding the rate can elevate your collection and potentially increase its value. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process step by step of How To Send Pokémon cards To PSA.
What is PSA?
Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) is a leading third-party authentication and grading service for sports and trading cards, including Pokemon cards.
Why Submit Pokemon Cards to PSA?
Sending your Pokémon cards for grading by PSA ensures authentication, safeguarding, and also enhancement of their value.
Process of Send Pokémon cards to pSA
1. Prepare Your Cards
Research and Authentication
Gradually, before submitting cards, it is necessary to make sure that they are genuine and gradable. Dedicate the time to doing market research of the current pic for similar graded cards so as to establish the likely value of your collection.
Card Condition
PSA has a tough grading system thus, it is imperative to take the time to carefully examine each card. Perform a careful check for any creases, scratches, whitening, or graphics errors as these imperfections may reduce your grade.
Card Savers
Your budget should cover card savers, and custom rigid plastic cases that provide extraordinary protection to your cards during grading. Avoid using top loaders, as they provide less protection and may increase the risk of damage.
2. Create a PSA Account and Choose Your Service
Head to PSA’s Website
Navigate to the PSA website (https://www.psacard.com/) and create an account to initiate the submission process.
Membership Options
Take up a PSA membership if that sounds like what you will do. PSA membership provides different advantages, such as discounts on grading fees and short processing time.
Service Selection
Choose the level of service that you prefer in terms of affordability and suitability. PSA has several levels of service with quick results and minimal fees, and this gives you a choice of the grading method that suits your needs.
3. Item Entry and Declared Value
Card Information
Specify the corresponding information which covers the card name, number of sets, and the rarity of the card. Complete and correct data entry is a necessary prerequisite to successful processing.
Declared Value
Provide a value to each of the cards, which will be based on the estimated worth of the cards after grading. With this import value insurers in shipping insurance are ensured of providing the right coverage and protection for your investment.
Complete Through Date (CTD)
The PSA organization would for some old cards require a “Complete Through Date” (CTD) which is the date at which you got the sealed pack containing the card. Make sure the CTD provides accurate information and the process will be smoother.
4. Secure Packaging and Shipping
Secure the Cards
Put the cards into the card savers to make transportation more safe. Tie the savings with the rubber bands to stop them from movement and potential damage.
Packing Materials
Employ plastic bags (bubble wrap) and expandable packing (peanuts) to fill up the voids in the shipping box so that the cards cannot move around during transport.
Documentation
Include the completed PSA entry form and any other supporting documents in the package to be used for marketing. Correct filling out of documents allows prompt handling and minimizes the risk of delays.
Shipping
Select a trustworthy and insured shipping method that offers the tracker to securely deliver your motion picture art to PSA.
5. Track Your Submission and Receive Graded Cards
Track Your Package
Track the progress of shipment by using the given shipment tracking code. Keep up to date with its actual location and likely arrival time.
Grading Time
The turnaround speed can be decided using different service levels during uploading. Take the time to be patient as you await the evaluation of your treasure swaps.
Graded Cards
When you get your cards graded PSA will pack them securely and then return them to you. Each card will be followed by a grading certificate, which gives a detailed breakdown of the graded condition.
Tips for Submitting Pokémon Cards to PSA
Research and Authenticity
Before processing your Pokemon cards into the PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator), you need to check whether the cards you have are original and valuable ones. Dive into the current prices of comparable graded cards to determine their potential value.
Card Condition Assessment
PSA uses an extremely strict grading scale, therefore scrupulous evaluation of the condition of your sports cards is very important. Inspect the material for any bends, scratches, whitening, or print defects. Only cards in top shape can be imagined to be of high rank.
Invest in Card Savers
While presenting your cards for application you need to pay out the money for card savers. These are hard plastic shells that are made specially only for grading your cards. Don’t use front loaders rather go for top loaders since they offer less protection.
Consider Membership
In case you expect those types of cards to be submitted quite often, PSA membership could be just what you need. Memberships possibly have bonuses like grading discounts as well as faster turnaround time.
Choose the Right Service
PSA features as many options as possible to cater for all types of customers and their pockets. You can choose from a variety of service levels offered to match your needs and budget.
Secure Packaging
Correct packaging is paramount so that your cards arrive at PSA intact. Use bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and a hard box to keep your cards safe when moving things.
Track Your Submission
Utilize the tracking information provided by the shipping carrier to monitor the progress of your submission. This allows you to stay informed about the whereabouts of your valuable cards.
Consider Professional Help
For particularly valuable or rare cards, it might be wise to enlist the help of a reputable card shop to handle the submission process on your behalf.
Benefits of Submitting Pokémon Cards to PSA
Increased Value
PSA-graded Pokemon cards represent authenticity and ownership. The high degree of evaluation in graded cards could make their prices considerably higher in comparison with those that haven’t been evaluated.
Authentication
PSA grading gives you solid proof which in turn ensures your cards are original and safe against fakes and altered cards.
Preservation
The hard and plastic sleeve given to you by PSA helps conserve the situation of your cards over time, safeguarding them from damage and wear.
Market Recognition
PSA is regarded quite highly as one of the most trusted grading companies in the trading card community. Collectors, the world over, show the value of their cards and thus fuel the market availability.
Boosted Liquidity
Since graded cards are typically easier to trade and sell than ungraded ones, the market trend usually tends to be upward. The very fact that they are known and that they are genuine are the reasons that make them more favorable to investors and traders at large.
Final Words
Finally, sending your Pokemon Cards for grading to PSA will turn out to be an enriching experience that makes your collection hold more value and authenticity. Following this step-by-step tutorial you’ll be guided through the process with much confidence and thus be able to ensure that your cherished cards are preserved for many years.
