Guide · Pre-grading
How to grade cards with PSA from Spain
What grading is, what PSA looks at to assign a grade and when it’s worth sending a card. And how we help you do it from Barcelona.
What grading a card means
Grading means sending a card to an independent company such as PSA, Beckett (BGS) or CGC, which authenticates it, assigns a grade based on its condition and seals it in a rigid case (the slab) with a certificate number. A graded card is easier to sell and, if it grades well, is usually worth much more than the same card raw.
PSA is the most widely used grader for Pokémon and One Piece. Its scale runs from 1 to 10: a PSA 10 (Gem Mint) is a virtually perfect card, and a PSA 9 (Mint) allows a minor flaw. The price gap between a 9 and a 10 can be very large.
What PSA checks
The grade comes from four areas. One weak area is enough to keep a card from a 10.
Centering
How even the borders are. For a PSA 10, the front should be around 55/45 or better.
Corners
Sharp, with no whitening, dings or bent corners.
Edges
No chipping or white spots along the edges, especially on the back.
Surface
No scratches, prints, dents or print defects visible under light.
Is your card worth grading?
It depends on three things: what the card is worth raw, the grade it could get and the total cost of the process. On top of PSA’s fee there is insured shipping and possible import taxes when the card comes back to Spain.
As a rule of thumb, grading pays off when the price gap between the raw card and the same card in PSA 9 or PSA 10 comfortably exceeds that total cost. If the card has a visible flaw, it will most likely get a low grade and not be worth it.
Why pre-grade
Pre-grading is a careful check under magnification and good light to estimate the grade before you pay for grading. It helps you rule out cards that won’t reach the grade you need and send only the ones with a real chance.
How we help
Pre-grading
We check centering, corners, edges and surface and give you an estimated grade.
Cleaning
If the card has prints or residue, we clean it with non-invasive processes.
PSA submission
If you like, we submit them for grading for you, properly packed and insured.
Return and protection
When they come back, you can protect them with a Graded Guard or a custom acrylic.
Frequently asked questions
- Do you guarantee a grade?No. Only the grading company decides the grade. Pre-grading gives you an estimate so you don’t pay to grade cards that won’t grade well.
- How long does PSA take?It depends on the service level and PSA’s workload at the time. It can range from a few weeks to several months.
- Can graders detect the cleaning?We only use cleaning and non-invasive treatments accepted by the hobby. We never repaint, trim or alter the card.
- Can I send you the cards by post?Yes. Message us on WhatsApp and we’ll explain how to pack and insure them.
Got cards to grade?
Bring them to the store and we’ll tell you which ones are worth it.