Grading · Supplies
Pokémon card grading supplies: what you need to send cards to PSA
The short list of supplies I use to pack a PSA submission, what each one costs per card, and the mistakes that get cards damaged or delayed.
In 10 seconds
- You need penny sleeves, semi-rigid holders, cardboard and a sturdy box.
- Supplies come to roughly $5–10 for a 10-card order.
- Grading is the big cost, so check fees and wait times first.
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Before you buy anything, make sure the card is worth sending. Check it with the grading calculator and measure the centering with the free CardCenter Pro tool. Supplies are cheap, but a $40 grading fee on a card that comes back a 7 isn't.
The checklist
| Supply | Why | Roughly per card |
|---|---|---|
| Clear penny sleeves | First layer on every card | Under $0.05 |
| Semi-rigid holders (Card Saver I size) | What PSA asks for, instead of toploaders | About $0.15–0.30 |
| Microfiber cloth | Wipe fingerprints and dust off the surface first | One cloth lasts years |
| Cardboard and rubber bands | Sandwich the stack so it can't bend | Almost free |
| A new, sturdy shipping box | No crushed corners in transit | A few dollars per order |
| Bubble wrap | Stops the stack from moving inside the box | A few cents |
What to buy
Penny sleeves
Use clear sleeves only. PSA's shipping guide warns that solid or colored sleeves can slow your order down. A pack of 100 is plenty for a first submission.
Semi-rigid holders (Card Saver I)
This is the one people get wrong. PSA wants each sleeved card in a semi-rigid holder, both sides visible. Card Saver I is the size most people use for standard Pokémon cards. They're easier for graders to open than toploaders, and they're cheap enough to send with every card.
Microfiber cloth
Wipe the front and back gently, in one direction, before you sleeve the card. Fingerprints and dust can show up as surface flaws. Never use liquids.
Shipping box and bubble wrap
Use a new box that's a little bigger than your stack. Put the cards between two pieces of cardboard, hold them with rubber bands (not tight enough to bend anything), then wrap the bundle in bubble wrap so it can't slide around.
How I pack a submission
- Check every card under a bright light. The surface inspector helps you catch scratches and print lines.
- Wipe it with the microfiber cloth, then slide it into a clear penny sleeve.
- Put the sleeved card into a semi-rigid holder.
- Stack the holders in the same order as your PSA submission form.
- Sandwich the stack between cardboard, add rubber bands, wrap it in bubble wrap and box it.
- Write your submission number on the box, tape it shut and keep the tracking number.
What not to do
- No tape on the holders, no pull tabs and no sticky notes. They can damage the card when someone opens it.
- Don't send cards in toploaders unless PSA's current guide says it's OK. Several submission guides quote PSA asking for semi-rigids instead.
- Don't reuse a soft or dented box. A $3 box is cheap insurance on a card worth hundreds.
Rules change, so read PSA's official shipping guide before you ship.
What it adds up to
For a 10-card order, supplies come to roughly $5–10 in total, or well under $1 per card. Grading itself is the big cost, so check current prices and wait times on the grading turnaround page and run each card through the calculator first. My pre-grading checklist covers what to inspect before a card goes in the box.
Frequently asked questions
What supplies do I need to send cards to PSA?
Clear penny sleeves, semi-rigid holders like Card Saver I, cardboard, rubber bands, bubble wrap and a new sturdy box. A microfiber cloth helps you clean the surface before you sleeve each card.
Can I send cards to PSA in toploaders?
Most submission guides say no and quote PSA asking for semi-rigid holders instead. Check PSA's current shipping guide before you ship, because rules can change.
How much do grading supplies cost per card?
Usually well under $1 per card. Sleeves cost a few cents and semi-rigid holders cost about $0.15 to $0.30 each, while the box and bubble wrap are split across the whole order.
Should I clean my Pokémon cards before grading?
Only with a dry microfiber cloth, gently, in one direction. Never use liquids or anything abrasive, because that can damage the surface and lower the grade.
Prices are rough estimates for the US as of November 2026 and vary by store and pack size.
Unofficial fan-made content. Not affiliated with PSA, Nintendo, Creatures, GAME FREAK or The Pokémon Company.
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