Condition drives a big part of a card’s value, and protecting it doesn’t take expensive gear. Here’s what each basic supply does.
Penny sleeves
Thin, soft plastic sleeves that slide over a card. They’re the first layer of protection and they’re inexpensive, so use them on any card you want to keep.
Top loaders
Rigid plastic holders for a sleeved card. They come in thicknesses measured in “points.” Standard 35pt top loaders fit most base cards, while thicker cards like memorabilia or patch cards need thicker loaders. If a card is tight going in, size up.
Team bags
Resealable plastic bags that fit over a top loader. They keep dust out and stop the card from sliding out.
Storage boxes
Boxes sized for top-loaded cards keep everything upright and organized. Store them somewhere dry, away from direct sunlight and big temperature swings.
Semi-rigid holders and magnetic holders
Semi-rigid holders are often used when submitting cards for grading. Check the current instructions from the grading company you plan to use. Magnetic holders are thick cases that look great for displaying a favorite card.
What not to do
- Don’t use rubber bands or paper clips on cards.
- Don’t put tape directly on a card.
- Don’t rub, wipe, or try to clean a card’s surface.
- Don’t stack unsleeved cards loosely where they can slide and scratch.
- Don’t leave cards in direct sunlight or humid places.
The Sports Card Addict Take: Sleeve it, top-load it, and store it upright. That handles almost everything.
See which supplies to start with on our Recommended Supplies page.