Recommended Supplies
Protect your cards without overspending.
The supplies that actually matter, what each one does, and when you can skip it. You don’t need expensive gear to start.
The essentials
Start with these
Enough to protect almost any collection.
Essential
Penny sleeves
Who it helps: Every collector. The first layer of protection for any card worth keeping.
Tip: Buy a pack of 100 or more. They’re inexpensive and you’ll use them constantly.
Essential
Top loaders
Who it helps: Anyone keeping cards they care about. A rigid holder for a sleeved card.
Tip: Match the size to card thickness, which is measured in points (pt), where 1pt is one-thousandth of an inch. Standard 35pt top loaders fit most regular cards; thick patch or relic cards need larger sizes. If a card is a tight squeeze, go up a size.
Essential
Team bags
Who it helps: Collectors storing or shipping top-loaded cards.
Tip: Slide the top loader inside to keep dust off the holder and stop the card from sliding out. Team bags add a basic layer of handling protection, but they aren’t waterproof or moisture-proof storage.
Essential
Storage box
Who it helps: Anyone with more than a handful of cards.
Tip: Choose a box sized for top loaders, and store it upright somewhere dry and out of the sun.
Nice to have
Add these as you grow
Useful, but not required on day one.
Optional
Binders & pages
Who it helps: Set builders and collectors who like to flip through cards.
Tip: Use side-loading, acid-free pages, and don’t overstuff binders, which can bend cards.
Optional
Magnetic holders
Who it helps: Displaying a few favorite cards.
Tip: Choose the correct thickness, and remember they’re heavier and pricier than top loaders.
Optional
Display stands
Who it helps: Showing off a favorite card on a shelf or desk.
Tip: Keep displays out of direct sunlight, which can fade cards over time.
Only if you sell or trade
Shipping supplies
- Rigid mailers or bubble mailers with cardboard support.
- Painter’s tape to seal team bags without leaving residue.
- Tracking for any card with real value.
Skip these until you actually start selling or trading by mail.
Skip these
Don’t use rubber bands, tape on the card itself, or paper clips. And don’t try to clean or polish a card’s surface. It’s easy to cause damage that can’t be undone.
Supplies
Articles on protecting your cards
Penny Sleeves, Top Loaders, and Team Bags: How to Protect Your Cards
The basic supplies every collector needs, what each one does, and the habits that keep cards from getting damaged.
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