How To Grade A Sports Card
A Guide For Those Interested In Learning About Self Grading Cards Before Submitting To A Grading Company
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Centering is one of the most important aspects of grading a sports card, and it can make or break the value of your submission. Even if your card’s corners are sharp and the surface is flawless, poor centering can prevent it from achieving a top grade. That’s where a centering tool comes into play. This simple yet effective device helps you measure centering with precision, removing any guesswork. Here’s how to use and read a centering tool like a pro
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What Is a Centering Tool?
A centering tool is typically a transparent template with grids or measurements that help you assess the proportions of a card’s borders. By aligning the card with the tool’s markings, you can measure the width of the borders on each side (left, right, top, bottom) and determine how balanced they are. This measurement directly correlates with the card’s centering grade based on guidelines provided by grading companies like PSA.
How to Use a Centering Tool
Step 1: Place the Card on a Flat Surface
I recommend starting with a brand like Prizm until you refine your self grading skills. Start by placing your card on a clean, flat surface. This will ensure the card doesn’t shift while you’re measuring.
Step 2: Position the Centering Tool
Carefully place the centering tool over the card. Align the tool’s edges with the card’s borders, ensuring it’s positioned evenly over the card.
Step 3: Measure the Borders
Measure Left and Right Borders: Using the grid or ruler markings on the tool, measure the width of the left and right borders. Jot down these numbers. For example, if the left border measures 5 and the right border measures 4, you’ll note “L/R: 5-4.”
Measure Top and Bottom Borders: Repeat the process for the top and bottom borders, if the top border measures 4 and the bottom border measures 6, you’ll note “T/B: 4-6”
Step 4: Calculate the Ratios
Compare the measurements to determine the centering ratio. For instance, if the left and right borders are 5 and 4, the ratio is 56/44. If the top and bottom borders measure 6 and 4 (or 4 and 6), the ratio is 60/40.
Understanding PSA’s Centering Standards
Grading companies like PSA use specific centering standards to assign grades. Here’s a quick recap of PSA’s guidelines:
PSA 10 (Gem Mint): Front centering must be within 55/45 to 60/40, and back centering must be within 75/25.
PSA 9 (Mint): Front centering must be within 60/40 to 65/35, and back centering must be within 90/10.
PSA 8 (NM-MT): Front centering must be within 65/35 to 70/30, and back centering must be within 90/10.
If your measurements fall outside these ranges, the card’s grade will be negatively impacted.
Why Accuracy Matters
Accurate centering measurement is critical because even slight misjudgments can significantly affect a card’s grade and, ultimately, its value. By using a centering tool, you ensure that your measurements are precise and consistent. This eliminates the guesswork that comes with eyeballing and helps you make confident decisions about which cards to submit for grading.
Tips for Using a Centering Tool
Double-Check Your Work: Measure each border twice to ensure accuracy.
Use Good Lighting: Proper lighting will make it easier to align the tool and read the measurements.
Practice Makes Perfect: If you’re new to using a centering tool, practice on lower-value cards before measuring high-value ones.
The Bottom Line
A centering tool is a must-have for any serious collector looking to level up their grading game. By taking a structured, measurable approach, you'll not only improve your submissions but also get a deeper understanding of what makes a card truly grade-worthy. With the right tool, you can confidently assess centering, ensuring that you're submitting only the best cards for grading—and watching their value rise as a result.
Hope my self grading process helped you learn more on grading sports cards. It’s not perfect but it has helped me become smarter on which cards I want to send in. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments and hit that Subscribe Now Button to keep up to date on more hobby insights.
Collect Smarter. Not Harder,
Mr. Collect
Good stuff! I like to put down a white piece of paper underneath the card, too, so you can see if there’s any debris around the card before you start moving it around or pressing down on it.
This is very helpful. Thank you for sharing!