Trading card grading can significantly increase the value of your collectibles, but submitting cards with hidden flaws can lead to disappointing grades and wasted money. Before you send your cards to PSA, BGS, CGC, or any other grading service, it’s crucial to thoroughly check their condition.
In this guide, we'll cover how to inspect your card's centering, edges, corners, and surface—the key factors that affect grading. We'll also show how AI-powered pre-grading with SnapGradeAI can help you make the best decision before submission.
One of the biggest factors in grading is centering, which refers to how well the image is aligned within the card’s borders. Poor centering can drastically lower your grade.
✅ Use a centering tool or grid overlay to measure the borders. ✅ The left and right, as well as top and bottom margins, should be as equal as possible. ✅ Most grading companies consider a 60/40 ratio acceptable for a Gem Mint (10) grade. ✅ SnapGradeAI automatically analyzes centering for accurate, instant feedback.
👉 Use SnapGradeAI to check centering instantly
Corners are another critical grading factor. Even the smallest nick, ding, or whitening can reduce your card’s grade.
🔍 Use a magnifying glass or phone camera zoom to check for imperfections. 🔍 Look for whitening—damaged corners often show white fraying. 🔍 Ensure sharp, clean edges with no bending or softening.
💡 Pro Tip: Place your card under a bright light and tilt it at different angles to catch imperfections.
Scratches, print lines, and dents on the surface can ruin an otherwise perfect card.
✨ Use a microfiber cloth to remove dust or fingerprints. ✨ Inspect under direct light—look for scratches, dimples, or indentations. ✨ Check for print lines or ink smudges, especially in holographic cards.
SnapGradeAI uses advanced AI to scan for hidden surface flaws that might affect your grade.
👉 Instantly detect surface flaws with SnapGradeAI
Rough, chipped, or frayed edges can impact a card’s overall condition score.
📏 Run a soft cloth along the edges—if it snags, the card may have edge wear. 📏 Use a magnifier to check for micro-chipping. 📏 Check for factory cutting defects—misaligned cuts can lower your grade.
Even experienced collectors can miss tiny defects. SnapGradeAI provides: ✅ Instant AI pre-grading to assess centering, edges, corners, and surface. ✅ Confidence scores to estimate the likelihood of a high grade. ✅ A digital portfolio to track and manage pre-graded cards.
Using SnapGradeAI before official grading can help you:
Before sending your cards to PSA, BGS, or CGC, always: ✅ Check centering with a grid tool or AI pre-grading. ✅ Inspect corners and edges for whitening, dents, or misalignment. ✅ Examine the surface for print lines, scratches, and factory defects. ✅ Use SnapGradeAI for an instant pre-grade evaluation.
By following these steps, you’ll maximize your chances of getting the best possible grade and increasing your card’s value!