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Pokémon card grading has three separate jobs: authenticating the card, evaluating its physical condition, and sealing it in a tamper-evident holder with a grade and certification number. The number is an opinion under that company’s standards—not a guarantee of rarity, market value, buyer demand or profit.
PSA, CGC and Beckett use different labels, scales and reporting details, so a “10” from one company should not automatically be treated as identical to a “10” from another. This guide explains the workflow, inspection points, grade descriptions, Pokémon-specific defects, preparation steps and the practical trade-offs before you submit a card.
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How does Pokémon card grading work?
The exact workflow differs by service, but PSA’s published process illustrates the basic sequence. First, the submitted card is checked for authenticity. Only after PSA deems it genuine does grading begin. The grader then assesses condition and assigns a grade under that company’s standards. Finally, the card is encapsulated, and the label records the grade and certification number.
1. Authentication comes before the condition grade
Authentication answers “Is this card genuine?” It is distinct from asking whether the card is mint, lightly worn or damaged. PSA states: “Authentication verifies the originality or genuineness of a trading card, while grading assesses the quality and condition.” You can read the explanation in PSA’s Getting Started With Grading guide.
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A card that cannot be authenticated does not proceed as an ordinary graded card. Authentication is also why a high-looking condition grade cannot compensate for a counterfeit or materially altered card.
2. Condition assessment
After authentication, graders examine the card under the service’s published criteria. They consider several forms of evidence rather than relying on one visual feature such as centering. PSA’s service description and CGC’s grading FAQ both identify condition factors including centering, corners, edges, surface wear, manufacturing defects and handling damage.
3. Encapsulation and certification
PSA says the finished card is placed in a sonically sealed, tamper-evident case. Its LightHouse label displays the grade and certification number. Encapsulation protects the card from ordinary handling and makes the assigned result identifiable, but the holder does not make the grade permanent against every future risk: heat, moisture, impact and poor storage can still damage collectibles.
This three-stage description is PSA’s published process, not a promise that every company uses identical checkpoints or terminology. When submitting elsewhere, follow that company’s current instructions.
What do graders look for?
Grading is a combined judgment. The following areas are useful for a pre-submission inspection, but an at-home check cannot predict a precise grade because professional lighting, magnification, company standards and manufacturing tolerances all affect the result.
Centering
Centering compares the printed image and borders on the front and back. Noticeably uneven borders can limit an otherwise clean card. PSA’s guide treats centering as one factor among several, not as a stand-alone formula.
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Corners
Inspect each corner for whitening, fraying, bends, rounding or compression. A corner can look sharp at normal viewing distance and still show wear under bright, angled light.
Edges
Edge wear includes whitening, chipping, nicks and rough cuts. Factory cutting can create defects before a card is ever played; graders distinguish the visible condition, not only damage caused by an owner.
Surface
Surface review covers scratches, scuffing, indentations, print lines, stains, fading, soiling and other blemishes. Tilt the card under a diffuse light source rather than rubbing it or using a harsh cleaner. A mark that appears only at an angle can still affect the assessment.
Creases, folds and other handling damage
Folds, pressure marks and creases generally have a larger effect than a tiny centering variation. PSA’s inspection guidance specifically calls out folds, creases, stains and damage. Evidence of play—such as repeated shuffling wear—can also be visible even when the card has no dramatic crease.
Manufacturing defects and preservation
CGC lists manufacturing and handling defects, preservation, scuffing, indentations, soiling and fading among its condition considerations. A factory defect is still part of the card’s physical condition. Do not assume that an error made during production will automatically receive an error designation or a higher grade.
Alteration or cleaning
Cleaning, trimming, recoloring or other alteration can lead to an adverse designation under a company’s standards. PSA’s published grading standards include evidence of alteration or cleaning as a reason for an adverse result. Do not polish, erase, press or chemically treat a card to chase a higher number.
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What does a PSA grade mean?
PSA uses a 1–10 scale, with 10 as the highest grade. The descriptions below are PSA’s own broad examples and should not be transferred to another company’s label.
| PSA grade | PSA’s published description in practical terms |
|---|---|
| 10 | Essentially perfect: extremely good centering, pristine corners and no surface damage or visible imperfections in the guide’s example. |
| 9 | Nearly perfect, with one minor flaw in PSA’s example. |
| 8 | Excellent overall condition, but it may show slight corner fraying, a minor printing imperfection or slight off-centering. |
| Below 8 | Progressively more visible wear or damage. PSA’s examples for lower conditions refer to issues such as scratches, rounded corners, creases, discoloration and other damage; the exact result depends on the card’s complete condition. |
A PSA 8 is not “bad”—it can be a strong collectible grade—but it is materially different from a PSA 10 in both condition and how buyers may price that specific card. PSA also advises researching sold listings for the exact card and grade because value is not known until grading is complete.
How CGC and Beckett grades differ
Company labels are not interchangeable. The following summary reflects the cited companies’ published descriptions and current service information.
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|---|---|---|
| PSA | 1–10 scale; 10 is highest. | Grade and certification number appear on the LightHouse label; authentication precedes grading in PSA’s stated process. |
| CGC | 10 (Pristine) down to 1 (Poor). | CGC’s card FAQ currently says it no longer offers subgrades. Condition factors include centering, defects, preservation, play evidence and surface issues. |
| Beckett | Final grades in half-point increments. | Beckett describes four subgrades. Its live service FAQ currently reports Base and Standard submissions as temporarily unavailable; Express is offered through a temporary form for submissions to its Plano, Texas headquarters. |
See the companies’ current descriptions at PSA’s TCG grading page, CGC’s grades FAQ and Beckett’s grading scale. Beckett’s availability notice is on its service FAQ.
There is no supported one-to-one conversion in these sources. A PSA 10, CGC 10 Pristine and Beckett 10 may share a number while reflecting different labels, criteria and reporting systems. Compare the company, the exact label, the scale and any subgrade information printed on the slab.
A Pokémon-specific issue: sheet sticking
Early Wizards of the Coast-era Pokémon cards, including cards with 1st Edition stamps, could stick together before the ink fully dried. When separated, stamp ink might transfer from one card to another.
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CGC’s July 9, 2025 policy statement says it treats evidence of sheet sticking as cosmetic damage caused by a production quality-control breakdown, rather than as an error. The extent of the transferred ink or other damage determines its effect on the grade. This is CGC’s stated policy; do not assume every grading company applies the same rule. Read the policy at CGC’s sheet-sticking clarification.
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Preparation should prevent new damage and provide the information needed to choose a service level. It cannot manufacture a higher grade.
- Handle the card by its edges. Use clean, dry hands and a clear, stable work surface. Avoid touching the front or back unnecessarily.
- Use PSA’s recommended protection if submitting to PSA. Place the card in a penny sleeve, then in a semi-rigid card holder. PSA gives this as submission-handling guidance; it is not a promise of a better grade.
- Inspect under good light. Check centering, corners, edges, surface scratches, print defects, stains, folds, creases, indentations and evidence of play. Record flaws honestly before choosing a service level.
- Do not clean or alter the card. Wiping, pressing, trimming, recoloring or chemical treatment can create an alteration issue. Leave original condition intact.
- Research sold listings. PSA recommends looking at recent sales for the exact card and estimated grade. Use completed sales rather than asking prices, and treat them as estimates because the final grade and market can differ.
- Estimate declared value. PSA says recent graded sales can help estimate declared value, which is used to select a service level and set available insurance coverage. If your estimate is uncertain, read the current submission terms rather than guessing.
- Check the current submission route. Fees, turnaround estimates, accepted forms and availability change. Confirm the company’s live instructions immediately before shipping, and follow its packaging and insurance requirements.
Should you get your Pokémon card graded?
Grading makes the most sense when an authenticated, condition-assessed holder serves a clear purpose. Decide based on your goal rather than assuming the slab will increase the card’s price.
Collection preservation
If you want a standardized holder, an identification label and protection from routine handling, encapsulation can be useful even when you never intend to sell. Choose a company whose holder, label and reporting style you prefer.
Possible sale or insurance documentation
A professional grade can make a card’s condition easier for a buyer or insurer to understand, but it does not guarantee a particular sale price. Compare recent sold examples for the same card and company grade, then subtract submission, shipping and insurance costs from any realistic estimate.
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Cards with obvious damage
A damaged card can still be authentic and collectible. Submit when authentication or a documented low grade has value for your purpose; do not submit solely because an online listing shows a high price for a much better example.
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Cards with uncertain authenticity
Authentication is the first question. If you suspect a counterfeit, proxy, trimming or other alteration, read the chosen service’s policies before paying for a condition grade that may not be available.
Fees, turnaround and availability
Prices and service levels are volatile. PSA publishes fees and estimated turnaround times on its service page but says estimates are not guaranteed. Beckett’s currently displayed availability is also temporary: Base and Standard are paused, while Express is routed through a temporary US-headquarters form. These conditions can change after publication, so verify the live pages before preparing a shipment.
When comparing services, make a checklist rather than choosing by a headline number:
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- Whether subgrades are offered and what information appears on the label.
- Authentication process and holder or tamper-evident case details.
- Current submission availability and accepted submission routes.
- Fee, turnaround estimate, declared-value limits and available insurance.
- Whether your objective is preservation, authentication, a sale, or documentation.
What PSA’s published percentages do—and do not—show
PSA’s Getting Started page gives approximate population-level figures, not a prediction for an individual Pokémon card. The page does not state a publication year, and the categories are broader than Pokémon alone:
- About 90% of Ultra-Modern Sport cards (2017–present) and Modern TCG cards (2003–present) received PSA 8 or higher.
- About 80% of Modern Sport cards (1986–2016) received PSA 8 or higher.
- About 80% of Vintage TCG cards (pre-2003) received PSA 7 or higher.
PSA says these percentages are approximate and that it grades each card individually. They should not be read as Pokémon-only odds, a current-year guarantee or a promise that your card will meet the listed threshold.
What a grade can and cannot tell you
- It can tell you how a named grading company judged authenticity and physical condition at the time of examination, using the label and certification number to identify the encapsulated card.
- It cannot tell you what the card will sell for, how quickly it will sell, whether demand will rise, or whether another company would assign the same number.
- It cannot be reduced to centering alone. Corners, edges, surface, defects, preservation and handling evidence all matter.
- It is not a substitute for checking the slab. Verify that the card, label and certification information correspond, and store the holder away from damaging heat, moisture and impact.
The safest interpretation is specific: “This company authenticated and assessed this card at this grade under its published standards.” That statement is useful for collecting and transparent for future buyers without promising a financial outcome.
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