How We Package/Ship Cards to PSA (Material List Included)
Updated: Feb 9
Shipping cards to PSA is the moment where a “$50 card” can turn into a “$500 card”… or a bent corner. The goal is simple: immobilize the cards, protect from crushing, protect from moisture, and make the package tamper-resistant—without doing anything that risks surface damage.
Below is the exact approach we follow at Graded Investors, plus a full material list you can copy.
The #1 Rule: Nothing Should Move
If your cards can slide, flex, or rattle inside the box, you’re one drop away from edge wear and corner dings. Every step below is designed to lock everything in place.
Materials List (What We Use)
Card protection
New penny sleeves (standard size)
Card Saver I (semi-rigid holders) (PSA’s preferred submission holder)
Painter’s tape / pull-tab tape (low-tack)
Optional: team bags (to bundle slabs/savers and reduce dust/moisture)
Bundle / rigid support
Two Ding Defenders or rigid cardboard pieces (slightly larger than your Card Savers)
Rubber bands (light tension) OR stretch wrap (preferred over tight bands)
Bubble wrap (small/medium bubble)
Box + padding
Sturdy corrugated box (new when possible)
Packing paper or air pillows (avoid “loose” packing peanuts for cards)
Shipping tape (2" clear packing tape)
Labels + documentation
PSA packing slip / printed submission confirmation
“FRAGILE” stickers (optional)
Permanent marker (optional)
Step-by-Step: How We Package Cards for PSA
1) Sleeve every card (clean + correct fit)
Use a fresh penny sleeve.
Don’t force thick cards into tight sleeves—use the proper size sleeve.
2) Put cards into PJU Semi-Rigids (not top loaders)
PSA prefers semi-rigids because they’re easier/safer for them to remove.
Insert gently to avoid catching corners.
Add a pull tab: fold a small strip of painter’s tape over itself at the top of the sleeve (a little “flag”) so the card can slide out easier later.
3) Bundle the Semi-Rigids so they can’t shift
Stack them neatly, all facing the same direction.
Use light rubber band tension or stretch wrap around the stack.
If using rubber bands: keep them snug, not tight (tight = bowing/pressure marks risk).
4) “Ding Defender/Cardboard sandwich” the stack
Place the stack between two Ding Defenders or rigid cardboard pieces.
Tape the cardboard edges together so the stack can’t slip out.
This is your crush protection layer.
5) Wrap in bubble wrap (and keep it tight)
Wrap the cardboard sandwich in bubble wrap.
Tape the bubble wrap so it stays tight and doesn’t loosen during transit.
6) Box it so it’s suspended, not floating
Put padding on the bottom of the box.
Place your wrapped bundle in the center.
Fill all sides/top so there’s zero movement when you shake the box.
7) Add paperwork (clean + protected)
Put the PSA packing slip in a separate sleeve/baggie or envelope.
Place it on top of the protected bundle (or taped to the inside flap).
8) Seal like you mean it
Tape every seam using the H-tape method (center seam + both edges).
Optional: add extra tape around the box for reinforcement.
What We Avoid (Common Mistakes)
Top loaders only (PSA can reject / it’s harder to remove safely)
Tight rubber bands directly on cards
No cardboard support
Bubble mailers (too easy to bend)
Loose packing (if it moves, it gets damaged)
Used / weak boxes
Shipping Method We Recommend
If you’re shipping high value:
USPS Priority Mail (fast, good tracking)
USPS Registered Mail (slow, but highest security chain-of-custody) for really high dollar packages
Insure based on raw replacement value (not “PSA 10 potential”)
Our “Pre-Ship Checklist”
Before it leaves:
Cards sleeved + in Card Saver I
Pull tabs added (optional but recommended)
Stack bundled + cardboard sandwich
Bubble wrapped + no movement in box
Paperwork included + protected
Box fully H-taped + label clean + readable
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