First time PSA

carlo16 · 02-11-2025, 05:38 PM

First time submitting modern cards to PSA where it’s basically 9 or bust. My eyes suck. Any tips…especially on centering?

MiamiMarlinsFan · 02-11-2025, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlo16

First time submitting modern cards to PSA where it’s basically 9 or bust. My eyes suck. Any tips…especially on centering?

Only send in cards that are perfectly centered.

hammertime · 02-11-2025, 05:54 PM

Surface, surface, surface

rudan007 · 02-11-2025, 07:12 PM

Invest in magnifying glass with a light....

rudan007 · 02-11-2025, 07:14 PM

If you got the yearly membership, be patient and wait for monthly specials. Although this year's specials have been pretty bad....

Big35Hurt · 02-11-2025, 07:34 PM

If you have a card shop near you that is PSA authorized (not sure if I am using the right terminology) that can help you determine if it's worthwhile on a card-by-card basis, that would be the way to go.

JimEd14 · 02-11-2025, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hammertime

Surface, surface, surface

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudan007

Invest in magnifying glass with a light....

Please note the above.

Threw my fair share of "Cannot wait to grade these cards!" into the "ohhh, well, it'll look good in a one touch." pile when giving things a closer look.

Saved some money though.

ThoseBackPages · 02-11-2025, 07:36 PM

the main thing is enjoying the process and your cards

oddstuff · 02-11-2025, 07:58 PM

Buy a centering tool...or know how to do math using a ruler and calculator. Examine top/bottom, left/right, front/back.

Get at least a 10x magnification glass...you'll be amazed at how many defects you will see when magnified.

You should not be able to see any hints of white on 4 corners. Don't hope for a 10....unless the value of a graded 9 card is greater than the cost to submit the card + two way shipping/insurance. Any hint of white corner most likely is a 9 or worse.

Pay as much time to the backside of a card as you spend examining the front.

Chrome/shiny surface cards...don't submit anything with any scratches.

It will take some time to really learn how to prescreen your cards before submitting...so expect to be disappointed in your first few orders (or more). It's a bit of a learning curve.

02-11-2025, 05:38 PM	#1
carlo16 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 3,177	First time PSA First time submitting modern cards to PSA where it’s basically 9 or bust. My eyes suck. Any tips…especially on centering?

02-11-2025, 07:36 PM	#8
ThoseBackPages Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 89,004 ThoseBackPages	the main thing is enjoying the process and your cards __________________ Pumpers Paradise #YouCryIBuy Four things that we cannot change each others minds about: Politics, Religion, Third Party Grading, and 2021 Bowman's Best Rookie Cards

02-11-2025, 05:54 PM	#3
hammertime Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: OH->MI->MD->VA Posts: 6,539	Surface, surface, surface

02-11-2025, 07:12 PM	#4
rudan007 Member Join Date: May 2024 Posts: 145	Invest in magnifying glass with a light....

02-11-2025, 07:14 PM	#5
rudan007 Member Join Date: May 2024 Posts: 145	If you got the yearly membership, be patient and wait for monthly specials. Although this year's specials have been pretty bad....

02-11-2025, 07:34 PM	#6
Big35Hurt Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 9,402	If you have a card shop near you that is PSA authorized (not sure if I am using the right terminology) that can help you determine if it's worthwhile on a card-by-card basis, that would be the way to go.

02-11-2025, 07:58 PM	#9
oddstuff Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: CA Posts: 5,041	Buy a centering tool...or know how to do math using a ruler and calculator. Examine top/bottom, left/right, front/back. Get at least a 10x magnification glass...you'll be amazed at how many defects you will see when magnified. You should not be able to see any hints of white on 4 corners. Don't hope for a 10....unless the value of a graded 9 card is greater than the cost to submit the card + two way shipping/insurance. Any hint of white corner most likely is a 9 or worse. Pay as much time to the backside of a card as you spend examining the front. Chrome/shiny surface cards...don't submit anything with any scratches. It will take some time to really learn how to prescreen your cards before submitting...so expect to be disappointed in your first few orders (or more). It's a bit of a learning curve.