What cases does everyone use to store cards? top loaders vs. one touch etc...

kosmo886 · 03-30-2025, 07:35 AM

What is everyone's preferred storage/organization method for cards? Few specific questions:

How does everyone think about top loaders vs. one touch vs. binders?

Do you always use penny sleeves? I know that's a yes for top loaders...what about binders and one touch? Cards still move a little in the one touch, but I find it very hard to fit cards with regular penny sleeves and the super snug ones are hard to get cards in and I feel like risk damaging them. Is it OK for cards to move a little in a one touch?

Is there a card value where below a certain price you tend to prefer binders?

What about a box to store all this? with a mix of top loaders, one touch and slabs, I'd love to know if there is a good versatile option.

Anything I am missing?

OhioLawyerF5 · 03-30-2025, 07:57 AM

Toploader for average cards, one touch w/ sleeve for more valuable cards.

No need to worry about it moving if you use the one touches that fit a sleeved card:

https://a.co/d/eNtJooZ

Big35Hurt · 03-30-2025, 08:35 AM

Low-end/common/base from junk wax era just go in a sleeve unless it's a rookie. Inserts, parallels, and premium type brands go in sleeve and then top loader. The better ones go in a one-touch holder and then that is put in a one-touch bag that are similar to ones used for graded cards.

Everything is then sorted by year, then by brand, and then by brand line (example Fleer Tradition or Donruss Elite). All cards are stored in 3-row shoeboxes except for graded cards which go in their own graded card shoebox (and also sorted by year, brand, brand line).

No binders here...although it's great for viewing your collection, I feel like storage can get a little sloppy and also require constant rearranging if you want to have your collection organized like I do.

Triple B · 03-30-2025, 08:55 AM

My high end cards that aren't graded are in one touches and inside a Superior Fit sleeve. Those are kept in a Peli case (that I won at a show...I couldn't bring myself to buy one). Everything else is in top loaders in a shoebox and my "memory cards" (cards that are a throwback to fun times in collecting...early 90s RCs, etc) are in a binder.

YouTheManNick · 03-30-2025, 10:45 AM

Binders for some, toploaders for others. Not in the mood to breakdown which goes into which. I have a system.

I like the Z-Folio binders over the traditional pages. In fact, I was completely out on binders until I learned of Z-Folios. They changed the game for me.

Personally, not a fan of one touches. Just a personal preference. I know some people love 'em but I do not like them. Any time I get a card shipped to me in a one touch I toss it in a box. Once I have a bunch I take 'em to the local shop they give me a little bit of credit for 'em.

creasecollector · 03-30-2025, 09:44 PM

Mostly toploaders but will use a one touch magnet holder for the good stuff.

Cracktoast · 03-30-2025, 09:50 PM

Top Loaders for ungraded cards and Card Saver II's for cards I will send for grading

03-30-2025, 07:35 AM	#1
kosmo886 Member Join Date: Feb 2025 Posts: 37	What cases does everyone use to store cards? top loaders vs. one touch etc... What is everyone's preferred storage/organization method for cards? Few specific questions: How does everyone think about top loaders vs. one touch vs. binders? Do you always use penny sleeves? I know that's a yes for top loaders...what about binders and one touch? Cards still move a little in the one touch, but I find it very hard to fit cards with regular penny sleeves and the super snug ones are hard to get cards in and I feel like risk damaging them. Is it OK for cards to move a little in a one touch? Is there a card value where below a certain price you tend to prefer binders? What about a box to store all this? with a mix of top loaders, one touch and slabs, I'd love to know if there is a good versatile option. Anything I am missing?

03-30-2025, 08:55 AM	#4
Triple B Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Toronto Posts: 6,171	My high end cards that aren't graded are in one touches and inside a Superior Fit sleeve. Those are kept in a Peli case (that I won at a show...I couldn't bring myself to buy one). Everything else is in top loaders in a shoebox and my "memory cards" (cards that are a throwback to fun times in collecting...early 90s RCs, etc) are in a binder. __________________ Wanted Dead or Alive! 1. 1997 Bowman's Best Jose Cruz, Jr Atomic Refractor Autograph 2. 1997 SPx Jose Cruz, Jr. Grand Finale /50

03-30-2025, 10:45 AM	#5
YouTheManNick Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 2,566 trapjaw73 YTMN	Binders for some, toploaders for others. Not in the mood to breakdown which goes into which. I have a system. I like the Z-Folio binders over the traditional pages. In fact, I was completely out on binders until I learned of Z-Folios. They changed the game for me. Personally, not a fan of one touches. Just a personal preference. I know some people love 'em but I do not like them. Any time I get a card shipped to me in a one touch I toss it in a box. Once I have a bunch I take 'em to the local shop they give me a little bit of credit for 'em. __________________ They're = they are. Their = possession. There = "I went there." Two = 2. Too = "Me too." To = "He went to the card show." Your = "your cards." You're = "you're welcome."

03-30-2025, 09:44 PM	#6
creasecollector Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 3,576 creasecollector	Mostly toploaders but will use a one touch magnet holder for the good stuff. __________________ Collecting: Jhonas Enroth View my Collections, Traders & Wantlist: creasecollector.weebly.com Co-Host of the Center Ice Card Cast - A Hockey Card Podcast Instagram/Twitter: @creasecollector

03-30-2025, 09:50 PM	#7
Cracktoast Member Join Date: May 2024 Posts: 1,652	Top Loaders for ungraded cards and Card Saver II's for cards I will send for grading Last edited by Cracktoast; 03-30-2025 at 09:52 PM.

03-30-2025, 07:57 AM	#2
OhioLawyerF5 Member Join Date: Feb 2022 Posts: 6,971	Toploader for average cards, one touch w/ sleeve for more valuable cards. No need to worry about it moving if you use the one touches that fit a sleeved card: https://a.co/d/eNtJooZ

03-30-2025, 08:35 AM	#3
Big35Hurt Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 9,508	Low-end/common/base from junk wax era just go in a sleeve unless it's a rookie. Inserts, parallels, and premium type brands go in sleeve and then top loader. The better ones go in a one-touch holder and then that is put in a one-touch bag that are similar to ones used for graded cards. Everything is then sorted by year, then by brand, and then by brand line (example Fleer Tradition or Donruss Elite). All cards are stored in 3-row shoeboxes except for graded cards which go in their own graded card shoebox (and also sorted by year, brand, brand line). No binders here...although it's great for viewing your collection, I feel like storage can get a little sloppy and also require constant rearranging if you want to have your collection organized like I do.