Whether you're a seasoned collector or just starting your journey, one thing is certain: preserving your cards is of paramount importance. A well-preserved card not only maintains its aesthetic appeal, but also helps ensure possible long-term value. Let's explore some essential techniques for safeguarding these cherished pieces of sports history.
Penny Sleeves (aka Card Sleeves): The First Line of Defense
Penny sleeves are like a cozy blanket for your sports cards. These thin, transparent protective sleeves slip over your cards, shielding them from fingerprints, dust, and minor scratches. They are an affordable and easily accessible solution for card protection. When placing your cards in penny sleeves, be sure to handle them delicately to avoid any bending or creasing. These sleeves are perfect for keeping your collection organized and safeguarded in storage boxes. Hence, the name penny sleeves cost $2.75 at Walmart for a 100 count of them. A penny sleeve is not necessary for every card, but if you pull a rookie of a new Kansas City Royals it might be worth putting in a penny sleeve.
Top Loaders: Fortifying your cards with thick plastic
While penny sleeves provide a great initial layer of protection, top loaders are the next level of defense. These rigid plastic holders are designed to fit your cards snugly, preventing any movement that might lead to damage. They are excellent for safeguarding valuable or sentimental cards. When using top loaders, make sure to insert your cards carefully and avoid overstuffing them, as this can cause warping or creasing. At Walmart a 25 count of 3x4 regular top loaders cost $4.95. This is great if you have a Kansas City Royals signed card or numbered card to use a top loader.
Different size top loaders for various cards.
As you delve deeper into the world of card collecting, you'll discover that not all sports cards are created equal. Some cards are thicker, while others are oversized. For these unique specimens, it's crucial to choose the right-sized top loader. Oversized cards, relics, or thicker memorabilia cards may not fit into standard top loaders. Thankfully, various top loader sizes are available to accommodate these diverse card dimensions. Investing in a range of top loader sizes ensures that your entire collection remains secure, regardless of its diversity. We recommend you typically order oversized top loaders from eBay or other online retailers as many local stores do not carry top loaders in different dimensions. Your Kansas City Royals' jersey and bat cards will need these!
Remember, condition is everything in card collecting.
PSA 10’s of 1950’s cards have gone for sale in the tens of thousands when that exact same card in low condition can sell for 25 cents. Now, of course, penny sleeves and top loaders weren’t invented back then, but even today it is crucial to treat a freshly pulled rookie in nice shape - you never know when you might pull the next Tom Brady! If ordering in bulk any of the aforementioned items, we recommend Cardboard Gold’s product line.
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