Guide
How to Prepare Pokémon Cards for Grading
A few minutes of careful prep can mean a full grade higher — both on your PREGRAiDED AI score and your eventual PSA, BGS, or CGC slab.
1. Handle the card correctly
Wash and fully dry your hands before touching cards. Hold each card by its edges only — skin oils transfer to the surface and dull holos. Work over a clean, soft surface so a dropped card lands on cloth, not hardwood.
2. Inspect under bright, diffuse light
Tilt the card under a strong daylight bulb or near a window. Look for:
- Centering — front and back borders
- Corner whitening or fraying
- Edge nicks and chipping
- Surface scratches, print lines, or indentations on the holo
If you see major defects, decide now whether grading is worth the fee — a PREGRAiDED AI scan can give you a free pre-check.
3. Clean — gently, and only when needed
Most cards just need a dust-off. Use a clean microfiber cloth and wipe in one direction with the lightest possible pressure. Do not use water, alcohol, eraser, or any solvent on the front of a holo card — you'll strip the foil and turn a 9 into a 4 in seconds.
For stuck dust in foil etching, a brand-new soft makeup brush works better than any cloth.
4. Scan or photograph for AI grading
Before you ship to PSA, BGS, or CGC, run the card through a PREGRAiDED AI scan to predict the grade. For the best AI score:
- Fill the frame — corners and edges visible
- Diffuse light, no glare hotspots on the holo
- Card flat against a plain, contrasting background
- Sharp focus — tap your phone on the card to lock
5. Sleeve, store, and ship safely
Penny sleeve first (opening up), then a semi-rigid card saver — never a toploader for PSA submissions. Tape only the card saver, never the sleeve. Stack cards in a team bag and pack tight in a small box with bubble wrap so nothing shifts in transit.
Predict your grade before you pay PSA
A $2 PREGRAiDED AI scan tells you the likely centering, corners, edges, and surface scores in seconds — so you only ship cards worth the grading fee.