News
Guides and updates on physics-based card grading.
44 articles total
Disney Lorcana grading: how it differs from Pokémon
Grading Disney Lorcana is mostly the same as Pokémon - same four factors, same scale - with a few quirks worth knowing. Here's what's the same, what's different, and how to submit.
Grade your card at home: a quick condition check before you submit
You can't grade a card at the kitchen table, but a careful ten-minute check tells you whether it's worth submitting. Here's how to assess centering, corners, edges and surface yourself.
The fine line between Mint and Gem Mint
On the 1–10 scale a 9 and a 10 look identical across the room. Here's what actually separates Mint from Gem Mint, where the point usually goes, and why so few cards…
Check your card before you send it – free, from one photo
Our new free pre-check gives you an instant estimate of your card's centring and corners from a single phone photo - a quick, honest guide before you commit to a full grade.
Subgrades explained: why one number hides half the story
A single grade is really four separate measurements combined. Subgrades show you which factor held a card back - and why two cards with the same number can be in noticeably different…
Why holographic and textured cards are the hardest to grade
Holo, reverse-holo and textured cards are the hardest to grade consistently - the very shine that makes them desirable is what hides scratches and fools the eye. Here's why, and how measurement…
First time grading? A beginner’s guide to getting started
New to card grading? This beginner's guide walks you through what grading is, what it costs, and exactly how to get your first card graded.
What affects a trading card’s value?
Why is one card worth £5 and a near-identical one worth £500? Here's a plain guide to what actually drives a card's value.
Grading for sellers: how a grade helps you sell
Selling cards on eBay, Whatnot or Vinted? Here's how a verified grade can widen your buyer pool and lift your price.
How long does card grading take?
Grading timelines vary hugely. Here's what affects turnaround - and why grading in the UK can mean days rather than weeks.