Centering is set when a card is cut, but corners, edges and surface are where everyday handling shows up — and where many cards lose their top grade. Here's what each one means.
Corners
Corners are the first thing to go. Even careful handling can soften a sharp corner or bring tiny whitening to the tip. Graders look for crisp, sharp corners with no rounding or fraying — and because there are four of them, the weakest corner tends to set the standard.
Edges
Edges pick up chipping and whitening, especially on dark-bordered cards where any wear shows instantly. Clean, unbroken edges are the goal; nicks and whitening along an edge pull the grade down.
Surface
Surface covers scratches, print lines, dimples, indentations and any loss of gloss. Holo and foil cards can show surface issues more readily. It's the factor most affected by how a card has been stored and handled.
How CALIBRE assesses them
Rather than a quick visual call, each factor is assessed from precise imaging and recorded in your report, alongside centering. The lowest factor tends to limit the overall grade — which is why protecting corners, edges and surface matters. See how to store your cards.