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How to Evaluate Sports Cards for Grading (Front & Back) | Bardown Cards Guide

Updated: Feb 16


Grading can be one of the most profitable — and most painful — parts of the hobby. Send the right cards, and you create massive value. Send the wrong ones, and you burn money fast. At Bardown Cards & Collectibles, every submission starts with a careful evaluation process. Here’s exactly how we evaluate sports cards for grading before a card earns a spot in the submission pile


Sidney Crosby graded gem mint 10

Step 1 — Start With the Right Candidates

Not every card should be graded — even if it looks clean.

Before checking the condition, ask:

  • Is the player collectible or trending?

  • Does the card have strong resale value in PSA 9/10?

  • Is the card rare, short-print, rookie, or desirable insert?

  • Does grading increase value enough to justify the cost AND the time away at grading (sometimes 4-6 months)?


Rule we follow: If a PSA 9 doesn’t create profit or at least break even, it usually doesn’t get submitted. A PSA 10 needs to generate at least 2.5x raw value with a minimum raw value of around $50.


Step 2 — Centering (Front AND Back)

Centering is the #1 reason cards miss Gem Mint, and PSA grades the back too.


Check BOTH sides:

  • Use borders, edges, or design symmetry

  • Compare left vs right and top vs bottom

  • PSA Gem Mint standard ≈ 55/45 front, 75/25 back


Important: Some cards look perfect on the front but are noticeably off-center on the back — this alone can prevent a PSA 10.


Step 3 — Corners (Check All 8 Corners)

Corners must be sharp, clean, and untouched — on both the front and back of the card.

Look for:

  • Whitening

  • Soft/dinged corners

  • Fraying (common on thick or dark cards)

  • Factory rough cuts

Flip the card and inspect the back corners carefully — back-corner whitening is extremely common and often drops cards from a 10 to a 9.


Step 4 — Edges (Front + Back Matter)

Edges reveal handling and printing flaws on both sides of the card.

Check for:

  • White chipping

  • Silvering

  • Rough cuts

  • Color breaks

  • Edge wear along the back border

Hockey collectors know:Dark Young Guns and black-border cards show EVERYTHING — especially on the back edges.

Wayne Gretzky Card Edge Review for card grading

Step 5 — Surface (Front AND Back — The Silent Grade Killer)

Surface issues are often missed — especially on the back — and graders absolutely check both sides.

Under strong light, tilt the card slowly and look for:

Front Surface

  • Scratches / print lines

  • Dimples or dents

  • Roller marks

  • Smudges / fingerprints

  • Foil or hologram damage

Back Surface

  • Print snow / ink defects

  • Scratches or scuffs

  • Wax stains (vintage)

  • Indentations from packaging

  • Gloss loss or surface wear

Many cards that “look clean” fail Gem Mint due to subtle back-surface flaws.


Step 6 — Compare Against Known Grades

One of the best tricks:

Compare your raw card to:

  • A confirmed PSA 10 image

  • Previous graded copies you own

  • Recent eBay sales photos

Pay attention to BOTH front and back when comparing — especially centering and corner wear.

This trains your eye quickly and helps you judge realistically.


Step 7 — The Profit Test (Final Decision)

Before submitting, we always ask:

  • Expected Grade → PSA 10 / 9 / 8?

  • Grading Cost?

  • Market Value at each grade?

  • Risk vs Reward?

If the numbers don’t make sense — we don’t send it.

Disciplined grading is what separates hobbyists from serious collectors and sellers.


Final Step — Gentle Card Prep Before Submission

Once a card has passed all evaluation checks, there’s one last step before it goes into a sleeve: light surface prep.

This is not about altering the card — it’s simply about presenting it cleanly and responsibly for grading.

How We Do It at Bardown

  • Use a clean microfiber cloth only

  • Gently wipe the surface to remove:

    • Fingerprints

    • Light smudges

    • Dust particles

  • Always wipe lightly and in one direction

  • Be extremely careful around corners and edges — never apply pressure there

The “Breath & Wipe” Trick (Use Carefully)

For cards with gloss, chrome, or high-shine finishes:

  • Lightly breathe on the surface to create minimal moisture

  • Immediately wipe gently with a microfiber cloth

This can help lift fingerprints and smudges that don’t come off when dry — especially on modern glossy hockey cards.

⚠️ Important:Never use liquids, chemicals, wipes, or cleaning solutions of any kind. If a mark doesn’t come off easily, stop. Forcing it can cause more harm than good.


Tools We Recommend

If you are serious about grading cards, it might make sense to invest in some equipment to make you as effective as possible.


You can also buy everything you need in prebuilt kits like this one

Final Thoughts from Bardown

Grading isn’t gambling — it’s a skill.


The biggest mistake collectors make is only checking the front of the card. Professional graders evaluate the entire card — front AND back — and so should you. The more cards you evaluate, the sharper your eye becomes, and the better your submission results will be.


If you ever need help evaluating cards or preparing a submission, Bardown Cards & Collectibles is always happy to help fellow collectors.

 
 
 

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