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Pokémon Card Pre Grading Checklist
Use this practical checklist before every submission to catch defects, standardize your review process, and avoid paying grading fees on low-upside cards. The goal is simple: improve consistency and make better grade-or-hold decisions in less time.
Why a checklist beats eyeballing
Most submission mistakes come from rushed, inconsistent reviews. A checklist forces you to inspect every card the same way: centering, corners, edges, and surface. That repeatability helps reduce emotional decisions and improves expected ROI.
Even experienced collectors miss tiny issues when they rely on memory alone. A written flow keeps quality high across single-card and bulk submissions.
Pre-grading checklist (quick version)
- Prepare lighting and surfaces. Use diffuse lighting and a clean background to avoid glare and false positives.
- Capture front/back photos. Include all four corners clearly and avoid motion blur.
- Measure centering. Check border balance instead of eyeballing for high-stakes cards.
- Inspect corners and edges. Log whitening, dings, fraying, or micro-chips by location.
- Check surface under angled light. Rotate to reveal scratches, print lines, and dents.
- Assign confidence range. Use ranges, not a single optimistic grade prediction.
- Run break-even math. Confirm expected value after grading fees, shipping, and timeline risk.
- Decide: grade, hold, or sell raw. Keep the decision rule consistent across the full batch.
What to include in your downloadable PDF
- Card ID, set, and language
- Centering notes (front/back)
- Corner and edge defect map
- Surface defect severity labels
- Confidence range + expected grade band
- Break-even threshold and estimated upside
- Final action: grade / hold / raw
FAQ
Is this checklist useful for both modern and vintage cards?
Yes. The same core checks apply. Vintage often needs extra attention to subtle edge and surface wear.
Should I reject every card with one defect?
Not necessarily. Use the full defect profile plus break-even analysis before making the final decision.
Can this checklist improve submission ROI?
In many cases, yes. Consistent filtering reduces low-quality submissions and protects grading budget for stronger candidates.
Take action
Download the checklist, then run your next batch through a repeatable workflow before submitting.