How to Submit PSA Cards & Get Better Grades Guide 

Just got my grades back on a 40 card submission from PSA. 27 10’s and 13 9’s! But half the 9’s I already expected them to get 9’s. Just wanted to get them in a PSA holder for my pc. My big boy got a 10! Wander Franco Logofractor SP! Let’s go!

I used this video to submit my first ever card to PSA. Only could stomach trying one for now. Trevor Lawrence Auto numbered to 10. It ended up getting a Gem 10 and Auto 10. Thanks so much for this video. So incredibly helpful. Now it’s time to suck it up and send in some baseball cards I’ve been holding onto. Let’s go!!

I use to put 2 pieces of thin paper behind the card with a $100 bill between them inside the card saver back in the late 90s. It increased my chance of a gem mint grade by about 500 percent.

I heard a rumor that PSA could be implementing 9.5 grades. Anyone have any info on this? Thanks.

Everybody who commented on this are all lamos...Including myself for giving this vid 2 mins of my time. If you dont know what to do then you shouldnt be doing it...lol1!! I think it wiped off I dont see it anymore.....after you slide it in! ( thats what she said!)

Appreciate all the work showing it all off! I've submitted once for a card worth around $2000 when it sold as a 10 and I nit picked that thing to oblivion. When the difference between 9 and 10 is profit or loss, really is important to take the time to only submit the best

I didn’t have the ability to print any sticky labels, so I called PSA and they assured me that as long as I used clear tape carefully to adhere the bar code to the box, then that was okay. Still nervous as hell though it’s my first submission (only 10 cards) and any kick back would be killer.😅

In other words brothers, buy graded cards 🤣🤣

Great video. I’ll need to adopt your penny sleeve method for protecting the card on the table during the wipe down process. I’ve always just held the cards by the edges, which admittedly risks bending the card if you wipe with too much force. One note. When submitting multiple cards, I think you’re supposed to multiply your declared value by the number of cards. So, in your 4 Julio’s example, it’d be $396 declared value - i .e., $99 x 4. The PSA web site will tell you if your total declared value exceeds the maximum for your submission level. Thanks again for the quality content.

Very informative video. I think you missed a golden opportunity to plug card shells. Those card sleeves are the best for submitting. They're already got Corners cut no worries of a corner of the card catching on it well you already know LOL

You have to show me how to put in your card information

I watched you at work today got rained out went to Walmart got 2 blasters opened one got foil torkelson and sp pena not opening the other add to my sealed collection thanks for the content bro

Awesome video. For the PSA submission part, when you add the (4) Topps update, Julio, you add up the total value of all 4 cards instead of just one. So it would be $396 instead of $99. Just an FYI :)

Yea ypur absolutely right about batches. Half my julios came with bent corners or surface scratches. But everyone else is fine. And almost every foil or numbered card I have pulled have had dings or scratches. It's pretty annoying because all the nobodies are coming flawless the ones you want are beat up.

Love you Stryker but you missed a huge print line on that first Julio. Goes right through his face across the whole card. Can see it pretty clear at 3:57. Most of mine look the same way. The Stars of MLB are tough to get 10’s. Most don’t sell for much so I would advise people to steer clear of the base set of those unless they are super clean. The Chromes are usually better quality. You may also want to get into the thresholds when to grade. If it is for PC then it doesn’t matter. If you are trying to sell them then it makes a huge difference. People have to factor what it will sell for versus what the card cost them/grading fee/eBay fee. You can get yourself into a lot of trouble financially if you don’t do this. Too many people also use that everything will get a 10 to make this decision. Assume worst case, everything gets a 9. If I can’t get my money back on the 9 I probably shouldn’t have sent it.

Good stuff Stryker most of it I was already doing but still some good tips I didn’t know 👍🏼👍🏼

Noting like spending 3,000$ in a month on boxes , hunting for the 1of1 and finding it scratched. 😢

TRICK for avoiding nicking the edge of your cards when inserting it into a penny sleeve. The trick is using a SECOND penny sleeve as a shoe horn protector. As we know, the first edge of the card always goes in easily, but the problem is when you try to pass that second edge in, and sometimes catching that edge against that troublesome sleeve corner that refuses to open sometimes. Now you have a nick or chip on your once pristine PSA 10 candidate card! The SOLUTION is easy. I've been using it for years and never get a nicked edge. So, begin the same way as it shows in the video by using your fingers to bubble the plastic sleeve slightly to get an opening (if one is not readily seen) and begin inserting one edge and then the middle part of the card partly into the penny sleeve. Now stop. Here is where the TRICK starts. After getting the first corner of the card into the penny sleeve, I stop, and now hold that penny sleeve and card with my right hand (thumb and index finger) --- and then with my left hand, I get a fresh penny sleeve and use its corner to get into the first penny sleeve that has the card, and slide that in about a third of the way. Now, make sure to adjust the position of that second inserted sleeve so it sits back and abutts the troublesome back edge of the sleeve with the card. Next, you will be "creating a curved plane of plastic for your card tip to slide along, to get it into the sleeve. This will avoid that razor-edge of the sleeve your card sits in now. To create a plane for the other card edge to slide along, use the second sleeve and kind of bend it towards you a little, opening up the sleeve opening into a kind of teardrop shape. So, going back to your right hand, gently press the card corner against the second penny sleeve plane (towards you) as you slowly --- GLIDE it in, bypassing the sharp edge of the sleeve corner holding the card. Do it slowly. Slowly. Keep a bit of pressure of the card tip against that plane as you slide it. You should be able to slide that corner along the plastic and miss any sleeve edge entirely. Once you're past that danger zone, you can pull out the second penny sleeve and then complete the insertion of the card. Once you've done this a couple times, it becomes easy and fast and it will GUARANTEE that no edge of any card is ever nicked or chipped. Best of luck on your submissions!

Great video. I’ve had lots of people ask about this. I’ll send them here.

New slammer and new to collecting…. Been saying to myself… I need Stryker to make a how to on submitting to PSA… for reals. Brilliant timing!!!

The penny sleeve method is a good tip. For a clean surface I have always pulled some printer paper out of the box and use that. On the declared value I always use the max 199 because it does not charge you more but I believe is used for insurance if something happens.

I go outside with direct sunlight and use a magnifying glass. 😅

Good stuff! Thank you, Stryker!

Can you use top loaders instead of the ultra pro? (Never mind I didn’t watch the full video yet)

Thanks for spreading the knowledge. I was planning to send in my first submission with the $15 special and I'll definitely keep these pointers in mind throughout. Giving back to the hobby!!

As I have made my way back into the hobby after 23 years, obviously things have changed. What would you recommend as declaring card value on letts say Ken Griffey Jr. 1989 UD? Do I assume the 10 value? or the 9 or below? I guess my concern is if I assume a 9, are they more willing to push for the 9? ANd if I submit for the 10 price, are they more willing to go with the 10 because I paid the 10 value price which are 2 totally different price.

Thank you for the great video! This is probably a stupid question but I noticed a lot of mosaic cards have like little dimples on them…will they deduct for those?

Yes! Been asking for this..let's go

$650+ to get cards graded plus membership costs....ffs

I ripped a full case of Hobby. All of the Julio base rookies (11) are oc left to right. Did anyone else find their Julio base to be the same?

Great job explaining. You should have been a teacher. :)

When I was sorting through my cards literally every one of my Steven Kwan’s has perfect centering both the Topps update and rookie debut. None of my Jeremy Peña’s or Royce Lewis’s are centered and I have like 15 of each. Two out of 15 of my Julio’s and Bobbys are centered. Has anyone else experienced having perfect centering with some players and absolutely like 8020 centering with others?

Great video Thank you! Question on strategy - if i have several cards for which I reasonably think deserve a 10 grade, should I spread them out over several submissions w other likely 9 grade cards or submit all at once Wondering if this matters?

What if you’ve printed your forms, then realize you boo-booed on a card number, Ex: submission says 233 but it’s actually 223?

Do you have a better chance of getting a Gem 10 if you submit only 1 or a few cards at a time versus a bulk shipment/rate? Most I plan to send are $500+. Thanks and great video!

So when you had the stack of bobby in you hand, i hold them as a block. This is when i turn them to side view. You can check all the corners and edges. Even the slightess ding corner will be easy to see in the stack.

What should be the declared value for a Superfractor 1/1 card? I'm thinking of submitting my card, so once I sell it, it gives some collectors peace of mind and may pay a little more for a graded 1/1.

I’m very confused in the pricing. You pay the fee for the cards but what’s the up charge look like for a higher grade?

Dear Stryker, How do you feel about "Kurts card care products? I'd really like to know where you stand on the subject.

I have a Scoot Henderson Courtside Cosmic that has a back dimple, do you think it can still Gem? I am going to send it in regardless because the front is flawless and even the back besides that little dimple.

you said don't cover that last bar code with tape. I don't have sticker stock. can it be covered with clear tape?

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

Do your card savers have to be perfectly scratch and slight debris free for grading? I bought some about six months ago and they have been moved around a lot. Do I have to go buy brand new ones or do you think they will care? I do want to the best grade but do not want to spend more money if that is not net necessary. Also, second question...I just found out that there will be a card convention in my area next weekend and the advertisement for it says that PSA will be there and that we can submit there for less wait time. What does that entail submitting like that? IS there a minimum card count amount submission and do they charge more than the standard 15 bucks? Sorry, I am a bit overwhelmed due to getting back into this hobby since last collecting in the early 90's as a young teen.

Hey Stryker! My only question is what do you do if one of the cards you are submitting is in fact autographed but all the other cards in your bulk is not?

That was a great video thanks! I have not done grading at all. Have you ever sent older cards from like 70s or 80s or just new cards?

Thanks for the good information.

I notice in later videos you say that you do wear gloves. You should do an updated version of this with the changes you've made

you say that dot isn't enough, but I've seen that dot create 9's

Glad you did this video!!!! I've got a submission I'm putting together and you did a great job with your last ones you got back.

What are the companies that will do this and submit them for you?

Very helpful , thanks for video. 👍

Just sent my first sub yesterday Stryker. Thank you for all you do. Oh it was a Junior Caminero Bowman 2023 1st Chrome Auto /99. Fingers crossed.

I am sending in 2 of the same card but one isn’t mine should I write a request to differentiate them?

If they’re numbered do you put that in too?

Great video bro and info! Question. If I have a card that's perfectly centered and no surface scratches but has a small dimple, is it worth sending in with only a small dimple on front?

Simple question: How do I know that they are returning the same cards that I submitted? What is stopping them from taking a submission of mine that they determine is a 10, but swapping it out for a lower graded card of their own and sending that back to me as my own? The cards aren’t individualized, in a bar code or something, are they?

Do you have to send them in those stupid cases

Great detailed video. Thanks

So I want a card graded so I have to go through process u showed but if I don’t know how much my card is worth I just put like 199.00 what if card is only worth 40 bucks ? Please respond

How do you submitt RPA cards? Submit in mag holders? If so, will PSA return your mag holders after grading?

Hmm, might need and update; I recently joined the PSA Collector's Club and the $15/card option at 16:08 in the video doesn't seem to exist.

MF cloths leave behind micro fibers. I first noticed it when cleaning whiskey glasses for tastings. hemp or super cloths were my favrite for leaving behind no trace of fabric. idk if it matters here, but just wanted to make it known that micro fiber cloths leave behind a lot of residue.

Much needed video, thank you

Thank you for the video!

Hi, have you ever cracked a numbered card graded by psa (9) and try to resubmit to shoot for a psa 10? Is this possible (because it’s numbered)? Thoughts please 🙏🏼

question! I have my most valuable cards in magnetic card holders. Is there any specific way I should take them out for grading safely?

Do you recommend cleaning 2023 topps clear acetate cards the same way? I only ask because I heard that surface is much more delicate.

Just wondering if someone could help me with a question: This is my first submission to psa and I have some auto’d and also non auto’d cards. Now I know I can do two separate submissions in one order one for each but what I’m wondering is do I technically HAVE to do that. For instance if I don’t care about the auto itself being graded could I just submit them all under card only grade?

Yo, for 2022 Mosaic football autographs do I need to just get the card graded or the card and the autograph the dual service? It's a sticker auto. Thnks

Stryker, the submission page in your site doesn't seem to be working. Was messaging you about a card. Let me know if you got it!

100% agree on the declared value. There's no reason to give them extra money. It's the beg for forgiveness instead of ask for permission principle. One caveat is that economy ($30) is pretty fast right now. My last sub was less than 30 days. I'd guess bulk will be a few months at least.

Are you creating visible micro scratches with microfiber cloth?

if you submit an auto card that was factory direct you obviously don't need authentication right? Guess it is up to individual if you want to grade the auto and grade the card. what is your recommendation? I have a couple of auto'd cards I'd eventually like to submit

Very helpful, thank you for this. If it’s a numbered card do you include the numbers in the description?

Someone was saying Topps might be able to grade your redemption cards before they ship them to you? If so that'd be great as I currently have 8 redemptions going currently and more to go.

Great video, very informative. I have always wondered if it would be okay to take tweezers and remove the "hanging chads", the little pieces of paper that are barely hanging on but won't wipe off. And yes that is a reference to the Bush/Gore election of 2000.

Hi Stryker: thank you for your informative video. I do not know what amount to declare what the value of my cards are? that is the confusion.

Thanks for the content. Great as always. The shipping costs at the end...does that include shipping both ways or just return shipping?

Don't be like me, and think just because a card out pack, that it mint..

You are correct. They strongly deter people from using the stupid tabs. Apparently they stack up the card savers and they said the tabs can cause damage

Having the centering tool is great and they’re cheap too, like 10 bucks. Great vid👍

How do I know what the card is worth before when putting the price in

Great job explaining the process though Stryker

Very informative! Thank you.

This was great! I think your point of having things well lit is key! Great video!!

I scan the cards before I submit to PSA

Ok day I have 2 cards to get graded can I or not

Don’t forget about looking at those corners

Great video. Appreciate you taking the time to walk us through this and share your experiences and insight.

I found Pena to be the hardest to be centered.

really good video and info, thanks

That was awesome! Thank You

Can you buy shipping on there site and just print or do you have to purchase your own insurance for shipping it out?

Great video Stryker 👍🏻

Awesome thanks Stryker!!

Great info.

Super helpful!!!

Thank you so much for your informative video. Just subscribed. Can i ask your expert advice? How strict do you think psa is with declared value on cards? I have some cards that i want to submit but prices just surged recently in the past 2 months. So their average price still only show slightly over $500 but recent sales are higher. I'm not sure if the values would hold and hate to overpay for grading. Thanks in advance!

Thanks I was waiting on this video. Now I can sit down and do just what u did. I appreciate u Stryker!!!

CAN I JUST SEND MY CARDS IN A REGULAR TOPPLOADER OR DO I NEED A SPECIFIC ONE??????