The Real Question Isn't "How" to Grade. It's "Should" You.
Walk into any baseball card forum and you'll find the same question every week: "Should I get this graded?" The grading companies are happy to take your money, and most online guides walk you through the submission process without ever asking the harder question: will you actually come out ahead?
Most collectors lose money on grading. They submit $15 cards to PSA at $28 a pop, wait months, and get back a PSA 8 that sells for less than the raw card plus the fee. The grading companies don't advertise that part.
This guide skips the submission walkthrough. Instead, it gives you a financial framework for deciding which cards deserve the investment and which ones you should leave raw.
The Grading Golden Rule
Only grade a card when the expected graded value minus all fees is at least 30% higher than the raw value. Anything less isn't worth the time, risk, and wait.
What Grading Costs in 2026
Grading fees increased across the board in early 2026. PSA raised prices on five service tiers in February, adding $5 per card. CGC bumped every tier in January. SGC held steady at $15, making it the clear budget winner.
Here's what you'll pay at each company for standard grading services:
| Company | Budget Tier | Standard Tier | Express | Min. Cards | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | $25 (Value Bulk) | $28-$75 | $149+ | 20+ for bulk | 30-65 biz days |
| SGC | $15 (Standard) | $15 | $40 | None | 5-10 biz days |
| CGC | $15 (Bulk) | $18-$55 | $100+ | 25 for bulk | 15-50 biz days |
Note: PSA and CGC charge more as your card's declared value increases. A card worth $1,500+ costs $75 at PSA. SGC charges the same $15 regardless of value, which makes it the simplest option for high-value submissions.
Beyond the per-card fee, factor in shipping both ways (typically $8-$15 round trip), insurance for valuable cards, and any membership fees. PSA's Collectors Club costs $99/year and is required for certain submission tiers.
The Break-Even Formula
Before submitting any card, run this calculation. It takes 30 seconds and can save you hundreds of dollars in wasted grading fees.
Find the Raw Value
Check recent eBay sold listings for the same card in similar condition. Use the last 10-15 sales, not active listings. This is your baseline.
Find the Graded Value
Search eBay sold listings for the graded version at the grade you realistically expect to receive (be honest, not optimistic). Check both PSA and SGC if comparing services.
Calculate Total Grading Cost
Add up: grading fee + shipping to the company + return shipping + insurance (if applicable) + any membership fees prorated across your submission.
Run the Math
Profit = Graded Value - Raw Value - Total Grading Cost. If the profit is less than 30% of the raw value, don't submit. The risk of getting a lower grade than expected eats into thin margins fast.
Example: A raw card sells for $80. The PSA 10 sells for $250. Grading at PSA Value costs $28 + $10 shipping = $38 total. Profit if you get a 10: $250 - $80 - $38 = $132 (165% return). Worth it. But if you get a PSA 9 that sells for $100, the profit drops to $100 - $80 - $38 = -$18. You lost money.
Raw vs. Graded: Real Price Comparisons
The value jump from raw to graded varies wildly depending on the card, the player, and the grade. Here are typical scenarios collectors encounter:
| Card Type | Raw Value | PSA 9 Value | PSA 10 Value | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern base rookie (high print) | $5-$15 | $8-$18 | $15-$30 | Don't grade |
| Modern Chrome rookie | $30-$60 | $40-$80 | $100-$200 | Maybe (SGC only) |
| Numbered parallel (/99 or lower) | $75-$200 | $120-$350 | $250-$800+ | Yes, grade it |
| Bowman 1st Chrome auto | $100-$500 | $200-$900 | $400-$2,000+ | Absolutely grade |
| Vintage star card (1960s-80s) | $50-$300 | $150-$1,000 | $500-$5,000+ | Yes, if condition is strong |
| Modern base card (non-rookie) | $0.25-$2 | $1-$3 | $2-$5 | Never grade |
The pattern is clear: grading rewards scarcity. Cards with low print runs, strong player demand, or vintage rarity see the biggest jumps. High-print modern base cards almost never justify the fee.
When Grading Makes Sense
Based on current 2026 pricing and market conditions, here's when you should seriously consider grading:
The Card Is Worth $75+ Raw
At $75 raw value, even a modest grade bump covers the grading fee and generates real profit. Below this threshold, the margins get razor-thin.
The Card Has a Low PSA 10 Population
Check PSA's Population Report. If fewer than 100 copies exist in PSA 10, a gem mint grade carries a real premium. If 5,000+ exist, the premium shrinks because supply is high.
The Card Is a Key Rookie or Prospect Auto
Rookie cards and Bowman 1st Chrome autos command the highest grading premiums. These are the cards where a PSA 10 slab genuinely changes the value tier.
You're Selling, Not Keeping
Grading exists to certify condition for buyers. If you're building a personal collection and never plan to sell, grading is an expense with no financial return. Grade for resale, not for display.
The Condition Is Genuinely Strong
Be honest with yourself. Surface scratches, soft corners, and off-center printing all drop grades. If the card isn't a realistic 9 or 10 candidate, grading it just puts a number on its flaws.
Cards You Should Never Grade
These are the submissions that cost collectors the most money. Avoid them.
Base Cards from High-Print Products
A 2026 Topps Series 1 base card of a non-rookie has millions of copies in circulation. Even a PSA 10 sells for $2-$5. The grading fee alone is 3-15x the graded value.
Exception: Short-print variations (SP/SSP) from flagship products can be worth grading if the player is a star.
Cards with Visible Damage
Dinged corners, surface scratches, print lines, or off-center cuts will result in a grade of 7 or below. For modern cards, anything under PSA 8 usually sells for the same as or less than raw. You paid $25+ to get bad news in a plastic case.
Instead: Sell damaged cards raw and put the grading fee toward a better copy.
Cards Under $30 Raw Value
Even at SGC's $15 rate, a $25 raw card needs to sell for at least $50 graded just to break even after fees and shipping. The math rarely works at this price point unless you're confident in a PSA 10 with a very low population.
Instead: Hold these cards raw. If the player breaks out, values rise and grading might make sense later.
Cards with Huge PSA 10 Populations
If 5,000+ copies of a card already exist in PSA 10, adding another one to the pool barely moves the price. The market is saturated. Your PSA 10 won't command a premium when there are thousands of identical slabs available.
Check first: Look up the card on PSA's Pop Report before submitting. Low pop = high premium. High pop = low premium.
The sunk cost trap: Don't grade a card just because you paid a lot for it. A $200 card with a bent corner is still not worth grading. The grading fee doesn't fix the damage. It just makes the damage official.
PSA vs. SGC vs. CGC: Which Grading Service?
Each grading company has a sweet spot. Choosing the right one depends on the card's value, your timeline, and whether you plan to resell.
| Factor | PSA | SGC | CGC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Resale premium, vintage, high-value cards | Budget submissions, fast turnaround | Bulk submissions (25+ cards) |
| Resale premium | Highest (10-30% over SGC/CGC) | Growing, but lower than PSA | Lowest (newer entrant) |
| Cost per card | $25-$75 | $15 flat | $15-$55 |
| Speed | Slowest (30-65 days) | Fastest (5-10 days) | Middle (15-50 days) |
| Value-based pricing | Yes (higher value = higher fee) | No (flat $15 always) | Yes (by tier) |
| Membership required | $99/yr for some tiers | No | No |
The Decision Shortcut
- Card worth $200+ raw: PSA. The resale premium justifies the higher fee and longer wait.
- Card worth $50-$200 raw: SGC. The $15 flat fee maximizes your ROI at this price point.
- 25+ cards to submit at once: CGC Bulk at $15/card. Competitive pricing if you meet the minimum.
- Need it fast: SGC Standard at 5-10 days, or SGC Immediate at 1-2 days for $40.
- Vintage cards (pre-1980): PSA. Vintage collectors strongly prefer PSA slabs, and the resale premium is largest in this segment.
How to Assess Condition Before Submitting
The biggest grading mistake is overestimating condition. Most collectors think their card is a 10 when it's really an 8. Save money by being ruthless in your self-assessment before spending a dollar on grading.
The 4-Point Check
Corners
Hold the card at eye level under bright light. All four corners should be razor-sharp with no rounding, fraying, or dings. Even a slight touch of white showing on a colored border drops you from a 10 to an 8 or below. Use a loupe or magnifying glass.
Surface
Tilt the card under direct light at different angles. Look for scratches, print dots, roller lines, or fingerprints. Chrome and refractor cards show surface flaws more easily than matte finishes. Any visible scratch typically caps a card at PSA 8.
Centering
Compare the borders on all four sides. PSA 10 requires 60/40 or better centering on the front, and 75/25 on the back. Hold the card against a white background and eyeball it. If the borders are noticeably uneven, expect a 9 at best.
Edges
Run your finger gently along each edge. Feel for any roughness, chips, or inconsistencies. Check the edges under magnification for tiny nicks that aren't visible to the naked eye. Chrome cards are especially vulnerable to edge chipping.
Finding Cards Worth Grading
The best grading candidates come from fresh, pack-pulled cards that go straight into a penny sleeve and top loader. But not everyone rips boxes. If you're looking for raw cards with grading potential, player lots are one of the smartest approaches.
A 5-card player lot on PlayerLots gives you multiple shots at finding a grading candidate for a fraction of the cost of buying individual singles. Out of five cards, even one gem-mint candidate that grades well can cover the cost of the entire lot and the grading fee.
Fixed Pricing
Lots from $10 to $100. No auction markup, no bidding wars. Know exactly what you're spending before you buy.
Multiple Chances
3-5 cards per lot means 3-5 potential grading candidates. Even if only one card grades well, the economics work in your favor.
Card Attributes
Filter lots by rookie, parallel, chrome, numbered, and autograph tags. Target the card types that benefit most from grading.
Safe Shipping
Cards arrive in top loaders via PWE or BMWT. Proper shipping means the cards reach you in gradeable condition.
The lot-to-slab math: Buy a $30 player lot with 5 cards. One chrome parallel turns out to be a PSA 10 candidate worth $150 graded. Grade it with SGC for $15. Total investment: $45. Potential return: $150. That's a 3.3x return, and you still have 4 other cards for your collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start Building Your Grading Pipeline
Smart grading starts with smart buying. Instead of hunting for one perfect single at top dollar, grab a player lot and let the numbers work in your favor. Browse available player lots to find your next grading candidate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to grade a baseball card in 2026?
Grading costs range from $15 to $75 for standard services. SGC charges $15 per card regardless of value. PSA starts at $25 for bulk submissions and $28 for their Value tier, up to $75 for Regular service. CGC starts at $15 for Bulk (25-card minimum) and $18 for Economy. Express and premium services at all three companies cost $100 or more.
Is PSA grading worth the money?
PSA grading is worth it for cards valued at $75 or more in raw condition, where a PSA 9 or 10 would create meaningful value above the grading fee. PSA commands the highest resale premiums of any grading company, especially for vintage cards and high-end rookies. For cards under $50 raw, SGC at $15 per card offers better ROI.
What is the cheapest way to get baseball cards graded?
SGC at $15 per card is the cheapest option with no minimum submission requirement. CGC Bulk at $15 per card requires a 25-card minimum. PSA's cheapest tier is Value Bulk at $25 per card. For budget-conscious collectors, SGC offers the best combination of low cost and fast turnaround (5-10 business days).
Should I grade a $20 card?
In most cases, no. A $20 raw card would need to sell for $35 or more after grading to break even on even the cheapest grading service ($15 at SGC). That requires a PSA 10 or SGC 10 grade with strong market demand. Unless the card has a very low PSA 10 population and high collector interest, the math rarely works for cards under $30.
How much does a PSA 10 increase a card's value?
The value increase varies widely. Modern rookies worth $50 raw might sell for $150-$300 as a PSA 10 (a 3-6x multiplier). Vintage cards can see 5-20x increases. But cards with high PSA 10 populations (1,000 or more graded copies) see smaller premiums because supply is abundant. The rarer the high grade, the bigger the multiplier.
PSA vs SGC vs CGC: which grading company should I use?
For resale value on high-end cards ($200 or more raw), PSA commands the highest premiums. For budget submissions (cards worth $30 to $150), SGC at $15 per card offers the best ROI with fast turnaround. CGC is growing in popularity and offers competitive bulk pricing at $15 for 25 or more cards. Choose based on card value and your goals.