Maintaining the quality of your trading cards is crucial if you hope to increase your card’s – or even your collection’s – overall value. Whether you collect sports cards, Pokemon cards or any other type of entertainment card, there are a few things every collector should do to keep their collections in mint or near-mint condition.
Here are a few tips for keeping your cards in peak condition:
- Avoid Handling Them: Handling your trading cards too often can cause them to break down and smudge from the oils on your hands. To avoid this, try not to handle your cards too often, and when you do, pick them up by the edges, not the face.
- Invest In Penny Sleeves: Also known as card sleeves, penny sleeves are a clear, plastic sleeve you can store your cards in for additional protection. They enable you to view your trading cards whenever you want, without accidentally damaging them. You can usually purchase penny sleeves at your local trading card shop or online store.
- Consider Cases: For your most valuable cards, you may consider investing in hard plastic casing for their storage. These are more durable than penny sleeves and can also help protect against scratches. If you are planning to get your best cards graded, ask the company you are working with if they offer encasing services.
- Keep Them In A Controlled Environment: Keeping your cards in a climate-controlled environment is crucial for maintaining their integrity. Try to keep your cards in a dry, dark space. This will prevent moisture from affecting your cards and prevent fading caused by extended sunlight exposure.
- Check Your Cards Regularly: Even when you have your cards in a safe space, accidents happen. Because of this, it’s important to check on your cards regularly to make sure they are still in good condition. If you notice any damage caused to your deck, this will give you time to seek replacement cards and fix the issue that caused damage so that none of your other cards will be harmed.
For more information about trading cards from the experts at Johnny Ford Sports, please contact us here or call us directly at 616.350.9560.
