Storing and protecting your sports card investments is a critical part of the card collecting hobby. Here we will show you some of the top ways collectors protect their card investments and talk about each product/method. The below video will go through some of the top card storage and protection methods plus show you the proper way to use these products. Below the video is more about these sports card storage products and a few links for where they can be purchased.
Card Sleeves (Penny Sleeves)
A penny sleeve is a light thin plastic cover and is the first defense when protecting your cards. Penny sleeves get their name from the fact that they cost about about 1 cent. They are sold in bulk usually 100 count or more. Any collector large or small should always have some penny sleeves on hand. It is recommended by hobby professionals to place your card into a penny sleeve before placing them into Card Savers or top loaders. For a demonstration of proper usage see the video above.
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Card Savers (Semi-Rigid)
The Card Saver® is a popular option when protecting and storing your cards. Many collectors and grading companies prefer/require the use of Card Savers over other methods when submitting cards for grading. While there are a variety of companies that make similar products, the industry standard are the Cardboard Gold brand Card Saver I and Card Saver II used for standard size cards. Aside from grading submissions, Card Savers are also a great choice for long term storage as they are inexpensive and take up less space.
The Card Saver is a semi-rigid plastic sleeve which securely holds the card in place. It prevents damage all around the card and helps prevent surface scratches.
While not a requirement it is best practice to place the card into a penny sleeve first then insert into the Card Saver.
Watch our video above on protecting your cards to learn more and the proper way to use Card Savers.
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Magnetic Card Holders (One Touch®)
The Ultra Pro One Touch is a favorite among collectors for its ease of use and durable qualities. These holders easily open so a card can be placed within the card sized space. The card fits securely in this space and once closed, snaps shut tight via a strong magnetic clasp. These One Touch holders are very thick and rigid which offer maximum protection for your investment inside. Many of these type of holders also offer UV protection against sun damage. One noteworthy warning when using this type of card holder, if dropped the magnetic seal could open allowing the card to come out.
The One Touch is a great choice for personal collections or displaying your favorite ungraded cards.
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Top Loaders
The top loader is arguably the most popular and well known card protector available today. Primarily because they provide rigid, durable protection against bending, corner damage, and surface scratches. They are widely used for storing, shipping, and displaying lower-mid level value cards, making them a staple in the hobby for preserving card condition.
When using top loaders it is highly recommended to use in combination with penny sleeves. Without a penny sleeve the card will most likely be able to move around with in the top loader or even fall out easily. This can obviously cause damage to corners edges and card surface.
Top loader products can be found in a variety of sizes, thicknesses and configurations.
Watch our video above on protecting your cards to learn more and the proper way to use top loaders.
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Boxes & Card Vaults
One of the most versatile options for large card collections and sets is the card box. These boxes can be found in many sizes, configurations and even materials. Most common is the cardboard set box which is usually white on the outside and very inexpensive. They usually hold anywhere from 250-800 cards and are a popular choice for inexpensive set storage. While it offers little protection to the individual cards, it is a neat way to store thousands of cards easily in a closet or on shelving.
Higher end options when it comes to boxes are plastic boxes or large cases with drawers.
For a premium product some collectors opt for a card vault. These can be made of durable materials including metals and have high-end padding on the inside. With the addition of a lock, this offers a superior case for valuable collections and a nice way to travel with your cards.
Here are just a few options for card boxes and vaults
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Cardboard & Plastic Boxes
Premium Vaults & Boxes
Binders & Albums
Binders offer collectors a way to display their collection or an entire set of cards in a visually appealing way. People can flip through the collection like a book and see each card. To put a set binder together you will need the binder/cover itself and the clear display pages that go inside, usually 9 card pockets per page. Cards have been known to fall out of the clear pouches easily. Opting for a binder with side load openings opposed to top loading may help.
This method is not recommended for high value cards as they could be easily damaged.
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