Everything here is vetted and linked to Amazon for easy ordering. We only recommend what we actually use.
Sleeves
Dragon Shield Perfect Fit + Matte outers. The double-sleeve is the standard for anything you plan to grade. Perfect Fits keep condition stable; matte outers reduce glare for photography and avoid static attraction.
Card Savers
Cardboard Gold CBG-1. PSA-approved, semi-rigid holders. Send all raw cards to PSA in Card Savers, not top loaders.
Top Loaders (35pt)
Ultra Pro 35pt regular for most modern cards. Thicker (75pt / 100pt) only for thick cards, jumbos, or relic cards.
Shipping Boxes
6x4x2 corrugated mailer boxes for multi-card sends. Team bag + top loader + bubble mailer is fine for single cards up to $200. Above that, go boxed.
Binders & Storage
Vault X 9-pocket zipper binder — side-loading, padded, and holds ~360 cards. Don’t use Ultra Pro 4-ring binders for valuable cards; they bend at the spine.
Loupe / Jewellers Lens
10x jewellers loupe with LED. Essential for pre-grading — check corners, edges, and print-line defects before you submit.
LED Light for Grading
Neewer LED video light (bi-colour). Temperature-matched light helps you spot whitening and scratches you’d miss in ambient light.
Bubble Mailers
Kraft #000 (4″x8″) bubble mailers — perfect for 1–2 card sends with a top loader + team bag. Cheap in bulk, reliable, and look professional.