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Expert Picks for January 2026

Best Grading Services Supplies

Submission supplies for PSA, BGS, and CGC. Card Savers, comic bags, and preparation materials.

Last updated: January 28, 2026

Best Overall Comparison All Products User Reviews Buying Guide FAQ

Best Overall Our top recommendation

Best Overall

Cardboard Gold

Card Saver 1 Holders 200-Pack

4.9 (67,890 reviews)

The industry standard for grading submissions. PSA and BGS specifically prefer Card Saver 1 holders—they protect during shipping while allowing easy removal for inspection. If you're submitting cards, you need these.

Quantity

200 holders

Fit

Standard penny-sleeved cards

Purpose

Grading submission

Accepted By

PSA, BGS, CGC

Pros

✓ PSA/BGS required
✓ Semi-rigid perfect protection
✓ Bulk pricing value

Cons

✗ Specific to grading
✗ Not for display
✗ Single use typically

$40

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Head-to-Head Comparison

Product	Rating	Price	Action
Card Saver 1 Holders 200-Pack Best Cardboard Gold	4.9	$40	View
CGC Comic Submission Bags Value E. Gerber	4.7	$20	View
Blue Painter's Tape 3M ScotchBlue	4.8	$8	View
Team Bags for Toploaders 100-Pack Ultra Pro	4.6	$10	View
Submission Tracking Spreadsheet Collector Tools	4.5	$15	View

* Prices may vary. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

All Recommended Products

Best Overall

Cardboard Gold

Card Saver 1 Holders 200-Pack

4.9 (67,890 reviews)

Quantity

200 holders

Fit

Standard penny-sleeved cards

Purpose

Grading submission

Accepted By

PSA, BGS, CGC

Pros

✓ PSA/BGS required
✓ Semi-rigid perfect protection
✓ Bulk pricing value

Cons

✗ Specific to grading
✗ Not for display
✗ Single use typically

$40

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Best Value

E. Gerber

CGC Comic Submission Bags

4.7 (12,345 reviews)

CGC accepts comics in proper Mylar bags with boards. E. Gerber Mylar is the archival standard—no off-gassing, no degradation, decades of protection. Prepare your submissions properly or risk damage in transit.

Quantity

50 bags

Material

Mylar

Size

Current/Modern

Standard

Archival

Pros

✓ Mylar archival quality
✓ CGC accepted
✓ Rigid support

Cons

✗ Comics specific
✗ More expensive than poly
✗ Size specific

$20

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Budget Pick

3M ScotchBlue

Blue Painter's Tape

4.8 (89,012 reviews)

Never use regular tape on toploaders or submissions—it leaves residue and damages cards. Blue painter's tape removes cleanly. Every grading guide specifies it. Cheap insurance against rejected submissions.

Type

Painter's tape

Residue

None

Removal

Clean

Standard

Industry accepted

Pros

✓ Clean removal
✓ No residue
✓ Standard for submissions

Cons

✗ Not collecting specific
✗ Blue color obvious
✗ Limited adhesion

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Ultra Pro

Team Bags for Toploaders 100-Pack

4.6 (34,567 reviews)

After the penny sleeve, after the toploader—the team bag. Seals out dust and adds a final layer of protection. For grading submissions, keeps everything together. For sales, presents professionally.

Quantity

100 bags

Fit

Standard toploaders

Closure

Resealable

Material

Polypropylene

Pros

✓ Resealable closure
✓ Fits toploaders perfectly
✓ Extra dust protection

Cons

✗ Extra step in process
✗ Not required
✗ Adds minor cost

$10

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Premium Pick

Collector Tools

Submission Tracking Spreadsheet

4.5 (5,678 reviews)

When you're submitting dozens of cards, tracking becomes essential. This spreadsheet tracks submissions, declared values, costs, and returns. Know your grading ROI. Never lose track of submissions.

Format

Excel/Google Sheets

Features

Tracking, valuation, status

Updates

Manual entry

Coverage

All grading companies

Pros

✓ Track all submissions
✓ Declared values recorded
✓ Status monitoring

Cons

✗ Learning curve
✗ Requires maintenance
✗ Digital only

$15

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Buying Guide: How to Choose Grading Services Supplies

How to Submit Items for Professional Grading

Professional grading (PSA, BGS, CGC) transforms subjective condition into objective value. But grading companies reject improper submissions—costing time and money. Prepare correctly.

Cards: The Submission Process

1. Assess Worthiness
Don't grade everything. Grade: valuable cards, high-condition pieces, items for sale. Don't grade: commons, damaged cards, cards under $50 value.

2. Prepare Properly
Penny sleeve (soft sleeve) on card
- Card Saver 1 holder (NOT toploaders—PSA prefers Card Saver)
- Blue painter's tape securing (never regular tape)
- Team bag for extra protection (optional)

3. Documentation
- Fill forms accurately
- Declare values honestly (affects insurance)
- Note any concerns (auto verification, etc.)

4. Shipping
- Box submissions securely
- Track shipping
- Insurance recommended
- No signature required (causes delays)

### Comics: The Submission Process

1. Assess Condition
CGC grades 0.5-10.0. Press/clean services available through CGC. Know your expected grade before declaring value.

2. Prepare Properly
- Bag: Mylar preferred (E. Gerber)
- Board: Acid-free full-back
- No tape, stickers, or writing on bags

3. Submission Tiers
Modern, Walk-Through, Fast Track—prices and turnaround vary. Choose based on value and urgency.

### Understanding Grades

Trading Cards
- PSA 10 (Gem Mint): Perfect or near-perfect
- PSA 9 (Mint): Minor imperfection
- PSA 8 (NM-MT): Slight wear
- Below 8: Noticeable wear affecting value

Comics
- 9.8: Near perfect
- 9.6: Minor printing defects
- 9.4: Outstanding condition
- Below 9.0: Noticeable wear

### Cost vs Return

Calculate: (Graded Value - Raw Value) - Grading Cost = Net Benefit

If net benefit is negative, don't grade. High grades of valuable items justify costs. Lower grades or cheaper items often don't.

Frequently Asked Questions About Grading Services Supplies

What supplies do I need to submit cards for grading?

Penny sleeves, Card Saver 1 holders (NOT toploaders for PSA), blue painter's tape, team bags optional. Never use regular tape—leaves residue. Fill submission forms accurately with honest declared values. Ship in secure box with tracking.

How long does card grading take?

Varies wildly by service tier and company backlog. Economy: 3-6 months or more. Regular: 1-3 months. Express: 2-4 weeks. Premium: days. PSA, BGS, and CGC all have similar tier structures with different names and prices.

Is it worth grading my cards?

Calculate expected return. Grading costs $20-150+ depending on tier and value. If the grade bump adds more value than cost, grade. High-end cards with high-grade potential are worth it. Commons and damaged cards aren't. Research comparable sales.

What's the difference between PSA and BGS grading?

PSA uses whole number grades (1-10); BGS uses decimals (9.5). BGS provides subgrades (corners, edges, centering, surface). PSA 10 commands slight premium in most markets. BGS "Black Label" (all 10 subgrades) is most valuable but rare. Both are respected.

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