Care & Preservation Guide
Keep your cards and sealed product pristine and value-safe. Follow this simple, proven checklist.
Loose cards
1) Baseline sleeving (always)
All special cards into penny sleeves made of archival, PVC-free polypropylene to prevent micro-scratches and chemical transfer over time.
2) Top hits (reinforced protection)
Penny sleeve + rigid top loader (or semi-rigid Card Saver if you plan to grade).
3) Binders & pages
Side-loading, archival-safe pages; avoid PVC. One card per pocket if you want maximum safety.
4) Handling
No drinks on the table; re-sleeve once you’re done. Limit direct light while handling.
Environment (critical)
Target 60–70 °F (15–21 °C) and 40–50 % RH; avoid swings. High humidity warps cards and can cause mold; extreme dryness also harms paper.
Light fades inks and weakens stock; if displaying, use UV-protective cases/sleeves.
Add silica gel sachets in storage boxes; rechargeable types work well. Avoid cobalt-dyed beads around collectibles.
Sealed product (boxes/packs)
Keep away from humidity and out of direct sunlight, far from heaters/attics/garages. Keep temperature and humidity stable to prevent box warping or brittle wrap.
Use acrylic/plexiglass cases (ideally with UV filtering) to guard against knocks and exposure.
Avoid very tall stacks; use shelving and keep boxes off the floor.
Shipping / moving your collection
Bind cards securely but not tightly; tape all seams. Prevent internal movement.
Quick checklist
- All specials; penny + top loader for top hits.
- Pages, ideally side-loading.
- 40–50 % RH, no direct sunlight.
- In boxes; UV-safe acrylic if displaying.