Whether you are a beginner collector or an experienced investor, there comes a moment when you ask yourself: Should I get my Pokémon cards graded? With the rising popularity of graded Pokémon cards across Europe and the growing transparency of the collector market, understanding Pokémon card grading has never been more important.
This complete guide helps you decide which cards are worth grading, how the process works, and which grading company fits your needs. You also learn how condition, print quality and rarity influence value, and how Beam Card Shop helps you build a reliable collection through fair pricing, fast EU shipping, and trusted service.
History of graded Pokémon cards
The history of graded Pokémon cards dates back to the early 2000s. As the Pokémon TCG community grew, collectors needed a way to authenticate rare and high-value cards. PSA was one of the first to offer grading services for trading cards, followed by Beckett Grading Services (BGS) and later CGC.
Before grading became mainstream, collectors relied on subjective descriptions such as “near mint” or “lightly played”. Today, grading Pokémon cards introduces a professional, consistent standard. It provides clarity in the market, protects your cards long-term, and allows collectors across the world to trade confidently.
This development has made grading particularly popular for vintage cards, early EX series, Wizards of the Coast prints, and modern chase cards from limited releases.
What is a graded Pokémon card?
A graded Pokémon card is a card that has been authenticated and evaluated by a professional grading company. After careful inspection, the card receives a numerical grade, typically between 1 and 10, which represents its condition and overall quality.
Once graded, your card is sealed in a tamper-proof “slab” that:
- Protects it from wear, moisture, dust and bending
- Confirms its authenticity
- Displays subgrades (depending on the company)
- Helps determine fair market value
- Makes the card more desirable for buying, selling, or investing
For collectors wanting stability and long-term preservation, grading is one of the best steps you can take.
Advantages of grading Pokémon cards
Grading offers benefits for both collectors and investors. When you decide to begin grading Pokémon cards, you unlock several advantages:
1. Long-term protection
A slab prevents accidental damage. You no longer have to worry about minor scratches, humidity, or corner wear.
2. Market transparency
Buyers know exactly what they are purchasing. A PSA 10 or CGC 9.5 has a clear, widely accepted meaning.
3. Increased value
Cards in high grades often sell for significantly more than raw cards, especially vintage or low-print cards.
4. Better trading confidence
Graded cards reduce risk in international trades and make negotiations easier.
5. Premium presentation for display
A graded card looks professional and polished, perfect for collectors who enjoy displaying their best pulls.
How to get Pokémon cards graded
If you are wondering how to get Pokémon cards graded, here is a detailed overview of the full process:
1. Prepare your card
Inspect the card under proper lighting. Use microfiber cloths and card sleeves. Even tiny imperfections can influence the final grade.
2. Choose your grading company
Your choice depends on budget, turnaround times, and market influence (more on this later).
3. Submit your card
Follow the submission guidelines on the grading company’s website. This often includes filling out a form, choosing a service level and paying your submission fee.
4. Package your card securely
Use card savers, bubble wrap, and tracked shipping. Always take photos before sending.
5. Grading & encapsulation
The graders evaluate centering, corners, edges, and surface. The card is then sealed in a protective slab.
6. Return shipment
Your newly graded card is shipped back to you, ready for your collection or marketplace listing.
If you prefer a local approach, many European collectors use official partner drop-off points for safer shipping.
Fun fact
The iconic Illustrator Pikachu, the world’s rarest Pokémon card, broke multiple sales records in graded form. Without grading, it would never have reached those historic prices.
Where to get Pokémon cards graded
You have several strong options when deciding where to get Pokémon cards graded. The three leading companies are:
PSA: Professional Sports Authenticator
- The most recognized brand in the hobby
- Strong market value for PSA 10s
- Simple grading scale (no subgrades)
- Excellent for investment-focused collectors
BGS: Beckett Grading Services
- Known for subgrades (Centering, Edges, Corners, Surface)
- Offers the rare “Black Label” 10
- Premium slab quality
CGC: Certified Guaranty Company
- Popular in Europe
- Fast turnaround
- Extremely consistent grading
- Transparent scoring system
All three companies are trusted worldwide. Your choice depends on whether you prefer speed, market value potential, or detailed grading.
Difference between BGS, PSA and CGC
Each grading company brings something unique to the hobby:
PSA
- Strong resale value
- Widely recognized
- Ideal for older cards and trophy cards
BGS
- Subgrades give transparency
- Black Label is the rarest perfect grade
- Preferred among collectors of modern premium cards
CGC
- Tough but consistent grading
- Modern, clear slab design
- Attractive for scientific accuracy and quality control
If your goal is maximum resale potential, PSA is often preferred. If you value detailed subgrades, choose BGS. For fast turnaround and consistency, CGC is a strong fit.
How to determine if a Pokémon card is worth grading
Not every card needs to be graded. Consider the following factors before making your decision:
Condition
The overall condition of your card is the number one factor in Pokémon card grading. PSA, BGS, and CGC all use strict standards, and even tiny flaws can drop a card from a 10 to a 9 instantly. Before you decide to submit, take time to evaluate your card the same way a professional grader would.
Below you find a detailed yet easy-to-use breakdown of the four main condition categories.
Centering
Centering refers to how evenly the card’s borders and artwork are aligned. A card can look clean and flawless, but if the borders are noticeably uneven, it will never achieve a top grade.
What graders check:
- Equal border thickness on all four sides
- Centered artwork frame
- Back centering (often less accurate than the front)
- Tolerance limits (PSA allows slight variations, BGS and CGC are stricter)
How to evaluate it yourself:
- Compare left vs. right and top vs. bottom borders
- Tilt the card under good lighting to avoid shadow distortion
- Use an online centering tool or grid overlay for more precision
If the centering is visibly off, it is usually not worth sending for high-tier grading.
Surface
Surface issues are the most common reason a card misses a perfect grade. Most flaws only become visible when examined properly.
Front surface issues to look for:
- Holo scratches or print lines
- Texture dents on full-art or illustration-rare cards
- Small dots from printing or ink saturation
- Fingerprints or smudges from handling
Back surface issues:
- Tiny dents from binder pressure
- Gloss inconsistencies
- Surface wear from storage
Best inspection method:
Tilt the card slowly under a bright LED light. Rotate it from multiple angles. Imperfections will reflect light differently, making them easier to spot.
Corners
Corners reveal whether a card has been handled, shuffled, dropped, or damaged during manufacturing.
Ideal corners should be:
- Sharp and crisply cut
- Free of whitening
- Evenly shaped with no rounding
Common corner flaws:
- Soft corners from early mishandling
- Whitening from friction inside booster packs
- Micro folds from binder pressure
- Uneven cuts from factory production
Use your phone camera to zoom in on each corner,imperfections become very obvious.
Edges
Edges are sensitive to wear and often show damage before any other part of the card.
Look carefully for:
- Whitening along the outline
- Small chips in the ink layer
- Rough cutting (more common in older print runs)
- Layer separation or slight peeling
Value
Ask yourself:
- Is the card sought-after?
- Does it belong to a top chase card (Prismatic Evolutions for example) list?
- Is it vintage or part of a limited print run?
- Is it from a popular modern set?
High-value cards, such as full-art trainers, special illustration rares, gold cards, or vintage holos, often justify grading costs.
Frequently asked questions
Which card should you grade?
Cards that are rare, highly valuable, perfectly preserved or historically important are best suited for grading. Cards pulled from sealed booster boxes are often strong candidates.
How to tell if my Pokémon card is fake?
Look at printing quality, colours, weight, texture and the black inner layer of the card stock. Fake cards often have blurry outlines or incorrect font spacing.
How can I check how much my Pokémon card is worth?
Use recent sales data, price guides and verified marketplaces. You can also browse Beam Card Shop’s set categories to understand which cards have strong collector demand.
Buy Pokémon at Beam Card Shop!
At Beam Card Shop you find sealed booster boxes, Elite Trainer Boxes, bundles and accessories, all at collector-friendly prices with fast tracked EU shipping.