You’ve done everything right. You’ve protected your card, stored it carefully, and finally decided it’s time to submit for grading. Then the results come back and the grade is lower than expected.
It’s frustrating. And in most cases, it’s avoidable.
Lower grades don’t always mean the card was damaged in your collection. Often, they result from small oversights during handling, packaging, or submission prep. The good news? Once you know what graders are looking for, you can catch these issues before they cost you points.
This guide breaks down the most common pitfalls that lead to lower card grades and gives you clear, actionable steps to avoid them.
Understanding Why Cards Grade Lower Than Expected
Before diving into specific issues, it’s worth understanding how grading works.
Professional graders assess four main areas: centering, corners, edges, and surface. Each contributes to the final grade. A card can look mint to the naked eye but still score lower due to factory defects, subtle wear, or handling errors that happened long before you owned it.
That’s not always in your control. But what you can control is how you prepare, handle, and submit your cards. Let’s focus there.
Poor Handling Before Submission
Even clean hands transfer oils, moisture, and microscopic debris onto card surfaces. Over time, this can lead to surface dulling, print lines becoming more visible, or worse: actual fingerprint impressions under certain lighting.
How to avoid it:
- Always handle cards by the edges, never touching the front or back surface.
- Wear clean, lint free cotton or nitrile gloves when handling high value cards.
- Work on a clean, flat surface free of dust and debris.
- Never touch a card immediately after eating, applying lotion, or handling anything greasy.
If you’re preparing multiple cards for submission, handle each one individually and return it to a protective sleeve immediately.
Using the Wrong Card Sleeves or Holders
Not all protective holders are grading friendly. Some materials can scratch surfaces, trap moisture, or leave residue. Others are simply too thick or rigid, increasing the risk of corner or edge damage during shipping.
Penny sleeves are fine for general storage but aren’t ideal for grading submissions. Toploader holders offer better protection, but only if used correctly.
How to avoid it:
- Use soft, acid free penny sleeves for the initial layer of protection.
- Place sleeved cards into rigid toploaders with the card opening facing upward to prevent sliding.
- Avoid reusing old or scratched toploaders that may transfer marks.
- Never force a card into a sleeve or holder. If it doesn’t fit easily, the holder is too small.
If you’re getting ready to send cards in, our ultimate checklist walks through everything you need to prepare before submission.
Attempting DIY Cleaning or Restoration
This is one of the biggest causes of unexpected downgrades.
It’s tempting to wipe away a smudge or try to “improve” a card’s appearance before submission. But unless you’re trained in professional card restoration, any attempt to clean, erase, or alter a card will likely make things worse or be immediately flagged by graders.
Graders are trained to spot restoration attempts, including:
- Surface cleaning with solvents or water
- Eraser marks or “touchups” on edges
- Recolouring of borders or faded areas
- Trimming or pressing to improve centering or warping
Even minor cleaning can remove original print layers or create micro scratches that weren’t there before.
How to avoid it:
- Submit cards as they are. Graders assess condition based on originality, not perceived improvements.
- If a card has visible dirt or residue, note it during submission rather than trying to fix it yourself.
- For valuable vintage cards, consult a professional conservator before attempting any form of cleaning.
If you’re wondering about the difference between what graders check versus what authenticators look for, this guide explains the distinction between the two processes.
Ignoring Authenticity Concerns
Submitting a counterfeit or altered card won’t just result in a low grade. It may be rejected entirely or returned ungraded.
Counterfeit cards are more common than many collectors realise, especially for high value vintage issues and popular modern releases. If you’re unsure about authenticity, addressing it before submission saves time, money, and disappointment.
How to avoid it:
- Research the card’s known characteristics: print quality, holo patterns, font styles, and card stock weight.
- Compare your card to verified authentic examples using high resolution images.
- If you have doubts, use authentication resources or submit through a service that includes authentication before grading.
Get Graded offers authentication services to verify cards before grading. You can also read about how to spot fake cards and learn which counterfeits appear most often in the market.
Inadequate Packaging for Shipping
Cards can leave your hands in perfect condition and still arrive damaged. Poor packaging is one of the most preventable causes of lower grades.
Grading companies handle thousands of submissions. If your cards aren’t packaged securely, they’re vulnerable to shifting, bending, or impact damage in transit.
How to avoid it:
- Use a sturdy cardboard box, never a padded envelope alone.
- Sandwich cards between rigid cardboard pieces to prevent bending.
- Fill empty space with bubble wrap or packing paper to prevent movement.
- Clearly label the package as containing valuable collectibles.
- Use tracked, insured shipping services, especially for high value cards.
For UK and European collectors, consider Royal Mail Special Delivery or a trusted courier with full tracking and insurance. Delays and mishandling are rare but worth protecting against.
If you’d prefer to drop off your submission in person, you can find a local submission point near you.
Submitting Cards That Shouldn’t Be Graded
Not every card benefits from grading. If a card has visible damage, heavy wear, or obvious flaws, grading may confirm a low score without adding value or even reduce perceived value compared to an ungraded example.
Before submitting, ask yourself:
- Is the card in strong enough condition to justify the grading cost?
- Will grading likely increase its market value or protect a high value asset?
- Am I grading for personal collection purposes, or for resale?
How to avoid it:
- Inspect cards under good lighting and magnification before deciding to submit.
- Focus on cards with strong eye appeal, minimal visible wear, and good centering.
- If you’re uncertain, research recent sales of graded examples in similar condition.
Understanding what grading costs can help you decide if the investment aligns with your goals. There’s also useful context on whether grading makes sense before selling.
Failing to Document Card Condition Before Submission
Once you submit a card, you lose direct access to it until grading is complete. If you haven’t documented its condition beforehand, you won’t have a reference point if questions arise.
Taking clear photos protects both you and the grading company. It creates a record of the card’s condition at submission and helps resolve any disputes or concerns.
How to avoid it:
- Photograph the card front, back, and all four corners under natural or bright white light.
- Capture any existing flaws, such as edge wear, print lines, or surface marks.
- Store these images in a dated folder alongside your submission details.
This simple step takes less than five minutes and provides peace of mind throughout the grading process.
Quick Submission Checklist
Before you send your cards, run through this checklist:
- Cards handled carefully with clean hands or gloves
- Each card placed in a soft penny sleeve and rigid toploader
- No DIY cleaning, trimming, or restoration attempts
- Authenticity verified or concerns noted
- Cards packaged securely with rigid protection and padding
- Tracked, insured shipping arranged
- Condition documented with photos
For step by step guidance on preparing your submission, this article covers the full process.
Why Graded Cards Sell for More
When you avoid these common pitfalls, your cards have the best chance of achieving their true grade. Higher grades mean stronger market value, increased buyer confidence, and long term protection for your collection.
Grading doesn’t just assign a number. It verifies authenticity, preserves condition, and creates a standardised reference point for buyers and sellers. That’s why graded cards often command higher prices than raw examples in similar condition.
Track Your Submissions with Confidence
Once your cards are submitted, you can monitor their progress using the Flawless Tracker. It’s a simple way to stay updated without the guesswork.
After grading, verify your certification details anytime with the Cert Checker.
Ready to Submit?
Avoiding these pitfalls doesn’t guarantee a perfect grade, but it gives your cards the best possible chance.
Whether you’re submitting your first card or your hundredth, Get Graded is here to guide you through every step. Browse our full range of services and pricing, pick up grading supplies, or explore more helpful content on the blog.
Take your time. Prepare carefully. And submit with confidence.