Grading Scale

Card centering is determined by calculating the symmetry of the card’s borders. To eliminate human error, this is achieved through a combination of high-resolution digital imaging, specialized software, and precise mathematical ratios.

Once the measurements are taken, the software converts them into a percentage ratio (A:B).

The formula for calculating the centering percentage of one side is:
Centering % = [Border A / (Border A + Border B)] x 100

Example: If a card’s left border measures 2.0mm and the right border measures 2.0mm, the math is [2.0 / (2.0 + 2.0)] x 100 = 50%. This represents perfect 50/50 centering.

If the left border is 2.4mm and the right is 1.6mm, the math is [2.4 / (2.4 + 1.6)] x 100 = 60%, resulting in a 60/40 centering ratio.

When grading the corners of a card, we look at two main things: the exact shape of the curve and the physical condition of the cardboard. Every card game has a very specific, factory-standard curve for its corners. We use precision optical tools to make sure that curve is perfectly round, symmetrical, and hasn’t been subtly trimmed or altered. Even a fraction of a millimeter of asymmetry can be the difference between a perfect 10 and a 9.

From there, we look closely at the actual condition of the card stock under high magnification. Corners are usually the first part of a card to show wear, so we check for any blunt impact damage, splitting layers, or peeling edges. We also analyze “whitening”—those tiny white spots where the ink has rubbed off from being handled or sleeved. By looking at these defects under controlled lighting, we can give a completely accurate and fair grade based on how much raw paperboard is actually exposed.

Some examples of corner damage can be seen below, these examples will be shown on your grading reports should you have any corner damage.

When grading the edges of a TCG card, the evaluation focuses on structural crispness and long-term shelf wear. The process begins under a high-magnification optical microscope paired with multi-angled, diffuse lighting. This specific lighting setup eliminates shadows, allowing grading technicians to clearly see the entire perimeter of the card. The software and grader inspect the edge for “silvering” (where the front foil layer becomes exposed at the cut line), micro-chipping, and “rough cuts” caused by dull factory blades during manufacturing. Every millimeter of the top, bottom, left, and right borders is scanned to ensure the edge is smooth and structurally sound.

Beyond surface-level ink wear, the evaluation also measures the physical integrity of the cardboard layers. Because trading cards are made of pressed paper stock, the edges are highly susceptible to moisture, friction from being slid into tight sleeves, and denting from handling. Graders look for indentation marks, indents, and “flaring”—a defect where the layers of the card stock begin to split and widen. By utilizing digital measurement tools alongside high-powered optics, the final edge grade reflects a precise calculation of how much of the edge remains in its pristine, factory-cut state versus how much wear it has accumulated over time.

Below are some examples of edge wear that has been identified in some of our grading reports.

When assessing the surface of a trading card, the goal is to look past the artwork and evaluate the flat plane of the card for both post-factory wear and printing press errors. This process requires a specialized, multi-angled LED lighting grid. By shifting the angle of the light, technicians can spot imperfections that are completely invisible under normal room lighting. The surface is scanned for common handling defects like light scratches, minor indentations, fingerprints, and scuffs, as well as structural issues like “clouding,” which happens when moisture or friction dulls the card’s original gloss.

In addition to handling wear, a major part of the surface grade relies on identifying factory-side defects, most notably print lines. Print lines occur during the manufacturing process when a printing plate or roller leaves a faint horizontal or vertical indentation or ink streak across the card. Using high-magnification optical tools, we analyze whether these print lines are beneath the surface gloss (a factory defect) or if they are actual scratches that broke the card’s top layer. The severity, depth, and visibility of these lines, along with any print dots or roller marks, are mapped out to determine how much they disrupt the card’s visual appeal, ensuring the final surface grade is based on a strict, objective standard.