How to Use Card Sleeves Correctly?

If you’re a serious card collector, you know how important it is to keep your cards in tip-top condition. Whether it’s a rare Charizard or a holo card, you don’t want to see them get damaged. Card sleeves are essential for protecting your cards from scratches, bending, and fading. But why are they so important, and which brand should you choose? Read on to find out everything you need to know about card sleeves and why they’re a must-have for any collection.

What are card sleeves?

Card sleeves are plastic covers designed to protect your collectible cards. They completely cover the card and keep it from coming into contact with the outside world, such as dust, grease, or scratches. They are essential for anyone who values ​​the condition of their collectible cards.

Why are card sleeves necessary?

As you know, the condition of your cards is essential to their value. Cards that are damaged quickly lose value and become less attractive to collectors. Card sleeves help protect your cards, and here’s why you should use them:

• Protection against wear : Cards are often exposed to dust and oil from your hands. This can lead to fading or wear over time. With card sleeves your cards stay neat and free from damage.
• Preventing scratches : Scratches can cause irreparable damage to your cards. Using card sleeves prevents your cards from coming into contact with rougher surfaces, meaning they stay in perfect condition.
• Retaining Value : When selling or trading cards, you want them to be in excellent condition. Keeping your cards in sleeves increases your chances of fetching a high price, especially for rare or sought-after cards.
• Organization : Card sleeves also help keep your cards neat and organized. They fit perfectly into binders, making your cards easy to display or sort.

Which card sleeves should you choose?

There are many different types of card sleeves, so it's important to choose what works best for your cards. Here are some things to look for:

1. Material : Most card sleeves are made of polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE). Both materials offer good protection, but polypropylene sleeves are often stronger and more durable. They offer quick protection against scratches, while PVC sleeves are often used for premium cards because of their strength.
2. Size : Cards like Pokémon cards have standard sizes of 63x88 mm. It is important to choose the right size for your cards. Sleeves that are too big can make your cards slide, while sleeves that are too small can damage them.
3. Thickness : The thickness of a card sleeve affects how well it protects. Thicker sleeves offer better protection, but can also make the card thicker. If you want maximum protection, you may want to consider using a double sleeve system, where you first sleeve the card internally and then sleeve it externally.
4. Design : Card sleeves come in different designs. There are transparent sleeves that allow you to see the card clearly, and sleeves with designs that match your style, such as Pokémon themes. The choice of design is personal, but it is good to know that some sleeves with a design offer less protection than transparent sleeves.

How do you use card sleeves correctly?

Using card sleeves is simple, but here are a few tips to ensure your cards remain optimally protected:

1. Take a gentle approach : Insert your card gently into the sleeve to prevent damage. Avoid pulling or bending the card as you insert it.
2. Choose transparent sleeves : If you want to keep your cards visible, choose clear, transparent sleeves. This is the best choice for cards that you want to show a lot.
3. Store Them Well : After sleeved, store your cards in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight. This will prevent your cards from fading or getting damaged.
4. Extra protection with toploaders : For even more protection, consider placing your sleeved cards in toploaders . This provides double protection and prevents your cards from being damaged by bending or scratching.