If you are a serious card collector, you know how important it is to keep your cards in top condition. Whether it is a rare Charizard or a holo card, you do not want to see them get damaged. Card sleeves are essential to protect your cards against scratches, bending and fading. But why do they matter so much, and which brand should you go for? Read on for everything you need to know about card sleeves and why they are a must for every collection.
What are card sleeves?
Card sleeves are plastic covers designed to protect your collectible cards. They cover the card completely and keep it from touching the outside world: dust, grease, scratches. They are essential for anyone who cares about the condition of their cards.
Why are card sleeves necessary?
As you know, the condition of your cards is essential to their value. Damaged cards lose value fast and become less attractive to collectors. Card sleeves keep your cards protected, and here is why you should use them:
- Protection against wear: cards are constantly exposed to dust and the grease on your hands. Over time that leads to fading and wear. With card sleeves your cards stay clean and undamaged.
- Preventing scratches: scratches can damage your cards beyond repair. Card sleeves keep your cards from touching rougher surfaces, which means they stay in perfect condition.
- Value retained: if you want to sell or trade your cards, you obviously want them in excellent condition. Keeping your cards sleeved increases the chance of a high price, especially for rare or sought-after cards.
- Organisation: card sleeves also help you keep your cards tidy and organised. They fit perfectly into binders, so your cards are easy to display or sort.
Which card sleeves should you choose?
There are many different types of card sleeves, so it matters that you pick what works best for your cards. Here are a few things to look out for:
- Material: most card sleeves are made of polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE). Both materials offer good protection, but polypropylene sleeves are usually stronger and more durable. They give solid protection against scratches, while PVC sleeves are often used for premium cards because of their stiffness.
- Size: cards such as Pokémon cards have a standard size of 63x88 mm. It is important to pick the right size for your cards. Sleeves that are too big let your cards slide around, while sleeves that are too small can damage them.
- Thickness: the thickness of a card sleeve affects how well it protects. Thicker sleeves protect better, but they also make the card bulkier. If you want maximum protection, consider a double sleeve setup: the card goes into an inner sleeve first, and that goes into an outer sleeve.
- Design: card sleeves come in all kinds of designs. There are transparent sleeves that let you see the card clearly, and sleeves with artwork to match your style, such as Pokémon themes. The design is a personal choice, but it is good to know that some printed sleeves protect a little less than transparent ones.
How do you use card sleeves correctly?
Using card sleeves is simple, but here are a few tips to keep your cards protected as well as possible:
- Be gentle: slide your card into the sleeve carefully to avoid damage. Do not pull or bend the card while you insert it.
- Go for transparent sleeves: if you want to keep the cards clearly visible, choose clear, transparent sleeves. That is the best choice for cards you show off a lot.
- Store them well: once your cards are sleeved, keep them somewhere cool and dry, out of direct sunlight. That stops your cards from fading or getting damaged.
- Extra protection with toploaders: for even more protection, consider putting your sleeved cards into toploaders. That gives you double protection and keeps your cards from being damaged by bending or scratching.
