Best Penny Sleeves and Top Loaders for Grading Submissions

You'd be amazed how many cards get damaged before they even reach the grading company. Wrong sleeves, dodgy top loaders, and poor packaging account for a significant chunk of preventable grade loss. Here's what to actually use.

Penny Sleeves

Every card needs a penny sleeve as the first layer. Not all penny sleeves are the same though.

Ultra Pro Soft Card Sleeves are the industry standard. They fit standard Pokémon cards perfectly, they're acid-free, and they're cheap enough that you should be using fresh ones for every grading submission. A pack of 100 costs about £2.

KMC Perfect Fit sleeves are slightly tighter fitting and work well as an alternative. Some collectors prefer them because the tighter fit means less movement inside the sleeve.

Avoid no-name bulk sleeves from marketplaces. They might be made from materials that can react with the card surface over time, and they're more likely to have rough interior surfaces that scratch cards when inserted.

Card Savers vs Top Loaders

After the penny sleeve, your card needs a rigid holder. You've got two options:

Card Saver 1 (semi-rigid holders) are what most grading companies prefer. They hold the card snugly but with enough flex that graders can remove the card without forcing it. The semi-rigid material also provides good impact protection without being so rigid that the card gets compressed inside.

Standard top loaders (3x4 inch rigid holders) work too. They offer more impact protection than card savers. If you use top loaders, tape the opening shut with painter's tape so the card can't slide out. Don't use sellotape or duct tape, which leave residue.

What Not to Use

Magnetic holders (One-Touch cases) aren't suitable for grading submissions. The magnets can create pressure points on the card, and they're difficult for grading companies to open without risking damage.

Screw-down holders are even worse. They compress the card between two rigid plates and can cause permanent dents and surface damage. Never use these for valuable cards.

Old or reused sleeves are a risk. Used sleeves accumulate dust and fine particles inside them. Inserting a card into a dirty sleeve is asking for surface scratches.

Buying Tips

Buy your sleeves and holders from a reputable card supplies retailer. In the UK, places like Magic Madhouse, Chaos Cards, and Total Cards stock genuine Ultra Pro and KMC products. Avoid random marketplace sellers where counterfeit supplies are common.