Question 1

What is RKT Grading?

Accepted Answer

RKT Grading is a UK-based card grading service. We use technology-assisted analysis for condition grading and a separate human check for authenticity. Every card gets sealed in a tamper-evident slab with an NFC chip and added to our public population database.

Question 2

What does "Registry of Excellence" mean?

Accepted Answer

RKT stands for Registry of Excellence. Every card we grade goes into our population registry — a searchable database of every grade we've ever issued. Anyone can look up a cert number and verify a grade is real.

Question 3

Where are you based?

Accepted Answer

We're based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK. Your cards never leave the country.

Question 4

What card games do you grade?

Accepted Answer

Right now we grade Pokémon TCG cards, both English and Japanese. We're working on adding more games — keep an eye on our blog and socials for updates.

Question 5

How does the grading process work?

Accepted Answer

Each card is scanned at high resolution and assessed across four categories: centering, edges, surface, and print quality. Technology handles the condition grade so it's consistent every time. A human then checks authenticity separately. Once graded, the card is sealed in a tamper-evident slab with an NFC chip.

Question 6

Is technology-assisted grading accurate?

Accepted Answer

The biggest problem with traditional grading is inconsistency. Send the same card twice and you might get two different grades. Technology removes that problem. The same card gets the same grade, every time. It also picks up detail that's hard to spot with the naked eye, especially centering and surface issues.

Question 7

Do humans still look at my cards?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every card gets a human authenticity check. Technology does the condition grading (centering, edges, surface, print) because it's more consistent. A human handles authenticity (fakes, trimming, restoration) because that takes judgement and experience. Two different jobs, each done by whoever does them best.

Question 8

What grading scale do you use?

Accepted Answer

We use the industry-standard 1-10 scale with half-point increments. Imperator and Argent editions include four sub-grades: Centering, Edges, Surface, and Print Quality.

Question 9

How do I submit cards?

Accepted Answer

Create an account, start a new submission, pick your slab edition, add your cards, and print the submission form. Then post your cards to us using any tracked service.

Question 10

How should I package my cards?

Accepted Answer

Put each card in a penny sleeve, then a toploader. Use painter's tape to hold toploaders shut (not regular tape — it can damage cards if it shifts). Pack tight in a small box or padded envelope so nothing moves. Include your printed submission form.

Question 11

Do you offer insured return shipping?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All submissions are returned via insured tracked shipping at no extra cost.

Question 12

What is the turnaround time?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your edition. Imperator: 2 working days. Argent: 6 working days. Sovereign: 10 working days. The clock starts when we receive and log your submission.

Question 13

How much does grading cost?

Accepted Answer

Sovereign is £12 per card, Argent is £14, and Imperator is £18. We offer volume discounts on submissions of 25+ cards.

Question 14

Are there any hidden fees?

Accepted Answer

None. The price per card covers grading, the slab, registry entry, and insured return shipping. What you see is what you pay.

Question 15

Do you offer bulk discounts?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Contact us for volume pricing on submissions of 25 or more cards.

Question 16

What's the difference between the three editions?

Accepted Answer

Same grading process, same slab, same NFC chip across all three. The differences are speed and sub-grades. Imperator (2 working days, full sub-grades) is our top tier. Argent (6 working days, sub-grades) sits in the middle. Sovereign (10 working days, no sub-grades) is the most affordable option.

Question 17

Are RKT slabs tamper-evident?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Any attempt to open an RKT slab is immediately visible. Each slab also has an NTAG 424 DNA NFC chip with a cryptographic signature that can't be cloned. Tap your phone to verify the grade is genuine.

Question 18

Can I verify a RKT grade online?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every graded card gets a unique cert number. Pop it into our population report page and you'll see the card details, grade, sub-grades, and scan images.

Question 19

What is NFC tap-to-verify authentication?

Accepted Answer

Every RKT slab has an NTAG 424 DNA NFC chip with a cryptographic signature that can't be cloned. Tap your phone on the slab and it confirms the grade is real. No app needed - works with any NFC-enabled phone. It's an extra layer of protection on top of the tamper-evident slab.

Frequently Asked Questions

General

Grading Process

Submissions & Shipping

Pricing & Payment

Editions & Slabs

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