Guides & tips
Guides & tips
How to clean, protect, restore and grade your Pokémon cards.
PSA vs CGC vs BGS: which grading company in 2026?
Three of the four big graders now share one owner, PSA's cheap tiers are paused, and there's an antitrust suit in progress. The state of Pokémon card grading in 2026, with real numbers.
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How to spot a fake Pokémon card (the tests that actually work)
The light test isn't enough anymore, modern fakes pass it. The one principle that beats every checklist, the checks worth doing, and the popular tests that give false positives on real cards.
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Can PSA detect if a card has been cleaned or restored?
The honest answer, based on PSA and CGC's own standards: yes, grading firms detect cleaning and restoration. Here's how, and why 'undetectable after a few weeks' is a myth.
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Do holographic foil wax products actually work?
Wax, oil and 'holo revival' sprays promise to feed and restore a card's shine. Based on how holographic foil actually works, here's what they really do to your card.
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Are Pokémon card cleaning sprays safe?
'Safe' cleaning sprays for trading cards are everywhere. Based on how cards are actually built, here's the risk they carry and why there's no honest universal formula.
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Mould on Pokémon cards: what to do, and what never to
Found mould on a Pokémon card? It's a containment problem, not a cleaning one. The conservation-backed steps to save the card without spreading spores or ruining it.
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How to flatten a warped Pokémon card
Why cards bend, what actually works to flatten them, and the humidity mistakes that make warping worse.
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Should you clean or restore a card before grading?
When cleaning and restoration help a Pokémon card's grade, when they don't, and where the honest line is between conservation and altering a card.
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How to crack a PSA slab safely (and when you shouldn't)
Cracking a graded slab to free the card is delicate work. Here's how it's done safely, the risks, and when to let a pro handle it.
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How to safely ship Pokémon cards for grading (or restoration)
A practical packing guide for mailing valuable Pokémon cards without bends, scratches or lost parcels, sleeves, toploaders, cardboard and tracking.
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How to prepare a Pokémon card for PSA grading
What graders actually look at, how to give your card its best shot, and why a clean, flat card can mean a higher grade.
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How to clean Pokémon cards safely (without ruining them)
A careful, step-by-step guide to removing dirt, grime and residue from Pokémon cards before grading, and the mistakes that damage cards for good.
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