How to Get Sports Cards Graded
Getting your sports cards graded is the single best way to protect their condition and unlock their full resale value. A graded card in a tamper-evident slab from PSA, BGS, or SGC can sell for 3x–10x the price of the same raw card. Here's exactly how the process works when you submit through BlackJadedWolf's PSA Group Submission Program.
Step 1 — Pick a Grading Service
For modern sports cards, PSA is the most liquid grading company — PSA 10 slabs almost always command the highest premium on eBay, Goldin, PWCC, and Fanatics Collect. BGS is preferred by some collectors for its subgrades and the rare "Black Label" Pristine 10. SGC is excellent for vintage and offers faster turnaround. BlackJadedWolf submits to PSA so you tap into the deepest buyer pool.
Step 2 — Choose the Right Service Tier
PSA prices each tier by the card's declared value — the maximum amount PSA will insure the card for in transit. Pick the cheapest tier that covers your card. For most modern base, parallels, and minor rookies, Value ($35.99) or Value Bulk ($27.99 with a 20-card minimum) is the right tier. Big-hit rookies, autos, and 1/1s usually justify Value Max, Regular, or Express.
Step 3 — Prepare Your Cards
Place every card in its own card saver (semi-rigid holder) — not a top loader, not a penny sleeve alone. Cards received without card savers may be rejected or charged a $0.50/card processing fee. Stack them in the exact order they appear on your submission list so we can process the batch quickly.
Step 4 — Submit Through BlackJadedWolf
Pay for your chosen grading tier, then provide a complete list and a clear photo of each card. Ship to our PO Box (PO Box 1277, Sayville, NY 11782) or drop off at The Collectibles By Black Jaded Wolf, 100 S Main Street, Suite 101, Sayville, NY 11782. We bundle every customer's cards into a weekly Wednesday/Thursday group submission to PSA — you get bulk-tier pricing without needing a $700 PSA Premium membership.
Step 5 — Track, Pay, and Receive
Use the live tracker below with your BlackJadedWolf Order ID to follow each step of the PSA grading process. When the slabs return, we invoice you for PSA fees plus shipping and release the cards once payment clears. You can ship them straight to a buyer, list them in our consignment program, or have us make a cash offer.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Sports Cards Graded?
PSA grading through BlackJadedWolf ranges from $27.99 to $675 per card depending on declared value and turnaround. Below is a quick reference for the most-used tiers:
- Value Bulk — $27.99 · cards ≤ $499 · 20-card min · ~95 business days
- Value — $35.99 · cards ≤ $499 · no minimum · ~75 business days
- Value Plus — $54.99 · cards ≤ $499 · ~45 business days
- Regular — $84.99 · cards ≤ $1,499 · ~25 business days
- Express — $159 · cards ≤ $2,499 · ~15 business days
- Walk Through — $675 · cards ≤ $10,000 · 2–5 business days
Add roughly $10–$50 per card for dual grading (autograph + card grade). All tiers exclude shipping, insurance, and any PSA processing fees, which are billed at invoice time.
Where to Get Sports Cards Graded in the U.S.
You can mail cards directly to PSA's California headquarters, but that requires an annual PSA Collectors Club membership and a long wait time per submission. Most collectors save money and time by using a PSA Authorized Group Submitter — a card shop with a bulk dealer account that consolidates customer cards into weekly batches.
BlackJadedWolf is one of the largest Group Submitters on the East Coast, with a physical drop-off location in Sayville, New York. We've been in business for over 15 years and process thousands of cards per month. If you're outside the New York metro area, our PO Box accepts cards from anywhere in the U.S.
PSA vs BGS vs SGC — Which Grader Should You Use?
PSA wins on resale liquidity — a PSA 10 of the same card consistently sells for more than a BGS 9.5 or SGC 10 on the open market. BGS shines on modern thick-stock cards (Panini National Treasures, Topps Dynasty) where subgrades and the Pristine "Black Label" 10 carry a premium. SGC is the favorite of vintage collectors thanks to its tuxedo holders and tight turnaround on pre-1980 cards. For 95% of modern sports cards, PSA is the right call.
For a deeper comparison with current resale data, read our full PSA vs BGS vs CGC guide.






