Before buying a raw card, review clear front and back images of the exact copy and check its corners, edges, surface and centering separately. Record visible flaws in plain language and compare the card with sales for a similar condition. A photo checklist helps you make an informed choice, but it cannot predict the grade a professional service will assign.
Condition affects which raw card you choose and how you compare it with another copy. Use a repeatable checklist to describe what is visible, but keep your observations separate from the grade a third-party service might assign.
Start with the exact card
Ask for images of the actual card, not only a stock photo. Review the front and back, then compare the set, card number, language and version with the seller’s description. Our card value guide explains why matching the exact version matters when comparing completed sales.
Use a clean, steady surface and enough light to see both sides. If the seller’s pictures hide an edge or reflection, request another view instead of assuming it is clear.
Inspect four areas separately
PSA’s grading standards discuss corners, centering, gloss, staining and other condition characteristics. Check each area on the exact card before you compare it with another listing.
- Corners: Look for rounding, whitening, bends or a soft tip. Record which corner and which side show the mark.
- Edges: Check for chipping, fraying, uneven cuts or visible damage. Note the edge and location without guessing how it happened.
- Surface: Look for scratches, print lines, creases, stains, dents or reduced gloss. Compare both sides and use an angled image when a mark is hard to see.
- Centering: Compare the borders and image placement on the front and back. See how centering is measured.
These observations help describe a card. They are not a conversion chart to a particular company’s grade.
Separate condition from authenticity
A card that looks clean in a photo is not automatically authentic. PSA lists questionable authenticity and evidence of alteration among reasons a card may not receive a numeric grade. If a listing raises a separate authenticity concern, use our guide to spotting fake trading cards and seek better evidence before buying.
Condition and authenticity are also different from a seller’s own grade description. Note what you can see, compare against the marketplace’s condition terms and do not treat words such as “mint” as a professional grade label.
Avoid cleaning or changing the card
Do not use liquid cleaners, waxes, erasers or abrasives on a card you may submit. PSA’s standards describe evidence of cleaning and foreign substances such as cleaning spray or wax as possible reasons for a no-grade result. If you have a slab with exterior marks, use the separate slab-cleaning guide; it does not recommend opening the holder.
When you are deciding whether to grade
Use the checklist to identify visible issues and then compare raw sales for a similar condition. If you are considering grading, add the service’s fee and shipping to your decision, and remember the final grade belongs to the grading company. Our card grading overview compares the major services, and how to sell trading cards covers clear listing descriptions and photographs.
Official references
Checked November 5, 2026.
- PSA Grading Standards
- PSA: Getting Started With Grading
- PSA support FAQ: Qualifiers, no grades and grader notes
Related guides
Common questions
What should I check before buying a raw trading card?
Review the exact card's front and back, including corners, edges, surface and centering. Ask for clear images of areas that are missing or hard to see before you decide.
How can I see surface flaws on a trading card?
Compare clear front and back photos under even light and look for marks, creases, stains or loss of gloss. An angled image can reveal a surface line that is difficult to see straight on.
Can I predict a card's grade from photos?
No. Photos can help you observe condition, but they do not replace the grading company's examination and judgment under its own standards.
Should I clean a raw card before submitting it for grading?
Do not apply cleaners or attempt to alter the surface. PSA lists evidence of cleaning or substances such as cleaning spray and wax among reasons a card may be returned without a numeric grade.