Trading cards are collector products that include pictures of well-known figures. You may buy these cards individually or in packs. They are also often used for trade or as a pastime for enthusiasts.
A great set of trading cards shows a lot of different things. It demonstrates your enthusiasm, commitment, and how willing you are to put money into it. No matter how many fond memories that their unique attributes and abilities access, no matter how much you love them, it is impossible to keep trading cards in mint condition if they’re not properly stored. While they seem sturdy, trading cards may easily break if not handled properly. There are some types of wear and tear that are unavoidable, like sweat from intense battles or slight bends from whipping them out and slapping them down. It’s important to know how to properly store your trading cards so that you can continue to enjoy them for many years to come. Good trading card storage is essential because it protects the cards from damage, wear, and tear. This article will discuss some ways you can prevent any further damage to your trading cards by organizing them in a way that will maintain their vibrancy and freshness.
Sleeves
Mold may grow on playing cards, so as you remove them from the box, you should put them back in an airtight container. This reduces the card’s exposure to humidity and aids in the preservation of its structure. Using sleeves is the simplest and cheapest method to do this.
Slipping a sleeve onto each of your cards is the first and most important step in keeping your cards in the same condition as you bought them. Whenever you handle your cards, you’ll inevitably transfer oil, moisture, and anything else that’s on your hands to the card if you don’t adorn each one with what’s called a “penny sleeve.” These play a crucial role in the life span of your cards.
Card sleeves come in a variety of thicknesses, allowing you to personalize your protection. For really important cards, choose the thickest sleeves available for optimum longevity.
If you’re really serious about maintaining their condition, then go ahead and double up on the sleeve and get a thicker one from yourplaymat.com/products/custom-card-sleeves to go over the penny sleeve. Even if you have a binder with built in sleeves, those won’t protect your cards completely, and are obviously useless for if you want to play with them. If you don’t have the funds to double sleeve every card, then consider doubling up on only the high-value ones.
Before purchasing sleeves, ensure that they fit your cards properly.
Organization
Binders are a great choice for compactly and neatly keeping your cards. A binder resembles an old-fashioned picture book. There are pages with card spaces designed just for your cards. You may quickly and often go through the book and appreciate your collection. Binders are also useful for keeping your cards safe from light.
Before neatly stacking or sliding your cards into a box or binder, you’ll need to decide on the most suitable organizing method for them. Even if you have a humble number of cards, you’ll want to put them in a logical order so you can easily pull out what’s needed, especially if there’s a chance your collection will continue to grow.
Ordering them by value might suit you, or you might find that simply putting them in numerical or alphabetical order is best. Keep in mind that you might add new cards, so if they’re in a binder, you’ll have to shift them to make room for a new one if they’re in alphabetical order.
Whatever method you choose, it’s always a good idea to keep a digital record of the cards you have. This will make locating the ones you need much easier for if your collection grows by the thousands. Try to make the digital record mirror the physical order of the cards as much as possible. There are even mobile apps you can use for digitizing your collection. You can record their condition, card information, and even buy and sell them through an app.
Storage Casing
These are also great options for keeping your cards safe and organized. They are ideal for holding a big number of cards.
Depending on how often you use your cards, how many you have, and how much money you’re willing to spend will play a part in determining how you store them. Binders are great for easy accessibility, however, they can be quite expensive for the amount of cards they house (around $30 for less than 400 cards).
Boxes have the highest card capacity and will only cost you a few dollars, but you’ll make up for it in double sleeves. Since boxes offer little protection against the environment, sleeves are much more important and a single penny sleeve won’t be enough to keep them in mint condition. Depending on your preferences, you may use cardboard boxes or plastic enclosures. They may be stacked and take up little space in storage. This makes them suitable for collectors with little space.
Temperature and Placement
Environment can play a massive role in the wear and tear of a card, and you certainly don’t want your cards getting worn out for no reason.
Since trading cards are made of paper, they are easily destroyed. Moisture is their greatest danger. Water may dissolve the coating on the cards, leaving the paper susceptible. Problems can happen if you leave them in a humid room for too long. Humidity can change the shape of the cards and may even cause mold to grow on them. Thus, you must choose the ideal location for keeping your cards.
It’s ideal for them to be kept in an actual room in your house rather than an attic or garage where they could be susceptible to moisture or high temperatures. Dry weather can detract from the cards’ moisture, and humid weather can dampen them, both of which will change their appearance. Avoid this by keeping them in a closet where there is temperature control.
Another problem that might arise with trading cards is their susceptibility to light. Older cards may fade if exposed to excessive natural light over an extended period of time, destroying their beauty and value. You must keep trade cards in a dark spot and only expose them to light when you want to use them.
Also be aware of the possibility of a freak accident. A busted pipe or flood could ruin your collection in minutes. A broken window could allow rain to get to your cards. To avoid these accidents that would otherwise destroy your collection, store your cards up high, on a shelf, preferably in a closed off area like a closet or cabinet.
Conclusion
With all the time and attention, you put into collecting trading cards, it only makes sense to take care of them.
The process of keeping track of and safely preserving your trading card collection doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You can keep your collection organized, safe, and well-maintained with the help of these innovative and effective storage solutions.
By adhering to these steps in preserving the lifespan of your cards, you’ll make them more enjoyable to play with and easier to sell if you decide to cash in on them one day. All of these tips should allow you to keep track of your cards, maintain their crisp edges, and keep their vibrant colors intact.