Penny sleeves, toploaders, team bags and semi-rigid holders ranked for posting Pokémon and sports cards without bends or scratches.
Post a card in a soft sleeve against the surface and a rigid holder to stop bends, then seal both in a bag so it cannot slide out.
Each layer costs pennies. Penny sleeves run about £6 to £10 for 1,000, toploaders £12 to £18 for 100, and team bags £4 to £7 for 100.
The criteria that set the order. Commission plays no part.
The first layer for each card you post, at under a penny each.
Typical price
£6to £10
The rigid layer that stops bends in the post.
Typical price
£12to £18
Seals the toploader so the card stays put.
Typical price
£4to £7
The holder graders ask for, and easy for buyers to open.
Typical price
£8to £14
Each step in the order you'll need it.
Sleeve the card first, then slide it into a 35pt toploader, then seal the toploader in a team bag. Tape across the opening of the bag, not onto the toploader itself.
Cheap commons can go in a sleeve with a piece of card behind them. Put anything worth a few pounds in the full set: sleeve, toploader and team bag.
A toploader is stiff and protects best in the post. A semi-rigid holder flexes slightly and has a lip, so the card comes out without catching.
Grading companies ask for semi-rigid holders of about 3 5/16 × 4 7/8 inches. Send cards for grading in those, and post sales in toploaders.
Kit for this step
Patch and relic cards are thicker than 35pt. Check the card's thickness and buy a toploader rated for it, such as 55pt or more.
A card forced into a tight holder can crease at the corner, so check the fit before you seal it.
Put the sealed toploader in a board-backed mailer. It usually stays within Royal Mail's Large Letter limits of 25 mm thick and 750 g.
For high-value cards, add tracking and keep a photo of the card in its holder before you seal the envelope.
Kit for this step
Yes. The toploader's edges can scratch a bare card, and the sleeve stops it.
The standard 3 × 4 inch, 35pt toploader fits Pokémon, Magic and most sports cards in a penny sleeve.
A team bag seals over a toploader so the card cannot slide out and damp stays out.
Grading companies ask for semi-rigid holders. Check the submission guide of the company you use.
Usually, in a board-backed mailer. Check it stays under 25 mm thick and 750 g.
Tape the team bag instead. Tape on the toploader can stick to the sleeve, and the buyer has to peel it off to get the card out.
