Glossary of Grading Terms – A Jargon Buster for New Collectors

This article is written for beginners, TCG Parents and casual collectors who want to understand the language of grading and trading cards.

Feeling lost in the lingo?

If you’ve just started collecting or are thinking about grading your first card, the jargon can feel overwhelming. What’s a slab? What does PSA mean? What on earth is a “pop report”?

This glossary breaks down the most common terms you’ll come across in the world of card grading – so you can understand what people are talking about, ask the right questions, and feel more confident in your collecting journey.

General Trading Card Terms

• Raw: A card that hasn’t been graded. Straight from the pack, binder, or trade – it hasn’t been through a professional grading process.
• Pull: A card you open from a booster pack – often used when you get something rare or valuable (e.g. “That was a huge pull!”).
• Binder card: A card you keep in a binder for your collection. Often used to refer to raw cards that aren’t being graded or sold.
• PSA / BGS / CGC: Well-known grading companies based in the US. MGC is the UK-based alternative for faster, simpler grading without international postage, customs issues or the dreaded Upcharges!
• Pop report: Short for “population report”. A record of how many times a card has received a particular grade – useful for tracking rarity in graded form.

Grading Terms

• Grading: The process of assessing a card’s condition and assigning it a score, typically out of 10.
• Grade: The final score a card receives after grading – often from 1 to 10, with 10 being the best.
• Gem Mint / Mint: Terms used to describe high-grade cards. A Gem Mint is typically a flawless or near-flawless card.
• Slab: The sealed plastic case that holds a graded card. It’s tamper-proof and protects the card permanently.
• Label: The printed strip at the top of the slab showing the grade, card details, and unique serial number.
• Cert number: Short for “certification number” – a unique code on the label used to look up the card online via a cert lookup tool.

Submission Terms

• Penny sleeve: A thin plastic sleeve used to protect a raw card before it goes into a semi-rigid holder.
• Semi-rigid: A flexible but protective plastic holder used when submitting cards for grading. The preferred packaging type for MGC.
• Submission form: The form you include when sending cards to be graded. It tells us who you are, what you’re submitting, and how you’d like your cards returned.
• Submission Hub: A local shop or card store where you can drop off your cards for grading instead of posting them. Learn more about our Local Submission Hubs.
• Membership: A subscription programme offering discounted prices, priority turnaround, and other benefits. You can join MGC Membership to get started.

Bonus: Card Condition Descriptors

• Centring: How well the card’s artwork is positioned. A card that’s off-centre may be penalised during grading.
• Corners: Each of the four corners is checked for sharpness. Soft or bent corners can lower the grade.
• Edges: The sides of the card – we check for nicks, whitening or flaking.
• Surface: The front and back of the card – we look for scratches, print lines, dents or stains.

Still confused?

Don’t worry – you’re not alone. We built this Knowledge Centre to help new collectors understand the hobby and get the most out of grading. If you’re ever stuck or unsure, just reach out via our Support Centre – we’re here to help.

Ready to start grading?

Now that the jargon makes more sense, you might be feeling more confident about grading your first card. If so, check out our MGC Membership for discounted rates and priority turnaround, or find a Local Submission Hub near you to get started in person.

Submit your first card with MGC – the UK’s trusted grading company.