What Is Card Grading? A Simple Guide for Beginners

This article is written for beginners and casual fans who are curious about card grading.

What is card grading?

Card grading is the process of having your trading card professionally assessed, scored, and sealed in a tamper-proof case. At Majesty Grading Company (MGC), we grade everything from Pokémon and sports cards to Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and other collectables. The result? A clear, permanent record of your card’s condition that protects it, shows its value, and helps it stand out in the market.

Why do people grade their cards?

Everyone has their reasons, but here are the most common:

• Protection – Cards are sealed in our secure slabs, keeping them safe from scratches, bends, and fading.
• Presentation – Graded cards look premium. Whether it’s for your display shelf or a gift, they just feel more special.
• Value – Grading confirms a card’s condition, which directly impacts its resale value. An MGC Grade 10 will always sell for more than a raw card.
• Authenticity – A graded card gives buyers confidence that the card is real, not a fake or reprint.
• Sentimental Reasons – Some people grade a card that means something to them – like a childhood pull, a gift, or their first big hit.

How card grading works

Every company has its own process, but here’s how it works at MGC:

1. You submit your items – Use our online form to submit your items directly, or visit a Local Submission Hub to drop them off in person.
2. We grade it – Our expert graders inspect the card under magnification and strong lighting. We assess centering, corners, edges, and surface to determine a score out of 10.
3. It’s sealed and labelled – Once graded, the card is sonically sealed in a secure slab with a label showing its score, set info, and unique certification number.
4. You get your card back – We send your card back safely, and you can check its details any time using our Cert Lookup tool.

Is grading worth it?

If you’re planning to sell your card, protect it long-term, or just want it to look its best, then yes – grading is worth it. A graded card typically sells faster and for more money than an ungraded one, especially if the grade is high.

Even if you’re not in it for profit, grading turns a simple card into a keepsake. We’ve seen everything from birthday pulls to first-ever shinies sent in for grading – not because they’re valuable, but because they matter to the person who owns them.

UK grading vs PSA and Beckett

We get this question a lot: “Why not just use PSA or Beckett in the US?”

Here’s why more UK collectors are choosing MGC:

• No shipping headaches – Posting your cards overseas can be stressful, slow, and risky. With MGC, everything stays within the UK.
• No surprise charges – Many US grading companies add customs fees, handling charges, and their dreaded upcharges. With us, the price you see is the price you pay.
• Faster turnaround – You won’t be waiting months for your cards to come back. MGC is known for its speed and reliability.
• Genunine Credibility – Our slabs are trusted across UK marketplaces. We’ve been voted the UK’s No. 1 grading service and we’re the UK’s only ebay approved grader for Sports and Pokemon cards. More collectors and sellers are tellign us they prefer graded cards from MGC thanks to our consistent quality and clear standards.

Do I need to know everything before I submit?

Nope! If you’re a beginner, don’t worry. Our process is beginner-friendly, and we’re always here to help. You can even contact our Support Centre if you’re unsure about anything – from card value to how to package your cards.

If you’re interested in ongoing discounts and faster service, it’s also worth checking out our MGC Membership programme, designed especially for regular submitters and serious collectors alike.

Ready to grade your first card?

Whether you’re sitting on your childhood Pokémon collection, your first Charizard pull, or just something that looks too good not to slab, we’d love to help you start your grading journey.

Submit your cards with MGC today – the UK’s trusted name in card grading.

More beginner guides coming soon

This post is part of our Knowledge Centre, where you’ll find helpful guides, tips, and news to help you enjoy the hobby at every stage. If you’ve got a question about card grading, chances are we’re already working on a post about it.