How to Store Hockey Cards
Hockey cards can be stored in a variety of ways, but there are three methods that are the most common: graded cases, card pages and card boxes. Choosing a method should be based on a collector's intent for his hockey card collection.
Rare and valuable cards can be graded and encased in an acrylic holder by an independent grading company. Storing hockey cards in plastic card pages in D-ring binders allows collectors to access and view cards easily. Cardboard storage boxes (specially designed to hold cards) are an economical way to store large card collections.
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Things You'll Need
- Sports card grading service provider
- Polypropylene or vinyl card pages
- D-ring binders
- Heavy-duty card storage boxes
Instructions
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Having cards graded
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Choose a reputable grading company. While there are a number of grading companies on the market, there are four leading providers: Beckett Grading Services (BGS), Global Authentication Inc. (GAI), Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) and Sportscard Guaranty Corp. (SGC). Grading provides an independent rating on condition (for investment purposes) and the acrylic holder protects the card from handling and UV damage.
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Choose which cards to grade. Because it is a costly process, only valuable, rare or highly collectible cards should be graded.
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Send a card in for grading. Most grading companies require cards be sent in, so insure the card, place it in a "top loader" or "screwdown" holder and pack it well to prevent damage during shipment.
Storing cards in pages
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Choose archival or non-archival pages. Not all card pages (which usually hold nine standard-size cards and can be purchased from online and brick and mortar sports memorabilia retailers) are created equal. Some pages made with polypropylene are PVC-free and archival, and while they may provide the best protection, they are usually more expensive. Pages made of vinyl or other plastics may be cheaper and may not prevent cards from yellowing.
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Arrange cards to be stored. Cards should be placed in pages either in numerical order by sets or by team, sport or player for easy viewing.
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Store pages in a D-ring binder. D-ring binders store and stack easily and allow pages to lie flat, which can prevent warping of pages and cards.
Storing cards in boxes
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Determine a box size. Corrugated cardboard boxes designed specifically for trading cards come in many sizes, holding as few as 50 up to well over a thousand cards. Single-row boxes that hold around 800 standard-size cards are popular choices and store easily on shelves. Some larger multi-row boxes can hold as many as 2,500 cards.
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Find the best deal. Card storage boxes are available at a number of online retailers and sports memorabilia shops, and prices can vary widely. For large collections, buying boxes in bulk can earn larger discounts, particularly from online retailers.
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Label boxes. Boxes are often white on the outside, and the contents can be easily labeled on the ends or sides.
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Tips & Warnings
If you prefer to keep storage boxes unmarked, insert half of a folded note card in the end of a box (with the other half sticking out) and label the card with the contents.
Be aware that cards stored in boxes can sometimes be damaged on the sides and corners if the boxes are dropped or mishandled. Putting the cards in "penny sleeves," or individual plastic sleeves, may cost a little more but provide extra protection.
