If you’ve started collecting soccer cards, you probably want to keep them looking just as good as the day you pulled them! Whether you’re collecting your favourite players, building a complete set, or holding onto a card that you think could become valuable one day, properly storing your cards can help prevent scratches, bent corners and other damage. The good news is that protecting your cards doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With a few basic supplies and the right place to store it, you can keep your collection safe for years to come. Keep reading to find out the easiest ways to properly store and protect your soccer cards!
You don’t need a huge collection of storage supplies to get started! For most collectors, the three most useful things are soft sleeves, toploaders and toploader bags. Soft sleeves, sometimes called penny sleeves, are the thin plastic sleeves that go directly around your card. They help protect the surface from fingerprints, dust and scratches. They’re also the first layer of protection you should use before putting a card into a harder holder.
Toploaders are the rigid plastic holders that protect your cards from bending, creasing and damage to the corners and edges. Always put your card in a soft sleeve before putting it into a toploader. Putting a card directly into a toploader can cause scratches or damage to the surface! Finally, toploader bags are small plastic bags that fit over the outside of a toploader. They help keep dust and dirt out and prevent the card from accidentally sliding out of the top. For most cards that you want to keep protected the simple combination of soft sleeve, toploader and toploader bag is all you need! If you’re building a complete set and want to be able to easily look through your cards, a binder with nine-pocket pages is another great option. Just look for pages that are PVC-free and acid-free and avoid overstuffing the binder!
Once your cards are protected, where you keep them is just as important as what you keep them in! Cards should be stored somewhere that is cool, dry and away from direct sunlight. Too much heat or moisture can cause cards to bend or warp, while sunlight can fade the colours and images over time. Because of this, avoid storing your collection in places like an attic, garage or damp basement. A closet or room inside your home is usually a much better option. You also want to avoid putting heavy objects on top of your cards, especially if they’re stored loose or in a box. If you have a large collection of cards, storage boxes are a great way to keep everything organized. You can separate cards by player, team, set or even year to make finding what you’re looking for much easier!
If you have a card that’s worth a little more, you may want to give it some extra protection! A magnetic one-touch holder is a popular option for displaying valuable cards because it provides a sturdy case while also letting you show off the card. Just like with toploaders, make sure you choose the right size for your card. A holder that’s too big can allow the card to move around inside, while one that’s too small can damage the card when you try to put it in. And even if you’re using a special holder, it’s still a good idea to keep valuable cards away from direct sunlight and heat no matter what!
There are a few common mistakes that can easily damage your soccer cards:
● Don’t put cards directly into a toploader. Always use a soft sleeve first to protect the surface.
● Don’t store cards in direct sunlight. Even if your cards are inside a protective holder, too much sunlight can cause the colours to fade.
● Don’t use tape, stickers or rubber bands on your cards. These can leave behind residue, damage the surface or put unwanted pressure on the card.
● Don’t try to clean valuable cards yourself. It might seem like a good idea to wipe off a fingerprint or mark, but rubbing a card can actually cause scratches or damage the surface. If a card is valuable, it’s usually better to leave it alone!
● Don’t store your collection somewhere hot or damp. Attics, garages and basements can have big changes in temperature and moisture, which can cause cards to warp over time.
Now that you know how to properly store and protect your cards you may also be wondering if it’s worth getting them professionally graded. We go through all of this and more in our blog “PSA vs BGS vs SGC: Which Grading Service is Best?”.
Whether you’re just starting your collection or already have a binder full of your favourite players, check out our wide selection of soccer trading cards and stickers at SoccerCards.ca!
0 comments
