GradingMetric Blog

Tips, strategies, and insights for smarter card grading

Education

BGS Centering Standards: Requirements for 9.5 & 10 [2026]

BGS centering standards decoded: 55/45 for 9.5, 50/50 for Black Label 10. PSA needs 60/40. Learn to measure and compare every grading company's centering rules.

March 15, 20269 min read
Grading Tips

How to Get a PSA 10: Requirements & Tips [2026]

PSA 10 requirements explained: centering (60/40), corners, edges & surface standards. 7 tips to maximize your PSA 10 odds before submitting.

March 15, 202610 min read
Guides

How Long Does PSA Grading Take in 2026?

PSA grading turnaround times for every service tier in 2026: economy (60-120 days), regular, express & super express. Plus tips to speed up your submission.

March 5, 20268 min read
Strategy

PSA 10 vs PSA 9: The Value Difference Explained

How much more is a PSA 10 worth than a PSA 9? Real data on the PSA 10 premium, multipliers by card type, and when PSA 9 is the smarter investment.

March 3, 202610 min read
Guides

BGS Black Label: What It Is & What It's Worth

BGS Black Label explained: what it takes to get all four 10 subgrades, how rare they are, and what Black Label cards sell for vs PSA 10 and BGS 9.5.

March 1, 20269 min read
Guides

How to Submit Cards to PSA: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Complete guide to submitting cards to PSA in 2026: creating an account, choosing service tiers, packaging cards, shipping, and tracking your submission.

February 28, 202611 min read
Guides

How to Grade Trading Cards at Home: The Complete 2026 Guide

Learn to grade trading cards at home using the same criteria as PSA, BGS, CGC & SGC. Step-by-step guide covering centering, corners, edges, and surface.

February 20, 202612 min read
Guides

Pokemon Card Grading Guide: How to Grade Pokemon Cards in 2026

Which Pokemon cards to grade, PSA vs BGS vs CGC costs ($20-$150/card), centering traps to avoid, and how to spot PSA 10 potential. From Base Set to Scarlet & Violet.

February 20, 202610 min read
Education

Card Grading for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know

New to card grading? PSA, BGS, CGC & SGC explained: how the 1-10 scale works, what graders check, fees from $20-$300/card, and a simple formula to decide if your card is worth submitting.

February 18, 20269 min read
Guides

PSA Grading Cost in 2026: Complete Fee Breakdown

How much does PSA grading cost? Full breakdown of PSA fees, service levels, turnaround times, and hidden costs. Learn how to save on grading.

February 16, 20267 min read
Strategy

Raw vs Graded Card Value: When Grading Pays Off

Compare raw and graded card values across PSA grades. Learn the value multipliers for PSA 10, 9, and 8, and when grading actually makes financial sense.

February 14, 20268 min read
Guides

PSA vs BGS vs CGC vs SGC: Complete Grading Company Comparison

Compare all 4 major card grading companies: PSA, BGS, CGC & SGC. Fees, turnaround times, grading standards, and which to choose for your cards.

February 12, 20269 min read
Grading Tips

Top 5 Secrets to Secure a PSA 10 Grade for Your Cards

Discover 5 secrets to achieving a PSA 10 card grade. Learn about centering, corners, and more in this detailed guide for collectors.

February 10, 20266 min read
Strategy

Best Cards to Get Graded in 2026: Top Picks for ROI

Top 2026 grading picks: Wembanyama Prizm, SV 151 Charizard, Caleb Williams RC, Ohtani parallels, and more. Specific cards with 5x-20x PSA 10 ROI potential.

February 8, 20268 min read
Strategy

How to Maximize ROI on Card Grading Submissions

Save $100s on grading fees: batch strategically, pick the right service tier, choose PSA vs BGS vs CGC per card, and use Capital Score to skip low-ROI submissions.

February 5, 20267 min read
Education

Ace Grading: Master Card Centering Standards 2026

Understand Ace Grading's centering standards. Discover essential tips for perfect trading card alignment—your guide to refined grades in 2026!

January 28, 20268 min read

Every Card You Submit Blind Is a Gamble

Get the real odds before you pay for grading. Two cards free, no credit card.