Introduction: The Importance of Proper Card Storage

Card storage is an crucial aspect of collecting trading cards, in the world of Pokémon TCG, condition is paramount. By ensuring you store your cards safely, you in turn ensure the aesthetics of your collection remain uncompromised, and their value remains over time. This blog post endeavours to be your one-stop guide to all things card storage, exploring best practices for storing and protecting your prized Pokémon. 

 

Understanding Card Condition and Its Impact on Value

Let's pretend for a minute you've been wanting to get your hands on the new Greninja ex (TWM 214) from Twilight Masquerade since the day of release. However, in order to avoid luck of the draw you've decided to purchase the single online, and you've come across two available, one of which is in pristine condition, crisp, as if pack fresh. The other is a bit battered, the corners are whiting and there is evidence of what seems to be someone's lunch on it. Both sellers are charging the same price, and it's for you to decide which card you'd like to purchase. Well, unless you're crazy, you picked the card in pristine condition, as common sense suggests you should. Card condition is a determining factor for many collectors, it affects to value and desirability of a card, mint condition alternatives tend to fetch the top dollar and are more sought after by collectors. 

 

Choosing the Right Card Sleeves for Protection

Card sleeves are your first and last line of defence, they act as a barrier against dirt, dust, wear and tear. Selecting the correct sleeves is therefore an important starting point in ensuring your collection remains in pristine condition. Here's what to consider:

• Material - Generally you should opt for acid free, non-PVC sleeves in order to prevent long term chemical damage to your cards. We suggest our Deck Sleeves selection, and particularly these Card Concept Soft Sleeves as a great starting point. 

 

 

• Size - Most card sleeves are built to fit Pokémon cards, though this is not always the case, you should ensure the sleeves you buy aren't far too big, as to avoid your expensive cards rattling around inside their sleeve. But also, the sleeve isn't too small. We recommend around 67mm by 92mm, which will give your cards room to breathe, whilst keeping them secure. 
• Thickness - This is fairly self-explanatory, thicker sleeves tend to offer a greater level of protection, but take up more room. Assess your personal situation and needs, or try to find sleeves that strike a good balance. 

 

Comparing Toploaders and Binders: Which Should You Use?

Both toploaders and binders have their own list of pros and cons:

• Toploaders - Provide excellent storage for your Pokémon cards, they act as rigid, upward support but do so whilst being quite bulky. This is not suitable for collectors limited by space. 

• Card Binders - Once again offer an excellent storage solution for your card collection, both by organising and displaying. Lower quality binders can be risky though, and we recommend opting for high quality options from brands such as Vault X. Binders too, can be space consuming so we urge you to consider this factor. 

Other Card Storage Solutions

Other solutions for storing your Pokémon collection do exist, outside of the popular choices of Card Binders and Toploaders. These include card, and deck boxes from Vault X. These are extremely premium in quality, and offer a solution for a different problem, in this case "How do I safely store my deck?".  

 

Tips for Storing Cards in Binders Safely

• Sideloading Card Binders - This is individual bias, but we strongly believe that side loading binders are superior to their top loading counterparts. This is due in part to the fact that when you turn a side loading binder upside down, your prized cards do not fall out!
• Larger Pockets & Card Sleeves - Some card binders come with larger pockets to store your cards. These binders give you the opportunity to sleeve your card before storing it in a binder, providing an extra layer of protection. We highly advise taking this extra precaution, Vault X is again our suggestion. 
• Organisation - Organising your cards by set, type, or even alphabetically will ensure you know how to get to what you are looking for. Easy access means less chance of damaging cards looking for something!
• Overstuffing -  DO NOT overstuff your binders, this will lead to bent edges, scratches and potentially worse. Some brands leave a bit of wiggle room for 1 or 2 extra cards per pocket, we recommend against going crazy and sticking 10 in 1. 
• Storing Binders Upright - A full binder can be quite heavy, consider storing your complete collections upright to avoid pressure building on those cards toward the back.

A Good All Rounder:

 

 

 

Using Toploaders for Maximum Card Protection

• Sleeves - We suggest putting your cards in sleeves before putting them in toploaders, remember, sleeves are your first and last line of defence!
• Insert Carefully - Gently insert your sleeved cards in to their respective toploaders, this will ensure you do not damage the sides or corners of your collection. 
• Team Bags - If you are happy to sit and appreciate your cards without getting them out of their toploaders, we recommend team bags. Team bags have removable sticky strips which means you can seal them around your toploaders, this ensures no dust or debris will enter. 
• Labelling - This one's optional for all you neat, organisation buffs. Little sticky labels detailing card names stuck on to the top of your toploaders is an optimal way of quickly identifying cards amongst a large stack. 

 

Long-Term Storage Solutions for Your Pokémon Cards

• Climate Control - Much like goldilocks, you want to strike a sweet spot with temperature. This means, not too hot, and not too cold, you also want to avoid storing your cards in humid environments and out of direct sunlight. 
• Choosing Your Box - If using toploaders, it is highly suggestible to use a suitable box for your cards, one that fits your cards in with enough room to breathe, and not so much so they can rattle around. Vault X has you covered again. 

Organizing Your Card Collection: Best Practices

• Categorization -  Sort your collection as you'd like, whatever works for you. This could be by type, set, or alphabetically. 
• Catalog - You can catalog your collection both physically and digitally, and whilst both work, digital cataloguing offers benefits such as real-time price updates, all at the touch of a button. 
• Display - This one's all about enjoying your collection, find solutions such as mini-easels in order to safely and effectively display your most prized cards.  

 

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Storing Pokémon Cards

Handling Without Care - If you're a stickler for the rules, it is beneficial to your wash hands before handling cards and avoid touching the surfaces. Though we understand this approach isn't for everyone!

Improper Storage: Don’t stack cards loosely or store them in unsuitable environments.

  

 

Digital Cataloging: Keeping Track of Your Collection

There are plenty of options when it comes to where to digitally catalog your collection, at Aards Cards Ltd we suggest researching the available options and arriving at your own decision. Things to consider include real-time value charting, card scanning for rapid identification and inventory management. 

 

Conclusion: Ensuring the Longevity and Value of Your Pokémon Cards

Proper storage and protection are essential for preserving the value and beauty of your Pokémon card collection. By following these tips and investing in quality storage solutions, you can ensure your cards remain in pristine condition for years to come. Whether you’re a new collector or a seasoned pro, the right storage practices will help you get the most out of your Pokémon TCG hobby.