As the market for collectible cards has grown into an industry worth billions of dollars, protecting these collections has become easier than ever. Today, collectors have a wide range of options designed to protect their collectible cards while they are stored or displayed. Affordable and effective storage products can be found at local card shops, at card shows, at retail stores, and advertised in collectible-focused magazines.
Most collectors choose to use a combination of methods and supplies for protecting their collections. Here are the top five storage items you should have for your collectible cards.
Penny Sleeves
Individual plastic card sleeves, also known as penny sleeves, are an easy and cost effective way to prevent damage to your collectible cards. These clear thin sleeves come in packs of 100 and generally cost about one cent per sleeve, giving them their name. The plastic protects the cards from dirt and dust, while the shape of the sleeve ensures that the edges won’t get bent or worn.
Because penny sleeves are often the first line of defense for protecting collectible cards, manufacturers make them in a range of sizes and weights to be compatible with a wide variety of collectible cards. Traditional penny sleeves are generally used for traditional cardboard sports cards and similar collectibles, while heavier weights are available for thicker memorabilia and patch cards. The card should fit in the sleeve snugly, but the cards should never be forced in as this can cause damage.
Storage Boxes
Storage boxes are ideal for collectible cards because they can provide protection for hundreds of cards with a minimum amount of effort. Storage boxes are generally flat and stackable, which makes them easy to store in a closet or other storage space. There are three main types of storage boxes used for collectible cards: cardboard, plastic, and wood.
Cardboard card storage boxes have replaced shoe boxes and cigar boxes as the favorite storage method for casual collectors. These boxes come in different sizes to hold different amounts of cards horizontally on their long edge. Some of these boxes come with corrugated dividers and sponge card blocks can be used to block empty space and keep the cards from sliding around in the box.
Plastic card storage boxes come in many different sizes, with many able to store cards vertically. These storage boxes generally consist of a two-, three- or four-row storage compartment and a lid that could be hinged and unhinged. They are generally clear and can store anywhere between 1,600 and 5,000 cards.
Wooden card storage boxes are generally reserved for higher-end, premium collectible cards. Many are designed with hinged lids and they are generally lined with velvet or some other high-quality material. They are more expensive than other types of card storage methods and hold considerably fewer cards, but they are also a more visually appealing way to store your collection.
Albums And Binders
Albums and binders are a great way to easily display a large collection of cards while also protecting and storing them. Any 3-ring binder can be used to hold the specially designed plastic card-holding pages, but collectors may want to choose an album or binder style that reflects the types of cards contained within. Collectible cards should never be placed in a photo album that has sticky pages, as this could damage the cards and reduce their value.
Protective plastic pages come with pre-cut holes that allow them to fit into any standard three-ring album or binder. The card simply slides in from the top and is protected by acid-free, archival storage quality plastic. These pages are available to fit every size of collectible card, but the most commonly used ones have nine card slots per page.
Top-loader Plastic Card Holders
Top-loader card holders are made of rigid or semi-rigid plastic formed into a pouch to hold one card. Many collectors prefer them because they allow you to handle the card as much as you like without fear of damaging it. They are available in several thicknesses and generally come in packs of 25.
Heavy-duty Plastic Card Holders
Heavy-duty plastic card holders provide superior protection and are generally used to house valuable or favorite collectible cards. They are available in three distinct styles – screw-down models, snap-tight models, and magnetic models. The right one for a particular card will match the dimensions of the card and have a thickness that will avoid damage to the card. Some are even available with a UV coating for increased protection against autograph fading.
