As a novice, you might not realize how important it is to properly store your cards to help them live a long and well-maintained life. As time goes on and you realize how valuable each of them can potentially be, you will understand why big card collectors go to extreme extents to ensure the safety of their cards. For some people, it is not just about the fact that these can rise in value over time, it’s about the fact that they are able to protect and maintain a really prized card. It’s a bit like vintage car collections, even though they are everyday vehicles, nor do the collectors plan on earning a profit by selling them, it’s about the satisfaction that you get from knowing that you are protecting a highly demanded and rare commodity that you have the privilege of owning.
Moreover, with cars, there’s a lot that you can do to bring them back to their original conditions. Repairs can be made and parts can be changed, but for cards, that’s not really possible. The best condition it is going to be is in its original condition when it was brand new. The purpose of all of these storage tips is to help you maintain that state of the card for as long as possible.
Whether you are looking to store cards to sell later on or you just enjoy building your collection, this is what you can do to ensure your collection grows sustainably.
1. Strategy
Just like you would organize things in a storage cell or even in your home, you need to sort out what needs to be stored and how it should be stored. The kind of storage strategy you choose will depend on the kinds of cards you have, how many you have, and how you want them to be stored. You can use some basic storage organization techniques in the overall space but when it comes to storing these themselves, you need to consider whether or not you will want to be accessing them frequently, or at all. Moreover, some people only need to store cards temporarily while they are moving or managing a house renovation, while others are looking for a permanent solution.
2. Cards
While it may sound convenient to just throw the cards in a bag or in a box and put them in your cupboard, this is not the best way to store them as they are still exposed to a lot of risks. The TCG players at customcardsleeves.com recommend that you store each card in its own sleeve and then group the deck together so that they are individually protected. Storing them this way makes sense because if one card starts developing mold or fungus, eventually, it is going to spoil the entire deck, and if your entire collection is stored in one box, you might lose it all.
3. Environment
Some kinds of trading cards can be difficult to manage in certain conditions. Even when they have been protected the right way, properly sealed, and placed neatly together, they can still have problems. Sometimes, the way they are constructed can be the culprit, where other times, external factors such as heat and humidity can influence their condition. The problem is that you don’t really know how a card will act or react when it is stored over a long time. Sometimes they only develop problems after several years of storage, which is why it is a good idea to keep checking them from time to time. However, as a general rule of thumb, you want to ensure that they aren’t directly exposed to sunlight or too much heat, there isn’t too much moisture, and their storage area doesn’t have any pests like termites, which will eat away the collection.
4. High-Value Cards
For exceptionally rare and expensive cards, it can be really worthwhile to invest in a specialized storage system like a screw-down box or a top-loading case. These solutions will protect them individually and you can get a separate storage box to secure these high-value cards. This way, they are more protected and they are also easy to sort.
If you have the budget for it and you are willing to put in the effort, you can store each card in your collection in a screw-down case that offers the highest level of protection in every sense. The card stays secure in place which helps keep the edges in good condition and is completely insulated from external factors. However, when you remove the card from the screw-down case, you can have problems with the card sticking to the plastic, which is why it is really important to ensure that the card is kept at ambient temperatures.