Too long have grading companies encased die-cuts like standard four-sided cards. Too long have unique designs been susceptible to movement in holders. From here on out – and only at PSA – this injustice will not stand.
Introducing custom-fit encapsulation for die-cut cards. Effective immediately for eligible Regular service level submissions and above, die-cut cards will be set and sealed with a custom, transparent insert at no additional cost.
The result? Unshakeable preservation and presentation.
The Missing Piece
It’s a landmark solution to a longstanding issue. Card holders rely on interior rails to stabilize cards, and die-cuts that don’t measure up to this framework can be prone to shifting over time.
The key is to create a complementary insert that fills the void and frames the card. First, a die-cut is imaged and an outline is generated to spec within five thousandths of an inch. An insert is then laser-cut from the same high-grade plastic used in PSA standard holders. Cleaned and primed, the insert is fit within the holder, the card is set, and the pairing is sealed.
Developed by PSA over a year of research and testing, this patent-pending process is template-free—each insert is bespoke to the intricacies of its die-cut counterpart.
Insert Eligibility
It’s important to note that not all die-cut cards receive custom inserts, nor need them. The decision is made during authentication and grading by PSA experts according to each card’s needs and dimensions. Rule of thumb? If a card’s edges align with at least three internal rails of a PSA holder, it’s likely that no insert is needed to stabilize.
At this time, die-cut insert consideration applies only to newly submitted trading card submissions made in North America for Regular service level service and above. Additionally, PSA New Jersey drop-off submissions and any Reholder submissions are ineligible.