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Evaluate your card's surface for scratches, print defects, wear, and staining on both front and back. Get a predicted surface sub-grade before submitting to professional graders.
Evaluate all surface conditions on both front and back to see your predicted sub-grade
0/8 conditions rated
Learn what each type of surface defect means for your card's grade
Surface-level marks caused by sliding cards against each other, rough handling, or contact with abrasive surfaces. Range from hairline scratches only visible under light to deep grooves that catch a fingernail.
Manufacturing imperfections in the printing process. Includes ink dots, print lines, color registration errors, and missing ink. These are factory defects, not handling damage, but still affect the grade.
Loss of the original surface finish, typically the glossy coating. Caused by friction, handling, or environmental exposure. Appears as dulled or matte areas where the card once had a uniform sheen.
Color changes from exposure to moisture, oils, chemicals, or UV light. Includes yellowing, water spots, wax stains from old packs, and fingerprint oils that have set over time.
Surface condition typically accounts for 25-30% of a card's overall professional grade. At BGS, the surface sub-grade is one of four scored categories. PSA evaluates surface as part of its holistic grading approach, and it is often the deciding factor between adjacent grade levels.
The front surface carries more weight than the back because it is the display side collectors see first. Professional graders inspect both sides under magnification and angled lighting to detect defects not visible in normal conditions.
Surface defects fall into two categories: handling damage (scratches, wear, staining) and manufacturing defects (print lines, ink dots, roller marks). Both types affect the grade equally, though some collectors accept manufacturing defects more readily since every copy of that card may share the same issue.
Defects frequently identified during professional surface evaluation
Thin lines running across the card surface from the printing roller. A factory defect common in certain print runs.
Subtle impressions left by printing equipment. Often only visible at certain angles under direct light.
Residue from old wax packs that seeps into the card surface. Common on vintage cards from the 1980s and earlier.
White marks or spots on the card face from pressure or bending. Different from edge whitening as it occurs on the flat surface.
Light surface scratches from cards being shuffled or stacked without sleeves. Often run in parallel lines.
Oils from handling that dull the surface finish over time. May appear as smudges or slightly discolored areas.
Most surface damage is preventable with proper handling and storage practices. Once surface defects occur, they cannot be repaired without risking further damage.