Grading • 9 min read
The Ultimate Guide to On-Site Grading: PSA, BGS, SGC & CSA
Everything you need to submit raw cards at the show — pricing tiers, turnaround times, and a pre-screening checklist so you never pay to slab a PSA 7.
Walkthrough: Submitting Cards for On-Site Grading
Video coming soon — footage from the next show will appear here.
Grading is the single biggest logistical headache for collectors, and it is the reason a lot of raw cardboard sits in boxes for years. At the Denver Sports Card Show, PSA, BGS, SGC and CSA all take submissions on the floor, which means you can walk in with raw cards and walk out with a receipt instead of shipping a package and hoping.
Which grader should you use?
| Company | Best for | Typical show tier | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | Vintage + resale liquidity | Show/Express | Announced on site |
| BGS | Modern chrome, subgrades | Standard/Express | Announced on site |
| SGC | Pre-war and vintage | Standard | Announced on site |
| CSA | Budget bulk + newer sets | Bulk | Announced on site |
Pricing tiers and card grading turnaround times are set by each grader per event and are confirmed at their on-site booth. We publish the final tier sheets here as soon as they are released.
Step-by-step submission checklist
- ★Pre-sort by declared value — tiers are priced by value, not by card.
- ★Sleeve and semi-rigid every card (no top loaders, no tape).
- ★Print your submission form at home; on-site printing lines are long.
- ★Bring a photo ID and the payment method you registered with.
- ★Photograph the front and back of every card before you hand it over.
- ★Keep your receipt photo in your phone's favorites folder.
Pre-screening: stop paying to slab 7s
Under a bright light, check centering first (front and back), then corners, then surface at a 45-degree angle. If a card fails two of those three, it is usually not worth a mid-tier fee. A ten-dollar loupe pays for itself in one submission.
New to the show floor? Start with the first-timer's survival guide, then plan your grading drop-off for the first hour of the day when the lines are shortest.
Plan Your Show
Passes, VIP packages and dealer applications are open now.
