Understand visible damage before intake.

Small pressure marks or indentations in the card surface.

A small pit, pressure point, or shine break that catches light at certain angles.

Risk

Moderate

Typical outcome

Some dents may become less visible, but deep dents can leave a visible scar.

Photos to submit

Front, back, close-up, and angled-light photos.

Structural curves or bends in the card.

A card that bows, waves, or shows a bend line without always becoming a full crease.

Risk

Moderate

Typical outcome

Presentation may improve, but internal fiber damage or weakened layers can cause bend or warp return.

Photos to submit

Front, back, side/profile, and angled-light photos.

White areas along edges, corners, or damaged spots where ink or surface material is missing or disturbed.

White edge wear, corner wear, or pale marks where the printed surface no longer looks complete.

Risk

Review required

Typical outcome

Whitening usually cannot be repaired unless it is caused by lifting or peeling rather than missing material.

Photos to submit

Close-up edge and corner photos in bright neutral light.

A raised or lifted edge where the card layer has begun to separate or curl upward.

A card edge that no longer lays flat or appears slightly separated from the layer below.

Risk

High

Typical outcome

Minor lifting may sometimes be reduced, but damaged fibers or weakened layers may not fully lay flat.

Photos to submit

Edge close-ups from above and from the side.

A more severe form of edge lifting where the surface layer is peeling, separating, or pulling away from the card.

Visible separation, flaking, or a loose edge that may worsen when handled.

Risk

High

Typical outcome

Edge peeling is higher risk and may not be fully repairable without unacceptable alteration.

Photos to submit

Edge, corner, and side-profile photos without touching or pulling the layer.

Surface lines, scuffs, or marks visible in direct light, especially on glossy or holo areas.

Fine lines, cloudy marks, or scratches that appear when the card is tilted.

Risk

Review required

Typical outcome

Very light visibility may improve in some cases, but deep scratches, missing ink, or damaged foil cannot be fully repaired.

Photos to submit

Angled-light photos from multiple directions.

A card that does not sit flat due to moisture, storage, age, pressure, or internal tension.

Curling, bowing, or a card that rocks when placed on a flat surface.

Risk

Low

Typical outcome

Warping can often improve, but it may return if the card is not stabilized or stored properly.

Photos to submit

Flat-surface and side/profile photos.

A crease visible on one side of the card only. It may be broken or unbroken depending on whether the surface layer or fibers are visibly damaged.

A crease line, light-angle mark, or texture change on one face of the card.

Risk

High

Typical outcome

Even when improved, surface creases may still leave light-angle marks or texture changes.

Photos to submit

Front, back, close-up, and angled-light photos of the full crease path.

A crease visible on both the front and back of the card, often traveling deeper through the card structure.

A crease line that can be seen or felt from both sides.

Risk

High

Typical outcome

Through creases are harder to fully repair and usually remain visible even if presentation improves.

Photos to submit

Front and back close-ups, full-card photos, and angled-light photos.

A crease where part of the card layer has lifted, bubbled, or separated.

A raised or bubbled area around a crease, sometimes with layer separation.

Risk

High

Typical outcome

Bubble creases may reduce but can return if the internal layer or adhesive is damaged or weak.

Photos to submit

Angled close-ups from several sides, plus front and back photos.

Damage related to moisture sensitivity, swelling, water exposure, staining, or softened layers.

Clouding, waviness, swelling, staining, or texture that looks different from the rest of the card.

Risk

High

Typical outcome

Some presentation issues may improve, but severe water damage, swelling, and delamination may not be fully repairable.

Photos to submit

Full-card, close-up, side/profile, and angled-light photos.

A dull or cloudy surface caused by grime, haze, residue, or light buildup.

A holo or glossy area that looks muted, cloudy, or less clear than expected.

Risk

Low

Typical outcome

Visual clarity may improve when haze is buildup-related, but missing holo foil and permanent surface damage are not replaced.

Photos to submit

Angled-light photos that show the haze across the surface.

Print defects, texture changes, or surface irregularities that may be original or damage-related.

Lines, raised texture, dull patches, or marks that become clearer under magnification or light.

Risk

Review required

Typical outcome

Many print and texture issues are documented for grade-risk review rather than treated.

Photos to submit

Close-up and angled-light photos, with the issue centered in frame.