A graded card is a special case. It already sits in a sealed protective housing – the so-called slab – complete with a grade and authentication. That's exactly what makes it valuable, and it raises its own questions when it comes to displaying.
Because a slab is bigger, heavier and more expensive than a loose card. Simply putting it into a normal card display doesn't work. Let's look at what really matters when presenting graded cards.
Why graded cards are handled differently
During grading, the card is assessed by a service like PSA, BGS or CGC and permanently sealed in a solid plastic housing. You can't open this housing without losing the grade. The slab is therefore untouchable – and anything that happens with it has to work from the outside.
That means: no case you slide the card into. Instead, you need a solution that holds the entire slab without altering it.
The difference from a raw card
An ungraded (“raw”) card goes into a precise protective case that's part of the display. With a slab, that step falls away – the housing already comes with the card.
That's why our Frames® have a dedicated Graded version. Instead of a UV snap case, you get two self-adhesive magnets that hold the slab securely to the frame, plus a universal slab sleeve that protects the slab from the magnet adhesive. This sleeve fits the common grading brands – PSA, BGS, CGC and others.
The slab itself stays completely untouched: no opening, no sticking directly onto the housing, no change to the grade.
What to watch for when hanging it
Because a slab is heavier than a loose card, secure mounting matters more. A smooth, load-bearing wall and a clean, grease-free adhesive spot are even more important here than with lightweight displays. If you want to be safe, choose a particularly solid surface for heavier pieces.
Otherwise the same rules apply as for any displayed card: avoid constant direct sun, and a dry spot on a normal interior wall is ideal.
Why displaying is especially worth it for graded cards
Graded cards are often the most valuable and emotionally important pieces in a collection. And yet many of them disappear into boxes or drawers – out of fear that something might happen to them.
Yet a slab is well protected precisely because of its solid housing. Presenting it visibly, instead of locking it away, turns a hidden value into a real display piece. The grade stays, the protection stays – only the invisibility goes.
You'll find the Graded version in our Frames® collection. Not sure whether your slab fits or which version is right? The display finder and the FAQ will help.
Frequently asked questions
Do all grading brands (PSA, BGS, CGC) fit?
Yes. The universal slab sleeve of the Graded version is designed for the common grading housings, including PSA, BGS and CGC.
Do I have to open or stick anything onto the slab?
No. The slab stays fully sealed and untouched. It's held via magnets and the protective sleeve – not by sticking directly onto the housing.
Does displaying void the grade?
No. As long as the grading housing stays closed, the grade is preserved. Displaying changes nothing about it.
