Before you store your most prized baseball cards, you need to check the thickness. That’s because you could damage them by adding them in or taking them out if you choose a holder that’s too big or too small. Knowing how thick your baseball cards are, you can find the perfect holders for them and display them any way you like.
While different baseball cards from different years may have different thicknesses, most of them fall around 35-points. Though that’s a good starting point, you shouldn’t just rely on an average for your most valuable cards. You can use the help of a Card Thickness Point Gauge that will help you find the perfect fit.
Once you know how thick your cards are, you can look for your preferred way of storage and keep them in a safe space so that they won’t get any unwanted damage. When it comes to storing your cards, you want a holder that’s sturdy and protects from all damages like UV rays, debris, and moisture.
How Do You Measure Sports Card Thickness?
You may have seen card thickness listed in a few places but not ever known how it was measure. You are not alone and once you see how easy it is, you can start to purchase the right cardholders and display cases for your particular cards.
In order to measure your card’s thickness, you should consider a downloadable Card Thickness Point Gauge like this one from BCW. These are guides that make it simple and feature all of the most common point measurements for all types of cards. Once you have it downloaded, you can print it out and check out the thickness of your cards by simply putting them side by side.
If you want something that is more tangible, then we recommend purchasing a Card Thickness Point Gauge Tool like this one by Passive Paradise.
What Point Are Baseball Cards?
These days, you can find baseball cards in all different sizes. You can use the Card Thickness Point Gauge to find an accurate measurement. On top of that, you can also take a look at the common point thickness of all different kinds of cards. A few of the most common include:
35-Point Cards
This is the most common card thickness for baseball cards. One of the best things about these cards is that they will fit into many different types of storage devices and display cases, as it’s a common and easy-to-find measurement.
55-Point Cards
Not too far away from the most common, you’ll also find a lot of 55-point cards. These are thicker and may need a special toploader or magnetic case to store safely.
100-Point Cards
100-point cards are on the high end of things and generally account for relic cards. If you have these, you need to order a case that will fit them well. More than likely, you have a valuable card in your hands that you’ll want to take care of properly.
How Thick Are Standard Toploaders?
Toploaders are a popular choice when it comes to storing valuable baseball cards. They have a small opening on the top and a hard and sturdy exterior that helps to keep your cards from bending, tearing, or scratching. Keep your baseball cards stored is crucial to keeping them safe from damages but, which toploader should you choose?
The standard type top loader is 3 X 4 mm in size. This one is not only the most standard but also the most popular. While there are a number of different cards that will work with these, they will more than likely fit all of your baseball cards, especially if you have standard sizes like 35-point.
To check the current price and availability of Ultra-Pro Top Loaders, click here to view them on Amazon.
Are Toploaders Safe for your Baseball Cards?
Toploaders are indeed safe for your baseball cards when used correctly. Each collector is different when it comes to storing their cards. Some collectors like different things than others and have their own ways of storing them. Though it’s not preferred by everyone, there are a large majority of collectors that choose toploaders. Key reasons why they choose them include:
They’re Sturdy
First and foremost, they’re sturdy. They feature a hard outer casing that keeps paper cards out of harm’s way. This includes protecting them from bending, scratching, and other debris that could build up. You want a case that is sturdy, even if you’re storing them in your closet or garage inside of a box.
They’re Easy to Load
Some of the flimsier holders out there can harm cards when owners are loading them in. With toploaders, you just have to pop in your card and you’re done. While you won’t get damaged from bending, your toploaders could cause your card to slip out. To make sure it doesn’t, pop a piece of clear tape over and enjoy!
They’re Cost-Effective
Instead of spending an arm and a leg on a large number of super-sturdy card cases, baseball card collectors choose toploaders for their competitive pricing. They are not flimsy, but sturdy, and don’t cost as much as some of the other sturdier competition. Plus, they come in a number of sizes, making them a great choice for any card collector.
Final Thoughts
Before you buy a package of cardholders, make sure that you know the thickness of all of your cards. You don’t want to load your cards into cases that don’t work for them. Once you have the thickness, you can score the best toploaders for your cards, and rest assured that your cards are free from harm.
Learning how to measure the thickness of your baseball card collection is pretty simple, especially with help from the Card Thickness Point Gauge. Using that, you’ll have a better idea of which card cases you can use and which thickness you should score for your collection. If choosing a toploader, don’t forget about the trick to keeping them inside!
As a collector, you have to think about ways to store your cards that won’t damage them. One way is a toploader, known for its solid structure and variety of sizes. Keep your cards safe and sound, without harming the edges or contents with help from a sturdy toploader.