How to Store Trading Cards: A Beginner’s Guide

Whether you just opened your first booster pack or you have been collecting for years, how you store your cards decides how they look in five years. The good news: protecting a collection is simple once you know the basics.

1. Start with a sleeve

A sleeve is the first layer of protection for any card worth keeping. It stops scratches, fingerprints and edge wear when you handle or shuffle the card. For your best cards, many collectors use two sleeves: a snug inner sleeve and a standard outer sleeve.

2. Use rigid protection for valuable cards

For rare pulls and cards you may sell or grade later, slide the sleeved card into a rigid toploader or a magnetic holder. These stop bends and creases, which are the most common and most permanent kind of damage.

3. Pick the right home for each part of your collection

• Binders are best for cards you want to see and show off. Side-loading zipper binders keep cards from slipping out. See HoloHive binders.
• Deck boxes are made for decks you play with and carry. See HoloHive deck boxes.
• Storage boxes are ideal for bulk cards and cards already in toploaders. See HoloHive storage boxes.

4. Store cards upright or flat, never squeezed

Cards stored on an angle or packed too tightly can bend over time. Keep them upright in a box that fits, or flat in a binder that is not overfilled.

5. Keep them away from heat, damp and sunlight

Store your collection in a cool, dry room, out of direct sunlight. Avoid attics, basements and spots near windows or heaters. Sunlight fades colours, and humidity can make cards curl.

Quick checklist

• Sleeve every card you want to keep.
• Toploader or magnetic holder for your best cards.
• Binder to display, deck box to carry, storage box for bulk.
• Cool, dry and out of the sun.

Questions about which storage suits your collection? Contact us and a real person will reply within 1 business day.