How to Protect Your Card Collection From Humidity, Sunlight and Bends

Most card damage is slow and avoidable. Three things cause the majority of it: moisture, light and pressure. Here is how to protect your collection from each.

Humidity: stop curling and warping

Cards are made of layered paper, so they absorb moisture from the air. Damp rooms make cards curl, especially foil and holographic cards.

• Store cards indoors in a room with stable temperature.
• Avoid basements, garages, attics and bathrooms.
• Keep boxes off cold outside walls and floors.
• Let cards adjust to room temperature before opening a box brought in from outside.

Sunlight: stop fading

UV light fades ink over time, and the damage cannot be reversed.

• Keep binders and boxes out of direct sunlight.
• Do not display valuable cards in a sunny window.
• Close binders and boxes when you are not looking through them.

Bends: stop creases

A crease is permanent and can greatly reduce a card’s condition.

• Put valuable cards in a sleeve and a rigid toploader.
• Do not overfill binder pockets or boxes.
• Store binders upright and boxes flat, with nothing heavy on top.
• Carry decks in a rigid deck box, not loose in a bag.

Handle cards with care

Clean, dry hands and a clear, flat surface prevent most handling damage. A playmat gives you a clean surface during games. See HoloHive playmats and accessories.

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