Trading Card Grading Process Revealed!

Trading Card Grading Process Revealed!
Original video: • Card Grading Behind th...
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[@HairwormSeph]

7:43 Nikachu: "This guy just prints labels!" Label-guy: I maintain an entire database of millions of grading records and a QR code accessible interface on the web, but sure, the label printer also sits on my desk :(

[@TheVergile]

the internet, heard of it?

[@coolhawk2003]

Ya all the other people have all ready put that in the computer. The computer program organizer will do all that. He prints labels and makes sure there right . Lol

[@b3n751]

Rip label guy

[@mikeyj10]

This is crazy because in comic grading they really only ding you on issue caused after the printing, so stuff like chipping from the dull cutting blades aren’t supposed to affect the grade that much because they are a printing defect.

[@zirene5237]

Yea TCG card grading came from the sports card grading world. Sports cards ONLY have value as a collectible unlike our TCG cards or comics. Things like centering, cuts, color all could ding you. That rolled into TCG grades and here we are.

[@MikeHunt-lz2hq]

Yeah but then all cards fresh out the pack would be a ten and then all the card investors would be screwed

[@imseeno]

Very interesting process. I wonder how much label makers make... BTW, don't take this the wrong way. I kinda felt like this video was pretty much reuploading the original video and then cracking a joke here and there. Like I understand there are other "react" videos out there that do a similar thing, and I know your videos are like that. But this one hit differently. All of your other videos have your commentary on either explaining something that the viewer might have missed or perhaps giving additional background information or perhaps explaining why that specific thing is important. But this didn't have any of that.

[@uburdub]

yeah its one thing where he's adding to the original video by going back on the history or setting the context. This just feels like a re-upload that skirts around having the original content creator receive any ad revenue. That being said I definitely enjoy the prior videos a lot more where there is additional content and context being added to improve the viewing experience.

[@ronald_grinder]

I had the same thought when watching this video too. Not trying to bash or anything, but this wasn't nearly as enjoyable as previous videos where he adds context or additional facts.

[@GraemeGunn]

This is the epitome of "useless youtube" comments. First off, the random "I wonder how much label makers make" - well, it depends on how much your boss decides to pay you, or maybe it depends on how much money you're willing to make per hour? It's such a broad question. Then you've got the criticism, you've got your suggestions as to how the uploader should do things. He doesn't answer to you. Now I'm wondering if you're new to the whole KZbin thing? You're going to be surprised when you see the rest of the stuff people have uploaded.

[@imseeno]

@@GraemeGunn I'm sorry for offending you. I must disagree. I'd say the epitome of a useless comment is saying "first" and leaving it at that. As for my "random comment" I've got to defend that saying it's not random at all. There's literally a person in the video whose job is to make labels. My comment is in regards to that specific job. My apologies for making a comment on such a small bit of the video that is easy to miss. As for my criticism, you're right. He doesn't answer to me. I don't expect him to. I was simply pointing out that this video was much different than his other videos in terms of his commentary. Seeing as, at the time of making this reply, 30 people have liked my initial comment (which happens to be the most liked comment) and 2 others have commented in agreement, I'm not the only one who has noticed the same. No, I am not new to KZbin. I'm very much aware of the different content on this platform. I'm very aware of the content on this specific channel. Which is exactly why I gave the feedback that I did. My initial comment was not an attack on Nikachu. Idk why you're treating it as one.

[@ronbowley2778]

I thought the process was super cool learning about. I don't understand why he was making degrading and cheap remarks about it. I like his commentary usually but not this time.

[@rahiqalam]

Card grading is a very interesting process to watch, but I do think there are some problems with the way grading is done here. It is a process of deciding how good a card looks, but this is done by humans who have their own personal biases and can have bad days leading them to unfairly grade cards sometimes. There are new companies such as Automated Grading Systems (AGS) that grade cards through computers and AI to fairly and accurately grade cards. Because the process is entirely computerized it lets them grade cards faster and without worry of human biases. This speeds up the process significantly and lets collectors have their cards within 2 months instead of the 6-12 month wait times of companies that grade by hand. I think this is the future of grading and the process done by AGS is also very interesting to read about.

[@MikeHunt-lz2hq]

Right there should be a base template that is a perfect 10 and there should be measurements taken based on different criteria in each category like usage or how rough the card is then also centering etc etc that's how it should be done

[@SymmetricalDocking]

Just use the normal TCGplayer steps. They are what machine learning would do if it was selling cards. 1. List it as a random grade, send it to the buyer. 2. Let them break out their loupe and the grading conditions guidelines, and have them tell you what grade it actually is. 3. Give a partial refund for the difference in grade, saving massive labor and time, and moving cards faster. 4. Repeat for every card

[@Martin-qb2mw]

If you train an AI it will learn and emulate biases in the data. There is no such thing as "objectivity" in AI. It's technology, not magic.

[@VinnieKielbasa]

You're spot on with the centering. I have a Kaysa that barely has any black border on the top. I used to be pissed about it, but now I feel like it's a unique feature and she's in my elf commander deck even though I have two perfectly centered Kaysa in my binder.

[@hermodnitter3902]

Sweet! Kaysa is one of my favorite cards, and also artworks. Even got the signed Rebecca Guay playmat of Kaysa reimagined.

[@SpectreXS]

Yeah I'm not too keen on the centering thing either. It does look objectively better when the card is perfectly centered, but it's just a printing crapshoot, it has nothing to do with the condition of the card itself.

[@TabrisGuardian]

as you mentioned sunbleaching, the cases from cardmarket grading are UV resistant

[@TheMattmatic]

Ultrasonic Sealer is my favourite card in Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty.

[@armandolee3941]

Thanks for uploading today, Nikachu! I always look forward to your videos. A video of "the most unexpected deck to win" would be awesome and funny to watch 😁

[@nicholasfrenken8814]

The man, the myth is back again! Facial expressions on point, thanks for the awesome content :) Greetings from Germany

[@feuxnews6382]

Lock picking lawyer would open that German masterpiece in 15 seconds and half of the time he would just be explaining how to do it .

[@michaellopez4746]

Beginner: this is a trading card game. Expert: this is a grading card game.

[@FirstNameOnReapersWishList]

Cardmarket is the number one market in Europe. Not a noname-company.

[@juter1122]

in some fake place called Europe. never seen it, sounds fake

[@gregpenismith1248]

Do you get paid to shill for them?

[@TheCrafter365]

Yeah, but in USA they are a noname-company.

[@noxdaboss6243]

U sure it’s not oil? Or gas? Or pharmaceuticals etc?

[@alfascorpi]

@@TheCrafter365 as are most Non-US companies outside US to US citizens 😝

[@Snikpoh1390]

Wait so this dude told Logan Paul it was authentic to his face, then they opened it up and it was fake?! Yikes that guy is in trouble.

[@Arrowed_Sparrow]

I just sent some comics to get graded so it's pretty awesome to see what's involved. But for some reason I'm really curious about what would happen if I put my hand in the ultrasonic thing...

[@johnny_crash]

Cardmarket will become a legit new grading company. Always had great experiences with them.

[@jakejonas7366]

I’ve read several horror stories about the most legit sports card authenticators who are hacks. Look into the guy pawn stars always shows, he’s had a huge trail of shadiness including getting a job by lying about having a degree he didn’t have. Authenticating a pile of fake autographs he either didn’t know were fake or intentionally authenticated them for profit. Everyone makes mistakes but it’s a lot of them over a long period.

[@wetwillyis_1881]

Wait, so you mean that my cards don’t go on a magical adventure with the card fairy? How many other lies have I been told by the council?

[@blippiwithaclippi3197]

Back when intro decks were a thing, I bought one from Walmart where I live and about 90% of the cards were miscut. And I mean so miscut that the names have been cut through and the bottom has the top of the next card

[@DoingNothingKing]

Ahhh how is no one commenting about the “one centimeter and it’s toast” slabbing maschine lol there’s no way they risk seedling cards like this. Do other companies use that same machinery? PSA or Beck?

[@vanesslifeygo]

PSA prices for trading cards are often inflated, drives up shipping cost, space, people already have ungraded stuff in their binder in good condition, which will be released some day, pushing graded prices near to ungraded cards

[@gregskully6088]

Dear Nikachu! Thank you for your content. I would like to see video Нь"How MTG cards are being produced" from you in the future)

[@NikachuMTG]

if some footage of it exists sure

[@maxmotors9497]

@@NikachuMTG yeah, I doubt it does. Wotc makes sure of that

[@Maverick21491]

Im still confused though about why the current value of a card affects the grading cost ? I mean , the work to grade a card is the same , regardless of its current value ? And how much value does it add ? What is the difference between a PSA 8 and a PSA 9 ? I have a few foil 7th edition painlands , including a City of Brass and a Underground River . I checked them for clouding and centering and such , and they look pretty good to me , just dont know if its worth the money , that I dont really have , to have them graded ?

[@NikachuMTG]

Cost to grade cards is mostly all the same. It's just the value of the card changes based on the grade given to it. The value is determined by the market. For example, people may be willing to pay thousands more for PSA 10 for certain cards, but only hundreds if it's PSA 9 (but it's REALLY card dependent, so do you own research on ebay or tcgplayer).

[@NikachuMTG]

also, I'm not a finance KZbinr, but my impression is that not everything deserves to be graded unless the dollar amount get high enough that you need to verify it's condition. Also consider who wants to buy it from you, if there is a market for buying graded foil 7th ed City of Brass.

[@MikeHunt-lz2hq]

It's not always about value like for selling. Getting cards graded isn't only about certifying their authenticity for the sole purpose of selling them. Lots of people just like to have slabs in their collection and put them on stands around their gaming rooms and such .but also it's not bad to have an 8 or 9 grade setting in your collection but normally people will only send them in if it's a close 10

[@Shiby23]

This was pretty interesting to watch, I really appreciate you showing this video to us. I'm curious if this is the standard methods for all grading companies or not

[@GM-by7tc]

Going to the store for Cinnamon Toast Crunch now. Thanks Nikachu!!

[@NikachuMTG]

It's so good!

[@tmon3y777]

Really cool video. Sidenote: If you sun bleach your Black Lotus after it's already graded and cased the numbers on the label do not change.

[@cybermanx4218]

"there's a bunch of weirdos that like that stuff" I'm one of them😂🤣

[@192drm]

This has been a very educational video! Thank you Nikachu!

[@Atomsk2]

As someone who’s very destructive at times I took offense to the “and it can never be opened again.” Had hardcore “are you challenging me?!??” Vibes

[@ewing.michael77]

They can definitely be opened with a pair of pliers and a knife. I've bought a couple cards that only had autograph authentication and sent them to a different company for full grading.

[@TheEpicSpire]

i like how they blurred the key cause i had my 3d printer ready to scan the key and now i can't.

[@jeronimosaettone321]

7:20 his job is not just to print labels. Those laser printers cost a bunch of money and there is no point to have 1 per desk.

[@ossi2635]

I still wanna now how much this grading process cost and how many of this gradind centers are out there wordwide? or is there just that one center...?

[@NikachuMTG]

I think there’s 2 big ones (PSA and BGS) and a few smaller ones. I think it’s around $25-$30 a card?! But check their prices to be sure.

[@brittanynagy2193]

Wow, this was a really interesting and informative video! Thanks Nikachu!

[@Xorthis]

One thing that's worrying about the grading market is each grading company uses it's own set of standards to produce their score. They all need to get together and produce a set of industry standards that can be used to compare grading scores. Just because cardmarket use those tolerances for centering, and split the grade 75/25 based on the front and back doesn't mean Beckett do the same... Great video as always! Thanks for the entertaining content :D

[@NikachuMTG]

I think the idea is that each has their own grading scale and their reputation is tied to it whether it’s strict or not.

[@gregpenismith1248]

@n99 okay, kiddo.

[@jimmitchell6000]

Years ago, I had a job that included operating an ultrasonic welder (what seals the case). It loses its cool factor after the first day or so.

[@travisrichards6162]

Hands down the best video I've watched on KZbin in at least a week! Great stuff man, thank you!!

[@shenGaoren177]

This is really cool. I actually bought a PSA card yesterday for the first time.

[@joltman81]

Of all the criteria, centering always annoys me a bit. It's the only one that a collector has no control over. I get when you are spending thousands on a magic card, you want the most pristine copy you can find, but it's not like I threw my card in a box so hard it off centered it!

[@jakejonas7366]

Right? If you get an amazing expensive card from a pack and lose a lot of value based on wizards manufacturing process being flawed….I would think a card that’s worth good money fresh out of a pack should be damn near mint.

[@scottbrown796]

Is a lot of this grading technology somewhat new? Makes you wonder how accurate the grading his on cards that were graded in past years. Is grading now more strict bc they can see every minor defect?

[@seanbailey8545]

They sell those centering tools everywhere, E-bay Amazon etc.

[@TheMrSlyxx]

Kinda wishing this was a US grading service. The slabs look amazing.

[@DRAKLOR_44]

This was really interesting, I had heard of the card grading process and I know it ups the value but never had seen how it works… if I ever get my foil metalworkers back then I might get them graded who knows.

[@ton1]

Looks like Chris Chappell from China uncensored has a little brother doing Tcg uncensored

[@matteoferrandino3348]

1:24 we are a team of ten people with over 150 years of experience,, well said riot employee gg

[@ericwollam5532]

So, this question is coming from someone who's never had to get a card graded before. If they do find a counterfeit, what do they do with it? I know some people will destroy it on the spot and inform the person that it was fake and destroy it so no one can potentially try to pass it off as real. But in the case of the card grading companies, do they just inform the person that sent it to them that the card was counterfeit and send it back, or do they destroy it and inform them they sent a counterfeit?

[@NikachuMTG]

I'm not sure what they do with it. You might have to contact the grading company what their policy is.

[@vesstig]

I bet that label printer guy knows every single rule and set that's ever been made

[@NineTailedFiend]

"The card casing can no longer be opened" ....tell that to Rudy.

[@SpectreXS]

Even though that video is obviously a big piece of advertising, it's at least nice to see that (some? allegedly?) grading companies actually use magnifying glasses and whatnot and don't just bozo out 9.5s as they see fit. I wonder how sustainable the business model is. In terms of value, grading cards is almost always a scam, since it's very luck based if your card will even gain value from the grading, and when it does, it probably won't even be worth the fee of the grading process - which has to be quite substantial, since they rent a place, have several employees, advanced equipment, security measures and whatnot. But oh well, let people grade their rainbow Pikachu Vmaxes, that were totally not overprinted, and think they have 1000-dollar cards. At the end of the day, they are financing these small businesses, and it's immoral to let a sucker keep their money.

[@zirene5237]

One problem is people can always just crack the case and send the card in again and again. I've talked to people who have done this till they got their 8+ or 9+ they wanted. I didn't love it but I'm not sure how to combat that either or even if it should be.

[@ShadowLynx777]

It's not cheap to get actually valuable cards graded, around $50 for 1 card that is valued at under $1,000. Like an alpha Black Lotus would cost $5,000+ to grade

[@ophid6997]

While I agree that grading cards is not a good way to make money, calling it a scam is a childish and disrespectful blunder. These grading companies provide a service and deliver on it. You are not entitled to profit from their service any more than you're entitled to profit from buying a ticket at the movie theater or a dinner from a restaurant.

[@gregpenismith1248]

You should keep those dick beaters off the keyboard with hot takes like grading cards is a scam. Lol

[@davidmoak1219]

Word on the street is all the collectable card games use to have parties with the label guy til he started going around labeling everyone.

[@jonathanvalko486]

For some reason I thought it was becket grading. Now I’m not as impressed for some reason.

[@MrKoellsch]

Nice, the crading company is from my local gamestore in germany - glad to see coverage from you mate

[@zirene5237]

9:42 This is nitpicky but black boarder Underground Sea for $1000... That hasn't been true since 2010 probably for Beta. Even Foreign Black Boarders are pushing past the $1000 mark. Good video tho.

[@raccoonrobi]

They got me wondering if my 100$ cards are even worth 10% of it bruh. So many steps!

[@joecrail7596]

Man this is like a chocoholic getting like a personal tour of the Hershey's factory!!!!! You know what other process I would love to actually like be a fly on the wall for Todd McFarlane figurine making process like to be there with the sculptors and the artists and just watch them work

[@KrowdesAlexander]

Kind of has me wanting to get some of my collection graded. Somewhat tempting, really.

[@lucasmtg483]

ssooo _ awesome & cool to see a video about this grading environment, their secure variables, all the stuff, THANKS !

[@NikachuMTG]

Glad you liked it!

[@danx64]

Still don't understand why they don't use cameras and computers to check centering. Seems much quicker and more accurate

[@Loopygrrrrrrrrrr]

150 years of collective experience? As a league of legends player I know about the 200 years joke, just be real and say 15 years of grading card value. Had to pause at 1:30 just to vent lmao

[@alexandersepa3037]

Nikachu we need an emergency video! there was a suprise B&R and lurrus is now banned in multiple formats!

[@joelmonteiro1419]

I'm pretty sure the guy grading his card works dor Cardmarket. I've seen him featured in their videos.

[@TheEpicSpire]

if the centering is off, isn't that a misprint? wouldn't that be worth more?

[@gemmintmtg4267]

Really interesting! You know I love those graded cards :D

[@ParPounders]

You said if it’s off by a little bit it’s worth less but if it’s off by a lot it’s worth more, your wrong because the one that was “really off center” was cut to low witch means it’s an error card witch is actually worth more because not many cards have errors

[@JonnyDarcko]

So there first defense is glass. Then there safes hinges are on the outside......two small cuts with a hack saw on both sides and your in it......WTF is wrong with them.

[@Personalinfo404]

Laughs in proxies

[@aklepatzky]

cool and CM is a good place to buy/sell cards but lets be real: if you want your cards to be graded you choose Beckett or PSA not CM ...

[@NikachuMTG]

Is it not easier for Europeans to ship their cards locally?

[@aklepatzky]

@@NikachuMTG it depends...if its a 100-200 bucks card sure..if its big money Id go with the most reputable graders..

[@peterpan3683]

The dreads lady went to psy fi 2019 i still have the same dirty festival badge around my wrist LUL 5:38

[@xerowolf4242]

I'm wondering if these card grading companies are in cahoots with auction companies like Wata Games is with Heritage Auctions in the retro game business. Jacking up prices and stealing people's money. I don't trust collectable prices we see nowadays at all anymore because of that shit.

[@54m0h7]

Very interesting! Love the wise-crack jokes too. haha

[@shinyhaunter6019]

You got me to like video at cinnamon toast crunch. Even though it has horrible chemicals in it .. I think arsenic ... But even if that's not right it's crazy

[@sonofajebus]

150 years of trading card experience? have trading cards beeen around that long?

[@coachesmagic2886]

Cool video, a look behind the scenes

[@thomashernandez6536]

I learned about.... "GI JOE!"

[@MarzieMalfoy]

I dunno... the math doesn't add up. He said they have a team of 10 people with 150 years of trading card game experience. Not trading card. Trading card games. The oldest TCG in existence was a baseball trading card game. Game. Not just trading. All set with baseball counters and the likes. But that came out in 1904. 118 years ago. Definitely not 150 years. However, even if he meant that the combined experience between all 10 team members is 150 years then the average number of years of experience each member needs is 15 years of experience. I'm sorry but the few that they showed don't look old enough to have played for 15 years. Yet alone have had a job and been paid money to afford TCG packs/decks. Even if 1 person had 1 year of experience, then the rest would have to have more than 15 years. This seems very fishy to me.

[@riotThomy]

Very very cool Video. Love this mtg Content „Outside the Box“

[@thatm107user]

Hope you get to at least 100k

[@pangeaforever]

Only a 9.5? Is that the highest or...? Didn't the guy pull it from a pack and immediately grade it? What is keeping it from being a 10?

[@NikachuMTG]

Pack fresh cards can have slight defects like how off center the image is on the card based on how the card was cut off the printing sheet.

[@sixstringblues06]

Thats the coolest thing ive seen all week? what even is that statement lol

[@MrHueroLokz]

What if they swap it for a fake one?

[@PawzBrownMTG]

Nikachu this was a great video thank you for doing this it's amazing

[@LittleDiggi]

Actually the recording of the package opening is nonsense. Civil laws in the most countries says that if you accept the package you are responsible for the stuff. So you have to film from the delivery to the opening to have proof which can stand in a civil process.

[@ivgondef4408]

I would trust this company more than PSA

[@luisdayvid]

Why did you change the thumbnail? It was gold star Umbreon first.

[@NikachuMTG]

Most of my audience is MTG and they seem to be responding way better to a MTG graded card in the thumbnail.

[@Kero7th]

Strangely satisfying

[@thomasholcomb7681]

But did they ever find out why kids love Cinnamon Toast Crunch? And what’s so great about Apple Jacks? They’re not real apples!

[@kevinvanloon7072]

lovely video. Only issue with cardmarket grading are those incredibly ugly labels! hahaha

[@burningpapersun1]

I need that label maker job asap.

[@alekpeterson6221]

Wholesome.

[@estelle4778]

quality video didn't expect I would be this early, another amazing video down

[@Loren_Law]

Would love that job until I spill my coffee.

[@5I13lV7DI1293]

Maybe I should get my Opals graded if I wasn't so confident in it getting unbanned.

[@TabooX1984]

That was effing awesome! I was expecting to hear someone say that the case provided ultraviolet protection. XD XD XD 👍

[@ggpt9641]

20k hz to seal the card away and all that bubblewrap. The security is real.

[@WookieRookie]

It is strange to pay money for a card, which you bought before. It seems really inefficient. I've recently pulled a wonderful Jeweled Lotus, and I am not going to spend more money for it. I can't understand it.

[@tehRaptors]

Now that more and more people are grading their cards, how soon should we see Mox Opal getting unbanned?

[@chefemf]

Imagine if this was available to us in 1990's

[@Ashley-mw3wl]

That was super cool to watch.

[@coolhawk2003]

Was going to say if its off center then it be more rare

[@CuteangelcatAJ]

Your meming feels off sadly. It does not feel like you.

[@congriofish]

Shouldn't centering be better since you have a print error?

[@andrekowalski4635]

Cool content, ty Nikatchu

[@Eiyaa90]

Hey .. im one of those that love those misprints that are worth more!