Card careQuestion
Sleeves and Toploaders: How to Protect a Valuable Trading Card
Put the card in a penny sleeve, then a 3 x 4 inch toploader. Sizes, thickness in points, and why PSA asks for semi-rigid holders instead of toploaders.
We earn from qualifying purchases through links on this page. How we make money.
At a glance
- Order
- Penny sleeve first, then the toploader
- Standard toploader
- 3 x 4 in, for cards up to 35 pt
- Thicker cards
- Toploaders sold in higher point sizes
- For PSA submissions
- Semi-rigid holder, not a toploader
Slide the card into a thin penny sleeve first, then push it into a 3 x 4 inch toploader. The sleeve stops the card rubbing against the rigid plastic, and the toploader stops bends. A regular toploader fits standard cards up to 35 points thick; thicker cards need a higher-point toploader. For a PSA submission, use a semi-rigid holder instead.
Toploaders and penny sleeves are made by several companies. The sizes below come from Ultra PRO and BCW, and the grading advice from PSA’s own shipping guide.
Step one: the penny sleeve
A penny sleeve is a thin, soft sleeve. BCW’s standard card sleeve measures 2 5/8 by 3 5/8 inches and is made of acid-free polypropylene. It is too thin to shuffle with, but it is the right inner layer for a toploader.
Penny sleeves
Live listings, shown by eBay
Opens eBay in a new tab. Check condition, seller feedback and returns.
Step two: the toploader
A toploader is a rigid plastic holder that opens at the top. The two most common makers describe their standard one like this:
| Maker | Outside size | Fits | Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra PRO regular toploader | 3 x 4 in | 2.5 x 3.5 in cards up to 35 pt | Rigid PVC |
| BCW standard toploader | 3 x 4 1/16 in (inside 2 3/4 x 3 7/8 in) | Cards up to 35 pt | Rigid PVC |
Both makers use rigid PVC for their toploaders. That is fine for handling and short-term storage, but keep long-term collections in PVC-free pages and sleeves, as our guide to protecting trading cards explains.
3 x 4 inch toploaders
Live listings, shown by eBay
Opens eBay in a new tab. Check condition, seller feedback and returns.
Thick cards need thick toploaders
Card thickness is measured in points. A regular toploader takes cards up to 35 points. Ultra PRO also sells thicker toploaders, including 75-point and 130-point versions, for thicker cards. Match the toploader to the card, so the card is held firmly without being forced in.
Sending a card for grading? Use a semi-rigid holder
PSA asks for something different. Its shipping guide says to put each card in a penny sleeve, then slide it into a semi-rigid holder, and adds: “Do not use toploaders, tape, pull tabs, or sticky notes.” For standard cards, PSA says semi-rigid holders must measure 3 5/16 by 4 7/8 inches. It also warns against solid or opaque sleeves, which can cause delays.
Good to know
PSA’s “Get Started” page gives the same order for storing a card before you decide whether to grade it: a penny sleeve and then a semi-rigid card holder. How card grading works explains what happens after you send it.
Semi-rigid card holders
Live listings, shown by eBay
Opens eBay in a new tab. Check condition, seller feedback and returns.
How to load a toploader without damage
The opening of a toploader is a hard edge, so go slowly:
- Sleeve the card first, with the sleeve’s open end at the top.
- Slide the sleeved card in bottom edge first, keeping it straight so the corners do not catch on the rim.
- Stop when the card sits fully inside. Do not tape the opening if you plan to send the card for grading: PSA’s shipping guide asks for no tape.
Toploader, semi-rigid or binder?
| Holder | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Penny sleeve alone | Short-term handling, sorting | Thin; protects the surface, not against bends |
| Penny sleeve plus toploader | A valuable single in storage | Rigid; standard size fits cards up to 35 pt |
| Penny sleeve plus semi-rigid holder | Sending a card to PSA | PSA’s required holder; 3 5/16 x 4 7/8 in for standard cards |
| 9-pocket binder page | Browsing a collection | Keeps cards flat and visible; choose PVC-free |
Where to keep toploaded cards
Keep toploaded cards upright in a box sized for them, out of direct sunlight. BCW says its 3,200-count Monster storage box is not designed for larger holders such as toploaders, so check a box’s description before you buy one for toploaded cards; see trading card storage boxes. For cards you play rather than store, card sleeve sizes explains which deck sleeves fit your game.
Frequently asked questions
Do you put a card in a sleeve before a toploader?
Yes. A thin penny sleeve goes on first, then the card goes into the toploader. The sleeve keeps the card's surface from rubbing against the hard plastic.
What size toploader fits a Pokemon card?
The standard 3 x 4 inch toploader. Ultra PRO's regular toploader is sized for 2.5 x 3.5 inch standard cards up to 35 points thick, which covers Pokemon and other standard-size cards.
What do the points on a toploader mean?
Points measure the thickest card the toploader takes. A regular toploader fits cards up to 35 points. Thicker holders, such as Ultra PRO's 75-point and 130-point toploaders, are for thick cards.
Should I send cards to PSA in toploaders?
No. PSA's shipping guide says to put each card in a penny sleeve and then a semi-rigid holder, and not to use toploaders, tape, pull tabs or sticky notes.
Sources
- 3" x 4" Clear Regular Toploaders (35ct)Ultra PRO
- 3" x 4" Clear Thick 75PT Toploader Sleeves (25ct)Ultra PRO
- 3x4 Topload Card Holder - StandardBCW Supplies
- Standard Card SleevesBCW Supplies
- Monster Storage Box (3,200 CT.)BCW Supplies
- Shipping GuidePSA
- Get StartedPSA
Filed under Card careStart with How to Protect Trading Cards: Sleeves, Toploaders, Binders, Boxes
Read next
How to Protect Trading Cards: Sleeves, Toploaders, Binders, Boxes
How to protect trading cards: sleeves for play, toploaders for valuable cards, binders for display, boxes for bulk, and the room conditions to store them in.
Card Sleeve Sizes: Which Sleeves Fit Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh! and Lorcana
Standard sleeves (about 66 x 91 mm) fit Pokemon, Lorcana and Flesh and Blood cards; Yu-Gi-Oh! needs Japanese-size sleeves. Sizes, thickness, double sleeving.
How Does Trading Card Grading Work? PSA and CGC Explained
Card grading explained: authentication, then a 10-point grade for centering, corners, edges and surface. How PSA and CGC define a 10 and how to send a card.
Trading Card Binders: Which Binder Keeps Pokemon Cards Safe?
What to look for in a trading card binder: 9-pocket side-loading pages, PVC-free polypropylene, a zip closure and room for sleeved cards. For Pokemon and more.
