How To Store Baseball Cards?

Storing baseball cards is essential for preserving their value and condition. There are a few elements for practicing the best methods to store your beloved baseball cards.

In this article, we will be going through the essential steps to safeguard your cards for years to come and also discover the modern era of baseball cards which comes in the form of non-fungible tokens (NFT) in the Web3 technology.

So grab your favorite baseball card and let’s dig into the ways of preserving the baseball cards.

Collecting Baseball Cards Is Booming 

Collecting baseball cards has become a hobby for many people across the world, it involves gathering people in an environment where they exchange their cards with one another. 

Baseball cards include a player’s image, their statistics, and sometimes, details about their career. If we track back, then, this hobby was first seen in the 19th century and gained massive popularity in the 20th century. Since then, collecting baseball cards has become a great time for passing for sports enthusiasts. 

The collection of baseball cards is a beautiful way of connecting with the history and culture of this sport. Many collectors feel nostalgic because of these cards and they take pride in collecting them because they have seen this sport evolving and they are glad they could be a part of it. 

Collection of Baseball Cards In The Modern Era

Today, collecting baseball cards has become more diverse. The collectors range from regular fans to hotshot investors. Some collect for personal entertainment while others find it an opportunity to invest as the cards may increase in value over time. 

Why Is Proper Storage Crucial For Storing Baseball Cards?

We have covered 5 aspects of why proper storage is crucial for baseball cards. 

1. Protection from physical damage: We all know that baseball cards are made of paper or cardboard. Commonly, it can bend or crease which will decrease its value significantly. Protective holders such as top loaders and cardholders prevent the baseball cards from bending or creasing. 
2. Environmental factors: There are a few factors that can have adverse effects on the baseball cards such as sunlight, moisture, and temperature. Exposing the cards to the sunlight can fade the color of the card away. Moisture can lead to warping, mold growth, or water damage. Storing the card at the right temperature is also very essential as it might cause the cards to expand or contract, leading to warping or curling.
3. Surface wear: Baseball cards sometimes have glossy finishes or special coatings. These are prone to scratches, scuffs, and rub marks. Always use an acid-free storage material and avoid friction between cards.
4. Card alignment: It is essential to keep the cards aligned properly because if it is not kept in proper alignment then the cards will have damaged corners. Keeping cards are stored loosely without any support, they fall on surfaces which results in dented corners. 
5. Card authenticity: Authenticity is very critical for baseball card collection. Storing the cards properly can prevent damages that hampers the authenticity of the card. This includes protecting them from tampering, alterations, or exposure to substances that could affect their authenticity. 

Choose The Right Storage Supply

There are quite a few supplies available in the market for baseball card collectors which are not that costly and provide the best support. 

• Binders: They are the classic ways of storing baseball cards safely without causing any damage to the cards. Binders usually look like a file and have pockets inside them where the cards can slide in. There are multiple pockets on one page and plenty of pages in a whole Binder. 
• Sleeves: These come in smaller sizes but are very effective for storing baseball cards as the sleeves are made of polypropylene that protects the cards against scratches, fingerprints, and minor surface wear.
• Top loaders: Top loaders are rigid cases that are made of plastic. It can be opened and closed just like a book and locks upon closing. The top loader keeps the cards from being folded or getting any sort of creases.  
• Magnetic cases: They fall on the premium and costly side of protection. Magnetic cases are usually used for protecting high-value baseball cards. This case has a magnet that securely protects the card inside when the case is closed and doesn’t open randomly.  These cases also protect the cards from moisture. They have a transparent front panel that allows for clear viewing and display of the card while keeping it safe.
• Storage boxes: Storage boxes are versatile, they come in different shapes and sizes, and they are often made of cardboard or durable plastic. These boxes are made to store a large number of baseball cards all at once. These storage boxes protect against dust, light exposure, and some level of physical damage.

The Pros And Cons of The Right Supplies

We have listed down the pros and cons of each supply we have mentioned above for you so that you can analyze and find the best fit for you. 

Binder

Pros:

• Allows for easy organization and display of cards.
• Offers protection against surface wear and damage.
• Allows for easy flipping through pages to view the collection.
• Can accommodate a large number of cards.
• Provides flexibility to add or rearrange cards using pocket pages or card sleeves.

Cons: 

• Binder pages can sometimes be susceptible to bending or warping if not handled carefully.
• Binders may take up more space compared to other storage options.
• Cards stored in binders may be more prone to shifting or sliding if not secured properly.

Sleeves

Pros: 

• Lightweight and portable storage option.
• Affordable and readily available.
• Provides basic protection against scratches and fingerprints.
• Ease in removing and inserting the cards.
• Can be used in combination with other storage options for added protection.

Cons: 

• Offers minimal protection against physical damage or bending.
• Limited protection against environmental factors like moisture or light.
• Cards stored in sleeves may still be susceptible to surface wear if not handled with care.

Top Loaders

Pros: 

• Rigid construction provides excellent protection against bending and physical damage.
• Transparent design allows for clear viewing and display of cards.
• Can be easily stored and stacked without worrying about warping or damage.
• Offers an extra layer of protection when used in combination with sleeves.

Cons:

• Bulkier compared to other storage options, making them less portable.
• Higher cost compared to sleeves or binders.
• Requires more space for storage due to their rigid nature.

Magnetic Cases 

Pros: 

• Provides top-notch protection against physical damage, moisture, and light.
• Secure magnetic closure keeps the card firmly in place.
• A clear viewing panel allows for the display and appreciation of valuable cards.
• Offers a premium and professional presentation for high-value cards.

Cons: 

• Higher cost compared to other storage options.
• Bulkier and less space-efficient, making them less ideal for large collections.
• Limited availability in terms of size variations for different card thicknesses.

Storage Boxes

Pros: 

• Offers ample storage space for larger collections.
• Durable and can withstand wear and tear.
• Can accommodate various card sizes and formats.
• Can be easily stacked and stored.
• Some storage boxes come with dividers for better organization.

Cons: 

• Provides limited protection against physical damage, moisture, and light.
• Cards may shift or slide inside the box if not organized or secured properly.
• Difficult to view and appreciate the collection without removing cards from the box.

When you are deciding on a storage option, you should consider the specific needs, the value of your cards, available space, and the desired level of protection. Many baseball card collectors opt for a combination of storage methods, using binders or boxes for organization and display while using top loaders or magnetic cases for extra protection for valuable or special cards.

The choice is completely up to you.

8 Ways You Can Avoid Damage To Your Baseball Card From Fingerprints And Oils

There are plenty of ways you can prevent your baseball card from getting damaged from fingerprints and oils and we have gathered 8 effective ways for you to protect your beloved cards. 

1. Clean your hand: Understandably, we need to keep our hands clean while dealing with baseball cards but many people tend to ignore it and don’t wash their hands. You must thoroughly wash and dry your hands to remove any oils, lotions, or residue that could transfer onto the cards. 
2. Handle with care: Handle your cards with love and delicacy, Do not put extreme pressure as it can bring creases or can bend the card, therefore, you need to handle your baseball cards very gently.
3. Hold the cards by the edges: Hold the card by the edges while picking it up or moving it elsewhere. Avoid touching the front or back of the card. 
4. Use clean surfaces: When you are examining the card or displaying it, keep it on a clean surface. Keeping the card on a rough surface could scratch or damage the card. 
5. Avoid eating and drinking near cards: It is always safe not to eat or drink near your cards because if you accidentally spill food or drink on your baseball card then it can lead to permanent damage due to stains. We don’t want you to cry over spilled condiments. 
6. Use cotton gloves or soft cloth: To reduce the risks of fingerprints or oils in your hand, you can use gloves or soft cloth while handling your baseball cards. It is always better to be extra safe. 
7. Limit exposure time: Curb your enthusiasm and keep the cards sealed inside protections because the more it is exposed to air the more the risks of getting the card damaged due to dust or moisture. 
8. Store cards immediately: After handling or displaying the cards, store them in protective holders, such as sleeves, top loaders, or binders, to minimize the risk of accidental damage or exposure to environmental factors. Again, the choice of using different types of protective holders is completely up to you. 

Baseball Cards In The Form of NFT

As we are in the era of Web3 technology, Blockchains, and NFTs have emerged rapidly. These baseball cards are collectibles and are now available in the form of non-fungible tokens (NFT). Online platforms and marketplaces dedicated to buying, selling, and trading baseball cards continue to thrive and evolve. These platforms provide collectors with a wider reach, access to a larger pool of buyers and sellers, and the ability to connect with other collectors globally. Online communities, forums, and social media groups have become important spaces for collectors to share their collections, discuss trends, and engage in trading activities.

Collectors can now buy, sell, and trade NFT-based baseball cards on specialized marketplaces, leveraging the growing popularity of blockchain-based digital assets. So if you have these NFTs then you wouldn’t have to worry about storing them and taking measures to protect them from physical damage as they are all in digital forms.

Bottom Line

Storing your baseball cards with proper maintenance and storage methods can preserve their lifespan. You will need to make a little bit of investment based on your budget under good quality storage solutions so that they don’t lose their originality and authenticity which is essential.

Make sure to implement careful handling and cleaning practices with soft cloths and handles with gloves to avoid unnecessary fingerprints and oil from hands. Organize your cards neatly so that the corners don’t damage and bend from falling off. And if you are looking to display your beloved baseball cards then make sure to buy high-quality cases because they will prevent air exposure which can cause damage to the upper layer of the card. 

And lastly, always remember that proper storage of your baseball cards today will pay off in maintaining their value tomorrow.