Collector Card Inspection, Presentation & Slab Care
Grading-Bound Inspection • Collector Presentation • Recovery Review • Slab Exterior Care • Submission Support
Start with the right lane for your goal. Apex keeps presentation and recovery work separate from grading-bound inspection.
Choose the right service lane
Apex separates grading-bound inspection from collector presentation, recovery review, and slab exterior care. This distinction is made before any scope is approved so you can make an informed choice.
Grading-Bound Inspection
Wax-free diagnostic documentation and submission support.
Learn moreCollector Presentation
Display-focused care that is not represented as grading-safe.
Learn moreRecovery Review
Case-by-case evaluation of structural or surface concerns.
Learn moreSlab Exterior Care
Holder-only presentation review, reholder guidance, and crack-out consultation.
Learn moreApex does not guarantee grades, grade increases, authentication outcomes, resale value, or acceptance by a grading company. PSA’s published standards describe altered-stock and evidence-of-cleaning concerns involving pressing, enhanced gloss, certain restoration characteristics, cleaning spray, wax, and other foreign substances.
For display-focused collector presentation—not a grading promise.
Designed for cards with compatible glossy surfaces where light surface haze, fingerprints, residue, or minor surface distractions may be reduced through careful prep. We don't just wipe it down — we treat every surface like it's going under a jeweler's loupe.
Half Art Cards
Full Art / Reverse Holo
Half Art with Shiny Border
Full Art with Shiny Border
Two-Stage Recovery Add-On
For cards that need additional surface attention beyond a standard polish
The reverse side matters to collectors and buyers. Start with an honest review.
Back surfaces can show print haze, handling marks, dirt, or light residue that tanks the overall presentation of the card. Most people ignore it. We don't.
Back of Card Surface Prep
Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Back Prep
One Piece TCG Back Prep
This is collector-presentation work, not a grading-safe treatment claim. Scope is reviewed before approval.
Every serious card deserves a real inspection before it gets submitted.
This is the wax-free, foreign-substance-free diagnostic lane. Micro-inspection documents visible surface concerns, print lines, scratches, dents, edge wear, centering, and other submission considerations. The report is informational and does not predict a grade or numerical eligibility.
Apex Surface Inspection
per card — wax-free diagnostic review, condition documentation, and collector guidance
Light touch. Fast turnaround. For modern cards that just need a tune-up.
For modern cards with light visible debris or handling concerns where a collector-presentation consultation may be appropriate. Scope depends on card type, surface, coating, age, and condition. It is not represented as grading-safe preparation.
Quick Clean
per card
Holder-exterior care for the presentation of eligible graded slabs.
This service is for graded slabs with exterior surface scratches, scuffs, haze, or dullness. Works with most major grading company holders. This service is for the outside of the slab only — it does not affect the card inside.
Slab Exterior Polish
per slab
Exterior holder scope only. The card, label, seal, hologram, certification, and grading outcome are excluded.
Careful tools. Controlled handling. Maximum precaution.
Cracking a card out of a graded slab always carries risk. Apex Cards Pro uses careful tools, controlled handling, and pre-cautionary protection methods to reduce risk as much as possible. Available for PSA, BGS, and CGC slabs.
Slab Crack-Out Service
per slab
Crack-outs are performed at the customer's request and always carry inherent risk. We take every precaution, but the customer must understand and accept the risk before approval.
We handle the paperwork, packaging, and submission so you don't have to.
Need help getting cards submitted properly? We assist with packaging, prep review, paperwork, and submission handling. This is our handling fee only — the actual grading company fees are charged separately and depend on the grading company, service level, declared value, turnaround tier, and current pricing.
Apex Submission Fee
per card — packing, shipping & handling to grader
Grading company pricing changes often, so final grading cost will be confirmed before submission.
Case-by-case recovery review with clear grading-risk disclosure.
For cards with edge lift, minor denting, corner pressure, or surface impressions that may be improved through careful manual work. Most jobs require 1–2 hours of manual time. These repairs are case-by-case and depend heavily on the card stock, finish, damage type, and severity.
Manual Card Recovery
per card
Results vary based on card stock, finish, damage type, and severity. Recovery work is not represented as grading-safe and requires explicit approval after review.
Know exactly what you have before you chase labels, grades, or resubmissions.
Apex provides a detailed evaluation sheet for raw or graded cards to help collectors understand what they actually have. Includes review of centering, corners, edges, surface, front and back condition, rough-edge indicators, possible grading risks, possible upgrade potential, and Black Label / Pristine hunting indicators.
Tec Spec Report
per card
This report is informational only and does not guarantee a grade from any grading company.
Every card ships back in secure, purpose-built packaging through our standard carrier route. Additional shipping charges may apply for California, Hawaii, and Alaska. Grading companies may also charge their own return shipping, insurance, and handling fees depending on the submission type.
Standard Return Shipping
Secure packaging + standard carrier route
Insurance
per $1,000 of coverage
Apex Cards submits to PSA, TAG, and CGC on your behalf. All grading fees are collected in full before submission. Prices below are the grading company’s fees — they do not include Apex prep fees, customer shipping, insurance, taxes, or the 3% payment processing fee.
For PSA and TAG, a $39.99 return shipping fee is added per submission to cover shipment of completed graded cards back to Apex Cards. TAG orders with multiple turnaround tiers may require multiple return-shipping charges. CGC return shipping is calculated separately and quoted manually. Turnaround times are estimates only and are not guaranteed.
Notice: PSA Value Bulk, Value, Value Plus, and Value Max tiers are currently paused (effective June 2, 2026). Only the tiers listed below are currently available. Check PSA’s website for the latest availability.
$39.99 return shipping added once per PSA submission.
| Tier | Per Card |
|---|---|
| Regular | $79.99 |
| Express | $149 |
| Super Express | $349 |
| Walk-Through | $599 |
| Premium 1 | $999 |
| Premium 2 | $1,999 |
| Premium 3 | $2,999 |
| Premium 5 | $4,999 |
| Premium 10 | See notes |
$39.99 return shipping per TAG service-tier group. Multiple tiers in one order may incur multiple charges.
| Tier | Per Card |
|---|---|
| Basic | $22 |
| Standard | $39 |
| Express | $59 |
| Priority | $149 |
| Walkthrough | $299 |
CGC return shipping is calculated separately and quoted manually at time of order.
| Tier | Per Card |
|---|---|
| Bulk | $17 |
| Economy | $20 |
| Standard | $55 |
| Express | $100 |
| WalkThrough | $300 |
| Unlimited Value | See notes |
| Jumbo Card | $20 |
| TCG, Sports & Non-Sports Coin | $20 |
Grading fees last updated 2026-07-29. Prices are subject to change by the grading company without notice. Final charges may change if the grading company determines a card belongs in a higher declared-value tier.
Bundle your Apex Signature Prep cards for the best per-card rate, or add a speed upgrade to jump the queue or get your cards back in 48 hours.
Bundle
Apex Signature Prep × 5 cards
$150
Save $25 vs. individual pricing
$30/card — full Apex prep process on each card.
Bundle
Apex Signature Prep × 10 cards
$290
Save $60 vs. individual pricing
$29/card — best balance of savings and volume.
Bundle — Best Rate
Apex Signature Prep × 25 cards
$700
Save $175 vs. individual pricing
$28/card — lowest per-card rate available.
Speed Add-On
Skip the line — your cards move to the front of the current processing queue.
$50 /card
Speed Add-On
Cards prepped and ready to ship within 48 hours of receipt and approval.
$150 /card
All payments — including Apex prep services, third-party grading fees, and any add-ons — are collected in full before cards are shipped back or submitted to a grading company. We collect grading fees on your behalf based on the grading company selected (e.g. PSA, TAG) and the service speed tier chosen at the time of order.
A 3% payment processing fee is applied to all orders to cover secure card transaction costs. This is displayed transparently at checkout before payment is confirmed.
Third-party grading timelines are controlled entirely by the grading company and may vary based on service tier, submission volume, holidays, and current processing delays. Selecting a faster grading tier may reduce turnaround time, but does not guarantee a faster grade from the grading company unless that service level is currently being honored by the grader.
Apex Cards Pro provides inspection, cleaning, polishing, slab exterior restoration, crack-out assistance, and grading submission support.
We do not guarantee grades, grade bumps, resale value increases, or acceptance by any third-party grading company.
Some grading companies may classify certain types of surface enhancement, cleaning, pressing, polishing, or repair work differently. Customers are responsible for choosing the level of service they are comfortable with before submission.
Every card is reviewed individually, and any high-risk service will require customer approval before work begins.
Ready?
Prep. Proof. Protection. Submission. Tell us what you've got and we'll take it from there.