How to Store Sports Cards

Protect Your Sports Card Collection

• 1

  Research ways to properly store your sports card collection. There are a number of collectors websites like Sports Card Fun that offer different approaches to card storage (see Resources below). Collectors should note that they need to determine the goals of their collections before choosing protective methods.

• 2

  Clear out a space in your home for your sports card collection. The space needed depends on your desired collection, but creating extra room helps avoid problems in the future. Ideal collection spaces include unused closets or a portion of a home office.

• 3

  Decide the manner in which you want to present your sports card collection. Some collectors like to display a few of their favorite cards while others simply want to store their investments. Display cases are available through hobby shops and sports card dealers.

• 4

  Purchase the essential tools for protecting your sports card collection. Plastic sleeves and sheets help keep your cards straight. These sheets are commonly placed in binders or storage boxes, depending on the frequency in which the collection is viewed.

• 5

  Create a list of every piece in your sports card collection. This document should include card numbers, players represented on the card and the approximate condition of the card upon entry. A copy of this list should be placed within binders or boxes and with other home documents.

• 6

  Check your sports card collection frequently to determine if protective measures are working. The main concern in storing collectible sports cards is the compression of cards at the bottom of a collection by the weight of plastic sheets and binders. Collectors should rotate plastic sheets regularly to prevent wear and tear.