Read on Twitter
Binders, sleeves, and materials: OH MY!
Thread for collectors who want to keep their photocard and postcard collections in as mint condition as possible :)
Thread for collectors who want to keep their photocard and postcard collections in as mint condition as possible :)
Ok, so as a note, this information is solely based off what I personally researched and the knowledge I acquired when I asked my dad (baseball card collector who at one time had over 19,000 baseball cards) to keep my collection as pristine as possible :) let’s start!
1A) Proper Binder
ANY sleeve/binder that has the term PVC on there...run FAR AWAY. If it says NON-PVC, that is what you want.
PVC contains certain chemicals, albeit not lethal or harmful to us, (pipes and tubes are made from it) but over time, the acidity will warp the cards.
ANY sleeve/binder that has the term PVC on there...run FAR AWAY. If it says NON-PVC, that is what you want.
PVC contains certain chemicals, albeit not lethal or harmful to us, (pipes and tubes are made from it) but over time, the acidity will warp the cards.
1B) Proper Binder
PVC is a cheaper material to use and outsource, hence why a lot of official binder products that some companies sell are made with PVC. Cheaper products = price higher and make more money.
PVC is a cheaper material to use and outsource, hence why a lot of official binder products that some companies sell are made with PVC. Cheaper products = price higher and make more money.
1C) Proper Binder
So any binder or sleeve that I use, I make sure that there is NO PVC in the plastic.
The binders that I know that don’t have PVC and are made specifically for trading card collectors are Ultra Pro Binder and Vault X. I personally use and LOVE Vault X :)
So any binder or sleeve that I use, I make sure that there is NO PVC in the plastic.
The binders that I know that don’t have PVC and are made specifically for trading card collectors are Ultra Pro Binder and Vault X. I personally use and LOVE Vault X :)
1D) Proper Binder
You do NOT have to use what I listed above, but any sleeve you find, make sure it says NON-PVC or PVC Free. I personally love Vault X because I can zip up the binder, & keep dust out too. (Not at me becoming friends with one of the sales reps last year LOL)
You do NOT have to use what I listed above, but any sleeve you find, make sure it says NON-PVC or PVC Free. I personally love Vault X because I can zip up the binder, & keep dust out too. (Not at me becoming friends with one of the sales reps last year LOL)
1E) Proper Binder
I know that Vault X has different sizes and colors for the binders. I personally use a 12 pocket black binder. Vault X is made in the UK and stocked on Amazon USA stores). Ultra Pro has both zip and strap binders and I believe they also have colors too :)
I know that Vault X has different sizes and colors for the binders. I personally use a 12 pocket black binder. Vault X is made in the UK and stocked on Amazon USA stores). Ultra Pro has both zip and strap binders and I believe they also have colors too :)
2A) Sleeves
Now, if you don’t want a binder like that or you like to see the back of the cards, you need sleeve pocket pages, as stated that are: NON-PVC. Once you see that term, or acid free, you are good to go. I recommend the brand Toupeone. They have nearly 5 stars on Amazon
Now, if you don’t want a binder like that or you like to see the back of the cards, you need sleeve pocket pages, as stated that are: NON-PVC. Once you see that term, or acid free, you are good to go. I recommend the brand Toupeone. They have nearly 5 stars on Amazon
2B) Sleeves
Now even though I have a binder with built in pockets, I still sleeve my photocards before storing into the binder. Why? I just personally want the extra protection. I use Ultra Pro Sleeves because they fit my binder pockets. You can find these on Amazon :)
Now even though I have a binder with built in pockets, I still sleeve my photocards before storing into the binder. Why? I just personally want the extra protection. I use Ultra Pro Sleeves because they fit my binder pockets. You can find these on Amazon :)
2C) Sleeves
Now there is another brand that I love to use for sending out trades or purchases and that is Mayday. I wish the sleeves were a bit longer cause they don’t fit in my binder, but they are a thicker sleeve and a bit sturdier than Ultra Pro. You can find these on Amazon
Now there is another brand that I love to use for sending out trades or purchases and that is Mayday. I wish the sleeves were a bit longer cause they don’t fit in my binder, but they are a thicker sleeve and a bit sturdier than Ultra Pro. You can find these on Amazon
2D) Sleeves
Now I know that some of these products are more on the expensive side, but we spend quite a bit collecting, don’t we? We should want to use high quality products to protect the value of the cards, and if we ever stop collecting, we will be able to sell them :)
Now I know that some of these products are more on the expensive side, but we spend quite a bit collecting, don’t we? We should want to use high quality products to protect the value of the cards, and if we ever stop collecting, we will be able to sell them :)
3A) Materials
Now I know this is going to sound REALLY odd, BUT, when you put placeholders in for new releases or missing cards, have you realized that the paper you use may be acidic? As well as the pen ink? Also, transparent/clear cards, putting paper under to see the card?
Now I know this is going to sound REALLY odd, BUT, when you put placeholders in for new releases or missing cards, have you realized that the paper you use may be acidic? As well as the pen ink? Also, transparent/clear cards, putting paper under to see the card?
3B) Materials
I personally use non-acidic card stock and cut out photocard sized pieces. I then write on them and then put them into extra sleeves I have. I make sure that the paper and the ink never touch the pocket that the card will sit in. It could potentially damage.
I personally use non-acidic card stock and cut out photocard sized pieces. I then write on them and then put them into extra sleeves I have. I make sure that the paper and the ink never touch the pocket that the card will sit in. It could potentially damage.
3C) Materials
Behind the transparent/clear cards, I use the same pieces that I have cut out, with no writing, and put them behind those clear cards so you can see them. Since the paper is non-acidic, I don’t have to worry about the cards deteriorating overtime. :)
Behind the transparent/clear cards, I use the same pieces that I have cut out, with no writing, and put them behind those clear cards so you can see them. Since the paper is non-acidic, I don’t have to worry about the cards deteriorating overtime. :)
3D) Materials
The only reason I mention this is because trading cards are just laminated paper card stock. If not properly stored or taken care of, the card can actually ruin or fade overtime. Some of my dads baseball cards warped from improper storage and lost VALUE.
The only reason I mention this is because trading cards are just laminated paper card stock. If not properly stored or taken care of, the card can actually ruin or fade overtime. Some of my dads baseball cards warped from improper storage and lost VALUE.
4A) Storage
Now, I know some people like to display photocards in toploaders outside of binders. Completely fine! Just make sure to keep it out of direct sunlight. Anything that sunlight hits directly repeatedly is subject to fading (the DOI had that happen to it).
Now, I know some people like to display photocards in toploaders outside of binders. Completely fine! Just make sure to keep it out of direct sunlight. Anything that sunlight hits directly repeatedly is subject to fading (the DOI had that happen to it).
4B) Storage
Now, if you have your binder in direct sun or even an overheated room, beware that the cards can warp. As well as too humid of an environment. It is best to keep the cards in as normal of room temperature as possible. I know I know. Sounds really weird.
Now, if you have your binder in direct sun or even an overheated room, beware that the cards can warp. As well as too humid of an environment. It is best to keep the cards in as normal of room temperature as possible. I know I know. Sounds really weird.
4C) Storage
Seems odd to do that, but here are some examples of poorly kept cards and what happened to them. Some are faded, cracked, stained, and bent. Now these cards are older yes, but protecting them with better products may have kept their brightness and lasted longer.
Seems odd to do that, but here are some examples of poorly kept cards and what happened to them. Some are faded, cracked, stained, and bent. Now these cards are older yes, but protecting them with better products may have kept their brightness and lasted longer.
Now, a lot of this information is mainly for photocard sized, BUT it easily transitions to postcards and A4’s.
1) Anything with NON-PVC is good to use on your postcards and protects them
2) For a postcard binder, if you can find one that zips to keep dust out. Great!
1) Anything with NON-PVC is good to use on your postcards and protects them
2) For a postcard binder, if you can find one that zips to keep dust out. Great!
3) Postcard sleeves, similar to photocard sleeves, make sure it says NON-PVC. Ultra-Pro has them and I’ll find a few more brands with sleeves with 3-ring holes that are non-acidic.
4) A4 binder, same thing. Make sure the plastic is NON-PVC and doesn’t discolor the pictures.
4) A4 binder, same thing. Make sure the plastic is NON-PVC and doesn’t discolor the pictures.
5) Anything you want to frame and hang up, keep out of direct sunlight. Especially if it is framed and hung up. If you WANT to spend the money, you can always go to a professional framing shop (make sure you do your research) and request your item be framed in museum glass.
5A) Museum glass protects your item from fading, even if sunlight hits it. Just make sure to SECURE the frame if you hang it up or if you put it on your bookshelf. Museum glass is great for protecting from fading, but if it falls, the glass shatters. Museum glass is NOT CHEAP!
If there is anything else to add and when I find more sleeve brands I like for postcards, or any other brands, I’ll post on this thread here :) If you have any questions, you can always DM or email me! I hope this helps!
