The Mayday Games Blog

Trading cards come in many shapes and sizes. They can be used for a wide variety of games and can be great to either play with, or just to collect. Some might have a sizable collection they need to take care of, or they may only have a few cards that are particularly meaningful to them. No matter what your favorite pastimes are, or how you use your cards, taking good care of your cards can make a difference. If you are looking for some tips and ideas when it comes to properly caring for your trading cards, here are some things to keep in mind.

What Is a Trading Card?

A trading card is a kind of card that can be used for games or be collected. Sports cards have been around since the 1930s when companies first began to print short biographies of baseball players on the backs of cards. Since then, sports cards have evolved greatly. Along with sports cards, trading cards are another popular type of card.

These cards started to become popular in the 1990s, with the development of games like Magic the Gathering, and Pokemon. Since then, many more types of fantasy and adventure card games have been created. These games have spawned groups of people who come together to play, and bring these games to life. Not only that, but there are also many who collect rare cards and keep up with new developments in these games.

Common Trading Card Uses

One of the most common uses of trading cards is to play the games that they are designed for. Cards that you play with will undergo significant wear and tear as you play with them. The more frequently that you play with these cards, the more susceptible to damage they will be. The more often cards are used, the easier it will be for them to get dirty, rip, tear, become worn or discolored.

Another common use for cards is collecting them. When you obtain cards solely to put them in your collection, they will likely be exposed to fewer things that could cause damage. That being said, that does not mean that they will not be exposed to anything damaging at all. The way that you store your collection can have a significant impact on how well-maintained it will stay.

For example, if you simply leave your cards laying out raw, which means uncovered and unprotected, then they will be much more susceptible to getting bent or damaged by a spilled liquid. If you store them loosely in a box in an attic, then they may be more susceptible to getting damaged by mice or other pests. If the attic is not well-insulated, then the cards may become damaged by humidity. A basement can also open your cards up to damage, as well, especially if it is moist or floods regularly.

How To Protect Cards

No matter where you store your cards, it is important to make sure that you are storing them properly. Ideally, it would be best to store your cards in a room that is temperature controlled, and free of pests. Along with that, it can also be beneficial to make sure that you are covering your cards. One of the most popular ways to protect trading cards is with trading card protective cases or card sleeves. Card sleeves can protect your cards from getting bent, and can also be great for protecting them from liquid damage, especially if you double-sleeve your cards.

Benefits of Protecting Your Cards

If you are wondering why or how to protect your trading cards it can be necessary to understand the benefits of protecting your cards. There can be many benefits to protecting your cards, depending on what you use your cards for. One of them is that you can help extend the lifespan of your cards overall. This can be great for those who love to play with their cards and want to be able to use them for a long time to come.

Protection can be especially important for collectors, though. This is because if you are a collector or a reseller, then the value of each card can make a significant difference to you. In this situation, protecting your cards can be essential for preserving their value and maintaining the integrity of your collection overall.

The Next Level of Protection

When it comes to how to protect cards you have more than one option. While finding the right size of sleeve can go a long way for many, there are options beyond that. It can be possible to buy special cases to hold your trading cards that are lined with foam, and made of plastic. However, those are not the only materials that trading card cases are made of.

If you have a particularly valuable collection and want to ensure that they will be safe no matter what happens, it can be a good idea to purchase insurance for your collection. This can be a good option for those who have an especially large collection, or who have a few high-dollar pieces. It can also be a good idea for those whose homes are in flood zones, or whose homes might be particularly susceptible to other kinds of natural disasters.

Some Last Words

Whether you are a collector, or you get your enjoyment out of playing card games, your cards are likely important to you. Not only can it be important to keep them in good condition to play with, but also to protect their value. If you are new to collecting cards, then you may not know where to start, or what is best for your card collection. While this can feel overwhelming, there is a simple solution that can help you keep your cards in good shape for a long time to come. By checking out Mayday Games and learning more about the different card sleeve sizes and options that they have, you can find the right fit to protect your cards.