Sealed boxes and graded slabs keep their appeal when they stay in good condition. These simple habits help protect them at home.
Sealed booster boxes
Keep them somewhere cool, dry and out of direct sunlight. Sunlight can fade box artwork over time, and damp or very humid rooms can soften cardboard and wrap. Avoid attics, garages and rooms beside radiators or windows.
Do not stack heavy items on top of boxes, because corners and edges dent easily. Store boxes upright or flat on a shelf with a little space around them, and keep them away from liquids, pets and anywhere they might be knocked over.
If you want to keep a box sealed, leave the shrink wrap and packaging as they are. Once a sealed product is opened, it cannot go back to being sealed.
Special boxes and sets
Products such as the Pokémon Center special boxes have card-style outer boxes that can scuff. Handle them by the sides, and keep them in their original packaging or in a display case.
Graded slabs
A slab protects the card inside, but the plastic case can still scratch or crack. Store slabs upright in a slab box or storage case rather than loose in a drawer, so they do not rub against each other. Handle them by the edges, avoid drops, and wipe them with a soft microfibre cloth rather than anything abrasive. Our guide to ACE 9 and ACE 10 slabs explains what the grade on the label means.
Moving and posting
Pad everything well, keep it upright where possible, and use a sturdy outer box. If you send valuable items, use a tracked service and consider insurance.
Keep your records
Keep receipts and order emails. They show where an item was bought and when, which helps if you sell it on later or need to make an insurance claim.
Browse our Chinese Sealed, Japanese Sealed and Slabs collections.