18 Sept 2026 · 4 min
How to store and protect your collection
Light, humidity and friction are the enemies of a collection. A few simple habits keep cards looking like the day they were pulled.
Sleeve everything of value
Put cards into a soft “penny” sleeve straight from the pack, then into a rigid top loader or a side-loading binder pocket. Never use binders with rings that press into the cards.
Mind the climate
Store your collection in a dark, dry place at room temperature. Avoid attics, cellars and windowsills – sunlight fades holo foil and humidity bends cards.
Slabs and sealed product
Slabs scratch easily: keep them in a slab sleeve or storage box. Sealed boxes stay best in their shrink wrap, away from heat, ideally in an acrylic case.