What is the PSA Tolerance for Card Measurements?

[steve B]

I asked when they were new, and at the time it was - If I remember correctly- 1/16th or 1/32 of an inch. The card could be undersize, but not oversize.

Hopefully it varies depending on the issue. Prewar cards can be all over the place sizewise, 2019 Topps should pretty much all be exact.

[vintagetoppsguy]

If PSA is measuring cards, don't you think that's a sign of their incompetency? Measuring tools shouldn't even be available to the graders. If they can't look and tell a factory cut from a non-factory cut, something is wrong. Measurements are easy to manipulate. A factory cut is not.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

If PSA is measuring cards, don't you think that's a sign of their incompetency? Measuring tools shouldn't even be available to the graders. If they can't look and tell a factory cut from a non-factory cut, something is wrong. Measurements are easy to manipulate. A factory cut is not.

I do think they should be measuring.

If they rely only on size, yes that's incompetent.

Older cards have a lot of difference in size. So edge quality is the primary thing, and at least in T206s, it usually survives a ton of abuse.

New cards are cut differently, and in most cases should all be exactly* the same size. Any variance should invite a lot of scrutiny.


*Many are die cut, some like Gypsy Queen, are sometimes die cut on some edges, and blade cut on others. I'm not sure of the natural accuracy of die cut cardboard, but the acceptable variance I believe should be less than 1/100th of an inch, likely a LOT less.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

If PSA is measuring cards, don't you think that's a sign of their incompetency? Measuring tools shouldn't even be available to the graders. If they can't look and tell a factory cut from a non-factory cut, something is wrong. Measurements are easy to manipulate. A factory cut is not.

David, if you have followed BO you'll see Gary apparently is quite adept at mimicking factory cuts.

[JollyElm]

This thread I started a few years back about the cutting of 1962 Topps Green Tints may be of interest to you...

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=226221

So many of those cards seemingly came out of the factory short side to side. And I've seen quite a few GT's in PSA slabs that were clearly not 2.5 inches wide, so there is definitely some leeway in the measurements.

[swarmee]

I have never seen a specific tolerance requirement listed on PSA's website.

[tschock]

Originally Posted by steve B

I asked when they were new, and at the time it was - If I remember correctly- 1/16th or 1/32 of an inch. The card could be undersize, but not oversize.

Hopefully it varies depending on the issue. Prewar cards can be all over the place sizewise, 2019 Topps should pretty much all be exact.

Steve, You would know better than I, I'm sure, but when you're talking modern laser cut cards, I would think 1/16 is pretty darn big. And even 1/32 is fairly tolerant. For vintage, obviously sizes can be all over the place, even for later post war cards. Looking at some of the examples in the BO Forum from cards within the past 10 years though leads me to question if their tolerances are too big for new cards or if they aren't even measuring.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by tschock

Steve, You would know better than I, I'm sure, but when you're talking modern laser cut cards, I would think 1/16 is pretty darn big. And even 1/32 is fairly tolerant. For vintage, obviously sizes can be all over the place, even for later post war cards. Looking at some of the examples in the BO Forum from cards within the past 10 years though leads me to question if their tolerances are too big for new cards or if they aren't even measuring.

I would agree. I believe most modern cards are actually die cut, I know for certain that some sets are and others are partly die cut.
Outside of things like expansion from temperature and humidity and wear to the die cutting mats, there should be nearly no size variance.
The discussion I had with them was during their first year.

Gypsy queen are partly die cut, something I was studying when I had the time. I haven't looked for uncut sheets, or made a list of which edges come which way.
I believe Topps probably uses the same method for all sets, but I haven't looked into it.
I've had a chance to spend some time around a hobby level laser cutter the last few years, and the edge it produces is usually burned, or a slight bevel.
I may try a card, and see how it cuts.