Matt Rogers is the co-founder of Premiere Card Grading, a New Zealand based authentication and grading service. PCG was created in 2021 by passionate collectors with a vision to provide an improved and modernized grading service, and challenge the old ways of the industry.
For years the grading industry has been stale and lacking innovation. It's one thing to own coveted Flesh and Blood collectibles, but we want these special cards to get the treatment they deserve - to be displayed in all their stunning glory, protected from damage to stand the test of time, and to carry the authenticity from passing strict quality checkpoints.
What's the big deal with grading?
Grading offers a wide range of benefits, which include:
- Protection against environmental damage
- Confirmation that the card is authentic
- Accurate display of card condition
- Certification and population data
- Maximizing value of the card
- Displaying your collectibles with a beautiful aesthetic
Protection is a vital element, with a plastic sleeve around the card itself, encased inside a plastic ultrasonically welded slab to protect it from the elements of the outside world, and then an outer sleeve to protect the condition of the slab. Ungraded (raw) cards are at risk of damage from being dropped, scratched, or dinged. The edges and corners of a card are very fragile and can get visibly noticeable damage from even the slightest contact.
Confirming the authentication and condition of the card is another huge element. An accurate condition rating of your cards will help a trader to fully understand what they are buying/trading, not leaving them in the dark with a raw version, which could potentially have flaws. This also bolsters international trading interactions, eliminating the need for close up photos and describing every aspect of the card. The rating displayed on the label will show a grade given for centering, corners, edges, and surface, and is accessible digitally by scanning the QR code on the back. It has become quite common for collectors to hold a range of raw and graded cards, collecting not just the cards themselves, but specific grades too. Hunting for a specific card rated 9.5 has been a favourite pastime for collectors, and if you're lucky enough to uncover a 10, it's a true gem.
Elegant display of PCG slabs has been at the heart of every decision we have made. We have been through many iterations of our label and have received ample feedback from the community to help guide us. In our most recent release of the metal label, we had lots of feedback on the aesthetics, font, and sizing choices, so we immediately went back to the drawing board and sharpened things up. Together we came to a stunning complete design of our metal label that we are very proud of, and we are endlessly thankful to the community for their input.
How does it all work?
Cards are judged on four key elements that make up the final grade. Centering, Corners, Edges, and Surface are each assigned a number out of 10 (known as sub-grades). Each sub-grade is calculated within our grading formula to determine the final grade. The final grade is not as simple as an average of the four sub-grades, but instead a large criteria equation, including that the final grade cannot be more then 1 point higher than the lowest sub-grade. This ensures the final grade is an accurate representation of the card's overall condition.
The process from start to finish contains seven steps:
- Receiving
- Research & ID
- Grading
- Checkpoint 1
- Label & Encapsulation
- Checkpoint 2
- Shipping
Each element has an important role throughout the card's time at PCG. Each step is updated on your PCG account and can be followed with our submission tracker.
Cards start at receiving, where the package is checked against an online order number, broken down, each card is placed inside a card saver, given a barcode sticker, and assigned to a box with an outer order barcode.
During the research and ID phase, staff identify that the physical cards and information entered match our database. It is very important to ensure all the information on a card matches the information Legend Story Studios provide. Finish type (Rainbow Foil, Cold Foil, Non-Foil), set, rarity, and card type are all checked to ensure accuracy. Any customer notes are also reviewed and actioned accordingly. The box is then submitted to the grading room.
At the grading phase, a range of special tools are used to assess any damage or defects. Cards are looked at under a magnification arm, with a digital microscope used to zoom in on any edge, corner, or surface. Viewing it from various angles and across different lighting allows us to pick up faint scratches, print dots, or lines. All flaws are recorded and matched against our grading scale and contribute to the initial sub-grades.
Checkpoint 1 is our vital quality control step, where a senior grader looks at the noted flaws and double checks the cards in different lighting to confirm the sub-grades. The senior grader may upgrade or downgrade based on eye appeal, and ensures that the card is accurately graded according to our very firm scale.
After the Checkpoint 1 signoff, the card makes its way to label engraving and encapsulation. Our laser engraver etches all of the card information and QR code onto the front and back of the label and the card is then placed inside a sleeve. The case is then air brushed to remove any hairs or dust particles and the card is ultrasonically welded into it.
This is followed by Checkpoint 2, where the card is checked again to ensure all information is correct, and there is no visible debris inside the case. The card is then packaged into our famous black box and shipped off, or made available for pickup at your local PCG office.
The FAB Slab
An exciting new initiative we are almost ready to launch is our latest creation: the FAB Slab.
We have designed this unique slab to be smaller than usual to make it easier for players that wish to protect their heroes, weapons, and equipment they play with. Another aim is to make it easier to carry graded FAB cards around, so we have designed the FAB Slab to fit in a range of deck box sizes.
To decrease the size, we have put the label inside the middle of the slab, displaying the information on the back so that it doesn’t cover up any of the card text.
We are truly excited to release the FAB Slab to the community. We believe it will become a staple for players, and we welcome any new ideas or feedback for supporting playability alongside collectability.
The Best of the Best
PCG have graded some truly stunning pieces. A PCG final grade of 10 is always a true gem to find. There are a few out there, but the total number of Flesh and Blood cards to achieve a 10 is under 1 percent. We are very dedicated to preserving the value and prestige that a 10 holds.
To this day a PCG perfect 10 (10 on all four sub-grades) is yet to exist, and the exciting hunt continues!
Our first highlight is a Test Print Rainbow Foil Heart of Fyendal, the only one of its kind ever graded with PCG. It is rumored that very few of these exist. The final grade was a Mint 9 with our new silver metal label. This was one of the first cards to receive the metal label treatment.
The second highlight is a Gold Foil Promo Fyendal’s Spring Tunic with our PCG Worlds label! Legend Story Studios generously granted PCG permission to add the Worlds logo to our labels, specifically for cards submitted at that event. The grade this card received was a Gem Mint 9.5.
The third highlight is a Pristine 10 Welcome to Rathe Alpha Print Cold Foil Braveforge Bracers. A very rare specimen and one of the cleanest Welcome to Rathe Cold Foils we have graded to date!
The fourth highlight is some of our pre-graded cards that we do in partnership with Legend Story Studios. These cards are graded and then sealed in toploaders with security stickers before they are distributed to players. They can be submitted with the security sticker intact to a local PCG office and will be guaranteed to receive an overall grade of 9 or higher. This has been an exceptional partnership program, as it guarantees that any hard-earned prize cards come in emmaculate condition.
I hope you have enjoyed this look behind the scenes with PCG. We are so thankful for the community that have supported us from day one. It is our promise to players and collectors that PCG will continue to innovate the grading industry and give your prized possessions the respect and care they deserve.
Happy grading!
