Merch Store
Rep the
Brand.
Own the
Game.
Premium collector gear for sports card and TCG enthusiasts. Every piece is printed on demand and shipped directly to your door — no inventory, no waiting.
2–5
Day Production
17
Phone Models
100%
Print-on-Demand
Featured
Apex Centering Case
iPhone · Samsung · 31 models
From
$24
Apex Cards Pro Collection
Premium print-on-demand merch. Every order is printed and shipped directly to your door.
Card Centering: The Complete Guide
Centering is one of the most critical factors in card grading. Learn how to read it, measure it, and maximize your card's value before submission.
Centering Ratio Grade Scale
Every grading company uses centering ratios to evaluate how well the card image is positioned within the border. Here's what each ratio means for your grade.
Educational guide only. Centering is one of four grading criteria. Final grades are determined solely by the grading company. PSA's current published standard is approximately 55/45 front and 75/25 reverse for a PSA 10 — the grade-to-ratio mapping above is approximate.
How to Measure Card Centering
Get a precision ruler or digital calipers
Measure in millimeters for accuracy. Digital calipers give the most precise reading.
Measure all four borders
Measure left, right, top, and bottom white borders separately. Record each measurement.
Calculate your ratio
Divide the larger border by the smaller on each axis. E.g., 3.5mm ÷ 2.5mm = 58/42 (roughly 60/40).
Check front AND back
PSA grades front and back centering separately. A card can be 50/50 on front but 65/35 on back.
Use the Apex Centering Case
Our phone case has a built-in centering grid — hold it over any card for an instant visual read.
How Centering Affects Your Grade & Value
The difference between a PSA 6 and PSA 10 on the same card can be thousands of dollars. Centering is often the deciding factor — and it's something you can evaluate before you ever submit.
Works For Every Card Type
Centering matters whether you collect sports cards, TCG, vintage, or modern. The same principles apply across all grading companies — PSA, CGC, TAG, SGC, and BGS.
The Apex Centering Case
Never guess your centering again. Our precision-printed phone case features a built-in centering measurement grid — hold it over any card to instantly read the ratio. Designed for serious collectors who evaluate cards at shows, in shops, or at home.
Centering FAQ
What does 50/50 centering mean?
50/50 means the card image is perfectly centered — equal border on left/right and equal border on top/bottom. This is the ideal for PSA 10 grading.
How do I measure card centering?
Use a precision ruler or digital calipers to measure the white border on all four sides. Divide the larger measurement by the smaller to get the ratio (e.g., 3.2mm vs 3.2mm = 50/50).
What centering do I need for a PSA 10?
PSA's current published standard requires approximately 55/45 or better on the front, and approximately 75/25 or better on the reverse, for a PSA 10 Gem Mint grade. Front and reverse centering are measured and evaluated separately. These are approximate guidelines — centering is one of four grading criteria and the final grade is always at PSA's sole discretion.
Does centering affect card value?
Dramatically. A PSA 10 card can be worth 5–50x more than the same card graded PSA 8 or lower. Centering is one of the four key grading criteria alongside corners, edges, and surface.
Can Apex Cards Pro improve my card's centering?
Centering is a manufacturing characteristic that cannot be changed. However, our 4K microscope inspection and documentation service gives you a precise centering report before you submit for grading.
What is the Apex Centering Case?
Our phone case features a precision centering grid printed on the back. Hold it over any card to instantly visualize the centering ratio — no ruler needed. Available for iPhone and Samsung Galaxy.