What Gets a PSA 10? The Complete Grading Breakdown

ByadminSIQ

If you’ve ever submitted a card for grading — or thought about it — you’ve probably wondered:

What actually gets a PSA 10?

The difference between a PSA 9 and a PSA 10 can be massive — sometimes hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) looks for when grading a card, so you can better predict your results before submitting.

Not sure if grading even makes sense?
👉 Read: Is This Card Worth Grading?

What Is a PSA 10?

A PSA 10 is considered a Gem Mint card — the highest standard for modern grading.

  • Virtually perfect condition
  • Sharp corners
  • Clean surface
  • Strong centering

Even tiny flaws can prevent a card from getting a PSA 10.

The 4 Key Grading Factors

PSA evaluates every card based on four main areas:

1. Centering

Centering refers to how evenly the card is printed.

  • Left to right alignment
  • Top to bottom alignment

A PSA 10 typically allows:

  • Up to 60/40 centering on the front
  • Up to 75/25 on the back

Off-centering is one of the most common reasons cards miss a PSA 10.

2. Corners

Corners must be extremely sharp.

  • No whitening
  • No rounding
  • No soft edges

Even slight wear can drop a card to a PSA 9.

3. Edges

Edges are closely inspected for damage.

  • Chipping
  • Whitening
  • Rough cuts

Dark-bordered cards make edge flaws easier to see.

4. Surface

Surface is often the hardest flaw to detect.

  • Scratches
  • Print lines
  • Dimples
  • Stains

Surface issues are one of the biggest reasons cards get PSA 9 instead of PSA 10.

Choosing the right grading company also matters.
👉 Read: PSA vs SGC vs BGS

Why Most Cards Don’t Get a PSA 10

Many collectors assume their cards are perfect — but in reality, most fall short.

  • Minor centering issues
  • Small edge wear
  • Tiny surface scratches
  • Print defects

Even pack-fresh cards can have flaws straight from the factory.

This is where grading risk comes in.
👉 Read: PSA 9 vs PSA 10 — Is It Worth It?

How to Pre-Grade Your Cards

Before submitting a card, inspect it closely under good lighting.

  • Use a magnifying glass or loupe
  • Check corners and edges carefully
  • Tilt the card to reveal surface flaws
  • Compare centering visually

Being strict with your grading standards will save you money long term.

To properly inspect your cards, a 10x triplet loupe gives you a clear, distortion-free view of surface scratches, print lines, and edge wear that are easy to miss with the naked eye.

👉 Check price of this 10x loupe

See all grading tools

PSA 9 vs PSA 10: Why It Matters

The difference between a PSA 9 and PSA 10 can be huge.

  • PSA 9: $50
  • PSA 10: $200

That’s why identifying true PSA 10 candidates is critical.

Final Thoughts

Getting a PSA 10 isn’t easy — and it shouldn’t be.

The more selective you are before submitting, the better your results will be.

Focus on:

  • clean surfaces
  • sharp corners
  • strong centering

👉 and you’ll dramatically improve your grading success rate

Next Step

Not sure if your card is worth grading?

👉 Is This Card Worth Grading? A Complete Beginner’s Guide

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