Canada's Premier Trading Card Restoration Service
Whether it's a childhood favorite or a new addition to your collection, we can bring trading and sports cards back to life with safe, ethical restoration.
Why Choose Slabworks
The advantages of working with our premier trading card restoration service.
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Locally Owned and OperatedWe're a Canadian, collector-run shop. Expect clear communication, careful handling, and consistent quality on every card.
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Domestic, Tracked ShippingKeep your cards in Canada with secure, tracked delivery. No Customs delays, duties, or currency exchange fees.
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Expert Pre-Grading PrepSpecialized knowledge in preparing cards for grading. We understand what PSA, BGS, and CGC look for when evaluating cards.
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Ethical and Non-Altering MethodsWe focus on display-ready beauty and value preservation using conservative, ethical techniques. No grade guarantees, just quality work.
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Satisfaction GuaranteeWe stand behind our work. If you're not satisfied, we'll work with you to make it right.
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Transparent ProcessReceive a written plan before work begins, plus before and after documentation. No surprises, just clear communication every step of the way.
How it works
A straightforward process from start to finish.
Email photos of your cards (front, back, and close-ups), your restoration goals, and your location so we can estimate shipping. We'll assess what's possible and outline any risks before you ship anything.
We'll send you a restoration plan, quote, and estimated turnaround time (typically 1–2 weeks from intake confirmation). No commitment until you approve the plan.
If you approve the plan, we'll send shipping instructions. Tracked, insured shipping is recommended. No cross-border complications. After intake confirmation, we'll invoice you and work begins after payment.
After payment confirmation, our restoration work begins. We'll carefully restore your cards using ethical techniques, documenting the process along the way. You'll receive updates as work progresses.
Once restoration is complete, we'll securely package your cards and ship them back to you with tracking. Return shipping is billed at cost. Your restored cards arrive safely, ready for grading or display.
Simple, transparent pricing.
No hidden fees, no tiers, no surprises.
| Mold cleaning | 30 minutes |
| General clean and polish | 20 minutes |
| Crease work | 45 minutes |
| Warping | 30 minutes |
| Dent repair | 30 minutes |
- Simple cleaning: 30–60 minutes ($100–$200 CAD)
- Standard restoration: 1–2 hours ($200–$300 CAD)
- Complex work: 2–3+ hours (from $300 CAD)
What we can do
Comprehensive restoration services to bring your trading and sports cards back to display-ready condition. Perfect for pre-grading prep with PSA, BGS, and CGC.
- Inspection
- Surface cleaning
- Crease reduction
- Edge cleaning
- Polishing
- Flattening
- Clean up
- Spot removal
- Sticker and tape residue removal
- Surface scuff reduction
- Corner touch-ups
- Surface correction
- Before and after documentation
- Quality control inspection
- Safe return shipping
What we won't do
We focus on ethical restoration, not alteration. These techniques are considered unacceptable by collectors and grading companies.
- Missing paper/ink filling
- Recoloring or ink restoration
- Major corner rebuilding
- Structural alterations
- Grade guarantees
- Alterations that change authenticity
DIY vs professional restoration
Simple care is fine at home, but restoration can get risky fast. Here's how to decide when it is time to hire a pro.
- Light dust or fingerprints
- Basic storage upgrades
- Safe sleeves and top loaders
- Routine collection maintenance
- You see residue, dents, or creases
- Surface scuffs or edge wear stand out
- The card is high value or sentimental
- You plan to grade and want prep done safely
Popular issues we see
These are the most common trading and sports card problems collectors ask us to improve. Each link explains what is realistic and how to avoid making it worse.
How we handle minor bends and pressure dents without risky techniques.
The safe approach to stickers, tape, and residue without surface damage.
What flattening can and cannot fix for modern foils.
Prevention tips and realistic expectations for edge wear.
What our customers say
Feedback from collectors who trust Slabworks with their cards.
"Man you have been amazing in communication, pricing, all aspects of this transaction. I will be using you for all my card needs going forward and will pass along your name with high praise."
"As a tcg shop owner, Slabworks has been a huge boon. They've been instrumental in prepping cards for grading and restoring damage from some of our vintage singles. 10/10 will continue to send my damaged cards to Slabworks!"
"My Base Set Charizard got a corner ding when I was moving. Chris fixed it perfectly and I can't even tell where the damage was. Looks amazing now."
"Had three vintage baseball cards with surface scratches. They look brand new now. No customs headaches and got them back in two weeks."
"Basement flooded and ruined about 20 of my cards. Slabworks saved most of them. Chris was upfront about what could be fixed, and the rest came back looking incredible."
Common questions
Straight answers to questions collectors ask before sending photos.
Why choose a Canadian restoration service over US competitors? ⌄
Avoid cross-border shipping hassles, customs delays, duties, and currency exchange fees. Your cards stay in Canada with faster domestic shipping via Canada Post. Plus, we understand what PSA, BGS, and CGC look for when evaluating cards.
Do you work on my kind of cards? ⌄
Usually, yes. We work on Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic: The Gathering, sports cards, and other trading cards. Email photos and we'll confirm.
Do you ship across Canada? ⌄
Yes! We serve collectors coast to coast. All shipping is done via Canada Post with tracking. No customs, no duties, just secure Canadian shipping. During carrier service disruptions (including strikes or lockouts), transit times may be longer than usual.
Do you accept cards from all of North America? ⌄
Yes, we accept cards from all of North America, including the US and Mexico. However, please note that extra shipping duties, taxes, and customs fees may apply for international shipments. We recommend insured, tracked shipping and will provide guidance on the best shipping methods.
What if my card is too damaged? ⌄
We'll tell you upfront. If a card has severe stock separation, mold risk, or heavy water damage, we'll recommend against restoration.
Will this improve my card's grade? ⌄
Maybe, but we don't guarantee it. We focus on conservative improvement and stability, not chasing grades. Our work prepares cards for grading with PSA, BGS, and CGC while preserving their value and display-ready beauty.
How quickly do you respond? ⌄
We respond within 24 hours on business days.
What if my cards get lost in shipping? ⌄
We recommend tracked, insured shipping both ways. We will share the exact shipping instructions and can help you choose the right coverage for valuable cards.
How do I know you are legitimate? ⌄
We are a Canadian, collector-run business with verified reviews and before/after documentation. We provide a written plan, clear pricing, and documented intake for every submission.
Will restoration damage my card? ⌄
We use conservative, ethical methods and we explain any risks before you ship or approve a plan. If a card is too risky, we will recommend against restoration.
What if I don't approve the plan? ⌄
Nothing at all. No hard feelings. If you don't want to move forward after seeing the plan, we'll simply shake hands and walk away.
Do you offer a guarantee? ⌄
We stand behind our work. If you're not satisfied with the restoration, we'll work with you to make it right. We're committed to honest communication and quality results, building trust in the Canadian collector community.
Wondering how it's done?
Catch the livestream and watch the restoration process in real-time. See techniques, ask questions, and learn from each restoration.
Get notified when we go live on Twitch and TikTok and join the community of collectors who want to see how professional card restoration works.
About Slabworks
Slabworks is Canada's dedicated trading card restoration specialist. We help collectors coast to coast bring their damaged trading cards back to life with ethical, documented restoration.
Ready to restore your cards?
Send photos for a free assessment. We'll outline a plan, estimate, and timeline before you ship anything.