BlogFebruary 12, 2026
How to pack trading cards for mail-in repair
Wait for a written plan, then pack with a sleeve, top loader, cardboard, and tracked Canada Post service that matches the card value.
Do not pack first and ask later. Email photos, get a written plan, and only then put the card in the mail. Nothing is owed if you decide not to move forward. Shipping a card we have not reviewed just adds transit risk for a job that may not be a fit.
The stack we ask for
- Penny sleeve
- Top loader
- Cardboard sandwich slightly larger than the loader
- Bubble wrap so the bundle cannot rattle
- A sturdy box, or a bubble mailer if the sandwich already keeps the card from bending
Tape the cardboard, not the loader window. Do not force extra cards into one loader. One valuable card should not share a sandwich with a stack of loose commons.
Canada Post, tracking, and insurance
Use tracked, insured service both ways, with coverage that matches what the card is actually worth to replace. A cheap stamp on a toploader in a thin envelope is how corners arrive crushed. Keep the receipt and the tracking number.
We share the Kingston intake address after the plan is approved. Mail-in is for Canadian addresses only.
What to put in the box besides the card
A paper note with your name, email, and the card list is enough. Do not include cleaning supplies, extra tape on the card, or a note asking us to “just try the iron trick.” If something changed since the photos, say so in email before the parcel lands.
The full walkthrough lives on the trading card shipping guide.