Skip to content
Slabworks logo
Slabworks
Canadian Card Restoration Studio

Resources

Guides and reference material for trading card collectors.

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.

DIY is usually fine for
  • Light dust or fingerprints
  • Basic storage upgrades
  • Safe sleeves and top loaders
  • Routine collection maintenance
Bring in a pro when
  • 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
Browse dedicated service pages

See game-specific restoration pages for common issues, FAQs, and examples of the cards we work on.