- They claim that their new slab will be more dense and durable, giving cards more protection.
Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) have announced the introduction of new graded card holders for standard trading cards.
PSA’s president, Ryan Hoge, said the announcement has been 3 years in the making, with testing and prototyping carried out to create the improved holders.
The new grading slabs will be first rolled out for sports card submissions, starting this month, before a wider rollout.
What’s Changing With PSA’s New Holder?
PSA confirmed that the new holder has identical dimensions to its predecessor, but with a medical grade plastic, which is more dense and durable.
The new slab is 20% heavier, which they claim feels more high-end. “A 20 percent increase in weight might seem like nothing,” PSA mechanical engineer Travis Tapay said, “but it’s everything. The in-hand quality from the weight alone is significant. You really have to feel it to believe it.”
There’s also no Mylar and no sleeve around the cards inside.
Durability of the slabs have supposedly improved as well, with the material used being more resistant to heat, humidity, water and UV light to ensure protection to the card inside.
PSA also says the new plastic is more protective against surface damage, like micro-scratches and scuffs.
