Baseball Cards Centering: What Good Centering Looks Like and How to Measure It

What Does Good Centering Look Like on Baseball Cards?

Good centering means the borders around the image are nearly equal on all sides, both front and back. For modern and vintage baseball cards, collectors and graders look for minimal deviation between the left/right and top/bottom borders. Vintage cards, such as early Topps issues, are well known for off-center cuts, which can lower the grade even if the rest of the card is in great condition.

Why Centering Matters for Grading

Grading companies like PSA, BGS, CGC, SGC, and TAG consider centering as one of the main subgrades, alongside corners, edges, and surface. Even a card with sharp corners and clean surfaces can receive a lower grade if centering is significantly off. For vintage baseball cards, centering issues are common and often the main reason cards don't achieve top grades. Each grader has its own published standards for centering, so always check their current requirements before submitting.

How to Measure Centering on Baseball Cards

• Visually compare left/right and top/bottom border widths on both the front and back of the card.
• Use a ruler or calipers to measure the borders for a manual calculation, or use a digital tool for more precision.
• The Midpoint app (available for iOS and Android) detects card borders from a photo and gives you exact front and back centering percentages, helping you understand how your card may grade before you submit it.

Tips for Submitting Baseball Cards for Grading

• Measure centering precisely before you submit, especially for valuable or vintage cards.
• Remember that centering is just one factor - corners, edges, and surface also play a major role in the final grade.
• Always confirm the latest centering standards for your chosen grading company, as requirements can change.