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

Centering is the most common reason strong vintage cards grade lower. Learn what good centering means, why it matters, and how to measure it accurately before grading submission.

Why Centering Is Crucial for Vintage Card Grading

Vintage cards, typically those printed before the 1980s, are known for their variable centering due to less precise manufacturing. Grading companies like PSA, BGS, CGC, SGC, and TAG consider centering one of the most important subgrades. Even a card in perfect condition for corners, edges, and surface can lose grade value if its centering is off, especially on the front. Vintage cards may receive slightly more leniency than modern cards, but centering remains decisive.

What Good Centering Looks Like on Vintage Cards

Good centering means the card’s image or design is balanced evenly between the left and right, as well as top and bottom borders. For vintage cards, graders judge both the front and the back centering. Due to manufacturing limits of the era, perfect centering is rare, but the closer a card is to being evenly centered, the better its grading potential. Always check the current published standards of the grading company you plan to use, as tolerances can vary and may change over time.

How to Measure Centering Accurately

Measure the distance from the edge of the card to the border of the image on all four sides.
Calculate the ratio of the left/right and top/bottom borders to determine how off-center the card is.
Both the front and back centering are important for grading, so measure both sides.
The easiest way to get exact centering percentages is to use a tool like the Midpoint app (available for iOS and Android). With one photo, Midpoint detects the card’s borders and computes precise centering ratios, so you can check your card before submitting it for grading.

Other Grading Factors to Remember

While centering is critical, it is only one of several grading subcategories. Corners, edges, and surface quality are also assessed by grading companies. Even with perfect centering, flaws in these areas can lower a card’s final grade. Always inspect your card holistically before submitting it for grading.

Measure your card's exact front and back centering in Midpoint - free to start - and stop guessing whether it will grade.

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FAQ

Why is centering so important for vintage cards?

Centering is often the number-one reason vintage cards grade lower, as off-center cuts were common due to manufacturing limits before the 1980s.

How do I measure centering on a vintage card?

Measure the borders on all sides, compare the ratios, or use the Midpoint app to get exact front and back centering percentages from a single photo.

Do grading companies allow more tolerance for vintage card centering?

Vintage cards may have slightly more tolerance than modern cards, but centering is still decisive. Confirm each grader's current published standards.

Is centering the only factor in a vintage card’s grade?

No, corners, edges, and surface condition are also critical. Centering is just one subgrade among several used by graders.

Can I measure centering before submitting to PSA or other graders?

Yes, you can measure exact centering with the Midpoint app before sending your card for grading, helping you make informed decisions.