> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.managem.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Grading your cards

> Learn how to grade and list your cards on Managem

<Note>
  **Last updated:** 2 October 2025 This guide summarises how to grade and list
  cards on Managem. It forms part of the **Managem Terms & Conditions**. If
  anything here conflicts with the Terms, the **Terms prevail**.
</Note>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Quick start">
    Determine the type of item: Raw single, Graded card, or Sealed product.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a condition">
    Use the grade definitions below. Only use the supported grades (no
    plus/minus).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the required details">
    Fill in comments/notes and any dedicated fields (e.g., grader/serial for
    slabs).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add photos (when required)">
    Photos are required for **£20+ listings** and **any sealed item with a seal
    tear**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pack it right">
    Follow the [packing guidance](/selling/packing-your-order) to avoid transit
    wear and disputes.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Key terms (at a glance)

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Sleeve-playable">
    The card can be sleeved, shuffled and used without risk of tearing,
    splitting or further damage. It remains structurally sound and readily
    identifiable.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="SNAD (Significantly Not As Described)">
    A buyer can claim SNAD if the item **materially differs** from your
    description, photos, selected grade, or any **required** listing
    information.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Raw / ungraded cards

### Mint (M)

* Looks **factory-fresh** to the naked eye. No wear, dirt or handling; no creases, dents, edge/corner whitening or scratches. Centring/print tolerances as manufactured.
* No “Gem Mint” grade and no partial grades (e.g., NM- / EX+).

### Near Mint (NM)

* At arm's length looks new. May show **very light** edge/corner whitening or a couple of **hairline** marks. **No** creases/bends/clouding. Sleeve-playable.

### Excellent (EX)

* Light to moderate play. Noticeable small scuffs/nicks/whitening; light shuffle marks. No structural damage. Sleeve-playable.

### Good (GD)

* Moderate/heavier play. Multiple scuffs/scratches/whitening. A **very light** crease may appear, but the card stays sleeve-playable and intact.

### Lightly Played (LP)

* Significant play. Multiple areas of whitening/chipping; several creases or one larger crease **while still sleeve-playable**; heavy shuffle wear; ingrained dirt/staining permitted if structurally sound.

### Played (PL)

* Heavy wear. Multiple large creases, beginning edge splits, heavy grime/staining, small tears. Identifiable; sleeve-usable but poor overall.

### Poor (PO)

* **Not sleeve-playable** or severely compromised: tears/splits through layers; major delamination; water damage/warping; heavy inking/blackened borders; trimming/re-backing or similar alteration.
* Cards altered in any way must not be listed on Managem (see “Not permitted”).

<Warning>
  **Use only the grades above** in the condition field/title. Don't use partial
  grades (e.g., **NM-**, **EX+**). If there are nuances, describe them in
  **comments/notes**.
</Warning>

#### Special cases

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Foils (including reverse foils)">
    • **Minor foil curl** or a **light factory line** may still be **NM/EX/GD** if the card otherwise fits the grade.
    • **Severe curl** affecting sleeve fit/flatness, **deep foil scratches** or strong **clouding** must be downgraded (often GD/LP/PL; **PO** if not sleeve-playable).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Factory anomalies vs wear">
    Eye-visible factory features (e.g., centring variance, light print lines/dots, minor cut variance) are **not damage**—but **note them in comments** if they may matter to a buyer.
    **Material anomalies** (e.g., major miscuts, crimps, misprints, dents/indentations) must be **noted** and the card graded on overall condition.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Not permitted (proxies & alterations)">
    **Do not list** proxies/replicas or **any altered cards** (artist alters, stamps, ink/paint, recolouring, trimming, re-backing, pressing/cleaning, etc.).
    Altered cards and replicas are **not allowed** on Managem.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Graded cards (Slabs)

* Select the **third-party grade** as the listing condition (e.g., “**PSA 9**”).
* Complete the dedicated fields: **grader**, **numeric grade**, **certification/serial**.
* **Minor case scuffs/hairlines** can happen—mention them in **comments** if relevant.
* **Cracked or tampered slabs are not allowed.** Please do not list them.
* No **cross-grading promises** (e.g., “will regrade a 10”). List what you have, not what it might become.
* Photos for slabs should show the **full slab** with the **cert/serial visible**.

## Sealed products

* Only **Factory Sealed (New)** products are allowed (original manufacturer's seal/wrap intact).
* If the outer wrap has **tears that do not expose contents**, you **must describe them** in comments and **photograph them clearly** (edges/corners; tear close-ups).
* **Not allowed:** resealed or opened products; tears **exposing contents**; missing/altered official seals.

## Photos

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="When photos are required">
    * **All listings priced £20 or more** (any category).
    * **Any sealed product with a seal tear**, regardless of price.

    <em>You're welcome to upload photos on lower-priced items too—it helps sales and reduces disputes.</em>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Quality standard">
    * **Actual-item** photos only where required (no stock images).
    * Show **front and back** with even lighting and a neutral background; avoid glare and filters.
    * Provide **close-ups** of edges/corners/surfaces; typical foil problem areas; and for sealed items with tears, **close-ups of the tear(s) and all seal edges**.
    * For graded items, show the **entire slab** with the **cert/serial visible**.

    **Listings that meet this standard carry significant weight in any condition dispute.**
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## What to include in your listing (comments/notes)

Use **comments/notes** to record, where applicable:

* **Signatures** – who signed; pen/ink type (if known); whether a COA is included.
* **Factory anomalies** – e.g., miscuts, crimps, misprints, dents/indentations.
* **Odours/contaminants** – smoke, moisture or other noticeable odours.
* **Language/edition** (e.g., 1st Edition, Unlimited) and **foil variant** (foil/reverse foil/rainbow), where relevant.

For **graded cards**, also complete the dedicated fields for **grader**, **numeric grade** and **certification/serial**.

## Disputes & remedies (condition issues)

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="If the item isn't as described">
    You can **open a case** from your order at any time if the item's condition
    doesn't match the description/photos/required notes. Sellers are generally
    expected to respond **within 5 Business Days**. If you can't quickly resolve
    it, **escalate** to Managem from the order page.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Possible outcomes">
    Outcomes may include a **return for full refund** or a **case-by-case
    partial refund** if the buyer keeps the item. Where listing **photos clearly
    show** the relevant wear and the item **matches those photos**, the photos
    carry **significant weight** in resolving SNAD/returns. **Statutory rights
    remain unaffected.**
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Consistency & enforcement

Managem monitors dispute rates. Repeated **over-grading** or failing to include **required notes/photos** may lead to escalation (warnings, listing restrictions, payout holds on affected orders, or suspension) under the Terms.

## Tournament legality (informational)

Grading describes **condition**, not competitive eligibility. Judges/tournament organisers may exclude cards (e.g., for marked-card concerns). Buyers seeking tournament-legal condition should take this into account.

## Relationship to the Terms

This page explains **condition and listing expectations** on Managem. Returns, cancellations, shipping duties, timelines and dispute procedures are governed by the **Terms & Conditions** and related policies.