Series 2's fresh rookie class raises the same grading questions collectors already worked through with Series 1, now applied to an entirely new pool of names.
Here's a practical breakdown of what first-time submitters should know before sending a Series 2 pull in for grading.
None of this requires prior grading experience to follow.
Centering and player demand are the two factors that matter most when deciding whether a card is worth submitting.
Grading fees apply regardless of a card's final grade, so submitting a base copy of a rookie without strong demand risks spending more on the submission than the graded card would ultimately be worth. Being selective about which pulls actually justify the cost is the more financially sound approach.
Reserving grading budget for genuinely strong candidates avoids diluting return across too many marginal submissions.
A Series 2 rookie with strong early production, a notable draft or prospect pedigree, or a numbered parallel attached is the kind of card where grading tends to pay off. Centering that looks clean to the naked eye is also worth a closer look before committing to a submission.
Checking a card under strong, even lighting for centering issues before submitting can save a costly surprise later.
Submitting shortly after release, while a rookie's card is fresh and before the market has fully priced in early performance, can be a reasonable strategy for cards with strong early buzz. Waiting until a full season of data is available is the more conservative approach for less certain names.
Neither timing is universally correct — it depends on how confident you are in a specific rookie's trajectory.
Different grading companies carry different reputations, turnaround times, and fee structures, and comparing them before committing to a submission is worth the extra research time. Some companies specialize in faster turnaround at a premium, while others offer slower but more affordable standard service.
Checking recent community feedback on a grading company's consistency and turnaround reliability gives a more current picture than relying on reputation alone, since service levels can shift over time. This is especially relevant for a fresh rookie class where submission volume tends to spike right after release.
Bundling multiple submissions together, when a grading company offers volume discounts, is a practical way to reduce per-card cost if you're sending in several Series 2 pulls at once.
Submitting several cards together in a single batch often reduces per-card shipping and handling costs compared to sending items individually over time. This makes waiting to accumulate a few strong candidates before submitting a genuinely practical strategy for cost-conscious collectors.
The trade-off is a longer wait before any single card comes back graded, which matters if you're hoping to sell or trade a specific card quickly after grading completes.
Tracking grades received on past submissions, along with the reasoning behind each grade when available, helps build a better intuition for what a specific grading company values most in future submissions.
This kind of record-keeping becomes especially useful for collectors who submit regularly across multiple sets and years.
Different grading companies sometimes weigh centering, corners, edges, and surface slightly differently in their overall scale, which can produce different grades for the same physical card.
Researching a specific company's grading philosophy before submitting helps set realistic expectations for the grade you're likely to receive.
This extra bit of research pays off across every future submission you make.
A card headed for grading needs protection that keeps it submission-ready. EVORETRO's Graded Card Sleeves are built for exactly this purpose.
Once a card comes back graded, EVORETRO's Card Display Stand gives it a proper showcase.
Yes, the same fundamentals apply — centering, corners, edges, and surface.
No, only cards with strong demand or notable numbering tend to justify the fee.
Either shortly after release for early buzz, or after a season of data for a more conservative approach.
Generally yes, compared to base copies.
A strong grading candidate deserves careful handling before it ever ships out. Browse EVORETRO's toploaders and sleeves collection to get ready.
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