What You'll Need

Before packing your first order, stock up on these essentials:

Packaging Step by Step

The golden rule: every card needs a sleeve, something rigid, and an outer mailer. Here's the full process.

Step 1: Sleeve the Card

Slide the card into a penny sleeve. Make sure the opening of the sleeve faces down (away from the card's top edge) so the card can't slide out during handling.

Step 2: Into a Toploader or Card Saver

Place the sleeved card into a toploader (rigid plastic holder) or a Card Saver (semi-rigid holder). Both prevent the card from bending in transit.

• If the card fits loosely in the toploader, add a small piece of painter's tape across the opening to keep it from sliding out.

• For multiple cards going to the same buyer, you can stack sleeved cards in one toploader (up to 3-4 cards) or use individual toploaders.

Step 3: Seal It Up

Place the loaded toploader(s) inside a team bag and seal it. This adds a moisture barrier. Tape the team bag shut with painter's tape for extra security.

Step 4: Into the Mailer

Choose your outer packaging based on order size (see the next section), and place the sealed team bag inside. If there's room for the card to move around, add a small piece of paper or cardboard as padding.

Packaging by Order Size

Small Orders (1-4 cards)

Option A — Bubble mailer (recommended)

• Sleeve + toploader + team bag inside a padded bubble mailer.

• This is the safest option for valuable singles and what most experienced sellers use.

Option B — Plain White Envelope (PWE)

• Sleeve + toploader, sandwiched between two pieces of cardboard, inside a standard envelope.

• Cheaper to ship, but offers less protection. Best for low-value cards only.

• Write "Do Not Bend" and "Non-Machinable" on the outside of the envelope.

Medium Orders (5-49 cards)

- Sleeve each card individually. Place sleeved cards in toploaders or stack them neatly.

- Bundle toploaders together with painter's tape or rubber bands around the toploaders (never directly on the cards).

- Place bundled cards in a bubble mailer with some padding.

- For 20+ cards, consider a small card storage box inside a bubble mailer or padded envelope for extra protection.

Large Orders (50+ cards or sealed product)

- For large singles orders: use a card storage box (100-count or similar) inside a small shipping box.

- For sealed product (booster boxes, bundles, cases): use a sturdy corrugated box with bubble wrap or packing paper on all sides.

- Fill any empty space so items can't shift during transit.

- Seal the box securely with packing tape.

What NOT to Do

• Loose cards in an envelope — Cards will get destroyed by mail sorting machines.

• No sleeve before toploader — The toploader itself can scratch an unsleeved card.

• Rubber bands directly on cards — They leave marks and dents. Use them around toploaders, not cards.

• Regular tape on cards or sleeves — Adhesive residue damages the card surface. Use painter's tape.

• Overstuffing a toploader — Don't cram 6+ cards into one toploader. They'll bend and scratch each other.

• No padding in the mailer — A toploader rattling around in an empty bubble mailer can still get damaged.

• Skipping moisture protection — A team bag takes 2 seconds and prevents water damage if the package gets wet.

Tracking Is Required

All shipments on CardNexus must be tracked. When you mark an order as shipped, you'll need to enter a valid tracking number. This is a hard requirement — not a recommendation.

Tracked shipping:

• Gives the buyer real-time visibility on their package

• Provides proof of delivery in case of disputes

• Allows CardNexus to automatically confirm delivery and release your funds

We support 1,200+ carriers worldwide, so whatever postal service or courier you use, we can track it.

What About Insurance?

Tracking is required, but insurance is optional. If you're shipping high-value cards, you may want to add insurance through your carrier at your own cost. This gives you extra protection if a package is lost or damaged in transit — something tracking alone doesn't cover.

Envelope Tips

• Write "Do Not Bend" on both sides

• Write "Non-Machinable" on the front (this tells the post office to hand-sort it instead of running it through machines that can crush cards)

• Consider adding "Fragile" for extra measure

• Make sure postage is correct — underpaid postage means the package gets returned or the buyer pays the difference

Quick Reference Checklist

Before sealing your package, run through this list:

• Every card is in a penny sleeve

• Sleeved cards are in toploaders or card savers

• Toploaders are sealed (team bag or painter's tape)

• Cards can't move around inside the mailer

• Outer packaging matches the order size

• Tracking number is ready

• Do Not Bend" marked on envelopes

What's Next?

• Shipping Rates & Packaging Guide — Default package tiers, and how rates are calculated

• Shipping Your Order — How to mark orders as shipped and enter tracking on CardNexus

• Tracking Your Order — How tracking works for buyers