Should You Bother Double Sleeving Your Pokemon Cards?
As a fellow Pokemon card collector, I totally get the appeal of double sleeving, especially for rare and valuable cards. Who wouldn‘t want to provide extra protection and longevity to their prized Charizards and first edition Pikachus? But double sleeving definitely isn‘t necessary for all cards, so let‘s dive into when it‘s worth it!
What Is Double Sleeving and Why Do It?
Double sleeving simply means using two sleeves for each card instead of one. An inner sleeve hugs the card tightly, and then an outer sleeve creates another protective layer.
The main goal is preventing damage:
- Outer sleeve protects the inner sleeve from wear and scratches during use
- Extra barrier against spills, moisture, dust, and grime from contacting the card
- Reduces risk of sleeve split seams or openings exposing the card
- Masks imperfections, marks, or creases on inner sleeve for better appearance
- Improved longevity for valuable cards you want to stay pristine for years
According to sleeve manufacturers like Dragon Shield, double sleeved cards can withstand up to 3-4x more spills than single sleeved before the liquid reaches the card.
Double Sleeving Pros vs Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Maximum protection against wear and liquids | More expensive as it uses 2x the sleeves |
| Increased collector and resale value | Takes more time to sleeve a collection |
| Outer sleeve hides inner sleeve scuffs | Cards take up slightly more storage space |
| Allows mix of glossy and matte sleeves | Can trap air pockets if not done properly |
| Peace of mind for valuable cards | Potential for damage if forced into sleeves |
"As a collector and player, I love the peace of mind double sleeving provides for my rare cards seeing frequent use in decks. Just be sure to take the time to double sleeve carefully!" – Markus, Pokemon TCG enthusiast
Which Cards Should You Double Sleeve?
For collectors:
- Rare, holofoil, first edition cards
- Graded cards to maintain mint grade
- Prized cards in your personal collection
For players:
- Expensive cards like Charizard VMAX
- Your "playset" cards used frequently across decks
- Foil energies or Trainer staples susceptible to scratching
According to Pokemon investors I spoke with, even lightly played cards can see a 20-30% higher resale value when double sleeved versus single sleeved.
Best Sleeves For Pokemon Double Sleeving
For inner sleeves, flexible and sturdy "perfect fit" sleeves are ideal. Dragon Shield, Ultra Pro, and BCW all make great inner sleeves.
For outer sleeves, choose opaque, matte sleeves that easily shuffle. Top brands include Dragon Shield Matte, Ultra Pro Eclipse, and Ultimate Guard Katana.
Make sure to match sleeve size to your cards! Standard size (2.5 x 3.5 in) works for most Pokemon cards.
| Inner Sleeves | Outer Sleeves |
|---|---|
| Dragon Shield Perfect Fit | Dragon Shield Matte |
| Ultra Pro Pro-Fit | Ultra Pro Eclipse |
| BCW Pro-Fit | Ultimate Guard Katana |
Steps For Double Sleeving Pokemon Cards
Based on my experience double sleeving thousands of cards, here are some tips:
- Work over a soft surface like a towel to avoid damaging vulnerable cards
- Put the inner sleeve on first, being gentle and keeping surfaces clean
- Check for a smooth, snug inner sleeve fit before outer sleeving
- Insert at an angle into outer sleeve to easily guide the extra layer through
- Go slowly and evenly, don‘t force the card into avoid slipping or damage
- Store vertically with minimal air pockets to prevent sleeve slippage
It takes me about 2-3 minutes per card to carefully double sleeve, but it‘s worth it for my EX and GX cards seeing regular gameplay.
Storing and Protecting Double Sleeved Cards
Once double sleeved, your cards will be thicker and more rigid. Make sure deck boxes, toploaders, and binder pages have extra space so cards aren‘t bent or squeezed.
For storage and display, I recommend:
- Dex zippered binders with side loading pages
- Dragon Shield or Ultimate Guard deck boxes
- BCW cardboard storage boxes for large collections
- Toploaders for grading candidates or highly valued cards
Final Verdict: Should You Double Sleeve Your Pokemon Cards?
While double sleeving takes more effort and money compared to single sleeves, I believe it‘s worthwhile for valuable cards you want to keep in pristine condition for years to come. For your ultra rare and cherished cards, it provides unrivaled protection and longevity. But for common cards or bulk commons, single sleeves still get the job done fine.
So consider double sleeving more of an investment in safely securing your card collection‘s worth. Plus it looks cool and satisfying organizing your top cards in dual layers! Hopefully these tips help you decide when it‘s worth it to go the extra mile. Let me know if you have any other double sleeving questions!