Most Attractive TPG Slab?

MattyC

I have to say, I find the SGC slabs quite handsome. The card really pops against that black. I don't own any SGC cards though.

The BGS slab is also really growing on me; I like its sturdiness and also how it parses modern cards to a finer degree, with all-important centering given its own subgrade.

PSA may be third for me-- JUST talking sheer aesthetics here.

(Disclaimer: 99% of my cards are in PSA holders, though I do have some key ones, i.e., Jordan Star and Fleer RCs , in BGS).

Related question: does anyone envision PSA ever doing a wholesale redesign of their slab; I'd imagine they'd make a bundle on people getting collections re-holdered, if the new slab were more attractive and sturdier as well?

bobbyw8469

I like the SGC slab, although that generic flip looks cheesy. PSA flips look alot better.

sportscardtheory

I honestly don't understand how anyone can choose the PSA slab. There is absolutely nothing aesthetically pleasing about them. They look as generic as it comes, and they are the flimsiest. It's crazy to me that you can have a $100,000+ card in a slab that if you sat on or even dropped on a corner, the slab and card could very easily be destroyed (not to mention that PSA slabs are known to damage cards inside). To each their own though. My choice is BGS, SGC then PSA, judging on looks and safety alone.

Doublestriker

After crossing over some BGS to PSA I think cards look more clearer in a PSA Holder. I assume it could be because of the plastic sleeve.

YogiBerraFan

I like the PSA and SGC, each for different reasons. I don't like the BGS at all.

digicat

BGS. Sturdier, tamper proof, and it'll keep the card protected.

PSA slabs are garbage, but they get away with it due to a sterling reputation.

itzagoner

BGS slab? too busy.

SGC slab? too dizzy.

PSA slab? just right.

there's not much going on with it. there shouldn't be. anything that takes away from the appearance of the card is drawing attention unto itself.

i hope they never change it. then i can enjoy viewing a card without the extra dressing.

cubfan89

I like the PSA flip design the best but the BGS will protect the card better. The sleeve inside helps the edges and I believe they use UV protection plastic too. It's pretty study as well.

esquiresports

I really like the SGC black background, but think the BGS holder has the best "fit and finish." I am looking at them side by side right now and, on balance, would choose SGC first, BGS second. PSA a distant third. That said, of the few cards I own, at least 90% are in PSA holders. A couple exceptions are BGS 10 pristine cards and some T206 cards in GAI holders. The GAI holder isn't bad.

rabbitpunch

From the list;

BGS first but hate the company. SGC second but the flip is ugly. I've asked for years for SGC to use a flip similar to BGS. I think it would really pop. Lastly, PSA.
There is one company that is not on this list, and they used to be my favorite slab. CTA (out of business) had the best holders. The thickness was between a BGS and PSA slab
and they did use a sleeve inside like BGS with the card. They were the ones that gave you a computer report card for each card.

MattyC

Interesting. Whatever happened to that company?

dizzle

I like the BGS holder best, as mentioned tamper proof, UV resistant slabs (only company with this I believe) Also water proof and MOST important Protection..

SGC slab I hate the most.. Black insert can damage a cards edges (I have seen it happen first hand) Also I ran some test by soaking different slabs in a pitcher of kool aid before and and SGC slab was the only one to take water in, staining and ruining the card.. Also these can be popped open just as easy as a PSA slab (have done this before with no damage to the holder) forgot to mention the cheesy green flip, They still printing them all slanted and diamond cut looking? talk anout weak lol..

PSA holder is ok to look at but offers little protection for those cards that like to rattle around in the holder..

Griffins

The company is a joke, but IMO GAI had the best holder. Black matte, like SGC. Thin. And on the top edge they had the card info printed, so you could pick a card out of a box without having to flip thru the stack. Silver flip wasn't great but it was ok.
2nd is SGC. Holders are too thick and you can often pop them open with your finger nail. But they have black mattes and no baggies, and the cards fit in there. The flip is fugly though, with the green trim, and the cheap paper they use yellows if left on display at all.
3rd best is PSA's, thinner than SGC''s and when the cards fit they look good. When they don't they look like crap.
Of note is PSA's T3 and coin holders, both of which are head and shoulders better than their regular holder. See what happens when the card actually fits the holder?
Dead last is Becketts. Too thick, ugly flip, sharp corners, and crap grading.

corncobb

I'll take the SGC slabs along with their consistant strong grading over anything else offered on the market.
They have correct the printing problems of the past with the flips. Their customer service will also reprint and correct
any misprinted or crooked labels for free, if you send the card to them.

PSA and a New slab? I don't know, That would likely anger many Set Registry collectors and collectors in general who are
deeply rooted with years of slabs that would have to be changed out. Odds of PSA doing that for free? not likely.
It would also mean giving up the "Brand Reconition" that PSA enjoys. I wouldn't say never, but it looks like their
stuck with those rattle traps.

thekid8

I think you should have added GRA to the list

blee1

I haven't been able to find an example of the CTA holder, does anyone have one?
Thanks

Bunker

<< <i>BGS slab? too busy.

SGC slab? too dizzy.

PSA slab? just right.

there's not much going on with it. there shouldn't be. anything that takes away from the appearance of the card is drawing attention unto itself.

i hope they never change it. then i can enjoy viewing a card without the extra dressing. >>



I pretty much agree with everything above. I want my eye drawn to the card not the frame that it sits in. I will however admit that the T206's look really good in the SGC holder. It makes the cards look like art work.

soundgard

1. SGC
2. GAI
3. BGS





















4. PSA

rabbitpunch

I haven't been able to find an example of the CTA holder, does anyone have one?

10s got gold flips with gold report cards. 9s got silver flips with silver report card, and 8s and below got blue flips with blue report cards.
The company wasn't bad. They were at shows. They were weak in detecting counterfeits, and were most likely a grade off. Plus their $10
per card standard fee wasn't very attractive. These examples are from sleezebay....not mine.

handyman

One thing that bothers me the most is for example.
Having a stack of 1970s Pete Rose cards In Ex-Mt to Nm-Mt graded all by PSA and then having 1-2 SGC Pete Rose cards in the same area. Now I have a weird stack that I just hate. It makes me just throw the SGC cards out of the mix.
Bugs the Cr## out of me.

1966CUDA

What was kinda cool about CTA was that they provided a diagram with the quadrants listed showing the areas where the card had issues that brought the grade down.

digicat

<< <i>What was kinda cool about CTA was that they provided a diagram with the quadrants listed showing the areas where the card had issues that brought the grade down. >>



PSA doesn't need to innovate because they're the industry leader. They won't spend the money for innovation because it won't increase their profits.

And that sucks.

MattyC

I bet if they ever improved their slab in terms of tamper-proof and aesthetic, they'd get boatloads of cards back for a reholdering fee. Would this initially upset a bunch of collectors, sure, but it would still create a cash infusion. After all, they could then say to those who'd be upset at paying for a new holder: "What, do you want us to not make things better when we can? And if you don't want to reholder, then simply don't."

handyman

They better do it at cost of the case for the first 6-12months. Like 1.25 per card or something.

itzagoner

New Coke.

corncobb

I think the label collectors would be very upset having to buy new labels for their cards.