Magic: the Gathering trading card game logo

MAGIC: THE GATHERING TRADING CARD PROTECTION GUIDE

This guide will tell you all you need to know about trading card protection supplies for your Magic: The Gathering (MTG) cards. It will cover the following topics:

Cards & Sizes
Sleeves & Usability
Toploaders & Holders
Binders

Magic: the Gathering card measurements

Cards & Sizes

Magic: The Gathering Card Size

To start off we're going to talk about the Magic: The Gathering (MTG) card size. The regular mtg cards are considered standard sized cards and are 63 mm (2.5") wide and 88 mm (3.5") high. The thickness of the card is about 0.9 mm (35PT) thick. They weigh about 1.8 gram.

MTG Card FAQ

The extra information you need about MTG card sizes.

Are all MTG cards the same size?

Yes. All Magic: The Gathering (MTG) cards have the same size.

Are Pokémon cards the same size as Magic or MTG cards?

Yes. Pokémon and MTG cards are both considered as standard sized cards. The measures of the cards are similar.

Sleeves

Card sleeves for MTG cards

In this section we'll go through everything you need to know about sleeves for Magic: The Gathering trading cards.

All MTG card sleeves

First off we're going to show you all the sleeves there are and what they are best used for. There are the following sleeves:

  • Soft card sleeves for quick and easy sleeving. (Also known as Penny sleeves)
  • Exact fit sleeves for a tight fit, needed for double sleeving and various display products.
  • Deck sleeves ideal for card protection while playing MTG TCG.
Magic the gathering card in soft card sleeve

Penny sleeves

Soft card sleeves for MTG

Soft card sleeves are the most cost efficient protection option for your MTG cards. They are also known as 'Penny sleeves' which they got from only costing a 'Penny' each.

Soft car sleeves will protect your cards from scratches. They are ideal for holo MTG cards.

MTG card in exact fit sleeve

Perfect fit

Exact fit sleeves for MTG cards

Exact fit sleeves will fit tightly around your MTG cards. Also known as Perfect fit sleeves. They can be used in combination with deck sleeves and magnetic card holders for double sleeving.

MTG card in black deck sleeve

Play protection

Deck sleeves for MTG

Deck sleeves are perfect for MTG card protection while playing MTG TCG. They give optimal protection and are available in various colors, which is ideal for identifying your deck!

Deck sleeves can be double sleeved in combination with Exact fit sleeves.

Sleeves FAQ

Answers to your questions about sleeves for MTG cards.

Which MTG cards should I sleeve?

Any high value or holo (reflective) cards should be sleeved. Holo cards will easily scratch, Penny sleeves will prevent this from happening.

Can you double sleeve MTG cards?

Yes you can double sleeve MTG cards. Therefore you will need exact fit sleeves. Exact fit sleeves cards will fit into standard sleeves, deck sleeves and magnetic card holders.

What are Penny sleeves?

Penny sleeves are the cheapest sleeves and cost only a 'Penny'. Thats why it yields the name 'Penny sleeve'. The regular name is standard soft card sleeve.

Are penny sleeves acid free?

Yes, all our sleeves, loaders and holders are acid free!

Check out our collection of acid free sleeves!

Penny sleeves or perfect fit for MTG cards?

If you want cheap and quick sleeves, go for Penny sleeves.

If you want to double sleeve or perfect fitting sleeves, go for perfect fit sleeves.

Which sleeves do I use for grading submission?

All of our sleeves are appropriate for graded card and PSA submissions.

To ensure your MTG cards stay in mint condition, sleeve them first and load them into a toploader or rigid card holder (Card saver).

Which sleeves fit in one touch magnetic holder?

How thick are penny sleeves?

Penny sleeves have a thickness of 30 up to 40 micron thick. This translates to 0,3 - 0,4 mm. They are considered the thinnest sleeves.

Do penny sleeves fit in card binders?

Standard size penny sleeves will fit perfectly in our card binders!

What is the best sleeve for MTG cards?

Any of our sleeves are good for protecting your MTG cards. Exact fit sleeves offer great protection when double sleeved in Toploaders or Deck sleeves.

Toploaders & Holders

Toploaders & Holders for MTG cards

In this section we'll go through everything you need to know about toploaders and holders for your MTG card collection!

All MTG toploaders & holders

Let's go through our toploaders & holders for your MTG card collection!

  • Magnetic card holders are an ideal way to display your MTG cards.
  • Rigid card holders are ideal for PSA submission and sending MTG cards by mail.
  • Toploaders are the most cost efficient rigid protection for your MTG cards.
MTG card in rigid toploader

Rigid

Toploaders for MTG

Toploaders are the cheapest card holders that offer supreme protection. Toploaders are rigid, block out some UV-light and offer great storing options.

Best safe your cards by sleeving them and then toploading.

These toploaders fit perfectly in our toploader binders.

MTG card in semi-rigid card holder

Semi-rigid

Semi-Rigid MTG Card Holders

Semi rigid card holders are a lightweight variant of the rigid toploaders. They fit more cards and are ideal for sending cards by mail. Send your cards in mint condition with our semi-rigid card holders.

MTG card in magnetic card holder

Display

Magnetic MTG Card Holder

Magnetic card holders are a great way to protect and display your cards. The holders protect your cards from scratches and blocks out most UV light. All you need to display your cards in mint state!

Easy display with our magnetic card holder stand!

For the best protection, sleeve your cards in exact fit sleeves first.

Toploader & Holder FAQ

Answers to your questions about toploaders & holders for MTG cards.

Can you send cards to PSA in toploaders?

Yes you can send cards for grading to PSA in toploaders. An even better option are our semi rigid card holders that are specifically made for MTG card grading submissions.

Rigid or Semi-rigid toploaders?

This totally depends on the goal you try to achieve. For safekeeping and keeping your cards in mint condition, the rigid toploaders are your best option.

For graded card submission we recommend sending your MTG cards in semi-rigid card holders.

What are toploaders made of?

Most toploaders are made of polypropylene plastics. Our toploaders are acid-free and non-toxic.

Card saver or toploader?

This totally depends on the goal you try to achieve. For safekeeping MTG cards in mint condition, the toploaders are your best option.

For graded card submission we recommend sending your MTG cards in card savers.

What are the best toploaders for MTG cards?

The best toploaders for MTG cards are for the specific card thickness. For MTG cards this are 35 PT toploaders which is about 0,9 mm thick.

How thick are toploaders?

Toploaders are usually about 400 micron thick. This is about 0,4 mm.

What are toploaders used for?

Toploaders are used for protecting valuable items like MTG cards and similar items.

What size are toploaders?

Toploaders for standard MTG cards have an internal dimension of 70 mm x 98 mm. The external size is 76 mm x 101 mm.

Should I topload or sleeve my MTG cards?

The best option would be to do both sleeve and topload your MTG cards. Sleeves protect against scratches, where the rigid toploaders will prevent the cards from bending.

How much do toploaders weigh?

Toploaders weight about 8.5 gram. A lighter alternative are the semi-rigid toploaders which weigh only 5 gram.

Where to buy toploaders?

It doesn't matter where you buy your toploaders as long as they are from a renowned brand.

Well known brands for rigid toploaders are:

  • Ultra Pro
  • Card-binder.com
  • Vault X

What are one touch holders?

One touch holders are magnetic card holders for diplaying trading cards.

Binders

Binders for MTG cards

In this section we'll go through everything you need to know about MTG card binders. All the way until you know how to keep your MTG cards in mint condition.

MTG Card Binders

Let's go through all the types of binders there are. We offer 3 types of MTG card binders:

  • Premium binders for standard MTG cards.
  • Toploader binders for standard sized toploaded cards.
MTG card put into premium binder pocket

Standard size

Premium MTG Card Binder

Premium zippered binders give outstanding protection to your MTG cards. With sideloading pockets it's nearly impossible to lose cards. With this binder, you will be sure that your cards stay put in mint condition.

Front view of 9 pocket premium binder

Toploader

MTG Toploader Binder

Get the best protection for your MTG cards with a premium toploader binder. These binders fit standard toploaders which offer even more protection than our premium binders.

Binder FAQ

Answers to your questions about MTG card binders.

What is a toploader binder?

A toploader binder is a card binder which can fit toploaders. Toploaders are rigid plastic sleeves that prevent your cards from bending.

Whats the benefit of a zip binder?

Zippered card binders prevent dust from entering the binder. It also offers IPx4 resistance against splashing water.

What is the best binder for MTG cards?

The best protection for MTG cards would be Toploader binders. They offer optimal resistance to scratches and bending of the MTG cards.

Which sleeves fit in a MTG card binder?

Penny sleeves and exact fit sleeves will fit in our premium card binders.

What does sideloading mean for binders?

Sideloading means that the cards are inserted from the side of the pockets. This is the best way to load a binder, as they won't fall out easily.

Which binder do I need for a MTG master set?

This depends on the MTG card series your collecting. Every set has a different amount of cards.