rewrite this title and make it good for SEO The Ultimate Guide to Protecting, Breaking, and Grading Topps VeeFriends Chrome 2025

A smooth collecting experience starts with the right gear. Whether you’re building a full set or protecting a single standout card, having the proper supplies is essential. Here’s what we recommend for Topps VeeFriends Chrome 2025:

Penny Sleeves (Standard size): Thin, soft sleeves that protect the surface from fingerprints, dust, and scratching.

Top Loaders: Rigid plastic holders that shield cards from bending or corner damage. Most cards will work with 55pt or 59pt, however you will need to use 180pt for thicker inserts like Game On.

Semi-Rigid Card Holders: Hard plastic sleeves and are preferred to be sent in this way by grading companies.

One Touches (Optional): Premium display cases with magnetic closure and recessed corners that are great for showcasing top-tier cards. For these, be sure to use 35pt holders, the thinnest available size.

Painter’s Tape: Low-adhesive tape to seal top loaders without leaving residue. Also an essential item for packaging cards for shipment.

Amazon Links to Protect Your Cards!

Standard Penny Sleeves — Works for all cards

Standard Top Loaders — Works for all cards (or 59 pt for Series 1)

Penny Sleeve and Top Loader Combination

Card Savers — Works for all cards

Ultra Pro Magnetic Cases — works for all cards

Not every Topps VeeFriends Chrome 2025 card needs to be graded. Keeping cards “raw,” meaning ungraded, is a valid choice and can be done while still preserving their condition over time.

The most common method for protection is the penny sleeve and top loader combination. A penny sleeve provides a soft barrier against fingerprints and scratches, while the top loader shields against physical damage like bending and corner wear. Most cards from this set fit into 35pt top loaders. Thicker inserts, like Game On, requires 180pt or larger loaders.

Semi-rigid card savers are another excellent option, often used for grading but also effective for storage. For collectors seeking high-quality display or additional durability, magnetic one-touch cases offer sturdy construction, recessed corners, and a secure closure. While more expensive, they provide excellent protection and presentation.

Investing in the right storage materials ensures your cards remain in top condition, regardless of how you choose to collect.

Whether you’re sending cards in for grading or making a trade, proper shipping is critical. The right packing technique will ensure your cards arrive safely and in tip top condition.

Steps for shipping Topps VeeFriends Chrome Cards:

Sleeve + Top Load: Place each card in a clean penny sleeve, then insert it into a rigid top loader to prevent bending or corner damage.Seal with Painter’s Tape: Use painter’s tape across the top of the top loader to keep the card secure during transit. Fold one end of the tape to create a pull tab for easy removal.Cardboard Protection: Sandwich the top-loaded card between two pieces of rigid cardboard cut slightly larger than the loader. Tape the edges together securely (but never tape directly to the loader).Use a Padded Mailer: Place the protected card bundle inside a bubble mailer or rigid envelope. Choose packaging that minimizes internal movement and cushions against impact.Choose Tracked Shipping: For any card with notable value (or anything with personal or collectible value) use tracked shipping. It’s safer, more professional, and gives both parties peace of mind.

Grading evaluates a card’s condition and authenticity, assigning a score from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest). Topps VeeFriends Chrome 2025 cards are judged on centering, corners, edges, and surface. Their glossy finish makes them especially prone to visible flaws, so precision matters.

Graded cards are sealed in a protective case with a label that confirms the card’s identity, authenticity, and final grade. While a Gem Mint 10 is the highest score, it’s difficult to achieve, even the smallest imperfection can lower a card’s grade.

Grading is entirely optional. Some collectors grade for value and protection, others prefer to keep their cards raw (ungraded). The decision depends on your goals, the card’s condition, and your budget.

Key Grading Criteria: Centering, Corners, Edges, and Surface

Centering: Grading considers how evenly the card is aligned both horizontally and vertically. Noticeable off-centering, even without other flaws, can significantly lower the grade.

Corners: Grading companies expect crisp, undamaged corners. Softness or dings, even small ones, can knock down the score.

Edges: Edges should be smooth and uniform, with no signs of wear, whitening, or flaking along the borders.

Surfaces: Scratches, dents, print lines, or fingerprints will reduce the grade. Always handle cards by the edges to avoid surface damage.

Certified Guaranty Company (CGC):

CGC is the trading card and pop culture grading company within the Certified Collectibles Group. It is one of the most respected and trusted third-party grading services in collectibles. CGC is renowned as the preeminent comic book grading company, and has continued to expand and grow services in trading cards.

To learn more about CGC’s grading process, submission guidelines, and other relevant information, you can visit their official website.

Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA):

PSA is the most widely recognized grading company, known for strict standards and strong resale value. It uses a 1–10 scale without half-point grades. Additionally, PSA offers the option to grade the autograph on a card.

For a comprehensive guide on how to submit your cards to PSA for grading, you can visit their website.

Beckett Grading Services (BGS):

Beckett Grading Services stands out with its subgrades for Centering, Corners, Edges, and Surface, offering collectors a detailed “report card” on each submission. It uses half-point scoring and awards a Black Label for cards that earn perfect 10s across all subgrades. BGS also grades autographs.

To learn more about submitting your cards to BGS for grading, you can refer to their submission guide.

Sportscard Guaranty Company (SGC):

Sportscard Guaranty Company (SGC) is known for its sharp black inserts and quick turnaround times. It uses a 1–10 grading scale with half-points and offers a special “Pristine 10” gold label for cards in flawless condition. Like others, it also grades autographs.

For detailed instructions on how to submit your cards to SGC for grading, you can consult their submission guide.

Grading is a personal choice. Some collectors do it for sentimental reasons, others for resale value. If your card is in excellent condition and in demand, grading can help preserve it and potentially increase its worth. Ultimately, there is no definitive answer to whether you should get your cards graded. It depends on what feels right for you as a collector.

Graded cards typically command higher prices thanks to verified condition, authenticity, and long-term protection. For Topps VeeFriends Chrome 2025, a grade of Mint 9 or above is considered strong — especially for foil inserts, which are harder to grade.

A graded card stands out in the market, even among high-print-run sets. For example, a card with 5,000 copies may feel rare when only 50 have been graded a perfect 10. This perceived scarcity, combined with buyer confidence in a professionally graded card, can significantly boost value and collectibility.

It’s been exciting to see more VeeFriends community members take the leap — launching Whatnot and Fanatics Live shops, going live with pack breaks, and building their own collecting communities. With more people going live and ripping packs in real time, it’s important to keep card care top of mind. Ripping a fresh pack of Topps VeeFriends Chrome 2025 is one of the most thrilling parts of the hobby but also when your cards are most at risk. The high-gloss, reflective surfaces are easily scratched, smudged, or dinged if not handled carefully. Even minor flaws can affect grading, so protecting your cards from the first pull is essential.

Here’s how to break responsibly:

1. Start with a clean setup: Use a soft break mat or microfiber towel to avoid contact with hard or dirty surfaces. Natural lighting or a soft LED setup will help you spot defects or hits more clearly.

2. Wash and dry your hands: Oils and dirt from your fingers can leave marks or smudges on Chrome cards. Clean, dry hands are a must — some collectors prefer gloves, but they’re optional.

3. Open packs carefully: Tearing the middle seam of a pack can bend corners. Either slowly peel from the crimped edge or use scissors to cut the top. Just be sure cards are fully at the bottom of the wrapper before cutting.

4. Handle cards by the edges — not the corners: Avoid touching the surface faces of your cards or by the corners. Hold the cards gently by the sides and slide them out evenly to prevent scuffing or flexing.

5. Sleeve key hits immediately: As soon as you pull a Refractor, insert, numbered parallel, or really any card that you deem special, place it in a penny sleeve and top loader. Pre-open your sleeves slightly so you’re not fumbling during a big pull.