· Updated
Will My Slab Fit a Card Guard? PSA, BGS and Thick Slabs
Quick answer: a standard PSA slab fits the PSA Card Guard, which is 8 mm deep inside, and a standard Beckett (BGS) slab fits the BGS Card Guard, which is 10 mm deep inside. Take the slab out of any rubber bumper first. Thick PSA slabs, at about 9 mm or more, won’t fit the PSA guard.
Which Card Guard fits which slab
| Your slab | Typical size (W × H × D) | Card Guard | Fits? |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSA standard | about 81 × 136 × 6.5 mm | PSA guard, 8 mm inside | Yes |
| PSA thick holder | same footprint, about 9–10 mm deep | PSA guard, 8 mm inside | No: deeper than the guard |
| BGS standard | about 84 × 131 × 8 mm | BGS guard, 10 mm inside | Yes |
| BGS slab for a thick card | deeper than standard; varies | BGS guard, 10 mm inside | Only if it measures 10 mm or less |
| Any slab in a rubber bumper | bigger than the bare slab | none | Take the bumper off first |
Slab sizes are typical caliper figures; holders vary by about 0.5–1 mm between production runs. Every figure and its source is in our PSA and BGS slab size guide.
What decides the fit
Two things: who graded the card, and how deep the holder is.
- The grader sets the footprint. A PSA slab is narrower and taller than a Beckett slab, so each Card Guard is cut for one grader’s slab: the PSA guard for PSA, the BGS guard for BGS.
- The holder sets the depth. Standard holders fit. Some cards come back in deeper holders, and that extra depth is what decides whether a slab goes in.
- Only the bare slab goes in. Each guard is a precision fit for the slab itself, so there’s no room for a bumper, and you don’t need one: the acrylic does the protecting.
Card thickness and PSA’s thick slabs
According to PSA’s submission FAQ, cards from 25 to 40 point go into its standard holders, and cards thicker than 40 point go into thick slabs. You can’t choose the holder, and the same card can come back in a different depth. Thick PSA slabs keep the standard footprint but measure roughly 9–10 mm deep, which is more than the PSA guard’s 8 mm.
In practice, most graded cards sit in standard holders. The ones to check are thick patch, relic and memorabilia cards, which are the cards most likely to come back in a thick slab.
Beckett also uses deeper slabs for thicker cards. We couldn’t find a reliable published depth for them, so measure yours: if it’s 10 mm or less at its thickest point, it fits the BGS guard.
Check your slab in a minute
- Read the label. PSA or Beckett (BGS)? That tells you which guard to look at.
- Take off any bumper or sleeve. Measure the bare slab.
- Measure the thickness at the thickest point, usually around the label. Digital calipers are best; a ruler is fine for width and height but can’t read depth accurately.
- Compare: a PSA slab of 8 mm or less fits the PSA guard; a BGS slab of 10 mm or less fits the BGS guard.
Why not one guard for every slab?
A “universal” case has to be big enough for the largest slab it claims to take, so smaller slabs sit loose inside it. Cutting each Card Guard to one grader’s slab is what lets it fit snugly, with the magnetic lid closing over the top and the label and cert number on full view.
Clear or Black?
Both fits come in two finishes: Clear PSA and tinted black PSA, Clear BGS and solid black BGS. Same acrylic, same fit and the same 99.95% UV protection; it’s purely how you want the slab to look. Our Clear or Black guide helps you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Will a PSA 10 fit?
Yes. The grade doesn’t change the holder, so any card in a standard PSA slab fits the 8 mm PSA guard.
Do thick PSA slabs fit?
No. Thick PSA holders are about 9–10 mm deep, more than the PSA guard’s 8 mm.
Will a PSA slab fit the BGS guard?
No. The BGS guard is deeper, but a PSA slab is taller than a Beckett slab, so it won’t go in.
Can I leave my slab in its bumper?
No. The guard is cut for the bare slab. Take the bumper off; the acrylic does the protecting instead.
Do Card Guards fit other graders’ slabs?
Card Guards are cut for PSA and BGS slabs only. Other graders’ slabs are different sizes, so we don’t claim a fit.
Still not sure?
Measure your slab and email the numbers to sales@thecardguard.com.au. We’ll tell you which guard fits before you order.
Buy 5, get 1 FREE on any mix of PSA and BGS guards, added automatically with no code, plus free AU shipping on 3+ guards.