Restoration Explained

Understand the card before you restore it.

Restoration depends on the card, the damage, its condition and what you're trying to achieve. This is where we explain how we approach those decisions, plainly, before any card changes hands.

Not sure where to start? My card is damaged → I'm considering grading → Is restoration worthwhile? →
Working on a Lugia card with a fine restoration tool Start hereRestoration basics What Is Pokémon Card Restoration? Card restoration is the process of correcting physical damage in a card, carefully and deliberately, to improve its condition while preserving everything that makes it the card it is. Read the article →

Restoration

The fundamentals

Close-up of a Slowking holo being cleaned 02 Understanding Card Damage Creases, indents, edge wear and surface damage all behave differently. Knowing which one you are looking at matters before restoration begins. Three holo cards in top loaders held in a black glove 03 Is My Card Worth Restoring? Good candidates, poor candidates, and how to decide before you send a card in. Restoration tools laid out around a Lugia card 04 The Restoration Process Every stage a card goes through, why it takes the time it does, and current turnaround times. Restoration & grading Restoration & Card Grading What restoration controls, what grading controls, and whether a grade can be guaranteed. Read the article →

Have a card you're considering restoring?

Get a straightforward read on your card before you decide anything.

Start your assessment →