Photograph all four edges of a Pokémon slab—the sealed plastic holder around a graded card—immediately before shipping. Clear edge photos document cracks, chips, gaps, and scuffs that front-and-back images may miss. Take the pictures before packing, then keep the original files with the order record. They cannot prevent damage or guarantee a favorable claim, but they create a useful condition record for buyers, sellers, carriers, and insurers.
Table of Contents
- What Edge Photos Can Show
- How to Photograph the Four Edges Clearly
- Build a Useful Pre-Shipping Record
- Match the Photos to Secure Packaging
- What to Do If Damage Is Reported
What Edge Photos Can Show
A straight-on photo of each edge can reveal damage hidden by reflections in a full-slab image. Common concerns include hairline cracks, chipped plastic, deep scratches, separated seams, and crushed corners. The images also establish which marks existed before shipment.
For example, a visible scratch in the listing should appear in the pre-shipping record, while a new crack reported after delivery should not. Photographing every edge matters because damage on one side may not appear from another angle. Do not rely on a single diagonal shot to document the entire perimeter.
How to Photograph the Four Edges Clearly
Clean the outside of the holder carefully with a soft, dry microfiber cloth. Avoid aggressive polishing or liquids that could leave residue, worsen a crack, or affect labels and security features. Place the slab against a plain, contrasting background under bright, diffused light.
Focus on the plastic edge, not the card inside, and check each image for glare or blur before packing. Capture a consistent set: Use the highest practical camera resolution and avoid filters. If the edge will not stay in focus, move the camera farther away and crop the image instead of using excessive digital zoom.
- Top edge, centered and straight
- Bottom edge, centered and straight
- Left edge, including both corners
- Right edge, including both corners
- Front and back of the complete slab
Build a Useful Pre-Shipping Record
Take the final condition photos after the sale but before wrapping the slab. Include one image showing the slab beside the shipping label or an order note, while covering any address details shared publicly. Keep the original image files rather than only screenshots or marketplace uploads.
Cropped or compressed copies can hide small defects and may remove useful file information. A short continuous video can supplement the photos by showing the slab's front, back, four edges, and transition into the packaging. It should not replace sharp still images, which are easier to enlarge and compare.
Match the Photos to Secure Packaging
Condition photos only show how the slab looked before packing. They do not prove that the packaging was adequate or identify exactly when later damage occurred. Protect the slab from both impact and movement.
Use a fitted sleeve or resealable bag, add rigid protection around the holder, cushion it inside a sturdy box, and fill empty space so the contents cannot shift. Do not place strong tape directly on the slab. Avoid thin mailers for valuable or damage-sensitive shipments, and photograph the packed item before closing the outer box.
What to Do If Damage Is Reported
Ask the recipient to photograph the outer package, shipping label, internal packing, and slab from the same angles as your original images. Request close-ups of the reported damage without asking them to remove, alter, or test the holder. Compare distinctive marks, label details, certification information, and edge damage across both sets.
Similar framing makes it easier to distinguish an old surface mark from a new crack or chip. Preserve all messages, tracking details, receipts, photos, and packaging evidence while following the marketplace, carrier, or insurer's deadlines. Photos strengthen a record, but the applicable policy determines whether a refund or shipping claim qualifies.
