Collector guide
How to verify a PSA slab before you buy
A practical checklist for checking a PSA graded Pokemon card: cert lookup, label details, case condition, and the red flags of fake slabs.
Why verification matters
A PSA 10 can be worth many times more than the same card ungraded, which makes graded slabs a target for counterfeiters. Fake slabs usually copy a real certification number onto a fake label and case, so a cert number that looks up correctly is not proof on its own. You need to check that the physical slab matches the record.
1. Look up the certification number
Every PSA slab has a unique certification number printed on the label. Enter it in the free cert verification tool on psacard.com or in the PSA app. Newer labels also carry a QR code that opens the same record.
Check that the record matches the slab exactly: year, set, card number, card name, variety (for example 1st Edition or Holo), and grade. Any mismatch is a reason to walk away.
2. Compare the images
For many recent submissions PSA stores front and back scans of the graded card with the cert record. If images exist, compare them to the seller photos: centering, print lines, edge wear, and the position of the card in the case should all match. A copied cert number on a different copy of the card will show differences in centering and surface detail.
3. Inspect the label
Genuine PSA labels have crisp, evenly spaced printing and a consistent font. Blurry text, uneven spacing, wrong capitalisation, or a label that sits crooked in its slot are warning signs. Compare the label with a slab you know is genuine from the same period, since PSA has changed its label design over the years.
4. Check the case
PSA cases are sealed shut. Look for pry marks, cracks, glue residue, or gaps along the seam, which can mean the slab has been opened and the card swapped. The case should feel solid, and the card should sit straight in its inner holder.
5. Check the population report
PSA's population report shows how many copies of a card have received each grade. It will not verify a specific slab, but it tells you how scarce a grade is and helps you judge whether a price makes sense.
How Slabify TCG lists slabs
Every Slabify TCG product page has photos of the slab. Before you pay, email info@slabifytcg.com for the certification number or extra photos of the label, and check it with the steps above.