The latest TCG Card Shop Simulator update has introduced a huge new system: Card Grading. Just like in the real-world trading card market, grading can make your cards more valuable — but it comes at a cost. Here’s everything you need to know about how grading works, how much it costs, and whether it’s worth doing.
TCG Card Shop Simulator Grade Cards Guide & How It Works
What is Card Grading?
Card grading is the process of sending your cards to be evaluated and returned with a grade between 1 and 10. Higher grades mean better condition and higher value:
- 1–3: Poor condition, scratches or wear.
- 4–6: Average condition.
- 7–9: Good to excellent, often boosts value.
- 10 (Gem Mint): The best possible grade, massively increasing worth.
How to Grade Cards
- Open the Grading Menu:
Access the TCG grading feature from your in-game menu. - Choose Cards to Submit:
- You can send up to 8 cards per submission.
- You get 4 submission slots, meaning up to 32 cards at once.
- Select Grading Speed & Cost:
- Premium Grading – Costs 1,500 credits per card, takes 2 in-game days.
- Standard Grading – Costs 10 credits per card, but takes 12 in-game days.
- Wait for Delivery:
After the grading period, you’ll receive your cards back in special boxes. - Check Grades & Value:
Cards now display their grade, which can significantly affect their price when trading or selling.
Does Grading Increase Card Value?
Yes — but only if the card gets a high grade (7–10).
Examples from testing:
- A legendary foil worth 1,100 credits ungraded jumped to 3,600 credits when graded a 10.
- Lower grades (like 4s or 5s) don’t add much, and in some cases, won’t cover the grading fee.
Tip: Don’t waste grading on cheap bulk cards. Save it for your rares, legendaries, and high-value pulls.
Premium vs Standard Grading – Which is Better?
- Premium (1,500 credits per card): Best if you’re grading expensive cards and need them back fast.
- Standard (10 credits per card): Extremely cost-efficient if you don’t mind waiting. A 10-grade return on a valuable card graded for just 10 credits is pure profit.
Recommendation: Use Standard Grading for most cards, but Premium is worth it for high-value pulls you want on the market quickly.
Trading Graded Cards
Another part of the update: customers can now buy, sell, and trade graded cards.
- Sometimes they’ll offer graded cards to you in trades.
- You can grab undervalued high-grade cards for a bargain if you pay attention.
This makes the grading system feel more alive and adds a new layer to shop management.
Extra Update Features Alongside Grading
The major update also added:
- Pack Opening Machines (small, medium, large) for automatic pack processing.
- New staff member for shelf restocking.
- God packs – super rare, high-value packs.
- New wall displays and play tables for your shop.
- Quality of life fixes like auto-opening boxes, trashing cards, and new floor/wall/ceiling materials.
Card grading in TCG Card Shop Simulator is an exciting addition that mirrors the real TCG hobby. It can massively boost profits if used smartly, but it’s also a potential money sink if you grade low-value cards.
Best Strategy:
- Grade only high-value rares/legendaries.
- Use Standard Grading unless you need quick turnover.
- Take advantage of customer trades for graded bargains.
If you play it right, card grading can easily become one of the most profitable features in the game.
FAQs
Q: How many cards can I grade at once?
You can send up to 32 cards at a time (4 submissions of 8 cards each).
Q: What’s the fastest grading time?
Premium grading takes 2 in-game days per card.
Q: Can I choose which grade I get?
No — grading is based on hidden card quality. Most players are seeing many 9s and 10s, but it’s luck-based.
Q: Should I grade cheap cards?
No. Stick to valuable pulls — grading commons or low-value cards will lose you money.