In the world of sports card investing, timing isn’t just a part of the game; it’s the entire game. As we settle into January, seasoned collectors are quietly moving their best raw assets into the grading queue. While the casual hobbyist waits for the first crack of the bat in Spring Training, the elite investor knows that January is the “Golden Window” for psa card grading.
In this guide, we’ll break down why submitting your cards now, specifically through a group submission, is the smartest move you can make to maximize your ROI and beat the inevitable “Spring Rush.”
The Market Cycle: Why January is the Strategic Sweet Spot
The sports card market operates in predictable annual waves. Understanding these cycles allows you to stay one step ahead of the competition.
Pre-MLB Spring Training: The Calm Before the Storm
Right now, the hobby is in a transitional phase. Football season is winding down, and the baseball hype hasn’t fully “hit” the mainstream yet. By submitting for psa card grading in January, you ensure your cards are at the front of the line before the massive influx of baseball submissions hits PSA in March and April.
- Beating the Backlog: Once Spring Training begins, submission volumes skyrocket. What takes 45 days in January could easily stretch to 75+ days by late March.
- Inventory Readiness: Your goal is to have your “Projected All-Stars” slabbed and ready for sale the moment the regular season starts and player hype is at its peak.
Group vs. Individual Submissions: The Cost-Benefit Breakdown
Many collectors wonder if they should submit directly to PSA or join a group submission. For the vast majority of investors, the group submission wins on almost every front.
Why Group Submissions Rule in 2026
A group submission involves an authorized dealer (like us) aggregating cards from multiple collectors into one large order. This provides several “insider” benefits:
- Cost Savings: Group submitters often have access to bulk pricing tiers that aren’t available to individual collectors without an expensive PSA membership.
- Expert Pre-Screening: Most group subs include a “pro review.” An expert eye can spot a microscopic surface dimple or a soft corner that might drop a card from a PSA 10 to a PSA 9, saving you the grading fee on a card that won’t hit your ROI targets.
- Simplified Shipping: You ship once to a local hub; the submitter handles the complex logistics, insurance, and international shipping to PSA’s facility.
| Feature | Individual Submission | Group Submission (Recommended) |
| Membership Fee | Often required ($99+/year) | None |
| Expert Review | You’re on your own | Included Pre-Screening |
| Shipping Costs | Higher (Individual insurance) | Lower (Consolidated bulk) |
| Paperwork | You handle the portal | We handle the entry |
Maximizing Turnaround Times for “Projected All-Stars”
The most successful investors don’t grade based on who is hot today; they grade based on who will be hot in May and June.
Identifying Your Grading Targets
January is the time to go through your baseball card grading candidates and look for:
- Sophomore Surgers: Players who had a solid rookie year but are poised for a breakout.
- Spring Training Invitees: High-ceiling prospects who might make the Opening Day roster.
- TCG Sleeper Sets: With the 30th Anniversary of Pokémon looming, getting your TCG “hits” into the system now ensures they return before the peak anniversary hype.
Ready to get ahead? Explore our current tiers and simplified process on our Grading Services page.
FAQ: Beating the Rush
What happens if I wait until March to grade?
A: You risk your cards being trapped in the “Spring Logjam.” Historically, turnaround times can increase by 30-50% during peak baseball season. If you wait, you might not get your cards back until the All-Star break, missing the most profitable selling window.
Does a group submission slow down my order?
A: Quite the opposite. Because we submit weekly and have a streamlined relationship for trading card authentication, group orders move through the system with high efficiency.
Is “Value Plus” worth the extra cost in January?
A: If you have a high-value rookie ($500+ potential) that you want back before Opening Day, “Value Plus” provides that extra insurance against delays. However, a January bulk sub is often fast enough to meet the early-season deadline.
The January window is closing fast. By leveraging the power of a group submission now, you are essentially buying time, and in the sports card market, time is money.
Don’t get stuck in the Spring Rush. Contact us today to join our next January bulk submission.