Card Conditions
NM

Near Mint

Le carte in condizione Near Mint possono presentare lievissimi segni di usura superficiale, compatibili con una carta che è stata maneggiata con cura e mai giocata.
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► Sono ammesse al massimo 2 o 3 piccole imperfezioni come micrograffi o puntini, purché l’aspetto generale resti pulito e uniforme.

► Una carta Near Mint non deve avere pieghe, piegature, crepe, macchie o segni di gioco di alcun tipo.

NOTE: La definizione di “MINT” indica un livello di condizione che supera gli attuali standard del mercato. Rappresenta un teorico grado di perfezione in cui la superficie e gli angoli sono impeccabili, i colori vibranti e la centratura perfettamente ripartita. Per questo motivo il nostro sistema esclude questa condizione, essendo di fatto uno standard concettuale che difficilmente viene raggiunto.

SP

Slightly Played

Le carte in condizione Slightly Played presentano leggere imperfezioni, ma nessun danno grave o strutturale.

► Sono ammessi leggeri segni di usura (come leggeri graffi superficiali, bordi o angoli con imperfezioni.)
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► Non sono tollerati difetti gravi come pieghe, sporcizia, rotture o segni marcati che ne compromettano l'estetica complessiva.

► L’aspetto generale deve comunque risultare buono, con difetti minimi e non troppo evidenti.

MP

Moderately Played

Le carte Moderately Played mostrano un’usura più marcata, con diversi difetti visibili ma distribuiti in modo contenuto.
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► Possono presentare graffi, segni di abrasione, bordi consumati, angoli danneggiati in modo contenuto che non risulti chiaramente percettibile su gran parte della carta.

► Lievissimi punti di pressione, per lo più visibili in controluce, sono tollerati.

► L’aspetto complessivo resta accettabile: la carta è chiaramente usata o con dei difetti, ma ancora in buon stato generale.

PL

Played

Le carte Played presentano un’usura evidente e numerosi difetti.
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• Possono avere danni marcati e molto evidenti su bordi, angoli e superficie rovinati, sporcizia, graffi profondi, pieghe leggere o ritocchi con penna o pennarello.

• I danni possono compromettere l’aspetto estetico ma non quello strutturale: non deve infatti risultare riconoscibile al tatto attraverso la bustina.

• La giocabilità deve rimanere conforme agli standard da torneo.

PO

Poor / Damaged

Le carte Poor hanno subito danni gravi e sono spesso inutilizzabili in un contesto di gioco ufficiale.
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• Possono presentare pieghe profonde, strappi, buchi, abrasioni estese, bordi molto danneggiati, danni da acqua o qualunque difetto che renda la carta facilmente riconoscibile anche all’interno di una bustina protettiva.

• L'integrità della carta è compromessa e spesso non è considerata legale per il gioco competitivo, per cui questa condizione è indicata per carte da collezione molto rovinate o da uso non competitivo.

• Non sono ammesse carte completamente strappate e successivamente riattaccate con l’utilizzo di scotch o altri adesivi. Qualsiasi carta tagliata o danneggiata in maniera tale da comprometterne l'uso come oggetto da collezione o per il gioco è da considerarsi inaccettabile.

Card Condition Guide

This guide is designed to give a clear reference on how to determine the wear and condition of cards sold on CardTrader, considering two main factors: the number and the type of imperfections.

‍It is important to remember that every card must be checked on both sides, front and back. Grading depends on the whole card, not only on the front: for example, if a card looks “Near Mint” (NM) on the front but has a clear scratch on the back, the final evaluation must take the bigger flaw into account. If both sides of the card show wear, the defects add up, and the card should be classified in a lower condition than if only one side had been considered.

Our goal is to provide a simple and practical tool, avoiding as much as possible any ambiguous or misleading interpretations. Before you start buying your favorite cards or listing your items, we invite you to read this guide carefully: we are confident it will be useful to you on many occasions.
NM

Near Mint

Near Mint (NM) cards may show very light surface wear, consistent with a card that has been handled carefully and never played.
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► A maximum of 2 or 3 small imperfections (such as tiny scratches or dots) is acceptable, as long as the card still looks like new and unused.

► A Near Mint card must not have bends, folds, creases, stains, or any signs of play.

NOTE:  The “MINT” condition represents a theoretical level of perfection—requiring flawless corners, edges, surface, and centering—rarely achievable in the TCG card market. For this reason, it is not used on our platform. Those who want cards graded higher than Near Mint can buy or sell cards certified by grading companies, marked with the 🏆 icon.

SP

Slightly Played

Slightly Played (SP) cards show minor imperfections, but no serious or structural damage.

►Light signs of wear are allowed (such as small surface scratches, or minor imperfections on edges or corners).
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► Major defects like bends, dirt, tears, or prominent marks that affect the overall appearance are not tolerated.

► Overall, the card should still look good, with minimal and not too noticeable flaws.

MP

Moderately Played

Moderately Played (MP) cards show more noticeable wear, with several visible flaws, but still reasonably contained.

►They may have scratches, scuff marks, worn edges, or slightly damaged corners.

► Minor pressure marks, mostly visible when held against the light, are acceptable.

► The overall appearance remains acceptable: the card is clearly used or has defects, but is still in generally good condition.

PL

Played

Played (PL) cards show obvious wear and multiple defects.
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► They may have significant and very visible damage on edges, corners, or surface, including dirt, deep scratches, light bends, or pressure marks.

► The damage may affect the card’s appearance but not its structural integrity—it should not be noticeable to the touch through a sleeve.

► The card must still remain playable according to tournament standards.

PO

Poor / Damaged

Poor (PR) cards have suffered severe damage and are often unusable in official gameplay.
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► They may have deep bends, extensive scuffs, heavily damaged edges, pen or marker marks, minor water damage, or any defect that makes the card easily recognizable even inside a protective sleeve.

► The card’s integrity is compromised and it is often not legal for competitive play, so this condition is intended for heavily damaged collectible cards or cards for non-competitive use.

► Completely torn cards that have been taped or glued back together are not allowed. Any card cut or damaged in a way that compromises its use as a collectible or for play is considered unacceptable.

X

Cannot Be Sold

This card cannot be sold on the platform because it does not meet the minimum requirements for a Poor card:
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►It has missing parts (cut or torn)

►The surface is warped or shows significant water damage

►The surface does not stay attached or is peeling

►It has perforations, holes, or cuts that go through the card completely

►It has stickers or areas with hardened glue/other substances

►Entire sections of the surface are missing

Identifying Card Damages

All the information you need in one place!

[Click on the card images to enlarge them]

Alterations

A card is considered altered when it has been customized for aesthetic purposes (adding elements or partially/fully modifying the image) using markers, inks, or adhesive films. Altered cards must always be listed with photos or scans to clearly show the modification made to the original print.
An altered card (Altered) must be marked with the appropriate icon and listed for sale under the following conditions:
PL

PLAYEDA card still usable in tournaments, partially altered, and in good enough condition to be played.

ALTEREDTo list an “Altered” card correctly, you must select the appropriate attribute (flask icon). Listings of Altered cards without this attribute will be deleted or removed.

FOTOTo list an “Altered” card correctly, you must include a photo showing the alteration.

PO

POORA card not usable in official tournaments due to the alteration, with possible significant damage to the card’s structure.

ALTEREDTo list an “Altered” card correctly, you must select the appropriate attribute (flask icon). Listings of Altered cards without this attribute will be deleted or removed.

FOTOTo list an “Altered” card correctly, you must include a photo showing the alteration.

Stamped/Signed Cards

Stamped cards are considered an alteration and should be treated at least as Played.Stamps were usually applied during tournaments to prevent cheating. This type of alteration is unattractive and lowers the card’s value, so it must always be indicated.
PL

PLAYEDThe stamp is a permanent alteration, visually intrusive, and reduces the card’s collectible value.

COMMENTThe presence of the stamp must always be mentioned in the description.

PO

POORAny drawings, stamps, signatures, or unofficial writing are considered alterations to the card, lowering its value.

PHOTOIf the card has writing or permanent marks, include a photo to ensure full transparency. Highlight the condition, as the card is listed as “Poor” due to this damage.

Cards authentically signed by the illustration artist are considered collectible and can be graded normally. They can be rated from Near Mint to Poor, depending on the card’s condition.

Inked

A card is considered inked when it has been retouched with a marker, pen, or other tools to cover defects such as scratches, damaged edges, or discoloration. Even if the retouching is done to improve its appearance, it is a modification that attempts to replicate the original by correcting or masking damage or wear marks.

Regardless of the overall condition (even if the card appears in good shape), this alteration reduces the card’s value and automatically classifies it as Poor. An inked card is not valid for official tournament play, as it can be considered marked or improperly altered.

When a card is inked, it is essential to clearly indicate this in the description by adding the note “inked” and selecting the Altered attribute to show that the card has been modified from its original state.
PO

POORInked cards are considered Poor because they have been modified from the original and are no longer valid for official tournaments. The alteration affects both authenticity and playability.

ALTEREDTo list an “Inked” card correctly, you must select the Altered attribute (flask icon). Listings of Inked cards without this attribute will be deleted or removed.

COMMENTIt is essential to clearly indicate that the card is inked by writing it in the listing comment. This ensures transparency for buyers and helps avoid misunderstandings in transactions.

Indentation/Pressure Marks

Pressure damage typically appears along the edges or on the surface of a card as grooves, indentations, or small dents caused by fingernails, objects, or other sources of pressure. These marks often result from contact with binder rings, even when the card is inside a protective sleeve.Even if they seem minor or limited, these are still noticeable structural defects that can be felt by touch and negatively affect the card’s condition. For this reason, a card with pressure marks cannot be rated as Near Mint (NM) or Slightly Played (SP), but at most as Moderately Played (MP), or Played (PL) if the damage is extensive.
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Even if they seem minor or limited, pressure marks are still noticeable structural defects that can be felt by touch and negatively affect the card’s condition. For this reason, a card with pressure marks cannot be rated as Near Mint (NM), but at most as Moderately Played (MP), or Played (PL) if the damage is extensive.
Only in exceptional cases may a card with extremely minimal and nearly imperceptible pressure damage be considered Slightly Played (SP).

SP

SLIGHTLY PLAYEDMax 1 very light mark, no larger than 1–2 mm. It should be visible only upon close inspection. Any larger, more noticeable, or repeated mark automatically disqualifies the card from being classified as Slightly Played (SP).

MP

MODERATELY PLAYEDMax 2–3 visible, light, and superficial marks that do not go through the card and can be felt by touch only on the affected side. They must remain limited to a small area of the surface or the edges.

PL

PLAYEDOne or more pressure marks are noticeable and clearly visible. They can be felt by touch but remain superficial and do not affect the card’s structure or playability.

PO

POORThe pressure damage is severe and goes through the card from side to side. The mark is deeply impressed and can be felt on both sides of the card. Despite the severity of the damage, the card must not be pierced.

Bending

A bend indicates a more or less pronounced permanent physical deformation caused by careless handling of the card. It is important to distinguish between a bend and the natural curvature that can occur in foil/holo cards: it is not considered a defect as long as the height of the curve does not exceed 5 mm.

Scratches

A scratch can be light (visible only against the light) or severe (can be felt by touch or clearly visible to the naked eye).
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Foil cards, due to their shiny finish, are particularly sensitive and may show minor marks even when first unwrapped. These are not considered significant defects and do not affect the grading, which can remain Near Mint (NM).Deeper, larger, or multiple scratches, clearly visible and felt by touch, affect the card’s appearance and reduce its condition, which should be considered Slightly Played (SP) or lower.
NM

NEAR MINTMay have very thin micro-scratches, almost invisible.

PHOTOIf you want to sell a valuable card as Near Mint with slight micro-scratches, we recommend uploading a photo against the light to ensure transparency with the buyer.

SP

SLIGHTLY PLAYEDLimited number of very light scratches, almost imperceptible, visible only with close inspection or depending on the light.

MP

MODERATELY PLAYED1 or more noticeable scratches, still superficial and of moderate severity. Easily seen but contained, not deep.

PL

PLAYED1 or more scratches that are obvious and deep. Severe scratches are common and acceptable in this condition.

PO

POORAny number and severity of scratches is accepted in this condition, as long as the card has no missing parts and the scratches do not go through the card.

X

CANNOT BE SOLDA card with a cut or any damage that goes through the card from side to side cannot be listed for sale on the platform.

Clouding

Clouding is a loss of shine or a hazy appearance that can affect the surface of cards (especially foil cards), making them less bright or slightly “foggy.” It can be caused by normal card wear, such as friction with other cards or micro-scratches, which gradually dull the surface. The severity and area affected can vary, significantly impacting the card’s condition in grading.
SP

SLIGHTLY PLAYEDAcceptable only if the clouding is very light, localized, and barely visible. It should be noticeable only in direct light or at specific angles. It must not cover the entire card or noticeably alter its appearance at first glance.

MP

MODERATELY PLAYEDVisible but contained clouding. It may appear in multiple spots but does not heavily affect the overall appearance. The foil is still readable and shows no severe signs of wear.

PL

PLAYEDObvious and widespread clouding. The entire card may have a dull or uneven surface. Shine is heavily reduced, but the card is still playable.

PO

POORExtreme clouding combined with other defects (such as numerous scratches or discolored areas). The foil is almost completely damaged. The card may be unrecognizable in tournaments or structurally compromised.

Grime/Dirt Marks

This is a surface defect caused by visible foreign elements on the card, such as sticky residues, black dots, fingerprints, grease marks, embedded dust, or other impurities. It is similar to clouding, but with a key difference: while clouding is an internal phenomenon that permanently dulls the card’s surface, dirt is external and comes from contact with dirty hands, unclean environments, or greasy/adhesive substances. A card with any dirt cannot be rated as Near Mint (NM) or Slightly Played (SP), even if the marks are minimal or localized.

PL

PLAYEDShows obvious and persistent dirt (grease marks, black dots, sticky residues, dust that is not easily removed) that remains visible even after attempts to clean, but does not affect playability.

PO

POORShows extensive or embedded dirt (oil stains, widespread adhesive residues, accumulated dust) that severely affects appearance and compromises the card’s structure and playability.

Water Damage

Damage caused by direct exposure to water or extreme humidity.
This type of damage generally cannot be repaired and compromises the card’s structure, often causing it to warp.
A card with water damage can only be sold as Poor (PR) under the following acceptable conditions:
PO

POORThe card may be slightly warped or bent, but it must still fit in a sleeve without risk of breaking or crumbling.The surface may have water spots or stains, but it must not be completely faded, discolored, or missing parts. Damage must be contained.

PHOTOFor cards with water damage, please be as transparent as possible by including a photo showing the card’s condition.

X

CANNOT BE SOLDCard cannot be listed on the platform.
It does not meet the minimum requirements if:
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► It has suffered water damage that compromises its structure (e.g., warped, crumpled, or deformed surface)
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► Parts of the surface are lifted, peeling, or detaching

Printing Errors and Manufacturing Defects

Which printing errors can affect—or not affect—the card’s condition

On CardTrader, it is important to distinguish between minor imperfections, serious printing defects, and misprints that do not impact grading, to ensure transparency and fairness in listings.

➤ Minor printing defects that do not affect condition
‍Small common anomalies in the production process, such as slight misalignment, thin print lines on foil, or small print dots.
Do not alter the surface, readability, or playability of the card.
Do not affect grading: the card can be sold as Near Mint (NM).
May optionally be mentioned in the description, but it is not mandatory to mark them as misprints.

➤ Misprints to report that do not affect condition
‍Cards with visible but non-physical printing errors, such as incorrect text, wrong symbols or mana cost, altered colors or graphics, or wrong rulings.Do not compromise the surface, readability, or physical structure of the card.Must be reported as Misprint when creating the listing, but the card can still be sold as Near Mint (NM)

➤ Serious defects / Misprints to report that affect condition
‍Obvious anomalies that physically or visually alter the card and reduce its value or condition.
Examples: irregular cuts, deep bends, ink smudges that make text unreadable, crimped cards, pronounced print lines noticeable by touch. Must always be declared as Misprint when creating the listing, using the “Misprint/Altered” attribute, and ideally including clear photos. If the defect is physical or intrusive, the card’s condition should be downgraded to Moderately Played (MP) or lower, depending on severity.
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Minor Printing Errors

Some minor production defects are common in TCGs and are not considered true misprints. They fall within the normal production process, such as slight misalignment, thin cutting lines, or small printing imperfections that do not affect the readability or playability of the card. These imperfections are common and do not affect the overall card grading.

It is not necessary to report them as misprints, as they are not significant anomalies for grading purposes. A card with only these minor defects can still be classified as Near Mint (NM), provided it is in perfect condition in all other aspects (no scratches, bends, wear marks, etc.).

The presence of these minor production defects may optionally be mentioned in the listing description, but it is not mandatory unless it is a true misprint with serious and clearly recognizable printing errors (see following sections).

PRINT LINESPrint lines appear where consecutive sheets meet. These are minor printing imperfections and do not count as damage, so they have little or no impact on the card’s condition or value.

Only if the print lines are excessively noticeable is it recommended to select a condition lower than NM.
Note: Do not confuse print lines with pressure marks.

OFF-CENTEROff-center cards result from misaligned printing, causing uneven borders. While these cards may lack visual balance, they are not considered damaged and generally do not affect the card’s overall condition or value.

‍Note: Do not confuse off-center cards with miscuts, which are true misprints.

PRINT DOTSPrint dots are small common defects from the halftone printing process. During production, images are created with tiny ink dots; if something goes wrong, extra or misplaced dots, missing ink areas, smudges, or color alterations may appear.

‍Note: Do not confuse print dots with ink errors. Highly visible ink errors, such as large smudges or stains, can affect the card’s grading and must be reported.

MISPRINTSome cards may have obvious printing errors, such as incorrect text, wrong symbol or mana cost, incorrect attributes, or misaligned colors. These fall under the Misprint category and must be reported in the listing comment.
However, it is important to note that they do not compromise the card’s physical integrity: the surface remains intact, without bends, scratches, or structural defects. For this reason, the card can still be rated as Near Mint (NM) or in the condition corresponding to its physical state.

‍Note: Do not confuse content or graphic errors with physical production defects (such as crimped cards, bends, or irregular cuts), which lower the overall grading.

How to List Misprint Cards

When a card has a significant printing error, it must be reported when creating the listing. To do this, use the “Misprint/Altered” attribute (flask icon) and always attach a clear photo of the card.

This way, the buyer will be fully informed about the misprint and can evaluate the purchase transparently. Also, check whether the defect affects the card’s overall condition:
➤ If it is a misprint that does not compromise the surface or readability, the card can keep its original grading.
➤ If the printing error visually or physically alters the card (bend, crimping, smudged ink, etc.), the condition should be downgraded accordingly.

Correctly reporting misprints helps maintain a transparent and fair marketplace, protecting both sellers and collectors.

Crimped Cards

Crimps occur when a card gets caught in packaging machinery, resulting in a bent or indented edge. This type of error is generally considered significant damage, affecting both the card’s appearance and value. Crimped cards must always be listed as Poor (PR).

PO

POORThe card has a visibly bent and wavy edge, caused by being caught in the sealing machinery. The damage is easily felt by touch and alters the card’s shape, making it noticeable in a deck and no longer valid for tournament play.

MISPRINTIf you want to list a card with this type of printing defect (crimped), you must select the “Misprint/Altered” attribute when creating the listing and add a specific comment clearly describing the error, for example: “crimped / bent edge”.

Ink errors

Ink errors are printing defects that occur during the card production process and can include missing ink, smudges, overlaps, misaligned colors, or unreadable text. These errors can obscure parts of the design, rarity symbols, or game text (such as effects, attack/defense, mana cost, etc.).

Since these are manufacturing defects, they do not directly affect the card’s physical preservation, but they can compromise readability and playability—factors that significantly influence the card’s value and condition grading.

A card with a clearly visible ink error cannot be sold as Near Mint (NM), even if it is otherwise perfect and shows no wear. The defect must be declared, and the condition should consider both the physical state and the impact of the defect on the card’s functionality and appearance.

For minor smudges or small misalignments that do not affect readability or playability, the card can be classified as Slightly Played (SP). If the defect is more noticeable or makes the card difficult to use in gameplay, it should be considered Moderately Played (MP) or worse.

SP

SLIGHLTY PLAYEDMinor smudge or micro-smear, not noticeable at first glance, does not affect readability or overall appearance.

COMMENTEven if these are minimal imperfections, such as micro-smudges or ink dots, it is recommended to mention them if visible or noticeable upon close inspection of the card. In these cases, it is not necessary to select the “Misprint/Altered” attribute, but it is good practice to describe the defect in the comment.

MP

MODERATELY PLAYEDVisible but contained smudge, present in a limited area without affecting text or image.

MISPRINTMust always be reported by selecting the “Misprint/Altered” attribute when creating the listing, adding a comment to indicate the defect as “ink error”.

PHOTOUploading a photo is recommended for full transparency.

PL

PLAYEDLarge ink imperfection that visually affects the card, covering portions of text or part of the image.

MISPRINTMust always be reported by selecting the “Misprint/Altered” attribute when creating the listing, adding a comment to indicate the defect as “ink error”.

PHOTOUploading a photo is recommended for full transparency and to clearly show the type of misprint present.

PO

POORSevere and widespread defect, such as large areas of missing print or heavy ink smudges, which compromise the card’s appearance and readability, making it not legal for tournament play.

MISPRINTMust always be reported by selecting the “Misprint/Altered” attribute when creating the listing, adding a comment to indicate the defect as “ink error”.

PHOTOUploading a photo is recommended for full transparency and to clearly show the type of misprint present.

Stamping Errors

tamping errors occur when the official stamp is applied incorrectly on the card. These defects can include missing, off-center, double, faded, or misplaced stamps. They are common in certain Magic: The Gathering promotional cards, Yu-Gi-Oh! cards, and special editions with gold, silver, or holographic stamping.

Although this is a manufacturing error and not wear damage, off-center stamping can affect playability, making the card easily recognizable in a deck. This directly impacts the card’s condition grading.
A card with a stamping error cannot be sold as Near Mint (NM), even if it is physically perfect. Such a visible defect, which may be relevant for gameplay, requires careful assessment, considering both the card’s preservation and the functional impact of the defect.

The condition should generally be rated Slightly Played (SP) or Moderately Played (MP), depending on the severity of the error and the overall integrity of the card.

MISPRINTMust always be reported by selecting the “Misprint/Altered” attribute when creating the listing, adding a comment to indicate the defect as “stamping misprint”.

PHOTOUploading a photo is recommended for full transparency and to clearly show the type of misprint.

Miscut

A miscut is a factory cutting error where the card is visibly misaligned, often showing part of an adjacent card. This is a manufacturing defect, not wear damage.
A miscut does not automatically affect the card’s condition (NM, SP, etc.), as the grading scale refers to the physical state and preservation of the card (such as scratches, bends, or wear), and this type of misalignment does not necessarily cause structural damage.

However, a miscut card can technically be classified as Near Mint (NM) only if it is perfect in terms of preservation (no scratches, clean edges, unplayed). It cannot be sold as a standard NM without reporting the defect, as it does not match the expected appearance of a normal card in that condition.

MISPRINTMust always be reported by selecting the “Misprint/Altered” attribute when creating the listing, adding a comment to indicate the defect as “miscut”.

PHOTOUploading a photo is recommended for full transparency and to clearly show the type of misprint.

Other significant misprint/errors

This category includes various other errors, such as wrong back, wrong front, or double prints. These significant defects are generally rare and can either decrease or increase the card’s value, depending on their uniqueness and appeal to collectors.

MISPRINTMust always be reported by selecting the “Misprint/Altered” attribute when creating the listing, adding a comment to indicate the defect as “misprint”.

PHOTOUploading a photo is recommended for full transparency and to clearly show the type of misprint.

Tournament Legality

A card’s condition can affect its legality in tournaments, but there are no fixed rules based on grading alone. A card rated Near Mint (NM) or Slightly Played (SP) is generally considered safe to use, while Moderately Played (MP) or Poor (PR) cards may have visible or tactile damage that makes them easily recognizable.

Any imperfection that allows the card to be distinguished from others—such as deep bends, severe scratches, alterations, or uneven thickness—can make it illegal in tournaments, regardless of the official grading.

If in doubt, it is always recommended to ask the judge, who will determine whether the card can be used in the specific event.

FAQ
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