Slab

A "slab" is the hobby term for the sealed, tamper-proof plastic case used by grading companies (PSA, Beckett, SGC) to encapsulate graded trading cards and certain autographed items. The slab protects the item and displays the assigned grade.

Slabs serve multiple purposes: they protect the encapsulated item from physical damage, moisture, and UV light; they display the grade, certification number, and item details on a label; and they prevent tampering or substitution of the graded item.

The most common slabs in the hobby are PSA slabs (clear plastic with a white label) and Beckett slabs (sometimes called BGS slabs, with a black label for high grades). Each company's slab has a distinctive design that collectors can identify at a glance.

For autograph collectors, slabs are most relevant for signed trading cards. Cards with on-card autographs can be submitted for grading, receiving both a card grade and an autograph grade. Beckett, for example, provides separate subgrades for centering, corners, edges, surface, and autograph quality.

While most autographed items (photos, baseballs, jerseys) are not encapsulated in slabs, some companies offer encapsulation services for smaller items like signed index cards and cut signatures. These slabbed autographs are easy to display and offer maximum protection.

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