As a card collector, you’ve probably heard of “penny sleeves,” which are those plastic covers used to protect individual trading cards from scratches and dust. But have you ever wondered if it’s possible to put multiple cards into one penny sleeve?
You can put two or more cards in one penny sleeve. However, putting multiple cards in one sleeve might not be the best option for optimum protection, especially for rare cards. They are more prone to scratches and wear and tear as they rub against each other constantly.
This article will further discuss all the ins and outs of using penny sleeves for stacks of playing cards. I’ll also explain how to customize them for ultimate security, so grab your collection, and let’s get started!
A Penny Sleeve’s Capacity
The ideal number of cards that you should place in each penny sleeve is either one or two. If you’re looking to store rare and valuable cards, it’s better to use a single card per sleeve, as this will help keep them safe from scratches and other damage.
If you’re looking to store your everyday playing cards, then you can place two in each sleeve without any issues. Just make sure they’re not too large or thick, as the extra bulk may cause the sleeve to tear over time.
Another thing to keep in mind when inserting multiple cards into a penny sleeve is that you will need additional protection for them. This includes adding a top-loader or semi-rigid card holder on top of the card(s) inside the sleeve. Doing this ensures that dirt and dust can’t get into your cards through the open sides of the sleeve.
Also, if you plan on stacking multiple sets of sleeves together, ensure that they have enough space between them so that you don’t apply unnecessary pressure to any given card.
Issues With Storing Multiple Cards
Penny sleeves are an easy, convenient way to store cards. However, if you’re storing many cards in one sleeve, you may encounter some issues. Let’s look at some of these common problems and how you can solve them.
The Cards May Warp
One of the most common issues when using penny sleeves is card warping, which is when the card doesn’t fit snugly into the sleeve and bends or warps slightly by the time it gets to the bottom of the stack.
The best solution for this problem is to use thicker penny sleeves or double-sleeve your cards with two penny sleeves back-to-back. This will ensure that your cards fit more snugly in the sleeve and don’t bend over time. Ironing is another good option, but use a piece of cloth rather than doing it directly.
Regularly Moving the Cards Can Damage Them
If you regularly move multiple cards stored in a single penny sleeve, there’s a good chance that they will start getting damaged over time due to friction. Ensure you don’t move your cards that often to prevent this from happening. Once stored, let it stay that way.
You May Find It Difficulty To Access the Cards
If you put more than one card in a penny sleeve, it can be hard to get to a specific card quickly and easily.
Since the cards are all stuck together, removing one without damaging or bending the others around it can be difficult. This means you may have to pull out the entire stack of cards even if you want to get just one out.
You can try one of these simple strategies to make the process easier:
- Gently push the cards up from the bottom using your index finger instead of your nails.
- Try fanning them out, starting with the bottom card and working your way up.
- For thicker stacks, hold the sleeve upright and simultaneously press all sides down, allowing gravity to do its work. This will help collapse all the stacks levelly.
You Have Limited Ways To Organize the Cards
Storing multiple cards in a penny sleeve can be difficult, especially if you don’t properly organize them. It can quickly become a jumbled mess, making it hard to keep track of where your cards are.
To make the process easier, start by labeling the sleeves with values so that you know which sleeve contains which cards. So, if you need to find something specific, you don’t have to go through the whole collection. Instead, you can quickly find it by looking for the right sleeve.
Another helpful trick is keeping a list outside the penny sleeves so that when adding or removing cards from your collection, you always have an updated record at hand.
If you keep getting more cards, you may want to buy something different to hold them. You could get binders or cases that have more than one layer. That way, your cards will be better protected. Once you have that setup, collecting cards will become far less of a headache and a much more enjoyable experience.
Potential Damage and Loss of Value
Although penny sleeves can be great for keeping your cards clean and safe, they have one major downside: they can cause wear and tear on your cards over time. This is because when you slide a card into the sleeve, it rubs up against the plastic, which causes it to bend slightly at the edges.
While this might not seem like a big deal at first, if you keep sliding your card back and forth into the sleeve every time you play with it, those bends will eventually become permanent creases, reducing its value if you ever want to sell it.
Alternative Protection
Penny sleeves are an excellent option for everyday cards. However, they’re not enough to protect your rare cards, which are usually made of thicker cardboard that are more susceptible to bending and creasing.
Plus, many rare cards have special finishes that can be scratched or damaged easily. So, if you want to keep your rare cards looking like new, you should find better ways to store them more securely.
Hard Shell Cases
Hard shell cases are the best way to store rare cards, as they’re made of durable plastic and have a foam insert that cradles the card and protects it from being bent or creased.
Additionally, the hard shell casing protects the card from getting scratched or damaged. And if you’re worried about dust, most hard shell cases come with a removable lid that keeps dust out.
Deck Boxes
A lot of people just throw their cards in a box, but if you’re planning on keeping your rare card for years to come, that’s not the best idea. Instead, invest in a good deck box.
Deck boxes are designed specifically for storing trading cards and are much better at protecting your cards from damage than regular old cardboard boxes. Plus, they usually come with dividers, so you can organize your cards into different sections.
You can find deck boxes at most hobby stores or online.
Card Binders
Another option for storing rare cards is to put them in a binder.
Card binders are similar to photo albums, but they’re designed specifically for holding trading cards. They usually have clear plastic pockets that you can slip your cards into so they don’t get damaged.
You can find binders at most office supply stores or online retailers that sell office supplies. Just make sure to get one that’s big enough to hold standard-sized trading cards.
Using a Penny Sleeve With a Top Loader
A top-loader is another type of protective case used for trading cards. It’s a hard plastic case that seals shut on all sides and protects against any physical damage that could happen from being dropped or handled wrong.
These cases protect your cards from bumps and scratches and provide an extra layer of security against water damage by keeping out humidity and other environmental factors that could potentially harm your cards over time.
Top loaders are slightly more expensive than penny sleeves, but considering how much better they protect your cards, they are definitely worth the additional cost.
Using both items together gives you optimal protection for your valuable trading cards.
The penny sleeve keeps dirt, dust, and sticky liquids from getting on your card and adds an extra layer of cushioning to protect it from minor damage caused by everyday use. On the other hand, the top loader protects your card better from damage caused by drops or humidity, such as spills or leaks.
Although both items come at slightly different costs (the penny sleeve being slightly cheaper), they form an unbeatable combination for protecting your collection.
Final Thoughts
The ideal number of cards per penny sleeve depends on whether they are regular playing cards or rare collector’s items.
For regular playing cards, two can fit comfortably. However, for collector’s items, it’s best to use one card per sleeve with an extra top-loader or semi-rigid holder to keep dirt and dust from getting in through the open sides.
