Restored vs. Altered. Where's the line?
Altered cards have become one of the biggest topics in the hobby. If you're thinking about restoration, you deserve a straight answer about what it is, what it isn't, and how graders may see it.
Start Your RestorationThe short version
Restoration
Bringing a card closer to how it left the factory without adding anything to it or cutting anything off — cleaning, flattening, reducing creases, laying lifted layers back down.
Alteration
Changing what the card is — trimming edges, adding ink or color, filling whitening, adding material, or anything meant to hide the card's real condition.
What's always alteration
- Trimming — cutting edges to sharpen corners or fix centering.
- Adding ink or recoloring — including touching up whitening or worn borders.
- Adding material — filling chips, rebuilding corners, or coating the surface.
- Swapping parts — combining pieces of different cards.
We never do any of these. That's also why we can't fix whitening, chipping or missing paper.
What we do
- Cleaning dirt, grime and Pokémold
- Polishing light holo scratches
- Flattening warped and curled cards
- Reducing creases and dents
- Reattaching lifted edges and delamination
- Improving corners softened by a slight bend
How graders may see it
Graders are trained to spot alterations, and they look closely at cards that show signs of work. Lighter work like cleaning tends to carry less risk. Heavier structural work, like crease reduction, carries more risk of an "Altered" result — and creases often leave a scar that graders can see either way.
We don't promise a grade, and we don't promise that a grading company won't detect or note restoration work. When a card needs heavier work and you plan to grade it, we tell you before we start so you can decide.
Our promises
No hidden work
Non-destructive methods only: no trimming, no ink, no recoloring, no varnish.
Straight answers
If restoration won't help a card, or the grading risk is high, we say so.
Your decision
Whether a card gets graded after restoration is always your call.
If you sell a card that's been restored, tell the buyer. Being upfront protects you, the buyer and the hobby.
Restored vs. altered FAQ
Is card restoration the same as alteration?
Not in our book. Restoration brings a card closer to its original state without adding or removing material. But grading companies set their own rules, and some treat any detectable restoration as a reason not to give a numbered grade.
Can graders detect restoration?
Often, yes — especially heavier work like crease reduction. We never promise that work won't be detected.
Is cleaning a card considered alteration?
Removing dirt and surface grime is generally seen as care rather than alteration, but each grading company decides for itself.
Should I disclose restoration when I sell a card?
Yes. Telling the buyer protects you and keeps the sale honest.
Honest work. Honest answers.
Send us your cards and we'll tell you straight what restoration can do for them.
Start Your Restoration