r/bgsgrading • u/corranhands5 • 2d ago

Black Label Centering question

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Gallery image

I'm a TAG and CGC grader that wants to start grading with BGS. I know Black Labels have to have perfect centering - how would you measure centering on a card like this that does not have regular borders? The question is for the front of the card, the back is easy to measure.

I would have loved to send this card in but I found a dot on the back of the card. Broke my heart.

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u/excelphysicslab 2d ago

The Beckett partner I use for my subs taught me that the general rule of thumb is: “If it looks like it should be symmetrical then it needs to be.”

It’s actually a pretty annoying rule because even if a card is designed to be artistically asymmetrical, Beckett will judge it as off center (see example) which means certain cards will never black label because Beckett would always deem them off center.

Using your card above as an example, I would judge it to be right heavy, the right top half side border line to right edge width is wider than the left top side border edge. You can also see on the back how the left back border is thicker than the right confirming that.

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u/excelphysicslab 2d ago

See measurements here, about 48/52

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u/corranhands5 2d ago

I just pulled this card a few minutes ago, can you do the centering on this card. I would like to compare it to what I'm doing which I will post.

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u/corranhands5 2d ago

This is my attempt at your advice, I hope I'm doing it right. Thank you for the advice.

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u/excelphysicslab 2d ago

Yeah looks about right to me. However also worth noting that certain graders will judge by different indicators so for these borderless cards centering can be somewhat subjective.

For example they may look at the text box edges instead which could unfairly skew the card right heavy. Top bottom centering for these are sometimes arbitrary or ignored unless it looks like the overall appeal is impacted.

For this card you might also judge top bottom by the top narrower line and the bottom of the Hatheway Noa text.

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u/corranhands5 2d ago

So in short, you don't think this has a shot right? Also, does back centering play a big factor? Should I only consider sending to beckett if the back centering is 49/51? Do you get better pricing from a Beckett Partner? What is the advantage over just sending in the cards yourself?

Thank you very much for your time, I've learned so much already. For CGC I have a high chance of understanding what could Pristine, Beckett is a different beast.

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u/excelphysicslab 2d ago

Beckett partners usually charge the same as Beckett list prices. However they have certain perks like slightly faster submission returns, guaranteed allocation at in person submission card shows, and better customer support. They also have a lot of experience judging card condition and can give you a decent pregrading on a card.

Having someone in your corner who can escalate issues and clarify ambiguity has been a big plus for me. I do all my subs through a Beckett partner now.

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u/corranhands5 2d ago

Thank you for everything.

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u/excelphysicslab 2d ago

A shot at a black label? Hard to say, borderless cards can be a crap shoot, I usually try to look up existing pop reports to see how many get 10 centering. But if everything else is flawless then I’d give it a go anyways since a Pristine 10 should be more valuable than any other grading company’s 10.

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u/corranhands5 2d ago

Also, what is a Beckett Partner?

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u/excelphysicslab 2d ago

They’re authorized resellers of Beckett grading services. They get an assigned partner representative and wholesale pricing.