Card Sleeves are an essential part of any tabletop gamer’s arsenal. They protect cards from dust, sweaty hands and spilled drinks.
They are also easy to find, affordable and available in various sizes that fit different types of cards. For these reasons and more, card connoisseurs must invest in quality sleeves.
They Protect Cards from Damage
Card sleeves give your cards a durable coat of armor against the daily terrors that can damage your precious cardboard creations. A slight spill, a sweaty hand, or even frequent shuffling can leave a mark on your cards. Sleeves can protect your cards from scratches and further surface damage by keeping them away from other cards in your deck or box. They are available in various colors and designs to suit your style. Many recommend putting cards into a polypropylene sleeve before sliding them into a Toploader. That way, there is less chance of water vapor or chemicals in the acidic PVC rubbing against your cards and causing yellowing. This is especially recommended for collectible card games, which often contain valuable rare cards.
They Keep Cards Clean
Card game sleeves protect trading cards from water damage and oily fingerprints. They are available in various colors, patterns, and materials. Some players even double-sleeve their cards, using an inner sleeve that is an exact fit over the outer sleeve to provide additional protection from dirt and moisture. For those who like to use the riffle shuffling method (holding the cards in your hands and bending them over each other) or those who play card games with dogs that like to chew on cards, the protection provided by sleeves is invaluable. Even without sleeves, a spilled drink or the sticky fingers of an eager puppy can ruin a deck of cards in seconds. Card sleeves help cards last longer and look better.
They Make Shuffleing Easier
Most players will tell you that card sleeves are necessary to keep their cards in tip-top condition. They fit snuggly over the cards and shield them from the everyday wear and tear that tabletop gamers inflict on their precious treasures. Liquid spills, oil from a player’s fingers, dust, and other debris can all damage cards. Sleeves prevent all of these, especially if they’re matte or have some different texture.
Sleeves also make shuffling a lot easier. Mash shuffling and overhand shuffling are much faster when the deck is sleeved. Some players even double-sleeve their cards. This is often done with more expensive cards to protect them. The choice to do this is often a game-by-game decision. Double sleeving may be optional with cheaper games.
They Make Finding Cards Easier
The sleeves also protect cards from glare, which can be distracting while playing a game. Glare can also make reading the cards’ information difficult or even seeing them.
Card game sleeves are made from durable materials such as polypropylene, also used in food packaging. Some sleeves are even acid-free, which is important if you’re a collector or will be using your cards in tournament play.
Sleeves are also available for specific board games. These sleeves are designed to fit standard trading card sleeves but offer a tight fit that eliminates the space between the sleeve and the cards inside. This reduces surface stress and prevents small particles like dust from entering the regular sleeves.
They Make Storage Easier
If you have a lot of cards, it’s important to keep them organized. Adding sleeves to your collection makes it much easier to find the cards you want and protects them from dust, sweaty hands or accidental moisture from spilled drinks. When purchasing card sleeves, look for high-quality materials durable enough to withstand scratches and tears. They should also fit snugly over your cards to minimize surface damage from shuffling and handling. Additionally, check the micron value to ensure they are thick enough to provide adequate protection. To save money, you can even purchase standard-sized card game sleeves in a value pack. You may also buy clear card sleeves to easily see the cards’ fronts. They are also usually smoother to the touch.