Board game sleeves protect cards from dings, creases, and accidental outerwear. Sleeves are available in various thicknesses and sizes to suit most board games.
Sleeves are an excellent addition to any board game collection. They protect cards from heavy handling and shuffling while providing a smooth shuffle feel.
What is a board game sleeve?
Board game sleeves are plastic bags that hold cards and are used to protect them from wear, dirt, and moisture. They are a staple of collectors and enthusiasts and can help preserve and increase the value of a card.
They are available in various sizes and thicknesses to suit different types of cards. Choosing the right sleeve is essential for protecting a card and will affect its value.
The standard size is 2.5/8 “X 3.5/8”, but slim, pro-fit, and perfect-fit sleeves are also available.
The thickness of a sleeve is essential to consider, as thicker sleeves will provide more protection for cards than thin ones. Thinner sleeves are often used for less valuable cards, while wider sleeves are usually utilized for expensive or rare cards.
What are the benefits of sleeving cards?
Generally speaking, sleeving cards help protect them from damage. However, they can also prevent them from being marked and help keep a game’s integrity.
Many players sleeve their decks to make shuffling the cards easier and prevent them from getting damaged. Alternatively, some people sleeve their cards because they are expensive or rare, and they want to protect them from damage.
Another benefit of sleeving is that it can reduce the number of air bubbles that form on the card during shuffling. It can also stop sleeve curling, which happens when the sleeve is not airtight.
Some people even triple-sleeve their decks. It is an excellent idea for extremely powerful or rare cards you want to keep protected. However, it can be time-consuming to sleeve your deck and may only be necessary for some of your cards.
What are the disadvantages of sleeving?
While sleeving cards may seem like a good idea, some disadvantages exist. One of the biggest is sleeved cards are more expensive than un-sleeved ones. In addition, it can make sleeving a very costly and time-consuming process.
Players who play games often enough to warrant protection may find sleeving worth it. However, others may be less concerned about protecting their cards and not consider sleeving their board games.
Double-sleeving increases the strength of cards to protect them from dirt specks and other damage. It also makes them more resistant to wear and tear, including drops and spills.
In addition, sleeved cards tend to be larger than un-sleeved cards. They can also be harder to shuffle because they are thicker and heavier.
How should I sleeve my cards?
Protecting your cards is essential whether you’re a casual gamer or a serious collector. Card sleeves are one of the most efficient ways to do this.
It also helps prevent dust, oil from your fingers, and other harmful elements from damaging your cards. It is essential for collectibles, where a single card can be worth hundreds of dollars or more.
You can buy various card sleeves from your local gaming store or online. These can range in price, but they’re affordable for most people.
There are also different thicknesses available. The thicker the sleeve, the more protection it provides against wear and tear.
However, they can pose more challenges when shuffling a deck of cards or fitting them back into their original box.
It is why some collectors like to double-sleeve their cards, which helps them keep their cards as protected as possible.
