DCM Grading Rubric
Precision grading powered by DCM Optic™ — our proprietary 30-point evaluation system that delivers professional-grade assessments with unmatched consistency
The DCM Difference
Traditional grading services can take weeks or months. DCM Optic™ combines advanced artificial intelligence with decades of industry grading standards to deliver accurate, consistent results in under 60 seconds.
Every card receives the same meticulous 30-point evaluation, whether it's your first submission or your thousandth. Our evidence-based grading protocol ensures every assessment is backed by observable, documented findings.
Our 30-Point Grading Protocol
Phase 0: Pre-Grading Verification
Mandatory verification before condition evaluation begins
Autograph Verification
Distinguishes manufacturer-authenticated signatures from unverified additions
Handwritten Markings Detection
Scans for post-production alterations, stamps, adhesive residue, and markings
Trimming Detection Protocol
Analyzes border proportions and edge patterns to detect trimmed cards
Image Completeness Check
Verifies both front and back images are present and properly oriented
Professional Slab Detection
Identifies PSA, BGS, CGC, SGC, and other graded holders for independent analysis
Phase 1: Image Quality & Confidence Assessment
Establishes grading confidence based on image quality
Regional Visibility Scoring
Assesses visibility of corners, edges, surface, and centering markers
Focus & Resolution Analysis
Evaluates image sharpness and detail clarity for accurate assessment
Lighting & Glare Detection
Identifies reflections and shadows that may affect visibility
Protective Case Detection
Identifies sleeves, top loaders, and slabs affecting inspection
Confidence Letter Assignment
Assigns A, B, C, or D rating based on overall image quality
Phase 2: Card Information Extraction
Identifies card metadata and special features
Card Identification
Extracts player/character, set, year, manufacturer, and card number
Finish Type Detection
Identifies refractor, chrome, holographic, matte, and standard finishes
Special Features Recognition
Detects autographs, memorabilia, serial numbers, and parallels
Authenticity Verification
Confirms official licensing and manufacturer authentication
Phase 3: Centering Evaluation
Independent front and back centering analysis with PSA-aligned standards
Front Left/Right Measurement
Calculates precise horizontal border ratios
Front Top/Bottom Measurement
Calculates precise vertical border ratios
Back Left/Right Measurement
Independent back horizontal centering analysis
Back Top/Bottom Measurement
Independent back vertical centering analysis
PSA-Aligned Standards: Front 55/45 or better required for Gem Mint 10. Back centering weighted less heavily (75/25 acceptable).
Phase 4: Corner Inspection
Two-phase protocol examining all 8 corners individually
Structural Integrity Check
Detects corner lift, tilt, bends, and structural damage
Fiber Exposure Detection
Microscopic analysis for white cardstock showing at corner tips
Corner Geometry Analysis
Evaluates sharpness, rounding, and softening
Impact Damage Detection
Identifies dings, compression marks, and handling damage
Phase 5: Edge Inspection
Two-phase protocol examining all 8 edges individually
Edge Roughness/Texture Check
Evaluates factory cut quality and fiber separation
Whitening Detection
Scans entire edge length for white fiber exposure
Chipping Analysis
Identifies coating loss and material damage
Nick & Dent Detection
Finds compression damage and edge irregularities
Phase 6: Surface Inspection
Systematic 9-zone grid analysis of both front and back surfaces
Microscopic Defect Scan
Detects white dots, debris, micro-scratches, and print defects
Reflection Analysis
Multi-angle examination to reveal scratches and surface wear
Finish-Specific Examination
Specialized analysis for refractor, chrome, and holographic cards
Structural Damage Detection
Identifies creases, dents, stains, and surface breaks
Understanding the DCM Grading Scale
DCM uses a 10-point scale with 0.5 precision, aligned with industry-standard grading criteria from PSA, BGS, and CGC. Our evidence-based protocol ensures every deduction is documented and justified.
Gem Mint
Zero defects. Sharp corners, pristine surface, perfect centering (55/45 or better). No fiber exposure, no scratches, no whitening.
Gem Mint
Near-perfect with only microscopic imperfections visible at maximum zoom
Mint
Minor imperfections under close inspection. Slight corner softening or minor edge whitening.
Near Mint-Mint
Slight wear visible upon close examination. Minor rounding, light whitening, or small surface imperfections.
Near Mint
Minor surface wear or slight corner/edge wear visible at normal viewing distance
Excellent-Mint
Visible wear on corners or edges, moderate centering issues, but still displays well
Excellent to Good
Significant wear, structural damage (creases, bends), or other issues affecting overall appearance
Grade Caps: Structural damage (creases, corner lift, tears) triggers automatic grade caps regardless of other component scores. This ensures consistency with professional grading standards.
8-Component Scoring System
Every card receives 8 individual component scores — 4 for the front and 4 for the back — with weighted averaging (55% front, 45% back) to calculate the final grade.
Centering Score (Front & Back)
Measures border distribution using precise ratios. PSA-aligned standards: 55/45 for Gem Mint 10 on front, 75/25 acceptable on back.
Quality tiers: Perfect (50/50-51/49), Excellent (52/48-53/47), Good (54/46-55/45), Fair (56/44-60/40), Off-Center (61/39+)
Corners Score (Front & Back)
Evaluates all 8 corners individually for sharpness, fiber exposure, rounding, and structural integrity.
10.0 requires ZERO defects on all 8 corners — no fiber, no rounding, no lift
Edges Score (Front & Back)
Examines all 8 edges for whitening, chipping, roughness, and factory cut quality.
10.0 requires ZERO white flecks, ZERO chipping, smooth factory cuts on all edges
Surface Score (Front & Back)
Detects scratches, white dots, print defects, stains, and surface damage using 9-zone grid analysis.
10.0 requires ZERO scratches, ZERO white dots, ZERO pattern disruption (holographic)
Weakest Link Scoring: The final grade cannot exceed the lowest weighted category score. A card with 10.0 centering, 10.0 corners, 10.0 edges, but 8.0 surface will receive a grade reflecting the surface condition.
Image Confidence Rating System
Every DCM grade includes an Image Confidence Rating (A-D) and Grade Uncertainty Range. This transparency helps you understand how confident the assessment is based on your submitted photos.
Image Confidence Levels
Crystal clear images with perfect lighting, sharp focus, and no obstructions. Highest grading confidence.
Clear images with minor issues like slight glare, card in sleeve/top loader. High grading confidence.
Acceptable images with moderate glare, card in thick holder/slab, or focus issues. Moderate confidence.
Images with significant issues like heavy glare, blur, or poor lighting. Consider resubmitting for better results.
Grade Uncertainty Ranges
The uncertainty range indicates how much the actual grade might vary based on image quality. Higher quality images = lower uncertainty.
Example: A card graded 9.0 with ±0.5 uncertainty (Grade B) means the grade likely falls between 8.5 and 9.5 based on image quality.
Pro Tip: Getting an A-Grade Confidence Rating
- • Use natural lighting or a bright, diffused light source
- • Avoid flash photography that creates glare
- • Keep the card flat and parallel to the camera
- • Remove from holders if possible for clearest images
- • Fill the frame with the card, leaving minimal background
- • Ensure the entire card is in sharp focus
- • Use a contrasting, solid-color background
Card Type Specialization
DCM Optic™ uses specialized evaluation criteria (deltas) optimized for each card type
Sports
Baseball, Basketball, Football, Hockey, Soccer, Wrestling
Pokémon
TCG, Japanese, Promos, Full Art
MTG
Magic: The Gathering, Foils, Borderless
Lorcana
Disney Lorcana TCG
Other
Yu-Gi-Oh!, One Piece, and more
Powered by DCM Optic™
DCM Optic™ is our proprietary grading engine that combines advanced AI vision technology with industry-standard evaluation criteria. Our evidence-based protocol ensures every assessment is backed by observable, documented findings — no assumptions, no guesswork.
Every submission is processed through the same rigorous 30-point evaluation, ensuring fairness and consistency across all card types and conditions.
30
Evaluation Points
8
Component Scores
<60s
Average Grade Time
24/7
Always Available
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DCM compare to professional grading services?
DCM Optic™ uses PSA-aligned grading criteria and provides comparable assessments. While we provide accurate, evidence-based evaluations, DCM grades are for informational purposes and don't replace official third-party grading for authentication or resale value certification.
What does "evidence-based grading" mean?
Every defect or pristine assessment must be backed by observable evidence. We document specific locations, measurements, and visual characteristics for every finding. No assumptions — only deductions for defects we can actually see.
Can DCM grade cards already in slabs?
Yes! DCM Optic™ can detect professionally graded slabs from PSA, BGS, CGC, SGC, and other services. The system performs its own independent assessment while acknowledging visibility limitations from the holder.
Why do front and back have separate scores?
Following industry standards, we evaluate front and back independently with weighted averaging (55% front, 45% back). Front condition is weighted more heavily as it's the primary display side of the card.
How should I photograph my cards for best results?
Use good lighting without glare, keep the card flat and centered, ensure the entire card is visible, and capture both front and back. Remove from holders when possible. Higher quality images (Grade A) result in ±0.25 uncertainty vs ±1.5 for Grade D images.
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