Regrading means cracking a card out of its slab (or resubmitting a raw card) to try for a higher grade — collectors do this hoping a borderline card bumps up, but it risks the same or a lower grade plus another fee. Cross-grading means submitting an already-graded card to a different company, usually to convert it into a slab that commands stronger prices in a given market. Both involve fees and some risk, since grading isn't perfectly consistent. They can pay off on cards where a higher grade or a more liquid label meaningfully raises value, but for most cards the cost and gamble aren't worth it. Weigh the potential upside against fees before cracking any slab.
Updated Jul 13, 2026