The Short Answer
- Print lines are common on modern chrome and Prizm cards and cap grades at 9 or lower
- Surface dimples and holo scratches are factory defects, not wear, but graders still penalize them
- Whale print defects and ink spots can be present out of the pack
- Borderless and full-art cards hide centering defects more than traditional designs
- Factory defects are not the same as damage; graders treat them as condition issues regardless
The Quick Answer
Modern cards often leave the factory with defects that lower grades even though they are technically pack-fresh. The most common issues are print lines, surface dimples, holo scratches, and ink spots. Graders treat these as condition flaws, not as factory errors that should be ignored. Inspect modern cards under a bright LED lamp and 10x loupe before buying or submitting.
Print Lines
Print lines are thin, straight scratches or streaks in the printing process. They are especially common on chrome-style cards, Prizm, Optic, and other foil-based products. A print line can run horizontally, vertically, or diagonally across the card surface.
Even a single visible print line usually prevents a PSA 10. On cards with heavy print lines, the grade may be capped at 8 or 9. Print lines are the number one reason a pack-fresh modern card does not gem.
Check by tilting the card under light. Print lines often appear as darker or lighter streaks that catch the light differently than the surrounding surface.
Surface Dimples and Holo Scratches
Surface dimples are tiny indentations in the foil or chrome layer. They look like small pinpricks or pimples when viewed under light. Like print lines, they are common on modern foil cards and will prevent a 10.
Holo scratches are similar but look like fine scratches in the holographic layer. They are especially common on Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh! holographic cards. A holo scratch that is visible under normal viewing will usually cap the grade at 9.
Always tilt the card and view the surface at multiple angles. Dimples and holo scratches are often invisible head-on but obvious at an angle.
Ink Spots and Whale Defects
Ink spots are small dots of extra or missing ink. They are factory defects that can appear anywhere on the card. Whale defects are larger blobs or streaks of ink that look like smears or irregular shapes. Both are flaws that graders will penalize.
These defects are more common on lower-end print runs and cards from sets with quality control issues. They can be present on cards that are otherwise pack-fresh, so do not assume a new card is automatically a 10 candidate.
Centering on Modern Cards
Modern cards, especially borderless and full-art designs, make centering harder to judge. With no obvious border, you must look at the cut edge of the printed image relative to the card stock.
Many modern cards are cut poorly from the factory. A card that looks centered in the design may actually have uneven borders when measured against the card edge. Use a digital caliper or the centering calculator to measure the actual border width, not just the visual design.
How to Inspect Before Buying
- Good lighting: Use a bright LED lamp positioned to cast light across the surface.
- 10x loupe: Inspect corners, edges, and surface under magnification.
- Tilt test: View the card at multiple angles to catch print lines, dimples, and holo scratches.
- Measure centering: Use calipers or the AI centering tool to check actual border ratios.
- Compare to comps: Check sold prices for the same card in PSA 9 vs PSA 10 to see if the grading fee is worth the risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do factory defects count against a card grade?
Yes. Graders treat print lines, surface dimples, holo scratches, and ink spots as condition flaws. They do not distinguish between factory defects and post-production damage for grading purposes.
Can a card with a print line get a PSA 10?
Generally no. A visible print line is one of the most common reasons a modern card is capped at PSA 9 or lower. The line must be extremely faint and barely visible to have any chance at a 10.
Are modern cards harder to grade than vintage?
Modern cards are not necessarily harder to grade, but they often have more factory defects. Vintage cards are more likely to have wear, while modern cards are more likely to have print lines and surface dimples.
How do I check for holo scratches?
Tilt the holographic card under a bright light and view it from multiple angles. Holo scratches catch light differently than the surrounding holo pattern and appear as thin lines or smudges.
Sources & Further Reading
With submission floors rising, pre-screening is no longer optional. Use our AI Pre-Grade Calculator to score a card's PSA 10 odds before you pay, and the Submission Planner to pick the right tier.