If you're heading to The National Sports Card Convention in Cleveland July 24-28, you might consider getting some of your prized cards graded. Major grading companies will be at the show, offering various grading services to collectors. Here's a guide to help you navigate the process of getting your cards graded in person at The National:

Choose Your Cards

Figure out which cards you want to send in for grading. Be selective, though, since you want the best value for your card collection. Sending in common cards or greatly damaged cards might not be cost-effective, but it could still be worthwhile if you want to protect the card with a slab.

Choose Your Grading Company

PSA, JSA, SGC, BGS, and CGC will all be at The National. Before you go, compare their services, turnaround times, and pricing to find the best fit for your needs.

Prepare Your Submissions

Before you head to the grading company's booth, carefully organize the cards you want to be graded. Make sure they are free of dust and debris. If you have multiple cards, consider grouping them by sport, player, or year — this will make filling out your submission form easier.

Determine What Grades You Expect

Make note of what grades you expect to get for each card, and once you get your submission back, you can see how close you were. This will help you in assessing which cards you should grade going forward. Card grading is based on four criteria: centering, corners, edges, and surface, so check your cards accordingly.