Why I switched from exact fit to standard sleeves (and you should too)

I'll be honest with you I've damaged more cards trying to sleeve them "perfectly" than I care to admit. If you've ever struggled with exact fit sleeves, you're not alone. After years of frustration and a few expensive mistakes, I made the switch to standard sleeves, and I wish I'd done it sooner.

The exact fit sleeve problem

Exact fit sleeves (also called perfect fit or inner sleeves) are designed to fit cards with minimal excess material. In theory, this sounds great a snug fit with no air gaps. In practice? They're a nightmare to use.

The problem is simple: getting a card into an exact fit sleeve requires precision and force. You're essentially trying to slide a rigid card into a sleeve that's barely larger than the card itself. One wrong angle, one moment of resistance, and you risk:

• Corner damage The corners catch on the sleeve opening, causing bends or creases
• Edge wear Forcing the card in can scuff the edges
• Surface scratches Any debris inside the sleeve becomes sandpaper as you push the card through
• Stress to the card The pressure required can cause micro-bends, especially on older or more fragile cards

My expensive learning experience

I learnt this the hard way with a pristine first edition Jungle Flareon. I was being careful or so I thought. But as I slid it into an exact fit sleeve, I felt resistance. Instead of stopping, I applied a bit more pressure. The result? A tiny crease on the top edge that dropped the card's condition from mint to near-mint.

That single mistake cost me around £40 in value. But it wasn't an isolated incident. Over the following months, I noticed similar issues with other cards. Small corner dings, slight edge wear, surface marks that weren't there before. All from the sleeving process itself.

The irony wasn't lost on me I was damaging my cards whilst trying to protect them.

Why standard sleeves are better

Standard sleeves (sometimes called penny sleeves or soft sleeves) have a bit more room. They're not baggy, but there's enough clearance that you can slide a card in smoothly without force. This makes all the difference.

Here's what I've found since switching to Guard-it standard size soft sleeves:

• Zero card damage: Cards slide in effortlessly with no resistance
• Faster sleeving: I can sleeve an entire set in half the time
• Less stress: No more anxiety about damaging expensive cards
• Better for bulk: When you're sleeving hundreds of cards, speed and safety matter
• Still protective: The cards are fully enclosed and protected from dust, moisture, and handling

But what about double-sleeving?

Some collectors swear by double-sleeving (an exact fit sleeve inside a standard outer sleeve). For ultra-high-value cards, I understand the appeal. But for most collections, it's overkill.

Consider this: if you have a card worth £500+, it probably shouldn't be in a binder anyway it should be in a top loader or graded slab. For everything else, a single standard sleeve in a quality binder page is more than adequate.

The Guard-it difference

Not all standard sleeves are created equal. I've tried dozens of brands, and Guard-it standard size soft sleeves are my go-to for several reasons:

• Clarity Crystal clear material that doesn't cloud over time
• Thickness Substantial enough to protect without being stiff
• Opening size Wide enough for easy insertion, snug enough to stay secure
• Consistency Every sleeve in the pack is the same size (not always the case with budget brands)
• Value Excellent quality for the price

Time is money (and so are damaged cards)

Let's do the maths. If exact fit sleeves take you 30 seconds per card and standard sleeves take 10 seconds, that's a 20-second saving per card. For a 200-card set, that's over an hour saved. And that's before factoring in the risk of damage.

One damaged card can cost you more than a lifetime supply of sleeves. It's simply not worth the risk.

My recommendation

Unless you're sleeving cards worth hundreds of pounds each (and even then, consider a top loader instead), stick with standard sleeves. They're faster, safer, and just as protective for everyday collecting.

I use Guard-it standard size soft sleeves for everything in my binders, and I haven't damaged a single card since making the switch. My collection is protected, my stress levels are down, and I can actually enjoy organising my cards instead of dreading it.

Trust me your cards (and your sanity) will thank you.