Top Loader Card Protector for Shipping Collectible Cards

I developed a series of collectible card protectors to protect the expensive cards that I was shipping out for sports cards and other collectible cards sold on eBay and through other sites. After cutting up cardboard and wrapping the slabs, top loaders and cards with cardboard, bubble wrap and tape, I began to look for a better solution since cutting the cardboard was tedious and pre-cut envelope stiffeners are expensive and not that sturdy..

This model fits non-graded collectible cards (baseball, football, Pokemon, etc.) that are enclosed in plastic top loaders. It was designed to fit standard top loaders (no plastic sleeve around the top loader) and sleeved top loaders. It may be a little loose or a little tight depending on the sleeve you use and variations in the plastic sleeves. Adjust accordingly.

The slots in the design are to save filament and weight. The protector weighs ~0.50 ounce / 15.3 grams We have found that the weight of the holder allows cards to be shipping within the standards of the shipping labels obtained through eBay. The carrier, top loader, card, and a bubble wrap mailer will weigh ~2.5 ounces if using standard USPS or other mail services. 

Note: For more expensive cards we also user corrugated cardboard for even more protection of the valuable card. We have never had an issue with a card shipped with these protectors.

You may need to load the STL or model and adjust the length or width by a small about (0.01-0.03 inches / 0.25 - 0.55 mm). Do not adjust the height unless you are shipping a thicker slab, then adjust accordingly. We have had slabs 1.5x to 2.1x the standard slab thickness.

I calculated the average cost to print the holder was $0.25 based on a PLA cost of $15 per kilo. 

I print these in PLA and have created models for Bambu and Prusa printers. I have a Bambu X1C and a Prusa XL, so minor adjustments may be needed for your printer.

Notes:

Standard top loader measures used for the design are: 

    4.335 inches x 2.873 inches x 0.17 inches (our measurements)

    110.1 mm x 72.95 mm x 4.32 mm (our measurements)

Settings

Filament:    PLA

Layer Height:  0.2 mm

Infill:   Grid or Gyroid (but likely does not matter due to thickness of print).

You may need to adjust depending on how true your printer is due to shrinkage.