🧾Card Condition Guide
At Misprint, our goal is to keep buyer expectations clear and seller listings consistent. Use this guide to determine the proper condition tier when listing raw (ungraded) cards.
Supported Condition Tiers
Near Mint
(NM)
Lightly Played
(LP)
Moderately Played
(MP)
Heavily Played
(HP)
Damaged
(DMG)
Important Note: We do not support a "Mint" condition tier — even pack-fresh cards are considered Near Mint.
💎Near Mint (NM)
Cards that look almost new — very minimal signs of handling.
✅ Allowed
- A few tiny edge nicks or whitening spots
- Light surface marks visible under direct light
- Minor factory flaws (minor miscut, dot, or centering issue)
❌ Not Allowed
- Bends or creases
- Dirt, stains, or residue
- Structural damage or writing
✅ Collector Expectation: This is the condition most collectors expect for display or resale.
🌿Lightly Played (LP)
Still clean and presentable, but with clear minor wear from handling or play.
Common Signs
- Noticeable but mild edge wear or whitening around borders
- Surface scuffing or light scratches, especially on foil
❌ Still Not Allowed
- Creases, deep indentations, or bends
- Major surface clouding or peeling
- Sticky residue, grime, or water damage
✅ Best For: Ideal for binder collectors or casual players who want a good-looking card with slight flaws.
⚖️Moderately Played (MP)
Clearly used, but still intact and fully playable in sleeves.
Signs of Moderate Wear
- Moderate edge whitening or corner wear
- Heavier surface scratches or dulling
- Small creases no larger than ¼" (typically from shuffling)
- Slight surface indents
❌ Still Not Allowed
- Major bends that warp the whole card, major creases
- Peeling layers or splitting edges
- Stains, writing, or sticker residue
✅ Best For: Budget-conscious collectors or players. Visible wear, but no structural issues.
🛠Heavily Played (HP)
Very worn cards with multiple noticeable flaws, but still authentic and sleeve-playable.
Typical Issues
- Major edge wear and whitening
- Multiple small creases or bends, or a single larger crease
- Surface dirt, fading, or clouding
- Minor warping (card doesn't lay flat)
✅ Allowed As Long As
- The card is structurally intact (no splits, tears)
- The artwork and text are still legible
- It's playable in a sleeve without confusion
✅ Best For: Not recommended for display collections, but still functional.
💀Damaged (DMG)
Cards with major damage that impacts structure, playability, or authentication.
Examples of Damage
- Severe bends or creases that break the card's structure
- Water damage, stains, or warping
- Tears, rips, or missing corners
- Writing, ink, or stickers on the card
- Exposed inner layers (card splitting or peeling)
- Severe foil bubbling or crimping
❗ Important: These cards are not tournament-legal and may not be accepted on Misprint depending on severity. If you think the card is gross, buyers probably would too, and nobody wants that!
Quick Reference Comparison
| Condition | Key Characteristics | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 💎 Near Mint | Almost new, minimal handling signs | Display collections, resale |
| 🌿 Lightly Played | Minor wear, still presentable | Binder collections, casual play |
| ⚖️ Moderately Played | Clear wear but structurally sound | Budget collectors, players |
| 🛠 Heavily Played | Multiple flaws, still playable | Functional use only |
| 💀 Damaged | Structural damage, major flaws | May not be accepted |
Have Questions About Card Conditions?
Our support team can help you determine the right condition tier for your cards.