Features of Pixel Pressed Grading Frames

Pixel Pressed Grading has three key objectives in mind:

1) Card protection and preservation.

2) Security from Counterfeiters.

3) Aesthetic Display.

This post will provide an overview of the four key features of our grading frames:

1) Case Design.

2) Label Design.

3) Protection Features.

4) Security Features.

Pixel Pressed Grading Frame

Our case-encapsulation process involves four steps:

1) First, the card is placed inside a PVC-free and acid-free card sleeve.

2) The sleeved card is encapsulated in a precision-fit and laser-cut acrylic case.

3) The acrylic case is placed inside a study wooden frame, made from premium Jichimu Wood.

4) The acrylic case is locked into the frame. This final step ensures that the card cannot be removed without destroying the frame.

This design keeps the card extremely safe and prevents all forms of damage (including edgewear, surface damage, and whitening).

This design also ensures that cards cannot be removed without the frame being completely destroyed – just like a standard acrylic grading case.

Our wooden frames are built using highly durable mortise and tenon joints. This means that the frame will never come apart over time.

Our label is designed to highlight your card, not our brand.

The front of the label contains the card details. The name of the card is printed in larger text.

PPG Label (Front)

All of our labels are printed with white text on a clean black background, regardless of the grade. This is because we want people to be enjoy all cards the same, regardless of the grade.

We have also deliberately placed the grade on the back of the label, which again means that a lower grade will not detract from the display of the card.

The back of the label contains three pieces of information:

1) the grade;

2) a unique QR code that links the card to our registry of graded cards; and

3) our hologram security label, which contains the card’s unique certification number.

PPG Label (Back)

Our first layer of card protection is a sleeve that encapsulates your card. The sleeve is made from acid-free and PVC-free plastic and will not degrade or damage your card over time. It is made from the same material as Ultra-Pro and Dragon Shield sleeves.

The sleeve ensures that only the edges of the sleeve touch the acrylic case – not the edges of the card. This prevents abrasions, edge-wear and whitening.

The acrylic that we use is ultra-clear and has perfect transparency, allowing for optimal viewing of the card. The acrylic is also scratch-resistant and shatterproof.

The acrylic case is designed to tightly (but gently) fit the sleeved card to prevent the card from moving or rattling. Our case design protects the card from any rubbing, friction or pressure.

We also have designed our acrylic case with specially cut out corners. This means that there is nothing touching the corners of the card. This design provides the card with greater ‘breathing space’, and ensures that the corners of the card do not sustain any damage.

PPG Acrylic Case (with Corner Cutouts)

With the above features, the card is perfectly preserved and protected from any damage. The card is essentially suspended in a vacuum, and all aspects of the card are completely protected.

Our wooden frames are made from premium Jichimu wood.

Jichimu wood has been used for centuries to make furniture and architectural elements in China and Southeast Asia. It is a highly prized wood because of its durability and resistance to decay.

Jichimu Wood Grain

Jichimu wood is a hard and non-porous wood. It will not be damaged or dented by small knocks. It also does not stain and it can be wiped clean if dust accumulates on the wood. Jichimu wood also has a high level of water resistance.

The wooden frame itself is held together with mortise and tenon joints, rather than with glue. Unlike glued joints, mortise and tenon joints will stand the test of the time and will never come apart, no matter how long you keep the frame and regardless of whether you live in a hot or cold climate.

Mortise and Tenon Joints

Each card that is graded by our service is provided with a custom Pixel Pressed Grading hologram security label. The holograph security label contains the unique certification number of the card – which can be searched in our card verification database.

Hologram Security Label

Each card that is graded by our service also comes with a unique QR code that links to our card verification database. This allows collectors to simply scan the QR code to bring up the page containing the card on our verification database.

Unique QR Code

Our wooden frames are designed so that, once encapsulated, the card cannot be removed without the frame and acrylic case being destroyed.

As highlighted above, the joints of our wooden frames use mortise and tenon joints, rather than glue. This means that the joints of the frame cannot be pulled apart and re-glued. The mortise and tenon joints are impossible to pull apart without completely destroying the joints.

The top part of the frame, where the acrylic case is inserted through, is covered by a thin wooden cap which is glued down using epoxy glue. Removing the wooden cap leaves both the frame and the cap severely damaged and splintered. This means that it is impossible to remove the wooden cap without leaving clear evidence of tampering.

Wooden Cap

Now, the above security features are helpful. But what if somebody created an entirely new frame, copied our label, copied the QR code and also copied our hologram security label? There is still one final feature that makes our graded frames truly impossible to counterfeit.

This feature relies on the distinctive natural striations of Jichimu wood, which is used for our frames.

These distinctive natural striations in the Jichimu wood mean that no two of are wooden frames are the same. All of our frames have a unique pattern of striations in the wood.

Each Frame has a Different Wood Grain

This unique pattern of striations in the wood acts like a ‘fingerprint’ and is impossible to replicate. Even if a counterfeiter could replicate every other part of our cases, it would be impossible replicate the unique striations of the Jichimu wood. These striations occur naturally and randomly within the Jichimu wood. Just like a human fingerprint, the striations in the Jichimu wood are unique and different for every frame

When we add a graded card to our card Certification Registry, we include photographs of the back, front and right side of the frame. These photographs show the unique natural striations of the wood. If the wooden pattern on your frame matches the photographs in our database, then your PPG frame is legitimate. If the wooden striations of your frame does not match the photographs on our database, it is a fake or counterfeit.

This feature offers the ultimate peace of mind, and makes counterfeiting our frames truly impossible

Example Database Entry