Protect your cards with our professional grading services.

Forensic level technologies. Beautiful and secure labels.
Simple pricing. Lightning turnaround.

"To be human is to have a collection of memories that tell you who you are and how you got there."

- ROSECRANS BALDWIN

Everything we do at Ark is to work towards an ideal concept; the exact card in the same condition should always achieve the same grade.

The evolution of trading cards is thought to have originated in the 17th century from prints resembling business cards that advertised a service, goods for sale or trader details. Their layout had black and white artistic adornments and a plain section for the informational text. Sports cards had their debut in the 19th century, but it wasn’t until the late 20th century that collectible card games (CCG) flourished with the introduction of Magic the Gathering in 1993.

Since then, generations of hobbyist and collectors have come to love trading cards possibly owing to its ability to capture and compact elite athletes, fantastical creatures, and magical worlds into a tactile object. For many, it represents the memories of a time when life was simpler and serves as a psychological anchor in moments of worry. The need to preserve and authenticate trading cards goes hand in hand in protecting these memories.

Trading cards have also gained a lot of attention due to the monetary value they possess. It has rewarded early adopters, attracted investors, and captivated new collectors. However, this brings a new host of challenges including an increase in replicas and advancement in card alteration techniques. Collectors value the provenance of cards. Doctored or altered cards create turmoil; possibly because these acts represent non genuine or fabricated memories.

Everything we do at Ark is to work towards an ideal concept; the exact card in the same condition should always achieve the same grade.

Our company aims to provide an unprecedented level of quality and consistency with our grading service. We’ve engineered a custom case and label that is understated yet beautifully powerful. Furthermore, with the financial backing well beyond any others in Australia, we will be here for years to come; your serial and database will remain active forever. Ark works with a variety of consultants from IT-development to forensic specialists as well as artists and designers in conjunction with our core team.

Ark Forensic and Grading aims to:

  • Separate the authentic from the unauthentic
  • Provide accurate and detailed assessment of the card
  • To reduce the need for buyers and sellers to further subjectively assess the card’s condition
  • Preserve cards in the clearest and densest case
  • Protect the authentication from being replicated
right-image
Simply beautiful
Crisp flush front and back design. No protrusions or engravings.
Bespoke touch
A precision designed bevel is incorporated on both front and rear faces for a smooth feel.
Weighs over
0 Grams
Ark Cases are over 50% heavier than the world’s most used case. It is the densest case on the market. Resulting in a sturdy, heavy, solid feel in your hands.
Crystal clear acrylic
0 light transmittance
The clearest material used in any encapsulated case known. Ark cases are clearer than most glass.

We cover

everything

All numerically graded cards include subgrades

  • 10
  • 10
  • 9.5
  • 10
More detail for the collector
Collectors have become increasingly frustrated with having to perform a secondary assessment for graded cards. After-assessment terms such as “weak 10” or “strong 10” are virtually eliminated when there are transparent subgrade details.
This allows for collectors to seek out what they value most. Whether it is a near-perfectly centered card, perfect corners with virtually no whitening, or both.
Numerous improvements have been made to eliminate undeserving grades such as cards with a small crease (surface 6.0) being pushed up to an overall-grade of Near Mint (7.0+) due to other strong subgrades. We understand that collectors do not refer to these card as being Near Mint in its ungraded form and as such the graded card should reflect market expectations. By limiting the overall-grade to a maximum of 0.5 above the lowest subgrade, it means that an Excellent surface-card cannot attain Near Mint status. We consider the half grade a “clean example” of the described tier.

We incorporate an incredible amount of science in every step of the grading process. Our software was developed from the ground up. Graders are prompted to enter key assessment information and our specifically calibrated algorithms analyse and reduce this to four key subgrades and a main overall score.

Our lighting systems allow for a wide range of adjustments for ideal exposure of fine details such as micro-scratches, indentations, whitening and alterations. High intensity visible light as well as near-UV lighting is available at the push of a button. Digital microscopes along with our research into x-ray fluorescence are routinely used to determine the authenticity of submitted articles.

Simple flatrate pricing

Currently accepting submission from Australia only. Return addresses must be within Australia and its island territories.

Promotion

Economy

Grade with Subgrades

$19.00

$25.00
/ card
Estimated turnaround 28 days
Quantity
Cost/Card

1

$19.00 $25.00

20

$18.50 $22.00

50

$18.00 $20.00

100

$17.50 $19.00

  • Subgrades included
  • Ultra clear heavy sonic welded case
  • 3D anti-forgery tag for case-replication prevention
  • Advance anti-forgery labels: laser 3D strip, UV 3D printing, foil stamping and holo features
  • NFC embedded - tap with smart device to load serial verification
Promotion

Authentic Assessment

Authentic Labels (No Grade)

$13.50

$16.00
/ card
Estimated turnaround 14 days
Quantity
Cost/Card

1

$13.50 $16.00

20

$12.50 $15.00

50

$12.00 $14.00

  • Ultra clear heavy sonic welded case
  • 3D anti-forgery tag for case-replication prevention
  • Advance anti-forgery labels: laser 3D strip, UV 3D printing, foil stamping and holo features
  • NFC embedded - tap with smart device to load serial verification
Promotion

Premium

Grade with Subgrades

$25.00

$35.00
/ card
Estimated turnaround 14 days
Quantity
Cost/Card

1

$25.00 $35.00

20

$24.00 $30.00

50

$23.00 $28.00

100

$22.00 $27.00

  • Fastest turnaround
  • Subgrades included
  • Ultra clear heavy sonic welded case
  • 3D anti-forgery tag for case-replication prevention
  • Advance anti-forgery labels: laser 3D strip, UV 3D printing, foil stamping and holo features
  • NFC embedded - tap with smart device to load serial verification

Re-Encapsulate

Re-encapsulate existing Ark graded cards

$10.00

/ card
Estimated turnaround 14 days
Quantity
Cost/Card

1

$10.00

  • Professional re-encapsulation services
  • Latest labels
  • Retains existing serial number

We make the process easy

Use your online form to create a submission. Your progress is saved and you can return to it at any time.

Create account & submit

Account holders can create, edit and save submission progress through our online submission form.

Send your order to us

Secure PO box in the heart of Melbourne CBD. Upload your tracking number in the submissions dashboard for peace of mind. You’ll be notified as soon as it arrives.

450x magnification hi-def cameras 5 Light sources

Accurate digitally calibrated centering measurements. Multiple light sources assist us detect alterations and unauthentic cards. Incredibly precise condition assessment.

Live progressive updates

Track the progress of your order in your submission dashboard from receipt to grading. See the results of your submission immediately on completion- even before delivery.

Beautifully powerful labels

Dark contrasting label. 3D laser forged hologram security seal. QR code for convenient weblink. And a world first, NFC chips embedded within. Robust for 100,000 scans. Verify ARK labels with a tap of your smart device.

Secure Insured shipping

Express shipping, tracked, signature and fully insured.

ARK GRADING TEAM

Our company aims to provide an unprecedented level of quality and consistency with our grading service. We’ve engineered a custom case and label that is understated yet beautifully powerful. Furthermore, with the financial backing well beyond any others in Australia, we will be here for years to come; your serial and database will remain active forever. Ark works with a variety of consultants from IT-development to forensic specialists as well as artists and designers in conjunction with our core team. Our individual grader’s identity is protected to ensure fairness in the grading process.
Ark is looking to expand and will be encouraging applications shortly.

Information
Nate Tran
Nate Tran
CEO

An avid collector of over 15 years. He is meticulous to the pixel and has curated a proud and qualified team. Nate is responsible for overseeing the company’s decision making from contracts to acquisitions as well as establishing a robust grading protocol.

Nate Tran
Matthew Lukic
CFO Chartered Accountant

Matthew has experience with ASX listed companies as well as managing clients and companies with net worth in the tens of millions. He is currently the director of Core Tax and Core Financial Group in conjunction with his role as Ark’s newly appointed CFO. Matthew oversees our expenditures, financial stability and forecasts challenges the company may face so that it is sustainable into the distant future. He has a team of two associates to assist him with this role.

Nate Tran
Sebastian Lin
Lead Engineer – Aerospace

Sebastian is currently focused on researching solutions to assist our graders achieve a high level of consistency by the application of technologies, software and materials. He is responsible for selecting our case and label manufacturing. Sebastian has also refined our microscopes to provide ink-dot level magnification amongst a myriad of other innovations.