How to take pictures of graded cards for eBay

Updated 2026-10-26

On eBay, the photos are the listing. Buyers zoom in on corners, the label and the back. Clear photos sell for more and get fewer questions.

Which photos to include

• Front of the slab, straight on, filling the frame.
• Back of the slab.
• Close-up of the label, with the cert number readable.
• Close-ups of any flaw you can see. Buyers trust sellers who show them.

Use your own photos

Stock or scanned images make buyers suspicious. Photograph the actual slab you're selling, in its actual condition.

Lighting and background

Shoot in daylight with no flash. A plain dark or neutral background makes the card stand out and hides less. Avoid patterned blankets and carpet.

Size and shape

eBay needs at least 500 pixels on the long side and recommends 1600. Any phone photo is plenty. Keep the slab centered so the thumbnail crop doesn't cut it off.

Use the same photo on social

If you also post sales on Instagram, run your front photo through Grailshot to get a clean, square or portrait post with the price on it, without reshooting.