TPA Submission Guide
Sending high-value items through the mail to a third-party authenticator is stressful. Following a strict chain-of-custody and packaging protocol protects your investment.
1. Pre-Submission Documentation
Before you box the item, you must document its current state.
- High-Resolution Scans: Scan flat items at 600 DPI.
- Macro Photography: Take detailed photos of the signature, highlighting any existing damage to the item (creases, stains, edge wear).
- Provenance Gathering: If you have receipts, older LOAs, or photos of the signing, make copies to include with the submission. Do not send originals of provenance unless required.
2. Packaging Flat Items (Photos, Documents)
- Place the item in an archival-safe (acid-free, PVC-free) sleeve.
- Sandwich the sleeved item between two pieces of rigid, oversized cardboard.
- Tape the edges of the cardboard together (painter's tape is preferred to avoid sticky residue near the opening).
- Place inside a padded mailer or rigid box.
3. Packaging Dimensional Items (Baseballs, Guitars)
Do not let the signature rub against packaging materials.
- Baseballs: Place in a standard UV-protected ball cube. Wrap the cube in bubble wrap.
- Guitars/Equipment: Use the original hard case if possible, heavily padded inside a larger shipping box. Wrap the signed area with acid-free tissue paper before padding.
4. Insurance and Shipping
Ship via a carrier that requires a signature upon delivery (USPS Registered Mail is often considered the safest for high-value items, though slower than FedEx/UPS overnight). Insure the package for the replacement value of the item as if it were authentic.