Guide · Slab vs. case
Card slab vs. case, explained
The terms get mixed up a lot. Here's what “slab,” “case,” and “top-loader” actually mean — and what a Cardbop card is.
The short answer
A slab is a card permanently sealed in a hard case (in the hobby, usually graded with a numeric score); a display case protects a card and lets it stand and be shown, without being graded.Cardbop's Display Card is sealed for presentation, but it is not graded, authenticated, certified, or assigned a numeric grade by a third-party grading service.
The terms, side by side
- Slab
- A card permanently sealed inside a hard plastic case. In the hobby, slabs are usually graded by a company and given a numeric grade, but 'slabbed' really just means sealed in a rigid, tamper-evident case.
- Display case
- A holder that keeps a card safe and lets it stand and be shown — from a simple top-loader to a sealed showcase. The focus is protecting and displaying, not grading.
- Top-loader / sleeve
- Lighter, removable protection — a penny sleeve inside a rigid top-loader. Good for storage; not sealed or display-first.
- What a Cardbop card is
- The Cardbop Display Card is sealed in a display case — a slab-style case made to stand on a shelf. It isn't graded, authenticated, certified, or assigned a numeric grade by a third-party grading service.
More: custom slabbed card · cards with a case · card glossary
Make a display-ready custom card.
The Display Card is sealed in a display case and stands on the shelf — free to design, from $20.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a slab and a case?+
A slab is a card permanently sealed in a hard case (in the hobby, usually graded with a numeric score). A case, or display case, protects a card and lets it stand and be shown, without necessarily being graded. Cardbop's Display Card is sealed in a display case — a slab-style case — but it isn't a graded slab.
Is a Cardbop Display Card slabbed?+
It's sealed in a display case, which gives it slab-style presentation and display-ready protection. It is not graded, authenticated, certified, or assigned a numeric grade by a third-party grading service.
Does the card come graded?+
No — grading is a separate hobby service that evaluates and scores a card. Cardbop makes original custom cards sealed in a display case, not graded cards.
Which is better for displaying a card?+
A sealed display case is best for standing a card on a shelf and keeping it clean — which is exactly what the Cardbop Display Card is made for.
How much is a Cardbop Display Card?+
A single Display Card, sealed in its display case, is $20. A 10-card Card Pack is $35. Designing is free.