Tips on cataloging collection

psa9oc · 11-07-2023, 01:14 PM

I’m sure there have been threads on this in the past, but couldn’t find a semi recent one.

Curious if anyone has tips/suggestions on best way to catalog your collection. I’ve tried the Google sheets approach but wondering if anyone had a better method. I know PSA registry works, but I have slabs from all the main companies. I’ve heard SCI and card ladder have that functionality but have never tried it.

Thanks!

glen87 · 11-07-2023, 01:15 PM

make you own excel file and create exactly what you want and how you want it

OhioLawyerF5 · 11-07-2023, 01:18 PM

Depends on how big it is.

I keep my collection pretty focused (vintage Reds runs, 90s Larkin inserts, current Reds rookies/prospects).

So I just take photos of every card and organize them into folders on my phone. When looking through my inventory, I find it much more enjoyable to scroll through photos than staring at a spreadsheet.

That said, that method is very time consuming. So it's not for every collection. But it's very rewarding for mine.

Canthardlymiss1 · 11-07-2023, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psa9oc

I’m sure there have been threads on this in the past, but couldn’t find a semi recent one.

Curious if anyone has tips/suggestions on best way to catalog your collection. I’ve tried the Google sheets approach but wondering if anyone had a better method. I know PSA registry works, but I have slabs from all the main companies. I’ve heard SCI and card ladder have that functionality but have never tried it.

Thanks!

I know you are familiar with the PSA registry in regards to organizing but I think it’s the cleanest option to have everything in hand. You can add non-PSA items (other slabs, wax boxes etc) along with notes and your own value. The option to add photos to link to the items is what I really like so you know what you have and can look back like it’s a mini showcase whenever you want.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mephisto · 11-07-2023, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psa9oc

I’m sure there have been threads on this in the past, but couldn’t find a semi recent one.

Curious if anyone has tips/suggestions on best way to catalog your collection. I’ve tried the Google sheets approach but wondering if anyone had a better method. I know PSA registry works, but I have slabs from all the main companies. I’ve heard SCI and card ladder have that functionality but have never tried it.

Thanks!

You can actually add non PSA slabs to your PSA inventory. They just won’t show in actual registry sets. You can add notes and photos etc.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

mfw13 · 11-07-2023, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glen87

make you own excel file and create exactly what you want and how you want it

This.

I've had my collection on my own spreadsheet for years.....

Skipscards · 11-07-2023, 04:39 PM

A member on the boards created a nice tool that he was testing. I forget who but there's a thread on it somewhere.

livealoha · 11-07-2023, 10:09 PM

What do you guys think about using an Instagram page to showcase a collection as a possible option for the OP question? Maybe a good way to display and organize a collection?

OscarOne · 11-08-2023, 12:06 AM

The difference between a hoarder and a collector is an Excel spreadsheet. I love this topic!

The older I get, the more I enjoy cataloging and storing.

psa9oc · 11-08-2023, 01:34 AM

Appreciate all the ideas!

I think ultimately a Google Sheet is probably the route I'll end up sticking with, and trying to do my best to stay on top of it as I add/subtract. (Collection is ~250-300 slabs) ... I love the barcode scan functionality on PSA Registry's app, I might use that to quickly scan in cards and then export as a csv

Quote:

Originally Posted by livealoha

What do you guys think about using an Instagram page to showcase a collection as a possible option for the OP question? Maybe a good way to display and organize a collection?

I do have an IG, but realistically not sharing every single card, and wouldn't be able to do any sorting by year/player/set

awz50 · 11-08-2023, 07:29 AM

Throw everything in a box, pray when you look in said box its still in the box

BabaORiley · 11-08-2023, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awz50

Throw everything in a box, pray when you look in said box its still in the box

This was my method (except "boxes" instead of "box") right up until 5 years ago, as I went through boxes to organize only to reallize several low-end Lebron rookies had seemingly vanished from my collection.

Excel spreadsheet guy, now.

gresh87 · 11-08-2023, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glen87

make you own excel file and create exactly what you want and how you want it

This is what I do, only on a Google sheet.

Columns are for RC, Player, Release, Specifics, Purchased Price

Ex: X - Carlson, Dylan - 2021 Topps Series 1 - Silver Pack BLUE /150 - $15

It makes sorting pretty simple. I also use different colors for cells, and have the cell colors for prices set to "conditional." Big purchases are red, low end cards are green.

Edit: I also used different tabs/sheets at the bottom to help organize collections that I'm working on. I also have a "Wish List" and a "PC Needs" tab.

towerymt · 11-08-2023, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awz50

Throw everything in a box, pray when you look in said box its still in the box

+1 to unlabeled, unorganized boxes.

NYBBFAN · 11-08-2023, 12:29 PM

For those of you that do Excel / Google sheets, what do you do at a card show? Or at your LCS? The mobile experience can't be great.

mfw13 · 11-08-2023, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYBBFAN

For those of you that do Excel / Google sheets, what do you do at a card show? Or at your LCS? The mobile experience can't be great.

I take photos of my wantlist and store them on my phone to refer to.....

mfreeman · 11-10-2023, 03:55 PM

I use Trading Card Database (tcdb.com).

The only gripe I've seen users mention is the inability to export your collection to create a backup catalog.

MikeyThumbs · 11-10-2023, 04:22 PM

I use Google docs, Google photos and PSA registry tool. I scan each card front & back, log them into my worksheet and my PSA inventory, then drag and drop photos into each. Works great because I can access everything on my phone or computer.

When I started it was overwhelming to do a thousand or so cards, but way worth the effort ever since (up to about 2,000). Now it only takes a minute to log each card and I have complete access to any info I want.

Sample of my spreadsheet below.

Sent from my Pixel 8 using Tapatalk

asujbl · 11-10-2023, 04:33 PM

Best part of only collecting PSA cards

Registry does it for me

My Son will need advice though. Haha

11-07-2023, 01:14 PM	#1
psa9oc Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Posts: 121	Tips on cataloging collection I’m sure there have been threads on this in the past, but couldn’t find a semi recent one. Curious if anyone has tips/suggestions on best way to catalog your collection. I’ve tried the Google sheets approach but wondering if anyone had a better method. I know PSA registry works, but I have slabs from all the main companies. I’ve heard SCI and card ladder have that functionality but have never tried it. Thanks!

11-07-2023, 01:15 PM	#2
glen87 Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: VERMONT Posts: 72,827 glen87 glen87	make you own excel file and create exactly what you want and how you want it __________________ collecting James Madison University players of all sports JMU cards: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jmucards/ other cards: https://www.flickr.com/photos/glen87/albums

11-07-2023, 04:39 PM	#7
Skipscards Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: In Tribute To The Great Ryno Posts: 29,938 jlankf2 jmp4	A member on the boards created a nice tool that he was testing. I forget who but there's a thread on it somewhere. __________________ Go Royals!! #RoyalsIn2015 <---It Happened!! #TEAMZinck Sometimes it is astounding that we are able to persist in a world so full of morons.

11-08-2023, 07:29 AM	#11
awz50 Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: New Hampshire>>>Arizona>>>>Florida Posts: 33,112 awz50	Throw everything in a box, pray when you look in said box its still in the box __________________ Collecting Baseball Hof Autographs 248/351 Blowouts Official Red Sox face of the franchise Eduardo Rodriguez Super Collector

11-08-2023, 12:29 PM	#15
NYBBFAN Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 4,815	For those of you that do Excel / Google sheets, what do you do at a card show? Or at your LCS? The mobile experience can't be great. __________________ https://gallery.us175.com/ https://inv.us175.com/wantlist

11-07-2023, 01:18 PM	#3
OhioLawyerF5 Member Join Date: Feb 2022 Posts: 6,859	Depends on how big it is. I keep my collection pretty focused (vintage Reds runs, 90s Larkin inserts, current Reds rookies/prospects). So I just take photos of every card and organize them into folders on my phone. When looking through my inventory, I find it much more enjoyable to scroll through photos than staring at a spreadsheet. That said, that method is very time consuming. So it's not for every collection. But it's very rewarding for mine.

11-07-2023, 10:09 PM	#8
livealoha Member Join Date: May 2023 Posts: 374	What do you guys think about using an Instagram page to showcase a collection as a possible option for the OP question? Maybe a good way to display and organize a collection?

11-08-2023, 12:06 AM	#9
OscarOne Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 823	The difference between a hoarder and a collector is an Excel spreadsheet. I love this topic! The older I get, the more I enjoy cataloging and storing.

11-10-2023, 03:55 PM	#17
mfreeman Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Austin Posts: 132 mafreema-1	I use Trading Card Database (tcdb.com). The only gripe I've seen users mention is the inability to export your collection to create a backup catalog. __________________ PC: George Springer (Astros uni) Last edited by mfreeman; 11-10-2023 at 04:03 PM.

11-10-2023, 04:22 PM	#18
MikeyThumbs Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Florida Posts: 97 xfactor3	I use Google docs, Google photos and PSA registry tool. I scan each card front & back, log them into my worksheet and my PSA inventory, then drag and drop photos into each. Works great because I can access everything on my phone or computer. When I started it was overwhelming to do a thousand or so cards, but way worth the effort ever since (up to about 2,000). Now it only takes a minute to log each card and I have complete access to any info I want. Sample of my spreadsheet below. Sent from my Pixel 8 using Tapatalk Last edited by MikeyThumbs; 11-10-2023 at 04:33 PM.

11-10-2023, 04:33 PM	#19
asujbl Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 62,277 ohiosundevils	Best part of only collecting PSA cards Registry does it for me My Son will need advice though. Haha __________________ https://ohiosundevils.smugmug.com/ Browns/Cavs/Tribe/Buckeyes/Jackets/Devils TheFrenzy - “Blowout ain't a place for normies”