General Forum

Something I’ve been curious about in general- Do top loaders break down over time?  I ask because I am pretty sure top loaders are not pvc free like sleeves and pages.  I know you are supposed to sleeve a card before top loading them, but I have always wondered whether the top loaders will actually stay in good shape.  I don’t use top loaders other than when mailing cards, but this is something I have always wondered about. 

I’ve had some cards in the same top loaders for 30+ years.  No issues here…at least last I looked probably 12-18 mos ago.  

Toploaders are DEFINITELY NOT archival safe. I made a huge post on Blowout about the chemistry of toploaders - basically, because they're made of PVC, they break down and release hydrochloric acid which destroys the paper. There's a reason why coin collectors hate that plastic. Here's an example of a card damaged by an old toploader - you can see how the acid ate through the penny sleeve at the top where the toploader yellowed.