Gone are the days when collectors would stick their cards into the spokes of their bikes. But such a mistreatment of cards cannot be imagined today. Today investing in supplies is not just fashion for collectors, but also a necessity. If you want to sell, trade, or just display your cards, you need to protect them and preserve their condition.

Start by sorting your cards and then separate the ones you'd like to store as singles and ones you want to store as sets. Most collectors like to keep rookie cards, memorabilia cards, and autograph cards as singles, unless they are part of a completed set.

Here's a list of supplies basketball cards you can get to shield your card collection from any sort of harm.

1. Penny sleeves. Use these thin plastic sleeves to store common cards and protect them from scratches. You can also cover plastic sleeves cases, like top-loaders for added protection, especially when saving or transporting cards.

2. Top-loaders. Use these thicker plastic sleeves for storing valuable football cards and shielding them from bends and creases. Cards can get loose inside the top-loaders, so always place them in penny sleeves before putting them into top-loaders. Both rigid and semi rigid versions are available. They are also a wonderful way to display cards your cards.

3. Magnetic cases. Place your most valuable cards in magnetic cases. These thick, hard plastic holders offer great protection against bends, creases, scratches and also other card risks.

4. Team bags. These are similar to penny sleeves, just a bit slacker and with adhesive seals. These prevent any dust particles from getting in and affecting the condition of your cards.

5. Binders. Store the cards that you don't want to display in binders. These are generally nine-page album binders that prevent your cards twisting or forming ridges.

6. Albums. These are mostly 3-ringed binders that hold plastic pages containing sleeves designed to hold sports cards. Storing in albums can be time consuming, but they are a much better supply to use for cards and sets that you would like to display.

7. Screw-down plastic holders. These have a harder and fortified shell; however, if the sides of the holder are screwed too tightly, they can cause damage to the cards.

When you place your cards in their holders, be sure to handle them carefully and hold them by the sides. You don't want them to be showing smudges or fingerprints.

Also, remember to keep your cards away from direct light and damp areas at all times. Direct light and moisture can cause them to fade and discolor. You may also apply desiccants, such as silica gel, to your display cases to prevent damage from moisture.