How to spot real vs fake pokemon cards!
How to Spot Fake Pokémon Cards: A Complete Guide for Collectors
Pokémon cards have become a valuable collectible over the years, with certain cards selling for thousands of dollars. Unfortunately, the rising demand has also led to an increase in counterfeit cards. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting your Pokémon card journey, it’s crucial to learn how to spot fake Pokémon cards to ensure you're not getting scammed.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through several easy methods to distinguish between real and fake Pokémon cards. Let’s dive in!
1. The Light Test: Check the Card’s Core
One of the easiest ways to tell if a Pokémon card is fake is by using the light test. Real Pokémon cards are printed with a special paper that has a light-blocking layer in the middle. Here’s how to perform the test:
Hold the card up to a bright light source.
Gently bend the card (not too much!) and look at the light shining through the edges.
A real card will show a thin black line or a dark core through the center.
Fake cards, on the other hand, will typically show a light or white border around the edges, as they lack the authentic core.
If you can see light shining through without the dark middle layer, the card is likely a fake.
2. Examine the Card’s Weight and Feel
Real Pokémon cards have a specific weight and texture. Counterfeit cards are often made with inferior materials that feel off when compared to the original. Here's what to look for:
Texture: A genuine card has a slightly textured surface that feels smooth but not too glossy. Fake cards often have a shinier, slicker surface, which feels different when you rub your fingers over them.
Weight: Fake cards are often lighter than authentic ones due to cheaper materials. If you hold a real card in your hand and then hold a suspect card, you might notice a significant difference in weight. This is especially noticeable with older or rare cards.
3. The Print Quality: Look Closely at the Text and Artwork
Authentic Pokémon cards have high-quality prints with sharp, clear text and vibrant colors. Fake cards often have blurry text and dull colors. Here’s what to look for:
Text Clarity: The font on a fake card may appear blurry or pixelated, especially on older cards where the print quality is generally sharper.
Color Quality: Counterfeit cards often use low-quality ink that results in faded or off-color images. Real Pokémon cards have bright, bold colors and clean lines. Compare the colors of the card with a known genuine version to see if they match.
Holo Foil: Holographic cards should have smooth, consistent foil patterns. Fake holo cards might show irregular patterns or feel rough.
Take a magnifying glass or a jeweler’s loupe to inspect these features. The finer details matter!
4. The Back of the Card: Check for the Right Alignment
The back of a Pokémon card should have a consistent, well-aligned design. Fake cards often have issues like:
Misaligned Text: The "Pokémon" logo and the border should be perfectly centered and aligned.
Faded Colors: The colors on the back of the card might be duller or washed out on fakes.
Poor Print Quality: Fake cards may have noticeable imperfections, like uneven borders or irregular shapes.
Compare the back of the card with a known genuine card. If anything seems off or out of place, you may be dealing with a fake.
5. Inspect the Font and Rarity Symbols
The font on Pokémon cards is highly specific, especially on rare cards. Fake cards often use incorrect fonts or sloppy printing. Here's what to look for:
Font on Text: The font used for card names, moves, and text on fake cards may look slightly off. Check the size and spacing of the letters. Fake cards often have uneven text.
Rarity Symbol: Every Pokémon card has a rarity symbol, located just under the Pokémon’s name. Make sure this symbol is clear and accurately placed. Counterfeits may have poorly printed or missing rarity symbols.
If the card’s font and rarity symbol don’t match what’s found on official Pokémon cards, it’s a sign that the card is a fake.
6. Check the Holographic Features (for Holo Cards)
Pokémon cards with holographic features should have a clean, sharp, and consistent shine. Fake holographic cards often have:
Irregular Patterns: Fake holo cards may show uneven or poorly printed holographic foil patterns.
Scratches and Damage: Low-quality counterfeit cards are prone to scratches and chips in the holographic layer.
No Reflection: If the card has a holographic image but doesn't reflect light well or looks dull, it could be fake.
Take a good look at the holographic details under different light sources. If something feels off, the card might be a counterfeit.
7. Compare with a Known Real Card
One of the easiest ways to check if a Pokémon card is fake is to compare it with a known real card. If you have a genuine version of the card, look closely at:
Colors: Compare the shades of the colors.
Text: Check the font, spacing, and sharpness.
Size and Shape: Counterfeit cards are sometimes slightly larger or smaller than real cards. Measure the dimensions of the card to confirm it matches the official size.
8. Use Online Resources
If you’re still unsure whether your Pokémon card is real or fake, there are several online resources and databases that can help. Websites like Pokémon Price and Pokémon Database allow you to compare card images, rarity information, and other key details. You can also find online communities and forums where collectors share tips on identifying fake cards.
Conclusion
Spotting fake Pokémon cards can be tricky, but by paying attention to the card’s weight, texture, print quality, and holographic features, you can easily separate the authentic from the counterfeit. Always do your due diligence before purchasing a card, especially if it’s a rare or expensive one. The more you familiarize yourself with the details of real Pokémon cards, the better equipped you’ll be to avoid fakes.
Happy collecting, and may your Pokémon card collection continue to grow—authentically!
Pokémon cards have become a valuable collectible over the years, with certain cards selling for thousands of dollars. Unfortunately, the rising demand has also led to an increase in counterfeit cards. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting your Pokémon card journey, it’s crucial to learn how to spot fake Pokémon cards to ensure you're not getting scammed.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through several easy methods to distinguish between real and fake Pokémon cards. Let’s dive in!
1. The Light Test: Check the Card’s Core
One of the easiest ways to tell if a Pokémon card is fake is by using the light test. Real Pokémon cards are printed with a special paper that has a light-blocking layer in the middle. Here’s how to perform the test:
Hold the card up to a bright light source.
Gently bend the card (not too much!) and look at the light shining through the edges.
A real card will show a thin black line or a dark core through the center.
Fake cards, on the other hand, will typically show a light or white border around the edges, as they lack the authentic core.
If you can see light shining through without the dark middle layer, the card is likely a fake.
2. Examine the Card’s Weight and Feel
Real Pokémon cards have a specific weight and texture. Counterfeit cards are often made with inferior materials that feel off when compared to the original. Here's what to look for:
Texture: A genuine card has a slightly textured surface that feels smooth but not too glossy. Fake cards often have a shinier, slicker surface, which feels different when you rub your fingers over them.
Weight: Fake cards are often lighter than authentic ones due to cheaper materials. If you hold a real card in your hand and then hold a suspect card, you might notice a significant difference in weight. This is especially noticeable with older or rare cards.
3. The Print Quality: Look Closely at the Text and Artwork
Authentic Pokémon cards have high-quality prints with sharp, clear text and vibrant colors. Fake cards often have blurry text and dull colors. Here’s what to look for:
Text Clarity: The font on a fake card may appear blurry or pixelated, especially on older cards where the print quality is generally sharper.
Color Quality: Counterfeit cards often use low-quality ink that results in faded or off-color images. Real Pokémon cards have bright, bold colors and clean lines. Compare the colors of the card with a known genuine version to see if they match.
Holo Foil: Holographic cards should have smooth, consistent foil patterns. Fake holo cards might show irregular patterns or feel rough.
Take a magnifying glass or a jeweler’s loupe to inspect these features. The finer details matter!
4. The Back of the Card: Check for the Right Alignment
The back of a Pokémon card should have a consistent, well-aligned design. Fake cards often have issues like:
Misaligned Text: The "Pokémon" logo and the border should be perfectly centered and aligned.
Faded Colors: The colors on the back of the card might be duller or washed out on fakes.
Poor Print Quality: Fake cards may have noticeable imperfections, like uneven borders or irregular shapes.
Compare the back of the card with a known genuine card. If anything seems off or out of place, you may be dealing with a fake.
5. Inspect the Font and Rarity Symbols
The font on Pokémon cards is highly specific, especially on rare cards. Fake cards often use incorrect fonts or sloppy printing. Here's what to look for:
Font on Text: The font used for card names, moves, and text on fake cards may look slightly off. Check the size and spacing of the letters. Fake cards often have uneven text.
Rarity Symbol: Every Pokémon card has a rarity symbol, located just under the Pokémon’s name. Make sure this symbol is clear and accurately placed. Counterfeits may have poorly printed or missing rarity symbols.
If the card’s font and rarity symbol don’t match what’s found on official Pokémon cards, it’s a sign that the card is a fake.
6. Check the Holographic Features (for Holo Cards)
Pokémon cards with holographic features should have a clean, sharp, and consistent shine. Fake holographic cards often have:
Irregular Patterns: Fake holo cards may show uneven or poorly printed holographic foil patterns.
Scratches and Damage: Low-quality counterfeit cards are prone to scratches and chips in the holographic layer.
No Reflection: If the card has a holographic image but doesn't reflect light well or looks dull, it could be fake.
Take a good look at the holographic details under different light sources. If something feels off, the card might be a counterfeit.
7. Compare with a Known Real Card
One of the easiest ways to check if a Pokémon card is fake is to compare it with a known real card. If you have a genuine version of the card, look closely at:
Colors: Compare the shades of the colors.
Text: Check the font, spacing, and sharpness.
Size and Shape: Counterfeit cards are sometimes slightly larger or smaller than real cards. Measure the dimensions of the card to confirm it matches the official size.
8. Use Online Resources
If you’re still unsure whether your Pokémon card is real or fake, there are several online resources and databases that can help. Websites like Pokémon Price and Pokémon Database allow you to compare card images, rarity information, and other key details. You can also find online communities and forums where collectors share tips on identifying fake cards.
Conclusion
Spotting fake Pokémon cards can be tricky, but by paying attention to the card’s weight, texture, print quality, and holographic features, you can easily separate the authentic from the counterfeit. Always do your due diligence before purchasing a card, especially if it’s a rare or expensive one. The more you familiarize yourself with the details of real Pokémon cards, the better equipped you’ll be to avoid fakes.
Happy collecting, and may your Pokémon card collection continue to grow—authentically!