Are My Pokémon Cards Fake?

Checking the authenticity of Pokémon cards is an arduous task, especially for those not very familiar with the hobby. 

Nowadays, we can find fake booster packs for sale in many stationery stores, especially in countries like Spain or Italy. This problem, which many people are aware of internationally, has been happening blatantly for years. And although there have been related arrests, it continues to occur, and we can easily verify that counterfeit cards are still being sold in stationery stores near our homes.

This guide aims to enable anyone to identify whether their cards are real or a counterfeit and this avoid falling for this deception again.

 

1. Compare with Other Images

One of the quickest ways to detect a fake is to search for images of your card online and compare them. If you find many copies identical to yours, it is a sign that it might be authentic. However, this method may not completely resolve all doubts, as different variants or editions of the same card exist, and these may have distinct features and look different from each other. Despite this limitation, it remains a quick way to perform an initial check on whether your card is fake or not.

 

 

2. Different Font or Typeface

Authentic Pokémon cards are printed using high-precision equipment and rigorous quality control. This process results in consistent typography, spacing, and text clarity. If the text is blurry, faded, or uses an incorrect font, the card is likely a fake.

 

 

3. Spelling Errors

Similar to typography, the presence of spelling errors in the Pokémon’s name or in the description of its abilities is a strong indication of counterfeiting, as authentic cards are subject to a much greater quality control that eliminates any linguistic errors.

 

 

4. Colors and Saturation

Authentic Pokémon cards are printed with high-quality inks that guarantee bright, vibrant, and uniform colors across the illustration and design. The Pokémon’s art, energy symbols, and background color are sharp and maintain constant and precise saturation, faithfully replicating the original tones. In contrast, counterfeits often fail drastically in this aspect due to the use of interior printing materials. If a card has dull, excessively saturated, or faded colors, it may be fake.

 

 

5. Texture and Holographic Effects

Some of rarest and most modern Pokémon cards feature textured or embossed surface over the illustration, in addition to the holographic shine. Counterfeits often completely lack this texture or replicate it very poorly, making the card feel completely flat. 

Regarding the holographic effect, the shine on fake cards is usually uniform, excessively thick, or has a simple pattern (frequently vertical or dotted), covering the entire illustration. In contrast, authentic cards use more complex and subtle shine patterns (often diagonal, cellular, or highlighting only specific areas of the card) and integrate cleanly with the art.

 

 

6. Thick or Disproportionate Edges

Authentic Pokémon cards are printed on high-quality cardboard which gives them a totally consistent rigidity and thickness, offering a firm and robust feel to the touch. This quality extends to the precision of the cut: genuine cards have clean edges and perfectly rounded corners, with a margin that is uniform and symmetrical. In contrast, counterfeits usually use more fragile or unusually thick material, and often present rough edges, poorly cut, or a disproportionate margin that evidences a total lack of quality control.

 

 

7. “Light Test”

The authenticity of a Pokémon card can be verified by applying the light test: original cards are printed on a multi-layered cardstock that includes a dense opaque inner layer, making them highly resistant to light and barely letting it pass through. If, when holding a card up to the light, it appears unusually translucent or if the design of the reverse side becomes visible, it is a strong indicator that it is a low-quality counterfeit.

 

 

8. Layers

A highly reliable method for determining the authenticity of a Pokémon card is to examine the structure of its layers by looking at the side or the edge of the cardboard. Original Pokémon cards, especially those printed in the West (including English-language ones), are manufactured with multi-layer material which often includes a black ink core layer. This composition is revealed by looking at the card’s edge, showing layers of colors that often appear white, gray/black, and white. Counterfeits are usually single uniform layer and lack this distinctive pattern and the central dark layer. Therefore, simply looking at the side of card is a conclusive way to verify its authenticity.

If this is not enough, or if one is certain that the card is fake, the most destructive but definitive method for verifying the authenticity of a Western card is to rip it: when broken, an authentic card will clearly reveal the central black layer, proving its genuine composition; in contrast, a fake will show an interior of a uniform and light color (white or a simple cardboard), demonstrating the absence of this crucial layer, although it should be remembered that this method is not applicable to all original prints, such as Japanese ones.

 

 

9. Seek Professional Help

Finally, we understand that for those unfamiliar with the hobby, it can be complicated to determine the authenticity of their cards. Therefore, as a final and definitive step to know if your Pokémon cards are authentic, especially those of high value or rarity, it is recommended to seek professional help. You can visit specialized collectible stores or online collector communities, where there will surely always be people willing to help you. The experience and specialized tools of theses professionals are the most definitive method for confirm whether your cards are authentic or not.