Guide to spotting fake Pokémon cards

The following guide will provide useful information on how to differentiate fake Pokémon cards from authentic ones. Fake cards are a common problem in the world of Pokémon, and can cause confusion and difficulties for players and collectors. This guide will introduce several techniques and methods that can be used to determine whether a Pokémon card is fake or authentic. With this information, you will be able to safely purchase and use Pokémon cards and avoid potential scams or frauds.

Introduction

Since the beginning of the Pokémon trading card game, there has been a huge problem with counterfeiting. Fake cards can be found as far back as 1999.

In Spain it is really worrying because there are many points of sale that, due to ignorance or because they are cheaper, sell this type of imitation products that lack real value.
Once you have two cards together it's easy to see the difference, but here are some tips to help you identify them:

Unless otherwise indicated, all points apply to both English and Spanish letters.

Visual aspects

The visual aspects of Pokémon cards are the aspects that can be seen with the naked eye to differentiate real cards from counterfeits, and can include the serial number, card type, rarity, evolution level, and other details that cannot be seen with the naked eye. These visual aspects are important as they determine how a card can be used in-game and can also influence the card's value as a collectible.

Color

The main thing that distinguishes a fake card from a real one is the color. If the card is lighter or darker in color (most commonly it is lighter on the front and darker on the back) it is possible that it is a counterfeit Pokémon card, especially if the text and drawings are not clear and look blurry.

Typography

Pokémon cards always have the same style of lettering and numbers. While in fake Pokémon cards you can find different types of letters with some much more square or much more round, since there are different types of counterfeits. These fonts usually make the letters more separated than they should be or too close to each other. Spelling mistakes are also determining when it comes to seeing if a card is fake.

Size

Pokémon cards are typically approximately 66mm wide by 91mm tall, which is a standard card size.

All cards are the same size without exception, unless it is a jumbo card. Many counterfeit cards that are smaller in size are often in a color that does not match the Pokémon (for example, a green Charmander), have incorrect or made-up names, and the attack text does not make sense grammatically.

Illustration

The artwork on a Pokémon card is the image that represents the Pokémon depicted on the card. Each Pokémon card has unique artwork that corresponds to the Pokémon depicted on the card. For example, if a card has the name "Pikachu," the artwork on the card will show a picture of a Pikachu. The artwork on the card is important as it is what allows players to visualize and recognize the Pokémon depicted on the card.

If you get a "Pokémon" that you don't recognize, look up its name online. Sometimes the images on fake cards show things that aren't even Pokémon (like Digimon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, animals, or similar).

Name

The name on a Pokémon card is the name of the Pokémon depicted on the card. Each Pokémon card has a unique name that corresponds to the name of the Pokémon shown in the image on the card. For example, if a card features a Pikachu, the name of the card will be "Pikachu." The name of the card is important as it is what allows players to identify which Pokémon is depicted on the card and how it can be used in the game.

Sometimes, on fake Pokémon cards, the name of the Pokémon does not match the image shown. The most famous case is that of Charizard with the name Caterpie.

Fake Pokémon card, Charizard illustration with the name Caterpie.

Attacks and HP

On a Pokémon card, attacks and HP are two of the main characteristics that determine the Pokémon's strength and effectiveness in the game. Attacks are special abilities that the Pokémon can use in battle against other Pokémon, and each attack has a cost in energy points and associated damage. HP, or life points, represents the amount of damage a Pokémon can sustain before being defeated in battle. Attacks and HP are two of the most important factors to consider when building a Pokémon card deck and when facing other players in battle.

Check the name of the attacks and the HP or HP number. If the HP goes up from 500, or the attack doesn't exist, then it is definitely a fake. If it says HP 80 instead of 80 HP, that is also a fake.

However, there are some older cards that have the number and HP reversed due to a printing error. But that only happens on a few vintage cards. Look for the card name along with "HP error" to be sure before you throw it away.

Glow

Another feature you can look for to help you differentiate between fake and real Pokémon cards is found on super rare cards, whether EX, GX, V, VMax, VStar, or Full Art. These cards, due to their style and rarity, have colorful glitter patterns.

Most counterfeit Pokémon EX, GX, V, VMax, VAstro, or Full Art cards do not shine, and if they do, it is a flat shine.

Relief

Embossing on a Pokémon card is a special effect applied to some cards to give them a more three-dimensional and realistic appearance. Embossing is achieved by using different colored and thick inks in printing the card, allowing certain areas of the card to stand out and protrude from the surface of the card. Embossing can add a touch of realism and detail to the card, and may be a desired feature for Pokémon collectors and players. Not all Pokémon cards are embossed, and its presence depends on the particular edition and type of card.

In the case of Full art cards (EX, GX, VMAX, VAstro, etc.) the cards have a grainy relief, as if they were digital finger prints, which children know as "touch-touch" or "scratch-scratch" since the surface can be touched with the hand.

Counterfeit Pokémon VMax, VAstro, or Full Art cards that are supposed to have relief do not, so when you run your finger over the card you won't notice any grainy texture.

Even so, you have to be very careful when buying from a distance, since the card may have the relief printed on it and you can be fooled with photos, but then when you receive the Pokémon card if you bought it online you may realize that it does not have relief.

How to differentiate fake letters from real ones

Material

Pokémon cards are typically made from high-quality paper that is sturdy and durable. The paper is carefully chosen to ensure that the cards are resistant to wear and tear and frequent handling, and also to ensure that the printing on the card is clear and crisp. In addition to paper, Pokémon cards may also contain other materials, such as inks of different colors and thicknesses, to add special effects like embossing or glitter. Although Pokémon cards are primarily made from paper, they may also contain other materials to enhance their appearance and durability.

The cardboard test

If we're going to be dramatic, there's one very obvious way to tell if a Pokémon TCG card is fake or authentic: rip it in half. Genuine cards have multiple layers of printing, while counterfeits are made of flat cardboard. It's not ideal, but it's the most reliable.

The test of light

If we have a spotlight at hand, we can check against the light that the fake cards are transparent (you can see the back), while the authentic ones are completely opaque. This is a good technique if we have any doubts about the previous steps.
How to identify fake envelopes
Some of the fake envelopes refer to collections that do not exist or have the name incorrectly translated.

About Fake vs Original

Although envelopes and boxes have been seen that perfectly imitate the originals, there are some signs that can help identify them:

There are several ways to tell a fake Pokémon card pack from an original one. Some of the ways to do this include:

• Check the envelope's edge: Genuine Pokémon envelopes typically have a uniformly colored edge and no printing errors. If the envelope's edge has smudges, uneven coloring , or a very rough saw-tooth finish , the envelope may be counterfeit.

• Check the EC logo: Original Pokémon booster packs distributed in the EC usually have the EC logo on the bottom. If the booster pack doesn't have the logo or the logo doesn't match the authentic one, the booster pack is likely counterfeit.

• Check the envelope design: Counterfeit envelopes often have design errors, such as distorted letters or blurry images. Carefully reviewing the envelope design can help identify whether it is a fake envelope.

• Check the seal of authenticity: Most original Pokémon booster packs have a seal of authenticity in one of the corners. This seal can be a hologram, a barcode, or a watermark, and it can be used to verify the authenticity of the pack. If the pack doesn't have a seal of authenticity or the seal doesn't match an authentic one, the pack is likely counterfeit.

• Check the envelope material: Original Pokémon envelopes are usually made of high-quality, thick, and sturdy materials. If the envelope feels flimsy or fragile, it may be a fake.

• Consult an expert: If you have any doubts about the authenticity of a Pokémon card pack, consulting an expert on the subject may be the best option. Pokémon card experts are usually knowledgeable about the different types of packs and the characteristics that differentiate them from counterfeits.

Fake vs Original Boxes

in progress

Non-visual aspects

Non-visual aspects of Pokémon cards are the features and details that cannot be seen directly on the card, but are important for the game and card collecting. Although the non-visual aspects of Pokémon cards cannot be seen with the naked eye, they are just as important as the visual aspects and should be considered when acquiring and using Pokémon cards.

Where to buy them

Fake cards have been found mostly in bazaars, kiosks, stationery stores or flea markets. Although it is true that in some of these places there are real cards (kiosks and stationery stores, especially) it is best to trust specialized stores such as pokemillon.com where they sell authentic material.

Price

It's often difficult to tell fake Pokémon card booster packs from the real thing. As a general rule, if the price of a pack seems too good to be true, it probably is. Pokémon Trading Card Game cards are made from the highest quality materials to ensure that players and collectors have an optimal experience. That's why finding a pack of Pokémon cards that costs significantly less than our suggested retail price is an indication that you're almost certainly being sold a counterfeit product.

Format

Location

It has often been found that the material used to make fake cards is of lower quality than that used by Pokémon. For this reason, we can tell by touch that a fake card has a rough texture, while the real ones are smoother.

There have also been cases where cards can be easily handled and the front and back can separate, just like a trading card. This is because counterfeit cards often copy the front and back separately and then put them together. Pokémon cards are made with a single sheet of paper and it is almost impossible for this to happen (unless you force it). You can see that a counterfeit card made this way is thicker than a real one.

A batch of fake Spanish playing cards was recently detected. Most of these cards are copies of sets that have not been released in Spanish, and in addition to the points mentioned above, the quality of their translation leaves much to be desired. If you detect sentences that do not make much sense or seem poorly structured grammatically (or something as blatant as cabeza y cola instead of cara y cruz to refer to coin tossing), it is very likely that it is fake material.

Metallic or Gold Cards

A product that is in high demand by children these days are metallic or gold cards. These are rigid metal Pokémon cards representing iconic Pokémon cards. Unfortunately, there are no original Pokémon cards of this style. They are all imitations that have no real value.

Gold Metallic Cards Fake vs Original

As of December 2022, there are only 2 rigid metal Pokémon Cards.

Practical tips

• Look up information about the product online before purchasing it. Compare it with real photos of the product to see if it is the right one.
• Trust your usual store. If they have never let you down, they don't have to deceive you.
• Don't blame the shopkeeper at the first opportunity, he could be another victim in the whole network of fake letters.
• If in doubt, consult an expert.
• Remember that this is for everyone's benefit. Even though the fake packs are cheaper and have more rare cards than a normal one (and thus it is easier and cheaper to make a good deck), it is a question of morality, since you are letting yourselves be fooled with impunity and nobody likes to be fooled when money is involved. In addition, the game has rules and you will not be allowed to play with those cards, which will be negative for the child who comes to a tournament with all the enthusiasm. And on the other hand, people who are aware of this issue will not accept changes with you or your children, so in the end, cheap ends up being expensive.

Now that you know how to identify an original Pokémon Card from a fake one, where can you buy original Pokémon TCG Cards in Spain?

Where to buy original Pokémon cards in Spain?

Original Pokémon cards can be purchased in stores specializing in toys and board games, as well as in online stores that sell Pokémon cards. In Spain, some of the options where you can buy original Pokémon cards include stores such as newsstands or stationery stores, but sometimes you can find fake cards in these places. In bazaars, Pokémon cards are directly fake. But we are going to leave you with some recommendations for original Pokémon cards in Spain so that you can buy with complete security.

✅ Pokémon envelope website in Spanish.
✅ Website to buy Pokémon envelopes in English.
✅ Website for Pokémon Card boxes in Spanish.
✅ Website to buy boxes of Pokémon Cards in English.