How To Tell If A Pokémon Card Is Fake?

As a collector of Pokémon cards, you want to be sure that you're getting the original products. Unfortunately, there are many counterfeits, and it can be challenging to differentiate authentic cards from fakes.

This post will teach you how to tell if a Pokémon card is fake. We'll cover the most common signs of a fake card and how to spot a counterfeit edition. So, whether you're buying cards online or from a store, always inspect them closely before you make your purchase.

Why Are There Fake Pokémon Cards?

It's a question that many collectors have asked themselves, and the answer isn't always straightforward.

Some people think fake cards are made to scam people out of their money, but others believe that some fakes help collectors identify real cards. It can be hard to tell the difference between a real and a fake card, but with some knowledge, you can protect yourself from getting scammed.

But we believe that fake Pokémon cards are created solely for the purpose of selling and making money on a well-known name. Be aware that selling someone else's intellectual property can get you into legal trouble. In this case, it is better to make a proxy card and not be afraid of problems with the original Pokémon supplier.

How Can You Tell If A Pokémon Card Is Fake?

So you've found a Pokémon card at a garage sale and are unsure if it's the real deal. How can you tell?

Well, there are a few things you can look for to help you determine if a card is fake or not. 

1. The first thing to check is the back of the card. Genuine cards will have a holographic image that changes as you tilt them. If the image on the back is just a solid colour, it's likely a fake;
2. Another thing to look out for is the font used on the card. Genuine cards will use an official font, while fake cards often look amateurish;
3. Finally, look at the picture on the front of the card. If it's blurry or seems to be of poor quality, it's likely a fake.

So you've got a Pokémon card, and you're unsure if it's authentic? Here are a few tips to help you figure out whether it's the real deal or a fake. Here are other ways to define whether it's fake or not.

1. The first thing to look at is the card's design. Genuine Pokemon cards have intricate designs with well-defined borders. If the card looks blurry or like it was printed on a home printer, then it's likely fake;
2. Another giveaway is the card's border. Genuine Pokémon cards have clean, crisp borders with no blurry edges. If the border on your card looks fuzzy or pixelated, it's probably a fake;
3. Another way to tell if a Pokémon card is fake is by checking the Card Registration Number (CRN). This unique number should be found on every Pokémon card's back and match the number on the PSA/DNA website. If the numbers don't match, the card is likely counterfeit;
4. Finally, look for watermarks on both the front and back of the card. When held up to the light, genuine Pokémon cards will have an image of Pikachu in raised text. If there is no watermark or if it is faint and illegible, the card is most likely a forgery.

1. Examine The Card's Text

One of the easiest ways to tell if a Pokémon card is fake is to examine the text. Genuine Pokémon cards are printed using high-quality inks and fonts, so any card that looks blurry or has wonky text is likely a fake.

REMEMBER. However, do not rush to discard a Pokémon card if it has errors in the text. Even original cards are issued with mistakes in words, but this does not make them fakes. Google your card with an error, read the player’s forums, and then decide what to do with your collectible. Suddenly, at the moment, you are holding a rare card on which you can earn money.

2. Check The Card's Evolution

One of the easiest ways to tell if a Pokémon card is fake is to check the card's evolution. If the card is for a Pokémon that doesn't have an evolution, it's probably fake. Genuine Pokémon cards will always feature the evolution of the Pokémon.

However, not everyone knows about this method of checking Pokémon cards since the evolution of Pokémon is a feature of characters you can learn about by watching a cartoon.

3. Look For A Holofoil Stamp

One way to tell if a Pokémon card is fake is to look for the Holofoil stamp. All authentic Pokémon cards have a Holofoil stamp in the bottom right-hand corner of the card. If the card you're looking at doesn't have this stamp, it's most likely a fake.

Another telltale sign of a fake card is if the text or graphics on the card are blurry or fuzzy. Genuine Pokémon cards are always printed with high-quality graphics and text. So if the text on your card looks like it's been blurred or smudged, it's likely a fake.

What Are The Consequences Of Having A Fake Pokémon Card?

If you're not careful, you might end up buying a fake Pokémon card. And that's not something you want to do, because there are some severe consequences:

First of all, fake cards are usually of a lower quality than the originals. They might not be as colourful, or the text might be blurry.

Second, you could get in trouble if you try to sell a fake card. Trading card companies take counterfeiting very seriously and won't hesitate to take legal action against anyone who tries to sell counterfeit cards.

Finally, the most severe consequence is that fake cards can damage the value of real Pokémon cards. So if you have a valuable card and someone tries to sell you a fake one, it's crucial to tell the difference.

How Can You Avoid Buying Fake Pokémon Cards?

So, you've found the perfect Pokémon card to add to your collection. But is it real? Or is it a fake?

Here are a few tips to help you avoid buying fake Pokémon cards:

1. Look for an official hologram or seal;
2. Check the card's borders and ensure they're straight and even;
3. Compare the card to others of the same type and check for differences in colour and detail;
4. Read what's written on the card. Fake cards often have misspelt words or incorrect information;
5. Read some articles devoted to Pokémon cards;
6. Visit reputable forums.

What To Do If You Think You Have A Fake Pokémon Card?

So, do you think you might have a fake Pokémon card? Well, don't worry; we're here to help. Here are a few steps to take if you think you might have a fake card:

1. Compare your card to others of the same type and edition. It could be a fake if it doesn't look the same as the other cards;
2. Examine the card closely for any signs of tampering or alteration. Fakes often have misspellings, incorrect punctuation, or blurry text;
3. Look at the card's back. Fake cards often have different colouring or fonts on the back side than authentic cards;
4. Compare the card to images of authentic cards available online. Plenty of online resources can help you determine whether or not your card is authentic.

If you believe you have a fake Pokémon card, don't hesitate to contact players' forums for help. They will be more than happy to look and see if they can determine where it came from.

Can I Use Fake Pokémon Cards In The Official Tournament?

Unfortunately, the answer to this question is no. All Pokémon cards used in official tournaments must be authentic to prevent cheating. If you try to use a fake card, you'll likely be disqualified from the event.

However, that doesn't mean all hope is lost if you own a counterfeit Pokémon card. There are some competitions that accept fake and proxy cards for the sessions. 

REMEMBER. Not every fake card will exhibit all of these signs, so you may need to use more than one method to determine whether or not your card is genuine.

Benefits Of Having Fake Pokémon Cards

So, you've got a rare Pokémon card, and you're unsure if it's real. What do you do? Well, the first thing you need to do is relax. There are a few benefits of having that type of Pokémon collectible.

1. They're less expensive. One of the main benefits of fake Pokémon cards is that they're usually cheaper than the real ones. This can be an excellent option for collectors on a low budget or people who want to collect the cards without worrying about damaging them;
2. They can be customized. Another great thing about fake Pokémon cards is that they can be customized to match whatever you want. If you wish to change the name, the illustration, or even the type of cards it's all possible with creativity.

TIP! You can also read our article about Pokémon proxy cards. We discuss the process of creating proxy cards and their differences from other Pokémon cards. This process is quite exciting. However, it can take a long time to create a collectible.

Disadvantages Of Having Fake Pokémon Cards

There are a few disadvantages of having fake Pokémon cards. 

• The first and most obvious one is that the card is not authentic. This means that it may not be worth as much as an original card and may be difficult to sell;
• Additionally, fake cards are often of poorer quality than authentic cards. They may be made of cheaper materials and may not be printed with the same level of detail as an original card. This can make them less attractive to collectors and may not hold their value well over time.

Where Can Fake Pokémon Cards Be Bought

However, a cheaper option would be to make your own Pokémon card. In addition, this process can become quite entertaining, and you may get carried away with it. And if you can show the world that you are a talented illustrator, you can be hired by the original company and create original Pokémon cards.

How To Care For Pokémon Cards

You've just bought a Pokémon card from your favourite shop, and you can't wait to add it to your collection and want to care for it. It's essential to take care of your Pokémon cards to keep them in good condition for years to come. Here are a few tips:

Don't bend or fold the card;

Don't expose it to direct sunlight or heat;

Keep it in a cool, dry place;

Ensure it's stored away from other cards.

If you follow these guidelines, your Pokémon cards should stay in good condition for years to come.

Find The Reliable Care Provider For Your Pokémon Cards

Are you wondering where you can get reliable tools to protect your Pokémon cards? To do this, you can consider buying card sleeves to keep your TCG cards safe from external factors.

YourPlaymat has extensive experience protecting playing cards with famous characters. Their sleeves are great for protecting Pokémon cards, MTGs, or any other collectibles.

Among the advantages of working with the company:

• Functional and custom sleeves. On the web site, you can choose the best ready-made solutions, and if your cards are too big for the sleeves, you can always change the protection size and get exactly what you need;
• Aesthetic solutions. We have many ready-made solutions for your cards. And if you don't like pre-configured sleeves, you can always put your picture on the front of the protection. In this way, you will be able to present your cards effectively and at the same time provide them with effective protection for many years to come;
• Lowest prices on the market. By purchasing the YourPlaymat sleeves, you can effectively save money. You are guaranteed a bonus from a cash balance for purchasing another booster set of cards. The company offers sleeves in quantities from 60 to 120 pieces;
• Customer care. Working with the company, you can always receive feedback and answers to all your questions.

It can be tricky to tell whether a Pokémon card is fake. But with some know-how, you can quickly identify a fake card and ensure you're getting the real deal.

Remember those quick tips that can help you out:

• Check to see if the card is correctly licensed. All official Pokémon cards will have the brand name and logo on the front;
• Look at the borders of the card. Official cards have immaculate, straight borders. Fakes may have blurry or uneven borders;
• Examine the printing on the card. Official cards will have very clear and even printing. Fakes may have fuzzy printing, or the image might be slightly off-centre;
• Compare the card to other known authentic cards. If it doesn't match up, it's probably a fake.

FAQ

Can You Fake A Pokémon Card?

Yes, you can counterfeit Pokémon cards yourself. However, this can lead to criminal liability if you sell them.

Why Are Pokémon So Popular?

It has a magic attraction, primarily due to its incredible storyline and a vulnerable character like Ash, with whom we can easily relate. And, of course, the world is full of cute Pokémon that look so much like the animals we admire.

Is Original Pokémon Card Better Than Proxy?

The correct answer will be according to every collector's needs and interests. Many people collect original products no matter what the content of these products will be. For fans of specific characters, adding a custom card to the collection would be easier than buying random cards.

What Is The Rarest Pokémon Cards?

 There's not better place to start than what many consider to be the rarest Pokémon card in existence, the Pikachu Illustrator holo. This is the perfect example of a card with a limited supply and few graded copies.