Buying Pokémon cards can be exciting, especially when you find a card you've been searching for at what looks like a great price. But if a deal seems too good to be true, it's worth taking a closer look.
Counterfeit Pokémon cards do exist, and some can be difficult to identify at first glance. Knowing what to look for before you buy can help protect your collection and your money.
So, how can you spot fake Pokémon cards before buying? In this guide, we'll cover some of the warning signs to look for and what you can do if you're unsure whether a card is genuine.
Why Are Fake Pokémon Cards a Problem?
Pokémon cards are popular with collectors and players around the world, which makes them an attractive target for counterfeiters.
Fake cards can be made to resemble genuine Pokémon cards, booster packs and other products. Some are obviously different from authentic products, while others can look convincing enough to fool someone who isn't familiar with the Pokémon TCG.
This is why it's important to inspect cards carefully, particularly when buying individual cards or sealed products from unfamiliar sellers.
Check the Card's Printing Quality
One of the first things to look at is the overall quality of the card.
Compare the card you're considering buying with a known genuine Pokémon card. Look closely at:
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Text quality
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Font and lettering
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Colour and saturation
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Artwork
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Borders
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Symbols
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Card layout
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Alignment
Blurry text, unusual colours, incorrect fonts or artwork that doesn't look quite right can be warning signs.
However, printing differences can sometimes occur on genuine cards, so one unusual detail isn't necessarily enough to prove that a card is counterfeit.
Look at the Card Under Bright Light
One commonly recommended way to check a potentially fake Pokémon card is to hold it up to a bright light.
Genuine Pokémon cards have specific construction and materials, while counterfeit cards can sometimes appear noticeably different when light is passed through them.
If a card looks unusually transparent compared with a known genuine card, that can be a reason to investigate further.
This should be treated as a useful check rather than an absolute test. Different card eras, languages and printings can have different characteristics.
Compare It With a Genuine Card
If you already own a Pokémon card that you know is authentic, use it as a reference.
Place the cards next to each other and compare their:
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Size
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Thickness
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Colour
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Borders
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Printing
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Texture
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Artwork
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Text
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Card back
The more familiar you become with genuine Pokémon cards, the easier it can be to notice something that doesn't look right.
Check the Card Back
Don't forget to inspect the back of the card.
The Pokémon logo, Poké Ball artwork, colours and overall printing should look consistent with genuine cards from the same language and era.
A counterfeit may have colours that are too dark, too light or otherwise noticeably different.
When comparing the back of a card, make sure you're using a genuine card from the same language and a similar era where possible. Older and newer Pokémon cards can have differences in printing and appearance.
Look for Spelling and Printing Errors
Carefully read the card's text.
Obvious spelling mistakes, incorrect Pokémon names, strange wording or unusual fonts can be major warning signs.
Pay attention to the smaller details as well. Counterfeit cards may reproduce the general appearance of a real card without getting every piece of text or formatting correct.
If something looks strange, search for images of the exact card from a reliable source and compare it carefully.
Check the Card's Set and Number
Every Pokémon card belongs to a particular set or product, and many cards have a collector number printed on them.
Use these details to identify the exact card you're looking at.
Check that:
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The card number matches the set
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The artwork matches the correct card
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The rarity is appropriate
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The Pokémon's name and information are correct
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The card actually exists in that particular set
If you can't find the card in a reliable Pokémon card database or reference, that's a good reason to investigate further.
Be Careful With Suspiciously Cheap Pokémon Cards
Price is one of the biggest warning signs when buying Pokémon cards.
If a seller is offering a card or Pokemon booster pack for dramatically less than comparable genuine products, ask yourself why.
A low price doesn't automatically mean a card is fake. Sellers may have different reasons for pricing products below market value. However, an unusually cheap deal should encourage you to do more research before buying.
This is particularly important when purchasing valuable singles or sealed products from sellers you don't know.
Inspect the Packaging
Fake Pokémon products aren't limited to individual cards.
Counterfeit booster packs, pokemon booster boxes and other sealed products can also appear online and in unofficial marketplaces.
Look closely at the packaging for:
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Blurry printing
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Incorrect logos
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Strange colours
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Poor-quality seals
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Incorrect text
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Unusual artwork
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Packaging that doesn't match official product images
Comparing the product with official Pokémon product images can help you identify obvious differences.
Be Careful When Buying Online
Buying Pokémon cards online can give you access to a much larger selection, but it also means you need to consider who you're buying from.
Before purchasing, look at:
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Seller reviews
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Product photos
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Seller history
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Return policies
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Whether the seller specialises in trading cards
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Whether the price is consistent with the current market
Be particularly cautious when a listing uses stock images instead of photographs of the actual card.
For expensive cards, ask for clear photographs of both the front and back before purchasing if the listing doesn't already provide them.
Don't Rely on Just One Test
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when checking for counterfeit Pokémon cards is relying on a single test.
For example, a card passing the light test doesn't necessarily prove that it's genuine. Likewise, a slightly unusual colour or texture isn't automatically proof of a counterfeit.
Instead, consider the card as a whole.
Compare its printing, construction, artwork, text, card back, set information and price with known genuine examples.
The more warning signs you find, the more cautious you should be.
How Can You Tell If a Pokémon Card Is Real?
There isn't always a single quick test that can guarantee a Pokémon card is authentic.
The best approach is to combine several checks and compare the card with known genuine examples.
If you're still unsure, consider having the card inspected by someone who regularly works with Pokémon TCG products.
A specialist trading card store may be able to help you identify obvious issues and determine whether further authentication is needed.
What Should You Do If You Think You Bought a Fake Pokémon Card?
If you've already purchased a card and believe it may be counterfeit, don't immediately throw it away.
Keep the card, packaging and any information relating to the purchase.
If you bought the card online, save the original listing, photographs, messages and receipt or order information. These may be useful if you need to contact the seller or marketplace about the purchase.
You can also have the card examined by an experienced trading card specialist for another opinion.
If you purchased the card from a local seller or store, contact them directly and explain your concerns.
Can a Card Shop Check If My Pokémon Card Is Fake?
If you're unsure about a Pokémon card, getting an experienced second opinion can be a good idea.
At Ozzie Collectables, you can bring your Pokémon cards into the store for our TCG team to take a look at.
While no quick visual check should be treated as a guaranteed authentication service, an experienced team can help identify obvious inconsistencies and advise you on what to do next.
This can be especially useful if you're dealing with a card that appears to be rare or valuable and you're not confident about its authenticity.
How to Avoid Fake Pokémon Cards in the First Place
The easiest way to deal with counterfeit cards is to avoid buying them in the first place.
A few simple habits can reduce your risk:
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Buy from established trading card retailers where possible
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Research the seller before purchasing
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Compare prices with other listings
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Be cautious of deals that seem unusually cheap
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Ask for clear photos of individual cards
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Check the card's set and collector number
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Compare the card with known genuine examples
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Be careful when buying valuable cards from unfamiliar sellers
Taking a few extra minutes to investigate a purchase can save you from an expensive mistake.
Final Thoughts: How Can You Spot Fake Pokémon Cards?
Learning how to spot fake Pokémon cards is an important skill for any collector.
Start by checking the card's printing, artwork, text, card back, set information and overall construction. Compare it with a known genuine card and be particularly cautious if the price seems unusually low.
Most importantly, don't rely on a single test. If something doesn't look right, take the time to investigate before handing over your money.
And if you've already purchased a Pokémon card and aren't sure whether it's genuine, consider getting a second opinion from an experienced trading card specialist.
A little caution before buying can go a long way towards keeping your Pokémon collection genuine.