How to spot fake Pokémon cards in 2025?

Pokémon cards are more popular than ever. Unfortunately, this also means the market is flooded with counterfeits. Fake Pokémon cards are popping up, especially on platforms like Marktplaats, eBay, and unknown online stores. Sometimes they're so well-made that it's difficult to distinguish between the real thing and the fake.

This article provides practical tips for checking Pokémon cards and immediately identifying whether a card is genuine or counterfeit. This way, you can be sure your collection remains safe and authentic.

1. Check the card thickness and paper quality

Genuine Pokémon cards are printed on special cardstock with a black core. If you hold the card up to a bright light, you'll often see a thin black line along the edge of an original. Counterfeit cards lack this line, or the card feels noticeably thin and flimsy.

👉 Tip: Compare a suspect card with one you know is genuine. Feel the difference in thickness and sturdiness: with fake Pokémon cards, you can often immediately tell the material is flawed.

2. Pay attention to the colors and printing

Original Pokémon cards have vibrant colors and razor-sharp text. Counterfeits often have:

• Colors that are too bright or too dull.

• Text that looks blurry, as if the printer was not focused.

• A back (the well-known blue with the Pokéball) with the wrong shade.

These are simple ways to spot fake Pokémon cards without any special equipment.

3. Holographic foil and gloss

For rare cards, holofoil is a key feature. Original holos have depth and complex patterns. Counterfeit cards often use cheap foil that has an unnatural sheen. Modern sets like Scarlet & Violet have multiple layers of holo—something counterfeiters almost never replicate accurately.

4. Text and symbols

Many counterfeit cards betray themselves by errors in the text and icons, for example:

• “Pokeman” instead of “Pokémon”.

• Energy symbols that are incorrect.

• Rules or descriptions that deviate from the official design.

A quick glance at the text can often be enough to spot a fake Pokémon card .

5. Weight and bending test

An original Pokémon card weighs about 1.7 grams . Counterfeits often differ: lighter, heavier, or even thicker cardboard. The classic bend test still works: gently bend the card. A genuine card will bounce back without damage; a fake will break or tear more easily.

6. Buy only from reputable stores

The easiest way to avoid problems? Buy genuine Pokémon cards from authorized retailers . At Pokeca.nl, we guarantee that all products are 100% authentic, directly from official distributors. This ensures your investment is safe.

Conclusion

Spotting fake Pokémon cards can be tricky, but with these tips, you'll pay attention to the right details: thickness, colors, foil, text, and weight. Moreover, if you only buy from a reputable webshop, you'll never have to worry. This way, your collection will grow without a worry, and your binder will stay filled with real gems.

🔖 Bonus tip: Still unsure? Post a photo in a Facebook or Discord community and ask other collectors to take a look. Together, you'll spot fakes faster!