Everything You Need to Know About Pokémon Misprint Cards: Types & Value

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Plus, learn about the most expensive misprints ever sold
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Pokémon cards may be well known for their high quality, but errors do happen during the printing process. And even rarer, these misprinted cards can make it into booster packs and eventually, your collection! Whether you’re curious about the various misprint errors Pokémon cards can have, or you have a misprinted card and want to know how much it might be worth, we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll go over some of the most common printing errors , tell you if misprinted cards are valuable , and go over some of the most expensive misprinted cards . Keep reading to learn more!

Common Pokémon Misprint Errors

  1. Off-center error : The card is printed off-center with a too thin/thick border.
  2. Square cut error : The edges of the card are sharp instead of rounded.
  3. Miscut error : Portions of the card are cut off, or other cards are visible.
  4. Ink stain error : Small or large splotches of ink cover the card.
  5. Upside-down back : The back of the card is printed upside down.
Section 1 of 4:

Types of Pokémon Card Misprints

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  1. 1
    Off-center error Off-center cards are one of the most common types of misprints. This is an error during printing or cutting where the card appears just slightly off-center. Typically, one of the borders on the side, top, or bottom is too thick or thin, causing the central image to be out of alignment. [1]
    • This is just a slight error—the misprint or miscut isn’t so severe that any part of the card is missing.
  2. 2
    Square cut error All standard Pokémon cards are printed with rounded corners. However, sometimes there are errors when the cards are cut, resulting in the corners having a sharp, squared edge. This can apply to 1 or 2 of the corners, and in rarer cases, all of the corners. [2]
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  3. 3
    Miscut error Miscut errors are a common type of error that happens when the card is improperly cut during production. The error can be minor or very major and severe: [3]
    • Minor miscuts :
      • Very off-center cut : Some of the text is missing from the sides, bottom, or top of the card.
      • Alignment miscuts : You can see the printer’s alignment dot or CMYK color bars, causing a large portion of the card to be cut off.
    • Major miscuts :
      • Severe alignment miscuts : Portions of another card are visible on the same card. In some very severe miscuts, you might see 2 or more cards visible.
      • Twisted miscuts : The card was printed at the wrong angle but cut straight, causing the image to appear twisted.
      • Narrow miscuts: The card slid into the cutter too far, causing one of the sides to be cut off severely. So, the card is very narrow.
      • Short miscuts : The card entered the cutter at the wrong angle and slid too far to the top or bottom, causing part of the top or bottom to be cut off. So, the card is very short.
  4. 4
    Ink stain error Errors during the printing process are also quite common. This typically happens when extra ink is added to the printing plates or rollers, leaving a card with splotches of ink that make it look like it was stained. This can be very minor and result in tiny splotches called hickeys, or be quite severe and leave behind large stripes of ink. [4]
  5. 5
    Upside-down back error This is a more common error where the Pokémon card was inserted into the printer backwards. This causes the poké ball on the back of the card to appear upside down. [5]
  6. 6
    Crimping error This is a semi-common error that happens when cards are sealed inside a booster pack. The foil wrapper is fused together with a crimping machine, and sometimes cards are caught inside it. This can leave them with visible crimping along the top or bottom edges. [6]
  7. 7
    Registration error Occasionally, the printing plate can get out of alignment, causing the ink to be pressed in the wrong areas on the card. For instance, the black layer of ink used to outline the pokémon can be misaligned, giving the image a blurry look. Or, the colored border around the picture of the pokémon may be printed slightly off center. [7]
  8. 8
    Obstruction error Another less common error during the printing process is when something obstructs the card, preventing the ink from properly coloring it. This can leave the card with spots or entire areas that are outlined in black but aren’t colored. [8]
  9. 9
    Holographic error Holographic cards are one of the most prized types of Pokémon cards. They’re printed on holographic foil, which gives the card a special shimmer and sparkle. However, a lot of errors can happen during the foiling process, such as: [9]
    • Holobleed : A more common error where the holographic foil is visible on the entire card, instead of just on the image of the pokémon.
    • The foil runs out : The roll of holographic foil runs out and a new roll isn’t added, so parts of the card are missing foil where it should have it.
    • The wrong foil is used : Several different types of holographic foil are used on the cards, which have different patterns, colors, and textures. In rare cases, the wrong type might be used on a card.
    • Mirror holo/No star holo : Some cards are printed with a holographic foil that’s meant to mimic the look of stars and the cosmos. With this rare misprint, the stars weren’t pressed properly on the card, causing some or none of them to appear.
    • Holoshift : The holographic oil is misaligned on the card, which can create a blank outline around the pokémon.
    • Double holo foil : A very rare error where the holographic foil was added twice to the card.
  10. 10
    Print lines error While relatively rare, you can sometimes find cards that have faint indentations or lines across them. This typically occurs when the card accidentally gets creased or pressed into after printing.
  11. 11
    Double or triple printing error Double and triple printing is a very rare error where 2 or 3 images are printed on the same card. For instance, the card might show a Pokémon and a trainer. Or, the front of the card might be printed over the back of the card. [10]
  12. 12
    Folding error Very rarely, the edges of the paper that the cards are printed on fold over, which can happen before or after printing. When the cards are cut, this can leave some with a visible fold. [11]
    • If the fold happened before printing , unfolding the area may reveal a blank spot on the card.
    • If the fold happened after printing , the folded area may show the printer’s alignment dots or CMYK color bars.
  13. 13
    Test card error Lots of test cards are made during production to ensure that the printing press and cutter are properly aligned so the real cards come out right. Very rarely, these test cards aren’t discarded and are accidentally added to booster packs. You might find cards that say “For position only” over the image of the Pokémon, or blank cards that say “This card was intentionally left blank.”
  14. 14
    Uncolored or blank back error These are very rare errors that occur while the back of the card is being printed. In some cases, the back of the card may receive the black ink outline but not the colored ink. In even rarer cases, the back might not be printed at all. [12]
  15. 15
    Missing print layers Sometimes during printing, the printer malfunctions and one of the base layers of colors isn’t added to the card (i.e., cyan, magenta, yellow, or black). This can give the card an unsaturated or faded look, depending on which color was missed. [13]
  16. 16
    Stamp errors Some cards have stamps to indicate that they’re special, like “Edition 1” for first edition cards and “PRERELEASE” for prerelease cards. In rare cases, cards that should have these stamps might be missing them, have them placed in the wrong area, or have smudged stamps. [14]
  17. 17
    Missing features error These are super rare errors that are very well documented, since missing features on a card can sometimes be a sign that it’s fake . There are clear examples of cards missing damage amounts, HP amounts, and specific letters and words. [15]
    • These types of errors are usually corrected in later prints of the same cards, as these errors can seriously impact gameplay.
    • For instance, the “Rocket’s Minefield Gym” is famous for missing the number “2” in the text, which designates how many damage counters to put on a Pokémon.
    • Check out the running list of error cards on Bulbapedia’s website .
  18. 18
    Wrong back error There are Pokémon printing facilities all around the world, and some factories print other playing card games in addition to Pokémon cards. So, there have been very rare instances of Pokémon cards having the back of a different card game. For instance, one Growlithe card from Germany was printed with the back of a Magic: The Gathering card. [16]
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Section 2 of 4:

Are misprint Pokémon cards valuable?

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  1. It depends—some misprint cards are valuable while others are not. While misprinted Pokémon cards are relatively rare, this doesn’t automatically mean that they’re more valuable than regular cards. Like any Pokémon card, a misprinted card’s value largely depends on its popularity, demand, and condition.
    • Is there a market for misprinted cards? Yes! Because misprints are rare and add a unique character to a card, lots of collectors like to purchase them, and may be willing to pay more for them than regular cards.
    • Where can I sell misprinted cards? Sell your cards on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, trading card sites like TCGPlayer , and conventions, just like normal cards. Or, check out specific groups for misprint cards on social media, like r/PokemonMisprints or the Gotta Misprint 'Em All Facebook Group . People often post and sell their cards there!
Section 3 of 4:

What makes a misprinted Pokémon card valuable?

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  1. Popular cards and severe errors can increase a misprinted card’s value. If a Pokémon card is already popular and in demand, an added misprint error can make it even more valuable. For instance, cards featuring Charizard and Pikachu are some of the most popular ones, so a minor or major error can increase their price tags. Very rare and severe misprint errors can also be very valuable, like cards that are missing attack values or cards that are printed with a Magic: The Gathering back.
    • Cards that are in great condition (i.e., little to no visible damage or wear) tend to be more valuable, too.
    • More common misprints, like a card that’s slightly off-center, has a minor ink stain, or has a square cut, typically don’t add much value to a card.
    • How can I determine my card’s value? Look up how much the base card typically sells for online, like on TCGPlayer or eBay. Then, look up how rare or valuable the type of misprint is. Post about your card on r/PokemonMisprints or the Gotta Misprint 'Em All Facebook Group , too, as many users help value other people’s cards.
    • Consider getting your card graded . This is a quick way to authenticate your card and confirm its value. It typically costs a small fee to send the card to a grading service, such as CGC Cards or PSA Card .
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Section 4 of 4:

Most Expensive Pokémon Card Misprints

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  1. Some of the most expensive Pokémon cards are misprints! Curious if any misprinted Pokémon cards have sold for a fortune? The answer is yes, they have! In fact, some of the most expensive Pokémon cards ever sold also happen to be misprints. Check out some of them below—it’s possible you could have an equally valuable card on your hands, too!
    • Blastoise with Magic: The Gathering Back: $216,000 [17]
      • While it’s debated if printing the Blastoise card with the MTG back was intentional or accidental, the misprint sold for over $200k in 2021.
    • Growlithe with Magic: The Gathering Back: $26,400 [18]
      • A German-language version of a Growlithe card was also printed with an MTG back, which sold for $26k in 2021.
    • No rarity Charizard: $10,000+ [19]
      • The Japanese version of this 1996 card was printed without the telltale rarity symbol, making it quite valuable. Mint condition cards can sell for upwards of $10k.
    • No damage Ninetales: $7,7000 [20]
      • Some of the 1999 versions of this Ninetales card were printed without the damage amount next to its attack. A mint condition card can sell for over $7k.
    • First edition Red Cheeks Pikachu: $5,000+ [21]
      • This card may be a deliberate misprint, as the printers at Wizards of the Coast decided to make Pikachu’s cheeks red for a few runs of the card before changing them back to yellow. If the card is in excellent condition and a first edition, it can sell for over $5k.
    • No holo Dark Dragonite: $3,000+ [22]
      • Some versions of this card (5/82) were supposed to have holographic foil, but an error during production caused these cards to be printed without it. First edition cards in mint condition can sell for well over $3k.

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.cgccards.com/news/article/9851/error-card-types/
      2. ↑ https://www.cgccards.com/news/article/9851/error-card-types/
      3. ↑ https://www.tcgplayer.com/content/article/What-are-Miscut-Pokémon-Cards/a1f779ed-4fe0-4ef7-902c-7c5313ae783a/
      4. ↑ https://www.cgccards.com/news/article/9851/error-card-types/
      5. ↑ https://www.tcgplayer.com/content/article/5-Pokémon-Error-Cards-You-Might-Own/c9bb71a4-b45f-41cf-b42b-bcac6c398318/
      6. ↑ https://www.tcgplayer.com/content/article/What-are-Miscut-Pokémon-Cards/a1f779ed-4fe0-4ef7-902c-7c5313ae783a/
      7. ↑ https://www.cgccards.com/news/article/9851/error-card-types/
      8. ↑ https://www.cgccards.com/news/article/9851/error-card-types/
      9. ↑ https://www.cgccards.com/news/article/9851/error-card-types/
      1. ↑ https://www.cgccards.com/news/article/9851/error-card-types/
      2. ↑ https://www.cgccards.com/news/article/9851/error-card-types/
      3. ↑ https://www.cgccards.com/news/article/9851/error-card-types/
      4. ↑ https://www.cgccards.com/news/article/9851/error-card-types/
      5. ↑ https://www.cgccards.com/news/article/9851/error-card-types/
      6. ↑ https://www.elitefourum.com/t/masters-guide-for-pokemon-wotc-corrected-errors-test-cards/29328
      7. ↑ https://www.yourplaymat.com/blogs/tcg-players-blog/misprint-pokemon-cards
      8. ↑ https://www.cgccomics.com/news/article/9616/Test-Blastoise-Heritage-Auction-Realized-200000/
      9. ↑ https://www.cgccomics.com/news/article/9023/pokemon-growlithe-error-auction/
      10. ↑ https://www.pricecharting.com/game/pokemon-japanese-expansion-pack/charizard-no-rarity-6
      11. ↑ https://www.pricecharting.com/game/pokemon-base-set/ninetales-no-damage-12#completed-auctions-graded
      12. ↑ https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/non-sports-cards/1999-nintendo-pokemon-game/pikachu-1st-edition-red-cheeks-58/605413
      13. ↑ https://www.pricecharting.com/game/pokemon-team-rocket/dark-dragonite-1st-edition-error-5

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