Introduction

Collectible cards are printed in different places, every country has its own supplier.  With worldwide trading, the cards travel all over the world so it becomes easy to compare them and notice the differences in printings.

For example, cards printed in Japan are popular for their high quality in terms of the consistency of the paper, resolution of the text and less curvature for foil versions.

Foil Japanese print vs Foil European print

There are many confusing aspects that can mess up with players and sellers, because of different printing technologies and different types of paper. This aspect cannot be ignored when verifying the authenticity of cards. And yes, they are doing everything possible to lead us to make mistakes.

The purpose of this guide is to help the global community trust and collect cards from worldwide markets.

Different Printings Technologies 

Cards printed in Japan cover multiple languages, so they are not only Japanese versions.
English, Chinese, Korean and other languages are also printed in Japan but distributed globally. The same holds true for cards printed in Belgium and in the US.

Before 2016, the printing technologies of factories in Belgium, the US and Japan were very similar. During 2016 and 2018 , WotC announced an adjustment on the printing process in Japan.
They specifically pointed out that cards printed with the new technology have a different fluorescence, surface consistency, cutting, as well as rigidity since the paper used is different . Although it has been more than five years since the adjustment of printing technology, many of the above mentioned differences are still not clear to many collectors, players and sellers.
Comparison of two different prints of the same expansion

The print quality can also vary by product: many times, cards found in Fat-Pack Bundles, Prerelease kits or Preconstructed Decks have a lower and different print quality than the regular main set's Booster Boxes. As you can see from the image, the difference is often easily noticeable given the color gradation, ink intensity and print quality.

Card Weight

Cards printed in Japan cover multiple languages, so they are not only Japanese versions.
English, Chinese, Korean and other languages are also printed in Japan but distributed globally. The same holds true for cards printed in Belgium and in the US.

MTG card weights are different between single-sided and double-sided cards. The same is true for token, Art Series and advertisement cards. There is a major difference in the weights of cards that are printed in Belgium, US and Japan.

A single-sided MTG non-foil card printed in the US and Belgium weighs about 1.78 grams whereas a card printed in Japan weighs about 1.63 grams.

As can be seen from the image, the difference in thickness is clearly visible by combining two packs of cards printed respectively in Belgium and Japan. The production standard differs because in Japan the cards are made with more expensive material to be recyclable (as required by law), so the color and thickness can be different from those printed in the EU and USA.
The weight of the papers can also be affected by "production errors". For example, there have been reports of errors in the production of the double-faced cards of the "Ixalan" set (printed in several languages) because a different stock was used than usual.
The cards in this set are lighter, the weight of the foil versions is around around 1.35g~1.40g. This difference can lead you to think that you are dealing with proxies, even though the cards are authentic!

It is more complicated to determine the average weight of foil cards as the method by which they are printed has varied over the years. Over time, different types of foiling have been implemented in addition to the classic foil cards (such as etched, full art, galaxy etc ...) which may have multiple printing differences from one country to another. We recommend that you read more in the paragraph "Foil & Surface" e "Foil Types".

Text

Although the fonts and sizes are the same, text on cards printed in Japan have sharper edges with characters that appear thinner than on cards printed in Belgium or the United States.

Magic The Gathering cards are printed in a process called offset printing.  In offset printing each of the 4 printing colors (CMYK) are printed separately from one another.  Additionally, there’s a 2nd layer of black specifically for the card’s text and borders.
Each color being printed separately gives us room for errors to happen at each color: single or multiple color channels can have the incorrect ink consistency, have something obstruct the channel (like a splotch), or have the rubber rollers not properly cleaned between passes resulting in all sorts of neat misprints.

Corners

The differences in making the cards are not only given by the printing machines, but also by the cutting machines.One of the most significant differences is given by the type of corner cut, with which we can recognize if a card was printed in Belgium, the United States or Japan.

Cards printed in Japan in fact have very "rounded" edges: the corners of Japanese cards are perfectly rounded and do not have that slight "squaring" that cards printed in other countries have.

Cards printed in the USA and Belgium, on the other hand, are less consistently cut. The cut is more external, thus making the corners more angular and causing breaks in the curvature.

It is possible that US/Belgian cards have one or two perfectly rounded corners like Japanese cards. However, the remaining corners will be more pointed, and the overall quality of the print will still not be as good as the counterpart printed in Japan.

The corners of the cards printed in the USA are slightly more pointed than those printed in Belgium, but have the same curvature.

In summary, cards printed in Japan have more rounded corners, those printed in the USA have less rounded corners, while those printed in Belgium are intermediate.

Attention: there are sets (such as Alfa and Beta) in which the edges are universally rounded, less rounded, or clean, regardless of the country where the cards were printed. See chapter how to "recognize versions".

Foil & Surface

There are significant differences in the surface gloss of foil cards printed in Japan, Belgium and the United States. The surface quality of cards printed in Belgium and Japan is generally higher than their counterparts printed in the United States.

Looking at the Full-Art cards (Planeswalker Alternate-art, Borderless or the Extended Art) found in Collector Boosters, the versions printed in Japan show a finer granularity in the foiling, have little reflection and have a smoother surface.

To protect the cards from daily wear, a varnish is applied during printing which is one of the main gloss factors. The coating can vary from country to country, thus resulting in a tactile difference of texture and brightness that are very different from each other.

In the image we can see the difference between an "Oracle of Mul Daya" printed in the United States and one printed in Japan, both coming from the "Double Masters 2022" expansion.
The Japanese version (left) has a smoother surface and more diffuse reflectivity, while the American one (right) has a darker finish, contrasting colors and a direct reflective effect.
JAPANESE print vs AMERICAN print
JAPANESE print vs AMERICAN print
The surface of cards printed in the USA is rougher and this texture can easily be felt with bare hands. In contrast, the surface of cards printed in Japan is smoother and more regular.

In some recent sets (for example "Mystical Archives" or the new basic lands of "Innistrad Midnighthunt and Crimson Vow") you could notice a difference in the "thickness" of the card's details and layout.

For example, the expansion symbol and outline lines of cards printed in Belgium and Japan are well defined and raised over the rest of the paper and foiling.
Cards printed in the United States, on the other hand, they do not have the details embossed, maintaining a homogeneous foiling throughout the card.

JAPANESE foil print vs AMERICAN foil print
This difference in "embossed details" can be found above all in the "Kaladesh Inventions", a further example of the differences between printing houses.
Versions printed in the US are all foil (visibly glossy and smooth), while those printed in Belgium feature only the foil border box (matte and embossed).
Le stampate in Giappone sono simili a quelle europee, con la leggera differenza di avere il foil ancora più opaco e in rilievo, risultando meno riflettenti alla luce.


Kaladesh Inventions

matte EUROPEAN print vs glossy AMERICAN print

Color of the paper

While you might think there's a production standard, Wizards of the Coast has used different types of paper over the years. Paper quality has improved over time and is fairly consistent nowadays, although there are some exceptions.
This factor affects the weight and color of the paper. There are several sets that may look strange or counterfeit just because they are printed on a different type of paper.

The color of the paper may vary in tone (from white to yellowish, from red to orange) or be lighter/darker based on the country of origin in which they were printed. For example, in Japan the paper is bleached with chemicals compared to most European papers, as the fibers are also different. In fact, the very structure and materials of which the paper is made have a great influence on the final result.

american print vs european print

Magic The Gathering cards are made in layers, with some colored plastic in the core of the card. Most sets printed in the United States have a blue core, while sets printed in Japan have a purple core. It becomes quite easy to recognize them as the edge of Japanese printed cards is darker.

The foiling process adds another variable: in general, the white of which the paper is made determines how it reacts to UV light. Cards made in Japan have a UV protective coating, so they don't react to UV light. As you can see from the image below, when you subject the cards to UV light, you will notice distinct differences in the colors.

JAPANESE print vs AMERICAN print -  UV light test
These protective coatings are standard practice in the playing card industry, but weren't adopted until Wotc had to produce cards specifically for the Japanese market, opening a printing house in Japan.
Other printing houses outside Japan do not yet add this coating, probably a cost-saving measure. Also, cards printed in Japan use a different stock because they need to be recyclable* while cards printed in Texas don't, so Wotc doesn't print them on the supposedly more expensive recyclable stock.
(*Japanese laws require cards to be recyclable. Normal cards are not due to the plastic contained in the core and the plastic+metal on foil cards, so it has become necessary to adapt and change some materials).

Japanese and European prints look brighter overall than the images as US prints are darker.

Foil EU vs Foil USA

Recognize versions

It can be difficult for those new to Magic The Gathering to distinguish cards from visually very similar editions.
The following guide, which describes and illustrates the first editions of Magic, is intended to help players recognize the different sets that were not distinguishable by means of symbols or other clear identifying marks.


ALPHA

These cards have black borders and are distinguished mainly by their large, very rounded corners. Alpha deck boxes have a UPC barcode.

Alpha (and Beta) boosters are a solid brown color and are labeled "Magic: the Gathering". The Alpha rules booklet consists of 32 pages; on the cover is the illustration of the Bog Wraith and contains the Worzel's Story written by Richard Garfield

BETA

These cards also have black borders and are distinguished mainly by having the corners of the cards less rounded. (All cards printed since Beta have this type of corner). Beta card boxes have a barcode on the bottom (which Alpha boxes lack).

Alpha and Beta booster packs are identical. The 40-page Beta booklet also has the Bog Wraith on the cover, but "Worzel's Story" has been dropped in favor of a game summary, FAQ chapter, and table of contents.

UNLIMITED

These cards have white borders and can be distinguished from other white-bordered editions by the presence of a drawn "beveled" border. Also, there is a copyright at the foot of the card attributing the illustration to the author.

Boxes and Booster packs are marked "Unlimited Edition". The Unlimited instruction booklet is identical to the Beta

REVISED

These cards have white borders and can be distinguished from other white-bordered editions by the absence of the drawn"beveled" border. Also, due to a change in printing foils, many Revised cards appear lighter and with less contrast than Unlimited and Fourth Edition cards.

The word "Tap" is replaced by a 45° angled "T" symbol. The boxes and booster packs are labeled "Revised Edition". Revised instruction booklet has a Shivan Dragon on the cover.

FORTH EDITION (IV)

These cards have white borders and can be distinguished from other white-bordered editions by having both a "beveled" border design and the "1995" Wizards of the Coast copyright on the bottom of the card. Also, the symbol appears for the first time in this set.

The boxes and booster packs are labeled "Fourth Edition". The Fourth Edition base decks feature the five mana symbols, and the foil booster packs feature one of the five illustrations from the set. For the first time, the instruction booklet has a color cover.

FIFTH EDITION (V)

Fifth Edition cards are recognizable from Fourth Edition cards by the year (1997) that appears next to the copyright, at the bottom of the card layout. Furthermore, it is easily recognizable and distinguishable due to the much brighter print colors.

Showcase, Borderless, and Alternate Art cards

The cards printed in recent years have often received prints with artwork or alternative layout designed to better bind with each new expansion. However, it often happens to get confused in correctly recognizing and classifying the different types of alternative cards.
In this guide you will find the official classification of the various alternative cards.
SHOWCASE
"Showcase" cards were introduced starting with "Throne of Eldraine". This term indicates the unique style present in the frame and in the artwork of the card, which varies from expansion to expansion trying to best represent the theme.
BORDERLESS ALTERNATIVE-ART
"Borderless" cards feature an alternative "full-art" that extends through the full edge of the cards (including the top and sometimes the bottom as well). Part of the illustration can be seen behind the text box. Although they have no borders, they are still tournament legal.
EXTENDED ART
"Extended Art" are cards similar to "Borderless" with the difference that the image of the card is the same as the original print, extending only on the left and right side of the card.
It loses its frame and border only laterally, keeping the rest of the paper outline layout. The text box can be lowered slightly, depending on the amount of text present. This was the initial treatment used for the "Ultimate Masters - Box Toppers", only to be featured in every expansion since "Throne of Eldraine".
RETRO FRAME
To pay homage to the nostalgic layout of the very first Magic: The Gatheing sets, Wizards of the Coast began introducing retro-framed cards in 2021 starting with "Modern Horizons 2".

These new Retro Frame cards feature two types of foil: "Pre-Modern Foil" (classic first type foil, with a shooting star in the lower left corner of the card) and the new "Etched Foil" foil.
If you find it difficult to distinguish the different types of foil, we recommend our dedicated guide that you will find in the next paragraph.
ORIGINAL OLD LAYOUT
(Onslaught Set - Released 2002)
RETRO FRAME
(Modern Horizons 2 - Released 2021)

Foil Type

Throughout MTG's history, the layout of cards has changed a lot. Recently, new types of foils that are unique and very different from each other have arrived in the expansions starting in 2020, although they can still cause confusion in distinguishing them clearly from the classic original foil.
On CardTrader, cards that have a different version from the classic foiling are clearly marked and easily recognizable thanks to the version shown in the brackets next to the name.
ETCHED FOIL
Foil "Etched" cards are slightly dull and a little less shiny in the foil parts. They also have a slightly rougher finish than traditional foils and therefore reflect less light. This particular metallic grainy finish is clearly perceptible to the touch compared to a traditional foil paper which will be smooth in comparison.

On CardTrader, "Etched Foil" cards are distinct and recognizable by having "Etched-Foil" writing on the image, which will distinguish them from the normal version of the same card (non-foil/foil).
Regular Foil vs Etched-Foil

Particular attention should be paid to Strixhaven's "Mystical Archive" set when it comes to etched foil. The set only features this type of foiling in the gold layout (Western-style cards), while etched foils in the Japanese exclusive layout will have this noticeable treatment only in thin outlines and set symbol.
Etched-Foil - JAPANASE Layout
Etched-Foil - WSTERN Layout
(We recommend that you always check the serial number and the symbol that indicates foiling: the "star" will indicate that the card is foil, while the "dot" will indicate that it is not foil.)

GILDED FOIL
First introduced in Streets of New Capenna, "Gilded Foil" is a new type of embossed foil applied only to the gold frame of multi-colored Showcase-style cards.
These cards remain legal for play in Magic: The Gathering sanctioned tournament play, despite this laminate treatment being slightly raised off the surface of the card.

To distinguish it from cards in the traditional foil version, the card must be tilted (as in the photo) to bring out the foiling: if it has raised, shiny and metallic edges, it will be a gilded foil (left image).
It's a great help to always check the serial number: from 361 to 405 the cards will only be gilded foil.
GILDED FOIL (389) - REGUAL FOIL (324)
TEXTURED FOIL
Introduced with Double Masters 2022, this type of embossed foil has a special pattern that covers the entire surface of the card, from which it takes the name of "Textured" foil.
This treatment is recognizable to the touch, but remember to be careful when distinguishing them from the same normal foil versions.

At a glance, it may not be immediate to see the shiny, textured surface. To avoid making a mistake, we always recommend checking the serial number and checking the cards carefully if they are placed in a protective sleeve.
GALAXY FOIL
Foil "Galaxy" cards have a shiny, reflective look, very similar to the holo cards in the Pokémon Card Base Set.

As the name suggests, this new type of foil recalls the galaxy, emphasizing the planets and stars that appear in the card treatment.

This type of foil was recently introduced in the Unfinity set (2022), becoming extremely popular especially for borderless shock lands.
In the photo, a "Steam Vents" galaxy foil compared to the classic foil.
STEP-AND-COMPLEAT FOIL
The "Step-and-Compleat" foil is a new treatment that uses the Phyrexian symbol as a stamp layer for the foiling process.
This effect only appears on "Phyrexia: All Will Be One" cards, to highlight that they are " contaminated" by the shimmering Phyrexian oil.

The Step-and-Compleat foil cards will be easily recognizable, they will have serial numbers from 417 to 479. In addition, this foil treatment has been reserved for the five praetors belonging to the previous expansions, reprinted in "Phyrexia:All Will Be One" with an exclusive "Concept Art" version .
OIL SLICK RAISED FOIL
Available only in the "Compleat Edition Bundle" of "Phyrexia: All Will Be One", "Oil Slick Raised" cards are a second type of new foil treatment from the Phyrexian expansion.

These cards give the idea of ​​phyrexian oil contamination thanks to the sheen and depth of the texture visible on the entire surface of the card.

As the name suggests, these papers are in fact embossed and distinguishable by touch from the classic foil, with a clearly visible metallic effect.
HALO FOIL
Available only for the "Multiverse Legends" cards found exclusively in "March of the Machine" Collector Boosters.

This foil wants to give the idea of the "Halo", the magical substance made of angelic essence which is preventative against Phyrexian contamination.

This treatment is characterized by the presence of linear shiny holographic texture, visible on the entire surface of the card.
RAISED FOIL
This treatment is exclusive to few "vault frame" cards from "Outlaws of Thunder Junction" Collector Boosters.

This special elevated golden stamp embedded foil in the frame wants to commemorate the shiniest loot from Oko's heist.

These cards have their own collector number, so you'll be sure not to mistake the tradition foil card with the same card in "raised foil".

YU-GI-OH! How to recognize the different prints

In this guide we will help you compare and understand the differences between international printings, in order to reassure you about your purchases in case you find yourself with a slightly different card than usual.

American cards are printed in North America and distributed only in America. These cards are printed in the English language only.
European cards are printed in Belgium and distributed throughout Europe. These cards are printed in all EU languages ​​including English.
Asian cards are printed in Japan or Korea. These are printed in Japanese, Korean, Chinese, or "Asian English" and can only be played in Asian territories.*

*In Yu-Gi-Oh! it must be remembered that the cards are divided in the world market by their legality:
OCG is short for Original Card Game and is the version of Yu-Gi-Oh that is released in Asian Markets.
TCG is short for Trading Card Game and is the version released in European and American markets.

The two are divided and not playable together: the play out rather differently due to three major differences.
1) They have different banlists:
Cards that are banned in the TCG may not be banned in the OCG and vice-versa. In general, the OCG is more likely to Semi-Limit cards than the TCG. For YCS Worlds, players compete under a merged banlists.
2) Some Archetypes are available in only one version of the game:
Konami likes to release Archetypes exclusive to one region of the game for a while. In addition due to where Konami is headquartered, the OCG receives releases sooner than the TCG. Obviously, you can't play a deck that hasn't been released yet.
3) Rulings:
Some rulings are different. Some rulings exist in the TCG that are different in the OCG. In the absence of a TCG ruling, the OCG ruling is correct however.

Main differences between American and European cards

Cards printed in the West (TCG) are commonly distinguished between "American" and "European" cards as they have differences that are now known by most players and collectors.

Although differences can be found that are visible at a glance, cards printed in western languages ​​are legal and playable despite coming from different countries.

From the first editions to the most recent sets, you can compare the cards printed in America with the European ones printed in Belgium to find the differences which make their origin easily recognizable.
Here's a list of the most common and visible differences that will allow you to distinguish the print of your Yu-Gi-Oh! cards.
European has darker tone of color throughout the card, while American is lighter. European cards use darker ink than American cards, which I feel makes them of a higher quality.
Text on American cards is slightly bolder and darker as the background color is slightly different from European, which tend to feel glossier and have a slightly darker finish.
American Secret Rares and foil cards have a brighter picture and a more linear pattern (less glittery) than European. EU have darker color, patin is more glittery. More noticable on light colored cards.
American printing has lot more purple than European prints.
Some people find cards printed in Europe to be superior in quality to american ones, expecially foils have better print quality as they are much brighter and more colorful. It's differences rather than quality. Essentially, scarcity of European cards in America makes them more valuable, because they are different and they aren't easy to get ahold of.
The same goes for American cards, well known for being at a glance different and more coveted by European players.

Thanks to our platform, it has become more accessible to obtain cards from sellers around the world, allowing the American and European market to cross-breed different prints. We therefore try with this guide to reassure our users to recognize the authenticity of the cards if they have printing differences.

"Sky Striker Ace - Raye"
American print (left) vs European print (right)
"Timestar Magician"
American print (left) vs European print (right)

Main differences between Asian cards

However, many people do not know that papers printed in asia may have slight differences if printed in Japan or other countries (e.g., Korea).

Japanese-Asian cards are Japanese cards produced and intended for sale in Asian countries outside Japan. They are commonly abbreviated JA, but listed as JP in the cart set number.

Cards printed in Japan (JP) have better print quality (paper and contrast) than cards printed in other countries (JA).
On higher rarities as "Secret Rare" cards, even the foil pattern is different: JA would be horizontal and JP would be vertical.

[ "Condemned Darklord" - Secret Rare]
JAPANESE  (JP) print
vs JAPANESE ASIAN (JA) print

Cards printed outside Japan (JA) are much more contrasty and full of color in general than those produced in Japan (JP). Furthermore, you can perceive the difference in the quality of the coating and coloring of the foiling in versions such as the "Ghost Rare" or in the thickness of the text (the JA cards have a more marked font than the JP cards).
"Dark Magician Girl"
JA print (left) vs JP print (right)


Card Weight

A Yu-Gi-Oh card weighs an average of 1.65g but can vary according to edition, rarity and type of foil. The weight of the cards also varies between American and European printings. As shown in the example, American ones usually weigh less.
US Print "Sky Striker Ace - Raye" weighs 1.53 grams
EU Print "Sky Striker Ace - Raye" weighs 1.69 grams

Card Rarity Differences

The rarity of Yugioh cards is related to the coloring characteristic of the card name, the differences in the appearance of the foiling and textures. In this guide we will explain how not to confuse cards of lower rarity with those of higher rarity and allow you to correctly sell your items.



ULTRA RARE (UR)
Gold name, foil card.
Ultra Rare cards are a combination of Super and normal Rare cards, with holofoil lettering and holofoil image.
The difference here is that the name is printed in gold foil instead of silver or black.
ULTIMATE RARE (UtR // UL)
Gold and embossed name, foil card.
The art, borders, and card attribute type/level/rank are embossed in a relief effect. If it is tilted, the colors of the image change slightly.
Be careful with these cards, as their unique printing also makes them thinner and flimsier than normal cards.
STARLIGHT RARE (StR)
White name, horizontal holographic foil pattern (not diagonal, whole card)
Starlight Rare cards have the same horizontal holographic foil pattern as a Prismatic Secret Rare, but applied to the whole card rather than only the artwork, similar to Platinum Secret Rares.
The only areas of the card to which the foil is not applied are the card text box, empty Link Arrows, and portions of the artwork.
QUARTER CENTURY SECRET RARE (QCSE)
Gold foil name, holo foil pattern, unique "25th" watermark in the center of the text box
Quarter Century Secret Rare is a special variety of Secret Rare cards that is identified by having a speckled holographic champagne-gold card name, a watermark of the "Yu-Gi-Oh! Card Game 25th Quarter Century" logo in the middle of the card text box
GHOST RARE (GH)
Silver name, pale art
Ghost Rare is a new rarity introduced in the TCG version of Tactical Evolution.
It appears to have a very shiny silver lettering, much like a Secret Rare, with some colors removed from the card image, and the entire card appears to be holographic.

The overall effect is a pale "Ghost-like" appearance to the card art, but if you tilt the paper under a lamp or in the sunlight, the image appears with a decidedly particular three-dimensional appearance.
GOLD RARE (GR)
Gold name with reflective sheen image
Gold Rare is a new type of rarity introduced in the Gold Series. It has gold lettering and a holographic foil image like an Ultra Rare, but also has a holographic gold image border, lore text border, and card border. On Monster Cards, the Level Stars are embossed in gold foil, similar to what is found on Ultimate Rares.
PREMIUM GOLD RARE (PGR)
Thick gold layout applied to the card name, attributes, card outline
A Premium Gold Rare card has thick golden outlines and frames, they can be felt by touch, the level stars are also thick and the red circles are deep, so they are also visibly risen.
GOLD SECRET RARE (GScR)
Gold Rare name with Secret Rare texture
Gold Ultra Rare is a new type of rarity introduced in the Gold Series. It has gold lettering and a holographic foil image like an Ultra Rare, but also has a holographic gold image border, lore text border, and card border. On Monster Cards, the Level Stars are embossed in gold foil, similar to what is found on Ultimate Rares.
GOLD GHOST RARE (GGR)
Gold-outlined name with Ghost Rare image
Gold Ghost Rare contains all of the gold foil designs of a Gold Rare card on the card border, artwork frame, text box border, card name, and level stars (for monsters ), while the artwork is pale and holographic typical of a Ghost Rare.
COLLECTORS RARE (CR)
Rainbow foil name, rainbow textured borderm card image and card attributes
Collectors Rare have a rainbow/pearlescent name stamp, they have foil accenting on markings like Level stars, and icons for Attributes or spell and trap types.
Every Collector's Rare has a foiled card border featuring a "fingerprint" texturing.

Parallel Rare

Parallel Rare is a generic term, used to refer to cards where the entire card surface is holographic. They are identical to their non-parallel counterparts, but feature a coating over the entire surface of the card

This coating may have different patterns depending on the type of rare. Otherwise, they usually follow the same style as other rares of the same type.

You'll find most Parallel Rare cards in sets like Duel Terminal, Battle Pack 2: War of the Giants, and Star Packs.

Parallel Common, Rare, Super Rare, Ultra Rare, and Secret Rare cards typically come with a dotted, shatterfoil, mosaic, or other unique design applied to the entire card in the form of a foil or non-foil film bonded to the top layer of the card.



DUEL TERMINAL PARALLEL RARE (DPR)
Foil dot pattern surface
A Duel Terminal Parallel Rare card has all the characteristics of a Common card (i.e. no foil image and normal name ink) but has the "Duel Terminal" Parallel coating which has a textured dot pattern that reflects off the surface.
SHATTERFOIL (SHR)
Foil shattered glass pattern surface
Shatterfoil cards feature a shattered-glass style image, using the same technology seen in later Duel Terminal sets.
STARFOIL RARE (SFR)
Foil star pattern surface
Starfoil Rare cards ards have a shiny pattern of stars over the entire card face.
They are found in Battle Pack: Epic Dawn (including the Battle Pack Tournament prize cards) and Star Packs.
PHARAOH'S ULTRA RARE (UPR)
Gold Card Name, Holographic Egyptian hieroglyphs pattern on image
Ultra Pharaoh's Rares are special because they have tiny Egyptian hieroglyphs that can be spotted in the foiling of
Level stars, attribute icon, image and other card elements.

Ultra Pharaoh's Rares are European exclusive printed with gold card name, while in North America they've been printed as Secret Pharaoh's with silver name.

Misprint Rarity & Other Special Rarities

SECRET ULTRA RARE (ScUR)
Secret Ultra Rare cards have gold holofoil letters and use the polarized holofoil of Secret Rare cards.

The only known cards for this type of rarity are apparently misprinted versions of three Secret Rares:
"Gaia the Dragon Champion" and "Tri-Horned Dragon" from the original Legend of Blue Eyes White Dragon booster pack, and "Jinzo" from Pharaoh's Servant.
ULTRA SECRET RARE (UScR)
Ultra Secret Rare cards have silver holofoil letters and holofoil image

In the TCG, the only card to be printed in this rarity is the Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Special Edition version of "Elemental Hero Wildheart". A run of "Collectible Tins 2004" were also misprinted as Ultra Secret Rare.

On the Official Card Database, this rarity is labeled as Secret Rare.
PLATINUM RARE (PLR)
Platinum-colored foil with silver name
The Platinum Rare has a platinum/silver finishing that covers almost the entirety of a card outside of the text box, plus a secret rare-style card name.
This foil finish was exclusive to cards in the Noble Knights of the Round Table Box Set.
PLATINUM SECRET RARE (PLScR)
Platinum-colored foil with the Secret Rare texture
Platinum Secret Rare is currently exclusive to the 2014 Mega-Tins and the 2015 Mega-Tins.

Similar to Gold Secret Rare, it has platinum lettering and a holographic polarized foil image but also has a holographic platinum image border, lore text border, and card border.

25th Anniversary Rarity Collection

The 25th Anniversary Rarity Collection is a spectacular all-foil set with 79 of the game’s most popular cards, each available in 7 different rarities, including 2 brand-new rarities:
• Super Rare
• Ultra Rare
• Secret Rare
Quarter Century Secret Rare (celebrating the 25th anniversary!)
Platinum Secret Rare (last seen in the 2015 Mega-Tin! with a different foiling)
New Prismatic Collector’s Rare (made with extra sparkle, this is the same as the Japanese “Collector’s Rare” technology previously available only in Asia!)
New Prismatic Ultimate Rare (with a raised 3D varnish effect, this is the same as the Japanese “Ultimate Rare” technology previously available only in Asia!)

PLATINUM SECRET RARE (25th) - RA01
Platinum text with the Secret Rare texture on image & borders
Secret Rare diagonal foiling with silvered texture on art, artwork border, card text box border, name, attribute and Spell/Trap Type icons.

PRISMATIC COLLECTOR'S RARE (25th)
Rainbow dotted foil with the Collector's Rare texture
Glossy dot matrix foil pattern on all the card surface, including the artwork and card text box.
Every Collector's Rare has a foiled card border featuring a "fingerprint" texturing.
PRISMATIC ULTIMATE RARE (25th)
Gold text with the Ultimate Rare texture (with non-foil subject)
Textured foil main on the card artwork's background, card edges, text box, attribute/card type, and monster level.
Main subject of the card is glossy non-foil, creating a 3D effect on card surface.

Colorful Rares

Colorful rares, sometimes referred to as "Special [color] version", are cards which use a color of foil for their names other than the standard silver or gold.

The term "colorful rare" comes from the rarity ratios listed on card packs, which mention "colorful Ultra Rares".
You will find different foil name colors: blue, green, purple, copper, wedgewood (light blue), and red.

You can find these card variations in expansions like "Duelist League" or "Legendary Duelists".


Pokémon - Difference between Western and Eastern prints

Pokémon cards differ between editions printed for the Eastern market and those intended for the global Western market. The differences go beyond just the language that appears on the card.
In the 1990s, it was easy to tell which set the Japanese and English cards came from because the set names were named the same. However, in modern sets, they are not the same.

Japanese Pokémon TCG sets tend to be smaller subsets of the English variety. Usually, the Japanese set will consist of two smaller sets than the English set, but of course there may be exceptions.

For example, the English set "Astral Radiance" is split into multiple sets in Japanese:  
Battle Region (s9a)
Time Gazer  (s10D)
Space Juggler (s10P)
To recognize which set a card belongs to, just look in the left corner. Usually the western-language sets have a certain symbol that distinguishes each expansion, while the Japanese sets are distinguished by an abbreviation of letters and numbers.
To recognize which set a card belongs to, just look in the left corner. Usually the western-language sets have a certain symbol that distinguishes each expansion, while the Japanese sets are distinguished by an abbreviation of letters and numbers.
It's only been recently, with the release of the new Scarlet and Violet era sets, that they started using abbreviations for Western sets.

In Japan, Pokemon cards are released in a steady drip of small releases- these include smaller full sets, new starter decks with unique cards, micro sets, Pokemon Center promos, and Pokemon Gym promos.

In English and other European languages we get sets every 3 months, while Japan gets a set every month/month and a half.
For example, Battle Region (s9a) was released on February 25th 2022, Time Gazer and Space Juggler on April 8th 2022.
Astral Radiance (the corresponding set for the west containing all the cards of these 3 Japanese sets) was released 27th May 2022.

Aesthetic Differences

Aesthetically, Japanese (Asian) cards and English (EU/US) cards have many differences. Beginning in 1999, English cards got a refresh after experiencing a rough entry into the North American market. This led to various improvements to the card’s design such as shadows around the illustration box, more vivid coloring, and bolder font.

Updating the design of the card has been a frequent occurrence in the Pokémon TCG. Sometimes both Japanese and English experience design updates, sometimes just one. Of course, English Pokémon cards have a different back than the Japanese cards do.
Japanese cards actually have two backs, after being updated in 2001.

Vintage cards may have a different holo pattern, depending on the card’s language. English cards used the "star galaxy" holo pattern for Base Set, Jungle, and Fossil, only switching to the "cosmos" holo pattern for Base Set 2. Japanese cards used the "cosmos" holo pattern right from the start.
Modern Japanese cards have exclusive reverse holo patterns that English cards do not have. Each Japanese expansion has a unique reverse holo.

One of the most notable changes developed in Japan was silver borders. With the arrival of Pokémon "Black & White" in December 2010, some Japanese holographic Pokémon cards switched from yellow borders to the new silver/grey borders.

Even Japanese booster packs are way different than their English counterparts. Japanese boosters will feature different artwork and have different pull rates.

Card Quality

Japanese Pokemon cards can be worth more money than their English counterparts. Pokemon trading cards from Japan are of higher build quality and, where relevant, still come with first edition markings
It’s easy to assess card quality if we look at standard grading sub-categories. These include Corners, Edges, Surface, and Centering.

Surface: Hold the card below a lighting source and slowly move it, focusing on the reflection. If the card is straight from a booster pack, you’ll primarily be checking for print lines. A print line is a straight line often across the foil area of the card. Print lines have become much more common in the past year. Also check for any blemishes, ink dots, or other printing errors.

Corners: The corners of a Pokémon card should be perfectly round and symmetrical, with no raised edges. The corner should be smooth, without any jagged cuts.

Edges: The edges of the card should be smooth, leaving no evidence of a dull blade. A dull blade will often result in a rough edge, with burrs along the cut.

Centering: Most Pokémon cards have a yellow border, but they will sometimes have other variations such as GX cardswhich have a silver border with a black line going through it. The border should be perfectly even all around the card. It is easiest to spot an off-center card by looking at the corners of the border, then checking the width of the border from left to right, then top to bottom.

Japanese cards often have near-perfect corners, edges, and centering. English cards often have poorly cut corners, rough edges, and poor centering. Print lines are also much more common on English cards.Even though Japanese cards are of higher quality, they are actually thinner. It is easy to feel if you have both cards side-by-side. This could be due to the fact that Japanese cards don’t sell as much as English cards do, so a thinner card would cut down production costs.

The better build quality of Pokemon trading cards from Japan also means that they’re less likely to be damaged. Condition is king when it comes to deciding the worth of collectibles, and Pokemon cards from any region are no different. While a Japanese card is harder to damage, an English card in better condition is usually worth more money.

Holo Foil Difference & Card Versions

Over the years, the Pokémon TCG has featured many different patterns used on their holographic cards. Some patterns lasted for years, while others had short stays, making them markers for their short time in the franchise.
Something you might not know is that the holofoil may be different between Japanese foil cards and US/EU cards from the same sets.

CardTrader strives to provide accurate representations of trading cards through digital images on our website.
However, please note that the digital images displayed may vary from the physical cards in terms of color, appearance, and details. Additionally, the digital images may not accurately depict holographic effects or textures present on the physical cards.
We recommend referring to the official descriptions and specifications provided for each card to obtain the most accurate information.

CardTrader cannot guarantee the exact likeness of digital images to physical cards due to variations in display settings and the limitations of digital reproduction. Both buyers and sellers are encouraged to contact us with any questions or concerns regarding the accuracy of digital images or the specifications of trading cards before making a purchase or listing items for sale.

When you're looking to sell or buy a card, we highly advise paying close attention to the image, edition, and version displayed in brackets.Numerous cards have reprints or promotional prints, but on our site, we've categorized and labeled them meticulously to avoid any confusion between them.

Each version of the cards has its own separate listing. This means that if a card has multiple editions or versions, you'll find each one listed individually on our site. So, when browsing, make sure to select the specific edition or version you're interested in to ensure you're viewing the correct card.

Additionally, it's important to note that the selectable property (diamond icon 💎) must only be used to indicate that the card is Reverse Holo. This icon serves as an indicator that the card from the main set is sold in its "Reverse Holo" version. So, when searching for "Reverse Holo" cards, keep an eye out for this diamond icon to easily identify them.
IMPORTANT NOTE: When you want to sell a card, always make sure to list it in the correct listing. If you have a different version than the one shown on screen (perhaps it has a promotional print, a unique and different holo from the base version, a different serial number...), DO NOT LIST IT IN THE FIRST ARTICLE YOU FIND, but search for the correct version.

If you cannot find it If you can't find it, searching by serial number, edition, or its particularity, please contact us so we can add it to our database. We kindly ask you not to misuse comments, and always select the correct version of each item. Zero orders.

Holo & Reverse Holo

In contrast to a regular Holofoil card (where the effect is applied to the picture) a Reverse Holofoil usually has the effect applied to the entire card apart from the picture containing the Pokémon. There is usually the Reverse Holofoil variant for every card in a set, excluding Ultra Rare and Secret Rare cards, and any Full-Art, Special Illustrtion cards.
On our site, the diamond icon 💎 will indicate that the card is listed as "REVERSE HOLO".
IMPORTANT NOTE: Some cards related to old sets do not exist as regular "Reverse Holo" but have a special holo-treatment. "Reverse Holo" icon 💎 it is also used to differentiate a card with a special reverse-type holo treatment from the regular print of its set. In the following paragraphs we will explain the possible different cases of "Reverse Holo" types.

Different Reverse Holo Types

Wizards of the Coast Promo

The first ever Reverse Holo cards was the "Wizards of the Coast Promo" card number 34 featuring "Entei".
The card features a pattern of circles and stars similar to the "Cosmos Holo" pattern.

Legendary Collection

This was the first set to include "Reverse Holo" cards.
The distinctive "firework" patten goes throughout the card except the artwork.

EX Series 2003 – 2004

The "EX Series" sets introduced a "Reverse Holo" card with a rainbow holographic treatment on every part of the card except the illustration. This style was used for all sets from EX Ruby and Sapphire to Team Magma vs Team Aqua.

Ex Series Hidden Legends 2004

The "EX Hidden Legends" set of 2004 has a unique "Reverse Holo" pattern with several Holofoil Energy symbols on the artwork and on a big foil energy symbol in the attack box.
IMPORTANT NOTE: You find these cards on Cardtrader by searching for the regular print of the set and add the "Reverse Holo" property.
The 💎icon will also indicate that the card will be a “ENERGY HOLOFOIL CARD” in the listed expansions, as distinct from the regular print in the same set.
EX Series FireRed & LeafGreen 2004
The design for the FireRed & LeafGreen "Reverse Holo" features a Holofoil Energy pattern on the artwork similar to Hidden Legends Reverse Holo. Only the "Holo Rare" rarity cards in addition have a big Pokéball symbol in the attackbox, decorated as well with "Holofoil Energy" pattern when found as Reverse Holo.
IMPORTANT NOTE: You find these cards on Cardtrader by searching for the regular print of the set and add the "Reverse Holo" property. These cards do not exist in the classic "Reverse Holo" treatment like in other expansions.

The 💎 icon will indicate that the card will be a “ENERGY HOLOFOIL CARD” in the listed expansions, as distinct from the regular print in the same set.
EX Deoxys 2005
The "Reverse Holo" in this set features a repeated pattern in the image and in the upper text of the card. These cards also have the set logo printed on the image and the upper text in gold color.
IMPORTANT NOTE: You find these cards on Cardtrader by searching for the regular print of the set and add the "Reverse Holo" property. These cards do not exist in the classic "Reverse Holo" treatment like in other expansions.

The 💎 icon will indicate that the card will be a "LOGO STAMPED CARD" in the listed expansions, as distinct from the regular print in the same set.
EX Series 2005-2007
These sets instead of a "Reverse Holo" design have the expansion logo stamped on the cards.
IMPORTANT NOTE: You find these cards on Cardtrader by searching for the regular print of the set and add the "Reverse Holo" property. These cards do not exist in the classic "Reverse Holo" treatment like in other expansions!

The 💎 icon will indicate that the card will be a “LOGO STAMPED CARD” in the listed expansions, as distinct from the regular print in the same set.
Diamond and Pearl Series 2007 – 2008
Diamond and Pearl Series featured a non-patterned holographic design that showed rainbow colours in the light.
From these expansions the "Reverse Holo" foiling will be applied only externally to the image of the Pokémon. If only the Pokémon box is Holo, it will be a "HOLO RARE" rarity print, which doesn't need to have any propriety selected.

When you want to list "Reverse Holo" cards make sure to always select the "Reverse Holo" property 💎.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Some cards from the Diamond and Pearl sets have a "Reverse-Holo"promotional print (Burger King promos) with the set logo stamp on it. These special promotional cards have their own separate listing, different from the main set card. Never sell them in the wrong place. Instead of incorrectly writing 'stamp' in the comments, make sure to list each card for sale in the correct version as found on the website!
Pokémon Card 151
The Japanese "Pokémon Card 151" set has two different types of "Reverse Holo" designs:
a regular one with a "Poké Ball" pattern Reverse Holo and the exclusive "Master Ball" pattern Reverse Holo. 

There is 1 "Master Ball" Reverse Holo card per booster box of Japanese 151 ( each JP 151 booster box contains 20 packs).

Be sure to list correctly these cards: if you want to sell/buy the regular "Pokéball" Reverse Holo, just apply the Reverse Holo 💎 filter/property on the regular print from "Pokémon Card 151" set.

If you want to buy/sell the "Master Ball" Reverse Holo, change the expansion to the "Pokémon Card 151 - Master Ball Reverse Holo" Set.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Never sell them in the wrong place. Do not list "Master Ball" Reverse in the reguar print's Reverse Holo. Instead of incorrectly writing 'master ball' in the comments, make sure to list each card for sale in the correct version as found on the website!
Galaxy Foil (1999- 2002) -"star-kind" pattern, first foil ever produced for western market while in Japan the foil was "Cosmos". Last time this pattern was used in "Legendary Collection".
Cosmos Holofoil (2000-2001 | Base Set 2 through Call of Legends) - Dotted pattern with occasional swirl
Full Holo (Ancient Mew) - applied on front and back of the card with 5 printing variants ( see versions here)*
Shining & Special Patterns (2001) - foil only on the pokèmon, not on the background image
VS Series (2001 -Japan only) - foil applied only on the background of the pokèmon image and on "VS" logo
Crystal (2003) - galaxy pattern on the background image and soft holo pattern around the borders

• Ex Holo
(2003) - foil silver border
Energy Pattern (2004) - this pattern has tiny energy symbols applied inside the picture box

Shadowless

Shadowless (literally "without shadow"), is a term that summarizes a series of graphic differences that have characterized only the products of the BASE SET printed in English language.
The famous missing shadows are clearly visible in this comparison of the side and bottom of the box containing the Pokémon. In general, the correction took place to ensure that the box has a much more raised and three-dimensional effect, unlike the first prints where the box was flat, as if it were glued to the background.

Since the original English "Base Set" had four different print runs, we want to make sure you will undestand how to recognize each version of a base set card:

Shadowless 1st Edition - it has the "1st edition" symbol at the left, and it lacks shadows around the artwork.
The font (especially noticeable at the top red "HP") is slightly different than the unlimited ones, and the attack name ("Thunder Jolt") also has a slightly different layout.

Shadowles non-1st Edition - lacks the 1st edition symbol. This is referred to as "Shadowless non-1st Edition" instead of "Shadowless Unlimited", because there was still only a single print run like this.

Unlimited Base Set - (not shadowless) have a slight variations, where the ©1999-2000 one on the bottom right is from a factory in the UK that was printed later.


Shadowless Pokemon Trainer cards
are almost indistinguishable from normal base set cards, except they have the extra year 99 typed at the bottom of the card in the copyright section.

Copywrite on the bottom is ©1995, 96, 97, 98, 99 Nintendo, Creatures, GAMEFREAK. ©1999 Wizards.

Cards printed in different years

Some cards may appear the same. If you know how to carefully observe some details, you will be able to recognize and distinguish the correct print edition.
Recognizing the difference in the type of pattern allows you to better identify your cards and put them on sale correctly.

For example, the easy way to tell the difference between all the Ancient Mews is through a combination of both their copyright date and holofoil pattern (this card was printed in two different holofoil patterns: "speckle" and "cosmic").
• Japanese Ancient Mew I ("Nintedo" Error)
Speckle
holofoil pattern
Copyright date: ©1995, 1996, 1998 Nintedo/Creatures inc./GAMEFREAK inc.

‍The first Ancient Mew that was released was Ancient Mew I. However, there was a printing error: the copyright date had a misprint, where Nintendo was spelled "Nintedo". This error didn’t get corrected right away and the corrected version of the card is actually much rarer than the error version.
• Japanese Print Ancient Mew I ("Nintendo" Corrected)
Speckle
holofoil pattern
Copyright date: ©1995, 1996, 1998 Nintedo/Creatures inc./GAMEFREAK inc.

‍Corrected version of Ancient Mew I, correctly spelling the "Nintendo" name. Both the error version and corrected version share the same spe holofoil treatment and can only be differentiated by their copyright information where the error exists.
• Japanese Print Ancient Mew II
Cosmos
holofoil pattern
Copyright date: ©1995, 1996, 1998, Nintendo/Creatures inc./GAMEFREAK inc.

The big difference between an "Ancient Mew I" and the "Ancient Mew II" is the holographic pattern. This transition from the dot pattern (speckle) to the cosmic holographic pattern (cosmos) is the only way to distinguish between a corrected version of Ancient Mew I and Ancient Mew II.
• International Print Ancient Mew
Cosmos
holofoil pattern
Copyright date: ©1995, 96, 98, 99 Nintendo, Creatures, GAMEFREAK. © 1999-2000 Wizards.

The international Ancient Mew is the first release outside of Japan. All versions of the international release are the same. This means the Italian, German,French version looks the same as the USA version, which looks the same as every other internationally released Ancient Mew.
• Japanese 2019 Ancient Mew Reprint
Speckle
holofoil pattern
Copyright date: ©2019 Pokémon/Nintendo/Creatures/GAME FREAK.

In 2019, "Ancient Mew" was reprinted to resemble the original "Ancient Mew I" and visually accomplished the task. The cards are identical except for the copyright data.
• Korean 2020 Ancient Mew Reprint
Speckle
holofoil pattern
Copyright date: ©2020 Pokémon/Nintendo/Creatures/GAME FREAK.

In 2020, "Ancient Mew" was also reprinted in South Korea, also in a speckle Holofoil treatment like the fourth Japanese print, but with 2020 copyright instead of 2019.

Expansion Release Dates and Sales

Some collectors prefer Japanese to English, and one of those reasons is that Japanese cards release months earlier than their English counterparts do.

For example, Blue Sky Stream (the Japanese equivalent of Evolving Skies) was released on July 8, 2021. This was 2 months before Evolving Skies was released in English.

In 2021, The Pokémon Company broke all records when they reported that 3.7 billion cards were sold. In addition to this, Shiny Star V was the most sold product on eBay Japan.
North America buys far more Pokémon cards than Japan, and we even bought a considerable amount of Japanese cards in 2021, too.

Non-Japanese products tend to have a lot more cards in them, on average. For example, English booster packs have 10 cards and Japanese boosters only have 5. We all tend to get more booster packs in our collection boxes, and our booster boxes have 36 packs instead of Japan’s 10 packs per box.