Card Quality: English VS International

General
1

I am not sure if this has been a topic before but here goes.

Ever since last year, when I got reintroduced into the hobby; I noticed on major flaw in English cards, the crude cut corners, 'twas disappointing. I do not remember WOTC cards having this problem so I got to thinking. How do they produce these? With what equipment? How often do they maintain there equipment, if ever? Also upon joining this forum when it was (UPCCC) all of you shone a light towards Japanese cards. I was impressed by how much better they are cut than English, drastically better.

I have came up with a theoretical conclusion, different paper. Thinner finer more flexible paper is being used to produce international cards. Cheaper, tougher & more rougher paper is used to make English cards. I came upon this hypothesis when I took a Japanese card from my collection and an English card (CP6 vs XY12). I did a couple of experiments including same pressure bending, light shine through but the most notable test was the weight test.

The English card weighed 1.9g

While the Japanese card weighed 1.6g

Again I don’t know if this expirement has been conducted before but I found it quite fascinating!

With this weight test my hypothesis came to a conclusion, the US might still be using blades from 2003, but they are definitely using cheaper paper than international Pokémon card makers, making it easier to cut through international cards and more difficult to cut through English cards. Hence the rough corners and whitening!

Needless to say international is the finer quality card no matter what. I guess that’s with everything though! Thanks for reading! Let me know what you guys think r:

'Til later,

'M

2 Likes
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great points. I never knew that it could be one of the differences. could you double check and see the weights of a non pre release version just to make sure that has no effect on the weight. it likely doesn’t but without testing it can’t be ruled out.

I’m sure you’ve seen the other debate on card quality difference between english and japanese. Some people have suggested/shown that there are 2 factories that produce the english sets. If the blades are one of the things you mentioned as a cause it might explain differences between two factories.

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There might definitely be two different factories, even 3 different ones but it is very likely they are all using the same paper and machinery.

And I will try different cards after today’s feast! Although I doubt it would make a different since it’s an ink printed stamp not a foil one.

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Have a great time.

I appreciate you doing the double check.
It would be great if we could figure out where the better facility is that is producing
quality cards. this could be good or bad.

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You as well, sir! Happy Thanksgiving :grin: