How to Photograph Pokémon Cards and Sealed Product for an Offer

A buyer can only offer what they can see. Blurry or dark photos mean questions, lower offers, or no offer at all. The good news: your phone is all you need.

The basics

• Light. Shoot near a window in daylight. Avoid the flash, which causes glare on holos and slabs.
• Background. A plain, solid surface like a table or a sheet of paper.
• Focus. Wipe your lens and tap the screen on the card before you shoot.
• No filters. Turn off portrait mode, beauty filters, and anything that changes colors.

Raw cards

• Front and back, straight on, filling most of the frame.
• One shot tilted toward the light so the holo surface shows any scratches.
• Close ups of any corner or edge wear.

Graded slabs

• Front and back of the slab.
• A clear shot of the label so the grade and certification number are readable.
• Angle slightly to avoid reflections on the plastic.

Sealed boxes and packs

• All six sides of a box, plus the top and bottom.
• Close ups of the wrap seams and any logos on the wrap.
• For packs: front, back, and both crimped ends up close.
• Any damage, up close. Honest photos lead to offers that stick.

Wondering why buyers ask for seams and crimps? See how to spot a resealed booster box.

Collections

• One or two overview shots of everything together.
• Binder pages laid flat, one page per photo.
• Separate close ups of the best cards and anything sealed.

Sending them to us

Our Get an Offer form takes up to 8 photos and shrinks them automatically, so they send fast even on a slow connection. Pick your best 8. If we need more, we will ask.

Quick answers

How many photos should I send?

For one item, 3 to 6 good photos is plenty. For a collection, a couple of overview shots plus your best cards.

Do I need a special camera?

No. Any recent phone in good daylight works great.

Photos ready? Get an Offer in three taps.