#xdattax

I very much want at least one of these, but I have no idea how to get it shipped from Japan to the US.

How do you print these? Special printer or special paper? I’m intrigued since I could use a custom pokecard for a project and am always looking for new and wonderful ways to make art. :)

What you will need:

printable transparency film (be sure to get the right one for your printer!)

a holographic Pokemon card

pure acetone (often used as nail polish remover)

cotton balls/swabs

white acrylic paint

paint brushes

spray adhesive (I used Loctite Multi Purpose spray)

Optional:

liquid metal leaf (bought at a craft store and used on Meowth)

First wet your cotton ball/swab with acetone and start gently rubbing the face of your holographic card. Please don’t use one that will be missed because acetone will remove it permanently. I suggest using a holo energy card for linear holo and buying a cheap holo card from a trading card seller (like Troll and Toad) for a prettier holo. Swipe from inside the card to the outer edges so you don’t accidentally ruin the back. Unless you don’t care about the back. In that case, do it how you like.

Next make your card! There are card maker websites everywhere that makes it pretty easy. The cards I made were a combination of those and digitally altered pieces that I added. You can draw your card’s art, use a photo, get art commissioned, etc. When you’re done, you can print it. Getting the size right might take some trial and error, but it should be easy in Photoshop or even Microsoft Word. Real cards are 6.3 cm x 8.8 cm.

Now you can print it! Transparency film is expensive, but I found a pack of 6 sheets on Amazon for about $7. Most packs come with 50+ sheets and run from $60-70. The film I used had a rougher side which you print on and a smooth side. Place the side that is supposed to be printed on face down in your printer’s tray so it prints on the correct side. Make sure the image quality is the best it can be so your image can be crisp and vibrant. ALSO!! Make sure your image is mirrored! When you put your card together, the smooth side will have the image the correct way around. This way, you’ll seal the ink inside the card where it won’t be damaged by the elements.

Once it’s printed and dry (should be quick) you can start painting. What you want to do is paint everything that you don’t want to be holo. Most of the time, the Pokemon isn’t holo while the background around it is. Reverse holo cards would be painted within the picture and not the rest of the card. Take your time and use the appropriate size brush. If you paint out of the lines, use a toothpick to gently scrap the paint off. Don’t press too hard with the brush or else the ink might smear (inkjet/possibly the same for laser). I would dab on a light first coat, then paint the other coats like normal. Paint until the image is as opaque as desired.

Once it’s dry, cut it out. Take your time here too so you don’t get wobbly edges.

Finally, take your holo sheet and your card facing to a well ventilated area. Spray the back of your card facing and the front of the holo sheet, wait a minute, and stick them together to seal them permanently.

Here’s a video where I learned how to do it.

It looks like a lot, but it’s pretty easy to do.