Pikachu Illustrator cards with print lines are extremely rare printing defects from the original 1998 Japanese promo set, and no exact count exists because these flaws were not officially tracked or documented by The Pokémon Company.
The Pikachu Illustrator card itself is one of the rarest Pokémon cards ever made. It was a prize for the top 39 winners of a 1998 illustration contest in CoroCoro magazine in Japan. Experts believe only about 39 of these cards were produced in total, though some sources estimate between 13 and 100 copies might still exist today due to unconfirmed reports.[2] Most known copies are in private collections, and just a handful have been graded by PSA, with Logan Paul buying one pristine PSA 10 example for over $5 million in 2022.[3][4]
Print lines refer to visible lines or streaks on the card caused by issues during the printing process at the factory. These can show up as thin white or colored marks across the surface, often from roller problems or ink misfeeds. On standard cards, minor print lines might not hurt value much, but on ultra-rare cards like Pikachu Illustrator, they make the card even more unique as a “factory error” piece.
No search results or Pokémon databases list a specific number of Pikachu Illustrator cards with print lines. This is likely because so few have surfaced publicly. Graded populations for the card are tiny—fewer than 10 PSA-graded copies are confirmed across all conditions.[2] Among those, print line mentions are absent from sales records or auction listings. Collectors on forums sometimes discuss print defects on common Pikachu promos like the 2024 Illustration Contest #214, which sells for $12 to $20 raw, but nothing ties back to the original Illustrator version.[1]
If a Pikachu Illustrator with print lines did appear at auction, it could still fetch huge money from error hunters. Printing flaws add story to the card, proving it’s untouched from the pack era. For example, other rare cards like Spikey-Eared Pichu promos have sold for $25,000 despite low print runs and minor issues.[2] Keep an eye on sites like eBay or Heritage Auctions for any pop up—volume on Illustrator cards is near zero, so one with lines would be a once-in-a-lifetime find.
To spot print lines yourself, look for straight lines that run parallel across the holo foil or artwork, not scratches or bends from handling. Always get high-res scans before buying high-end cards, and consider PSA or BGS grading to verify condition. Prices for perfect Illustrator cards hover in the millions, so defects might drop it to six figures depending on severity, but rarity keeps demand sky-high.
