Full art and alternate art

Full art and alternate art (alt art) are two types of Pokémon card in which the illustration differs from the usual layout. A full art card has its artwork across the entire card surface, without the usual frame around the illustration. An alt art card shows the Pokémon in a scene drawn by a particular artist, as an alternative depiction of a card that otherwise exists in a regular edition.

Full art

On a full art card the illustration extends to the edges, and the text boxes sit on top of the artwork. Full art has often been used for strong or popular cards such as Pokémon V and ex, and for Trainer cards. The cards are normally also holo with a dedicated foil pattern. Full art cards exist across several eras, with small differences in how they are drawn and marked.

Alternate art

The term alternate art was used especially for a group of cards in the Sword & Shield era, where the Pokémon was shown in a broader scene, often by a distinct artist. The same Pokémon then exists both as a regular full art and as an alt art, and the two versions tend to sit at different price levels. Similar ideas were later carried on in Illustration Rare and Special Illustration Rare in the Scarlet & Violet era, where the cards often have their own name and symbol.

The link to rarity

• Many full art and alt art cards are numbered above the set's printed total and are then counted as secret rares.
• The symbol at the bottom of the card can indicate its tier; see rarity symbols.
• How often they appear in packs is not officially stated, but collectors compile their own estimates; see chase cards.

A caveat

Appearance and naming vary between eras, so "full art" and "alt art" are first of all collector terms and not formally defined categories. Check the card's number, symbol and set list in the card catalog when in doubt. Price and demand depend on the Pokémon, the artist and the condition, not on the label alone.

In summary

Full art and alt art describe how the illustration is laid out, not how rare the card is. The two terms are used somewhat differently by collectors and publishers, and the names have shifted between eras. If you are looking for a specific version of a Pokémon, the set list is the safest source. Also look at the artist and the scene, since many collectors choose cards for the illustration.