Sealed products

Sealed products are Pokémon products that are still unopened and in their original factory wrapping. They range from individual booster packs to whole boxes and special products. Some collectors open them to see what they get, while others leave them closed. This entry gives an overview of the most common types and what to know about them.

The most common types

• Booster pack: the smallest unit, with a number of cards in sealed foil. The contents follow the set's rules.
• Booster box (display): a case with many booster packs, normally 36 in current English sets.
• Elite Trainer Box: a box with booster packs and accessories such as sleeves, dice and markers.
• Collection boxes, tins, blister packs and theme decks: various products that often contain packs and frequently a promo card.

Contents and names vary between sets and years, so the product description on the package is the reliable source.

What affects interest

The value of a sealed product is tied to the set it comes from, how many were printed and how many remain unopened. Publishers do not normally state print figures (see print runs), and what is left on the market shrinks as products are opened. This can change quickly, and sealed products can both rise and fall in price.

Risk and verification

Sealed does not guarantee that the contents are original. There are resealed and weighed packs and boxes where the wrapping has been replaced. Check the seller, the packaging and any signs of opening before dealing. Store products dry and out of direct sunlight; see storing cards for general advice on how cardboard and plastic age.

Sealed or singles

The choice between owning an unopened product and owning single cards has different characteristics in terms of price, space and randomness; this is described in sealed versus singles. The yield of an opened pack is random, as explained under pull rates. An overview of products on sale is on the sealed products page.

In summary

Sealed products are a broad category, and contents, size and availability vary greatly. What they share is that they are unopened and that part of their value lies in staying so. Read the product description, check the packaging and be critical of the seller. For background on how products and cards relate, the entries on booster boxes, Elite Trainer Boxes and print runs are useful further reading.