A dent in a Pokémon card: can it be fixed?
A dent, or indentation, happens when the card stock is crushed in one spot: a fingernail, an object resting on it, a knock inside a box. It is a different defect from a curve. Here is what can improve, what will stay visible, and which methods to avoid.
- An overall curve can often be corrected; a localised dent much less so.
- Gentle, prolonged pressure can soften a slight bulge.
- A marked indentation, where the fibres are crushed, will stay visible.
- Avoid heat, water and humidifying: they can make the defect worse and be seen as an alteration.
Dent, curve or crease: identifying the defect
| Defect | What happens | What you can expect |
|---|---|---|
| Curve | The whole card bends, often because of humidity. | Often corrected with gentle, prolonged pressure. |
| Slight bulge | One area bulges slightly with no clear mark. | Can soften under pressure. |
| Dent or indentation | The card stock is crushed in one spot. | Improves little; stays visible under raking light. |
| Crease | The card stock is broken. | The mark stays visible. See creased Pokémon card: can a crease be fixed?. |
What not to do
- Heating the card (hair dryer, iron): it can ripple and weaken.
- Humidifying or spraying it: the card stock swells unevenly and can stain.
- Pressing hard on the dent with a hard object: you will mark the surface.
- Pushing the dent back out from the back: you create a defect on the other side.
Humidifying, sometimes presented as a “trick”, alters the card. A card treated this way can be considered altered when graded.
The gentle method: gradual pressure
- Slide the card into a clean sleeve.
- Place it between two rigid, flat, clean surfaces, with a foam mat on each side to spread the pressure.
- Apply light to moderate, even pressure.
- Leave it for 12 to 24 hours, then check under raking light.
- Repeat if the defect is reducing; stop if it no longer changes.
Flatten a card again
The flattening kit
Rigid plates, foam mats and clamps for gentle, even pressure, with no heat and no moisture.
See the flattening kitWhat to expect
A slight bulge can soften noticeably. An indentation where the fibres are crushed generally stays visible, especially under raking light. If the card is very valuable, ask a professional for advice before doing anything: see Pokémon card restoration: professional or DIY?.
Frequently asked questions
Can a dent be removed completely?
Rarely. Gentle pressure can soften it, but a marked indentation generally stays visible.
How long should the card stay under pressure?
12 to 24 hours per cycle. Several cycles may be needed, but if nothing changes, there is no point insisting.
Does a dent lower the grade?
Yes, it weighs on the surface grade. Better to know before sending than to try an aggressive method.