— Card Restoration Guide

Pokémon Card Delamination. Fixed.

A corner that's peeling apart, an edge showing a dark line, a card that looks like it's splitting in two — that's delamination. Here's what causes it, how graders see it, and how we reattach lifted layers so your card looks whole again.

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What is delamination?

A Pokémon card isn't one solid piece. It's layers of paper stock bonded together, with a glossy printed surface on the front and back. On many cards there's a darker core layer sandwiched in the middle that keeps the card from being see-through.

Delamination is when those layers start to separate. Collectors also call it layering, splitting, peeling or just delam. It usually starts where the paper is most exposed — the corners and the cut edges.

How to spot it

Corner split

The corner tip opens up like a book, and you can see the core between the front and back.

Edge peel

A thin strip of the surface lifts along an edge, often showing as a dark or white line.

Bubbling

A soft, raised spot near an edge where the layers have let go underneath.

Sticky handling

A sliver catches on a sleeve or a fingernail when the card slides in or out.

Tip: tilt the card under a bright light and look straight down the edge. Separation shows up as a gap or a shadow line that a clean edge won't have.

What causes it?

  • Humidity and moisture. Damp air softens the adhesive between layers. Cards stored in basements, garages or attics are the usual victims.
  • Flexing and bending. Every bend stresses the bond, especially at the corners.
  • Rough sleeving. Forcing a card into a tight sleeve or top loader can catch a corner and pry it open.
  • Factory cutting. Some cards come out of the pack with a weak or uneven cut that's already starting to split.
  • Drops and impacts. A corner landing on a hard surface can crush the layers apart.

Does delamination hurt value?

Yes — often a lot. Grading companies treat layering at corners and edges as a structural flaw, and even a small split usually keeps a card well away from the top grades. Raw marketplaces are strict too: many treat any visible split as damage rather than wear.

It also gets worse over time. An open corner gives moisture and dirt a way in, and every trip in and out of a sleeve can pry it further. Fixing it early protects the card, whether you plan to grade it or keep it in your collection.

Don't DIY it

  • No super glue or craft glue. It stains, hardens, and is easy for graders to spot.
  • No irons or hair dryers. Heat can warp the card and cloud the gloss.
  • No peeling "loose bits." Pulling a lifted layer off turns a fixable split into missing paper, which can't be rebuilt.
  • Stop handling it. Slide it gently into a sleeve and top loader, and keep it flat and dry.

How The Mint Workshop fixes it

Delamination repair is part of our full restoration service — no separate add-on. Every card is scanned in at intake, checked, and given the careful method its condition calls for.

What we can fix
  • Lifted and peeling corners
  • Edge lifts and separating edges
  • Soft corners from a slight bend (not torn)
  • Dirt, grime and "Pokémold" specks on the same card
What we can't
  • Missing paper or torn-off layers
  • Chipping
  • Rebuilding a card
  • Whitening
Planning to grade it? Structural repairs carry more risk of an "Altered" result than a simple clean. If your card has a heavier split, we'll let you know before work starts so you can decide.

How to send it in

  1. Start your order on our submission page. Each card's service tier is set by its value.
  2. Put each card in a top loader and close it with a team bag so the card can't slide. Don't tape it — a sliding card can make a split worse.
  3. Use your prepaid FedEx label, add insurance, and include a printout of your order with the order number showing.
  4. Follow your card through every stage on the order tracker until it's back in your hands.

Delamination FAQ

Can a delaminated Pokémon card be fixed?

In many cases, yes. If the layers are lifted but still attached, they can usually be reattached and laid back down. If paper is missing or the corner is chipped, it can't be rebuilt.

Is delamination the same as whitening?

No. Whitening is worn ink on the edges and corners. Delamination is the card's layers separating. A card can have both, and restoration addresses the split but doesn't fix whitening.

Will a grader notice a repaired split?

It depends on how bad it was. Light lifts are a lower risk; deeper splits carry more chance of an "Altered" result. We'll tell you before we start if your card falls in that range.

Can new pack-fresh cards delaminate?

Yes. Some cards come out of the pack with a weak cut or an already-opening corner. Handle them gently and sleeve them right away.

How do I stop delamination from getting worse?

Keep the card flat, dry and still. Use a sleeve and a top loader, store it away from humidity, and avoid flexing it while you decide what to do.

Do you fix delamination on sports cards too?

Yes. We restore Pokémon, other TCG cards and sports cards. Pick the right card type when you start your submission.

— Let's get minty

Stop the split. Save the card.

Send us your peeling, splitting or lifting cards and we'll bring them back as close to original as we can.

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