The complete guide to Pokémon extended binder art

Everything about extended binder art in one place: what it is, what you need, how to print, cut and assemble it, which size fits your binder, and how to choose a design.

1. What extended binder art is

Extended binder art continues the illustration of one Pokémon card across a whole 3×3 binder page. Your card sits in the centre pocket; eight printed cards around it carry its scene out to the edges. Each design is made for one specific card, identified by Pokémon, set and card number. The category, explained.

2. What you need

  • The card. Your own card goes in the middle. It is never included.
  • A 3×3 binder page. Any 9-pocket page works with the Standard files; Vault X binders have their own size.
  • A printer that prints A4 or US Letter, or a local print shop.
  • Paper. Card stock or photo paper your printer can feed. Heavier paper stands up better in a pocket; our own printed sets use 260 g.
  • Something to cut with: scissors, a paper trimmer, or a cutting machine.

3. Choose the size

Every design comes in two card sizes. Standard cards are 63 × 88 mm, the size of the card itself, and fit any pocket a Pokémon card fits. Vault X cards are 66 × 94 mm and fill the larger Vault X pockets edge to edge. Not sure? Use Standard. Binder sizes in detail.

4. Print at actual size

This is the one step that matters most. In the print dialog choose "Actual size" or "Scale: 100%". "Fit to page" shrinks the sheet a few percent, and the cards then come out smaller than the pockets. Pick the PDF that matches your paper, A4 or US Letter, and your binder size.

5. Cut the cards

Cut along the guides printed on the sheet. Bundle files carry corner cut marks, so a trimmer can line up on each card. Cut just inside the line rather than outside it: a card a hair small slides in easily, a card a hair large buckles. The gaps between cards are waste.

6. Fill the page

Slide your own card into the centre pocket, sleeved or not, then the eight printed cards into the pockets around it, matching the layout on the sheet. Sleeving the printed cards is optional; they print and cut to sit straight in the pocket.

7. Displaying a valuable card

Many collectors keep their best cards in 3"×4" toploaders. Bundles include a toploader page for 3×3 binders made for toploaders: nine larger panels, with a backer panel behind your card so the art shows through the toploader's clear edge. For graded cards, printed PSA slab sets are on Tradera.

8. Digital or printed?

The digital download on Etsy is instant and costs from $7.50; you print it as often as you like for your own binder. The printed set from Tradera arrives cut and bagged, ready to slide in, from 119 kr, shipped within the EU. How printed sets work.

9. Choosing a design

Start from the card you own. Search every design by Pokémon, set or card number. If you are buying for someone else and don't know their cards, this page helps. The best sellers are a good place to see what the finished pages look like.

10. As a gift

A binder page builds on a collection instead of adding to it, which makes it an easy gift for someone who already has the cards they love. Pokémon gift ideas.