# Sleeves are an overlooked form of pokemon merch **URL:** \ **Category:** Collecting\ **Tags:** opinion, merchandise, sleeves\ **Created:** [March 14, 2024, 7:39pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/sleeves-are-an-overlooked-form-of-pokemon-merch/47100 "2024-03-14T19:39:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Rattlesnake](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/rattlesnake/32/245396_2.png) [@Rattlesnake](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Rattlesnake)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2026, 3:08pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/sleeves-are-an-overlooked-form-of-pokemon-merch/47100/181 "2026-08-06T15:08:02Z")
This is such an interesting thread. I’ve sworn up and down I don’t care about sleeves but man there’s some awesome arts that seem to have such a large spectrum of styles! I have a bunch of burning questions for anyone who can help. 1. Does TPC give info on who the artists are on each sleeve art and where do you get that info? 2. I’m assuming there is no “set lists” with a picture of every sleeve ever produced…or is there? 3. What is the range in cost per sleeve generally? I would imagine more rare and older styles command a large price. 4. What’s the largest “lot” or “sleeve collection” someone could reasonably expect to buy? I don’t have the time or patience to acquire sleeves one by one, but I may be interested in buying a large lot or collection potentially. ---
**Author:** ![PokeDave](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/pokedave/32/241945_2.png) [@PokeDave](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/PokeDave)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2026, 8:01pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/sleeves-are-an-overlooked-form-of-pokemon-merch/47100/182 "2026-08-06T20:01:07Z")
I can’t answer all of your questions but there are multiple people with incomplete lists (few excel sheets and websites) that are being worked on. Age is definitely a big factor in the price but even more so is the circumstances of it’s release. A lot of tournament releases were very limited and to they can command quite a price (mind you nothing compared to card prices). I know of some people with near complete collections and I imagine some people do have compete collections it’s definitely in the realm of possibility unlike sith the actual cards. It’s also something that I’m currently working on. I’ll post photos of my progress shortly. ---
**Author:** ![Rattlesnake](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/rattlesnake/32/245396_2.png) [@Rattlesnake](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Rattlesnake)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2026, 8:21pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/sleeves-are-an-overlooked-form-of-pokemon-merch/47100/183 "2026-08-06T20:21:39Z")
Thanks for the tips, and makes sense regarding the releases. Everyone loves a story, just like promo cards. Would love to take a look! ---
**Author:** ![PokeDave](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/pokedave/32/241945_2.png) [@PokeDave](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/PokeDave)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2026, 8:57pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/sleeves-are-an-overlooked-form-of-pokemon-merch/47100/184 "2026-08-06T20:57:01Z")
As I’m trying to collect them all I’m organizing the binder in chronological order (loosely so that I can group reprints and themes). Right now I’ve collected sleeves from 1999-2011 with a few gaps. ![IMG_20260806_215119](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/4X/1/0/e/10e82865948f8a829e81b39c53841e866cbbe22b.jpeg) ![IMG_20260806_215131](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/4X/5/8/0/580520c4b19e72aa0f5bf507edc72c51b610ddda.jpeg) ![IMG_20260806_215146](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/4X/8/7/5/8755c85f3fc0092df79d49ef8b95a2c71b787da7.jpeg) ![IMG_20260806_215157](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/4X/8/e/9/8e94a425bed5f72ec5bf83c1db2961eaf1090a2d.jpeg) ![IMG_20260806_215206](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/4X/6/b/2/6b2bb6a37d1b38a3c5c42c6960132d5fb140fd2f.jpeg) ![IMG_20260806_215219](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/4X/8/0/6/806b5c1c49e8efbf396d5ec323eac4616128f17a.jpeg) The sleeves early on are really interesting because of their history (my favorite is the New York pokemon center exclusive sleeve). But the modern sleeves make up for the lack of history with gorgeous art ---
**Author:** ![Rattlesnake](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/rattlesnake/32/245396_2.png) [@Rattlesnake](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Rattlesnake)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 1:38am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/sleeves-are-an-overlooked-form-of-pokemon-merch/47100/185 "2026-08-07T01:38:07Z")
Thanks for sharing the binders look great. Which one is the NY sleeve? ---
**Author:** ![PokeDave](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/pokedave/32/241945_2.png) [@PokeDave](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/PokeDave)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 6:58am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/sleeves-are-an-overlooked-form-of-pokemon-merch/47100/186 "2026-08-07T06:58:15Z")
First picture bottom left. Another really interesting one are the transparent sleeves at the top of the third picture ---
**Author:** ![skipper](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/skipper/32/271258_2.png) [@skipper](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/skipper)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 3:55pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/sleeves-are-an-overlooked-form-of-pokemon-merch/47100/187 "2026-08-07T15:55:34Z")
Whoa, amazing collection! I had no idea there were PCNY sleeves! I have fond memories of visiting as a kid, did you get the sleeves back then or have you acquired it later? ---
**Author:** ![PokeDave](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/pokedave/32/241945_2.png) [@PokeDave](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/PokeDave)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 4:22pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/sleeves-are-an-overlooked-form-of-pokemon-merch/47100/188 "2026-08-07T16:22:20Z")
I would have loved to have visited but I would have been 3 years old when it was open. I got this sleeve from a Japanese website for $16 ---
**Author:** ![joponnes](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/joponnes/32/267759_2.png) [@joponnes](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/joponnes)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2026, 6:53am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/sleeves-are-an-overlooked-form-of-pokemon-merch/47100/189 "2026-08-08T06:53:50Z")
I don’t believe the public information for artists exists, i think some artists share their work in social media and some are just very recognisable but i guess that’s it. Also regarding price, most of the modern sleeves are available as singles for 1-2$ so very affordable even if you only pick something here and there instead of buying lots ---
**Author:** ![Rattlesnake](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/rattlesnake/32/245396_2.png) [@Rattlesnake](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Rattlesnake)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2026, 10:50am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/sleeves-are-an-overlooked-form-of-pokemon-merch/47100/190 "2026-08-08T10:50:59Z")
Appreciate the help thanks. Makes sense on price it’s a much more niche market I’m sure. I kinda of like how there is less information available, everyone loves some mystery. ---
**Author:** ![mrbubbles](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/mrbubbles/32/255723_2.png) [@mrbubbles](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/mrbubbles)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 8:35am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/sleeves-are-an-overlooked-form-of-pokemon-merch/47100/191 "2026-08-09T08:35:55Z")
Ooo, this is a fine collection. Those binder pages are really awesome and you can see the evolution of sleeve art from 1999 to later. Very cool. Awesome work compiling these without many official sources and thanks for sharing. Cheers! ---
**Author:** ![professorstephen](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/professorstephen/32/31373_2.png) [@professorstephen](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/professorstephen)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 5:43pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/sleeves-are-an-overlooked-form-of-pokemon-merch/47100/192 "2026-08-09T17:43:17Z")
Have over 250 scans of more recent sleeve designs (including Worlds, ICs, English Pokemon Center etc) from our eBay store if anyone needs. Feel free to share/use. > **[Sleeve Images - Google Drive](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/17khG8uEKfWxv_DwoOFRlRXjN09gcjVoI?usp=sharing)** Especially at the card shows people are loving picking up single sleeves at the moment, they are definitely becoming more mainstream in the past year or so. ---
**Author:** ![mathonsunday](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/mathonsunday/32/49653_2.png) [@mathonsunday](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/mathonsunday)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2026, 3:16am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/sleeves-are-an-overlooked-form-of-pokemon-merch/47100/193 "2026-08-24T03:16:06Z")
Im a huge fan of this thread - lurking here is what got me into sleeves and now my themed binder collections incorporate sleeves as if they were regular cards. The price you pay for the art you get just feels unreal. These are my two highlights - they fit in great with my Domestic Garden binder. ![IMG_5674](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/4X/5/2/5/5252fd2450be6aac6785b98a6169b1cf5108923c.jpeg) ![IMG_5675](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/4X/8/1/f/81f66be33c87f77be6d5daaa1d39f3d1dae239b3.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![mathonsunday](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/mathonsunday/32/49653_2.png) [@mathonsunday](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/mathonsunday)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2026, 11:43pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/sleeves-are-an-overlooked-form-of-pokemon-merch/47100/194 "2026-08-29T23:43:08Z")
Do we have documentation about which specific sleeves were limited releases? I’m curious what search terms to use for the more historic ones and what kind of prices they go for. In terms of modern sleeves with an interesting release, I put forth the 2019 Berry’s Forest, Ghost’s Castle collaboration with artist Kayo Horaguchi. You can find more information about it on [this](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Sword_%26_Shield_TCG_Era_merchandise) Bulbapedia page. You can easily buy these sleeves for a couple bucks each on eBay so I doubt they are particularly rare. In terms of population I have no idea how they compares to like the sleeves from the Pokemon Simplified Chinese Master Tournaments which are also cheap and easy to find. ---
**Author:** ![joponnes](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/joponnes/32/267759_2.png) [@joponnes](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/joponnes)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 6:11pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/sleeves-are-an-overlooked-form-of-pokemon-merch/47100/195 "2026-09-01T18:11:59Z")
Love to see these, is there a chance to see the binder page these are included as they indeed sound like a great fit for that kind of page 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![crindy](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/crindy/32/255860_2.png) [@crindy](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/crindy)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 6:13pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/sleeves-are-an-overlooked-form-of-pokemon-merch/47100/196 "2026-09-01T18:13:25Z")
it’s here!!! it’s a lovely page 🙂 > [@Qwachansey’s Second Annual Best Binder Page Contest](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/qwachansey-s-second-annual-best-binder-page-contest/63786/29): > > This is a page of cards and sleeves that highlight nature within a domestic or indoors setting. It’s the first page in my Domestic Garden binder. ---
**Author:** ![mathonsunday](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/mathonsunday/32/49653_2.png) [@mathonsunday](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/mathonsunday)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 8:36pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/sleeves-are-an-overlooked-form-of-pokemon-merch/47100/197 "2026-09-01T20:36:35Z")
Appreciate it! Was going back and forth on whether the colors weren’t harmonious/cohesive enough but wanted to challenge myself beyond my usual “grass is green” approach 😂 ---
**Author:** ![joponnes](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/joponnes/32/267759_2.png) [@joponnes](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/joponnes)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2026, 8:52pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/sleeves-are-an-overlooked-form-of-pokemon-merch/47100/198 "2026-09-13T20:52:54Z")
A good bunch of 30th celebration sleeves, the night/day theme goes hard with these ones too ![image](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/4X/c/3/4/c34939df653fe6903a1319c744220a3fa7529bc9.png) ![image](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/4X/6/6/5/6652d1dcd605989d2310baa21ec6d0fff9a50c2e.png) ![image](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/4X/4/f/f/4ffdaac3a87c8bdc049cb517f4a0f4ed691a0e1a.png) ![image](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/4X/6/1/1/61167b223e33ef7bd68aa98fdbb94a39ab5e9124.png) ![image](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/4X/4/f/c/4fc28a538e319269791bf4ab50cf134d6e918eea.png) ![image](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/4X/6/e/2/6e25c97972dca48c5af79f1ef5b34d2b20f18bf4.png) ![image](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/4X/2/5/9/259c9f20aa48754b12ae2ad7a3558ae185c853a4.png) ---
**Author:** ![FreeKhang](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/freekhang/32/253378_2.png) [@FreeKhang](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/FreeKhang)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 8:16am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/sleeves-are-an-overlooked-form-of-pokemon-merch/47100/199 "2026-09-14T08:16:42Z")
The ones with Komiya art and the drawn card back is hella nice. ---
**Author:** ![Drew12](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/drew12/32/161497_2.png) [@Drew12](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Drew12)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 8:49am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/sleeves-are-an-overlooked-form-of-pokemon-merch/47100/200 "2026-09-14T08:49:53Z")
I think, if you’re referring to the bottom one, that it’s supposed to look embroidered and not drawn. But I could be wrong [Previous page](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/sleeves-are-an-overlooked-form-of-pokemon-merch/47100.md?page=9) [Next page](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/sleeves-are-an-overlooked-form-of-pokemon-merch/47100.md?page=11)