The Trainer's Journal
The TCG Smiths Blog
Set breakdowns, market talk, collecting guides and news from the shop — written by collectors, for collectors.

PSA Grading in the UK: Costs, Turnaround Times & Alternatives
PSA grading UK explained: real submission routes, honest costs with shipping and VAT, 2026 turnaround times and UK alternatives. Read before you submit.

Prismatic Evolutions: The Complete Set Guide for Collectors
Prismatic Evolutions explained: chase cards, Master Ball reverses, products and pull rates — and whether it’s too late to buy in. Read the full guide.

Pokémon Elite Trainer Boxes Explained: What’s Inside & Which to Buy
Every Pokémon Elite Trainer Box explained: exact contents, standard vs Pokémon Center versions, honest value maths and which ETBs to buy in 2026.

Pokémon Card Values: How to Find Out What Your Cards Are Worth
Understand Pokémon card values: what drives prices, how to look them up properly, condition multipliers and graded vs raw. Find out what yours are worth.

Choosing a Pokémon Card Binder: The Guide Nobody Gives Beginners
How to choose a Pokémon card binder: why ring binders damage cards, zip vs elastic, pocket counts and side-loading explained. Protect your collection.

Buying a Pokémon Booster Box in the UK: Everything You Need to Know
Buying a Pokémon booster box in the UK? Pack counts, price maths vs ETBs, how to dodge weighed and resealed boxes, and where to buy at a fair price.

Pokémon 151: Why This Set Became an Instant Classic
Why the Pokémon 151 set became an instant classic: nostalgia, the Charizard and Mew chase, every product — and whether it’s still worth buying in 2026.

The Mega Evolution TCG Era: Every Set So Far & What’s Coming
The Mega Evolution Pokémon TCG era explained: every set from the 2025 launch to Delta Reign, the chase cards and what’s rumoured next. Catch up here.

How to Store Pokémon Cards: Protect Your Collection Properly
How to store Pokémon cards the right way: sleeves, toploaders, binders, sealed product and the humidity mistakes that quietly ruin collections. Start now.