The ETB Acrylic Case Guide

Magnetic vs screw-down cases

Magnetic-lid cases use embedded magnets in the top panel. They open in a second, which makes them the right pick for a shelf you rearrange often or for boxes you may eventually open. The trade-off is a slightly looser seal, so dust can creep in over years.

Screw-down cases clamp all panels with corner hardware. They are the archival option: near-airtight, harder to knock open, and far more secure if the case ever travels. Expect to keep an allen key nearby, and never overtighten — acrylic crazes at the screw seat.

Getting the fit right

Modern Pokémon ETBs sit around 195 x 145 x 90 mm, but older sets and special editions vary. A case cut to real ETB dimensions holds the box still; a generic display box lets it slide, and sliding is what rounds corners and scuffs foil.

• • Measure your box before ordering — special editions run taller.
• • Look for 2–3 mm panel thickness; thinner acrylic flexes and bows over time.
• • Stackable footprints matter once you own more than three cases.

UV, light, and fading

Acrylic filters a share of UV, but no case saves a box parked in a sunny window. Blue and red inks fade first, and the damage is permanent. Display on a wall away from direct sun, use LED rather than halogen strips, and rotate showcase pieces if a room is bright.

Handling and cleaning

Keep the protective film on until the case is in its final position. Clean only with a microfibre cloth and an acrylic-safe cleaner — ammonia-based glass sprays fog and craze the surface. Lift cases from the base, never by the lid, especially magnetic ones.

Common questions