I got quite a bit of email of late of why create these custom cut cards with reprint autographs? The answer is simple. There are many players out there, who I have always yearned to have autographs of and simply couldn’t afford or they have since passed away. I was lucky to have a father who was as into autograph collecting as I was and am fortunate to still have many Hall of Fame player’s signatures. However as I learn more and more about the history of sports I have come to the realization that there were a lot of great players that I wished I had autographs of.
I have long wanted to learn how to cut squares out of cards without the use of a hole punch. Punches usually don’t allow for much movement into the center of the card. That’s why a lot of the memorabilia cards I created had the squares right next to the border. Well thanks to Bigga (The Custom Card Guru) of the Sports Card Forum, I was able to learn how to make these cards.
To me making these cards are like creating art. The idea behind the designs come to me as I sit in front of the computer. I have long believed that simple designs are the most pleasing. In fact the most iconic cards that Topps ever put out are also the simplest designs. Although the signatures in the cards are not real, the flow of the card is what really makes the card pop. I can now have autographs of all the stars I want to display proudly in my man room.
Best of all I don’t have to worry if they are stolen, as I can always make more. I’ve had several people enquirer also about buying some of these cards. Because of the time, materials, and energy associated with creating these cards, my prices (as seen on the custom card page) are on the high side. I will tell you and anyone else who has gotten my custom cards, you will not be disappointed with them. Below is my latest creation, a Terry Sawchuk – Gerry Cheevers Dual Autograph card.
Gotta tell you since you started making the custom cards, and now the cuts, real or fake they are amazing. Not only are you your own card company, but you are doing what the big companies fail to do, take the time to create quality. Keep doing what your doing, who knows, maybe one day UD or Topps maybe calling.
Now that one great. I love it. The Crease Police…you need to copyright that quick.
What materials do you use? I use cheap photo paper with white cardstock and glue them together with elmers craft liquid glue. My problem is that the photo paper is too greasy,cardstock too thin and the glue caused the paper to bend. Any help will be much appreciated
I use HP advanced photo paper (it’s the best paper for autographs because the ink drys really fast). I’ll print the front and back of a card then I use a Xyron sticker maker and run the card through that making the back of the printouts into a complete sticker. Next I take an early 90s card (I like topps the best) and stick the front to the front and the back to the back. Then I trim the sides with a paper cutter (old school kind) and voila it’s all done.
Nice work on these customs. I gotta ask, though, how do you print them? On a printer at home, or do you take/send them somewhere to get printed? I like making custom cards, but haven’t actually tried printing them.
I print them on my home printer on advanced photo paper. The paper and ink are key, try to use OEM stuff as it makes a big difference.
Thank you. Another question. Do you print the cards 2-sided, or 1-sided and later affix them together? If the latter is the case, then what adhesive do you recommend?
I have taken a few of my custom cards to Walgreen’s to get printed–just the fronts. They came out OK. My dream is to have a way to print the custom cards front and back.
I know that you are familiar with Puck Junk, but I also have a separate blog for my custom hockey cards:
http://customhockeycards.blogspot.com/
Thanks again for your advice.
Sal I am a daily reader of Puck Junk, and I like your customs as well! The way I make them is to print out both sides of the card on my HP inkjet at best print quality. Then I cut them out and affix them to a common card from the mid 90s (glossy white stock) first the front then the back. Then I use a paper cutter to trim the edges and voila, your custom card is done. I use HP advance photo paper and HP ink. These are the two most important items. The paper has quick dry ink technology, so even autographs don’t smudge.