Anatomy of a Trading Card

Source: Lifewire

What is it about trading cards that make everyone go gaga over them? Is it the thrill of collecting rare and valuable cards? Or the excitement of having a bit of your favorite sports or entertainment icon in your hands? 

Whatever the reason may be, it's big enough to get trading cards selling for as high as $4.3 million! 

But intrigue and fascination aside, there's also something to be said about the anatomy of trading cards. Everything from the design to the materials used, and even the information presented on them, plays a huge role in their value and popularity. So, how are trading cards made? 

The subject is so interesting that Dave Wheelroute does a whole podcast on demystifying the questions around Brian Downing's 1977 Topps trading card. There's just a lot to uncover about trading cards; what can we say?

Let's take a closer look at how are trading cards made and what makes them stand the test of time. 

How Are Trading Cards Made? 

Source: MTG Wiki

Let's start with the basics. Which material is used to make trading cards? Generally, there are three choices. 

Art Paper 

Art paper is a high-quality coating paper that could have a glossy or matte finish. It's the paper you see in calendars, illustrated materials, brochures, and picture books. Unlike the thinner paper in books, art paper is sturdier and can withstand more handling. It also tends to be stiffer. 

Card Stock

Card stock is another kind of paper that's also thicker than printing and writing paper. Its other names include pasteboard and cover stock. If you've ever held a business card in your hand, that's card stock! 

Besides trading cards, card stock is also used to make catalog covers, scrapbooks, postcards, and playing cards — those Uno cards in your game drawer, yeah, those ones. 

Plastic 

Plastic is used to make cards that need to be highly durable. Your debit or credit card is an example. Access control, ID, gift, and loyalty cards are also plastic-based. Plastic trading cards have the highest durability among these three materials. 

For the context of this article, we'll stick to card stock. It's most commonly used and is also a recommended material. While art paper is a bit flimsy and won't last long, plastic can be hard to work with. So that leaves us with card stock. 

Basic Structure of a Card Stock Playing Card 

A card stock playing card is made up of three layers: the front, the back, and the core. The front is usually coated with a thin layer of plastic to protect it from wear and tear. Here's how the components are present on the card, from top to bottom: 

  • Top Coating: The thin layer of plastic on the face side with a glossy or matte finish to keep the card free from scratches. 
  • Top Layer: This is the first layer of paper. 
  • Core: The core is the binding agent that glues the front and back paper layers. 
  • Bottom Layer: The last layer of paper that you see on the backside. 

Of these layers, the core is probably the most important. It gives that ''snap'' to the card. A trading card may use any of the following cores: 

  • Black core
  • Blue core
  • Gray core
  • White or Ivory core 

The difference between the cores is how well they can hide the white center of each side of a card. Although blue core is usually the standard due to its cost-effectiveness, black core has the highest quality. It doesn't let you see through the card. 

For instance, if you look at PrintNinja's card stocks, here are the gsm (grams per square meter) weights: 

  • Blue Core: 280gsm
  • Black Core (Linen): 310 gsm 
  • Black Core: 330 gsm 

Gsm weight indicates the thickness of the core. The higher the gsm, the thicker and more durable the core is. Besides gsm, some cards may also use ''points'' as a measure of thickness. 

The point is the thousandth of an inch. If a card stock says it's 12 points, that means it is 0.012 inches thick. 

Finishes on a Trading Card 

Besides structure, we should also look at the top finish to understand how are trading cards made. The finish acts as a sealant and projects the card from external factors. It can also add an aesthetic appeal to the trading card. 

Some features manufacturers consider when choosing the right finish are: 

  • Safety: Sure, you'll keep your trading card safe somewhere. But you'll touch it at some point, especially when showing it off to friends. The finish on the card should be safe to touch. 
  • Oil Resistance: Our hands can have natural oils that may damage the card's appearance. The card's finish must also be resistant to such oils. 
  • Durability: Manufacturers tend to choose a finish that is resistant to scratches and bending. 

Source: Printing Brooklyn

The following types of finishes are common on trading cards. 

Liquid Finish 

In this type, the manufacturers apply a liquid coating on top of the card, which is called a varnish. It may be of three types: 

  • Oil-Based: Traditionally, oil-based varnishes were a popular choice. However, these varnishes may have some drawbacks: they are slow drying and may contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). 
  • Water-Based: These varnishes have become a norm in recent years. They're safer and eco-friendlier. 
  • UV Varnish: A UV varnish is cured with ultraviolet light. It's a fast-drying option, making it ideal for mass production of trading cards. The card is exposed to the UV light while the varnish is still wet, which makes it dry instantly. It is available in both matte and gloss variants. 

Laminate Finish

A laminate finish is a thin layer of plastic on the surface of the card stock. It makes the card thicker and stiffer. 

Linen Finish 

The linen finish is a cross-hatch pattern pressed into the card stock. To do this, manufacturers first apply a varnish to the card stock. Then, as the varnish is curing, they press linen sheets onto the surface, creating a dimpling finish.

Nowadays, some other materials are also used in place of linen. But the end result is the same: an uneven surface that increases the card's shuffle feel.

Velvet Finish 

It's a polyurethane finish that gives the card a soft, velvet-like texture. Think of smooth suede. That's how these cards feel in your hand. It's not common to see this finish on trading cards since these cards can clump together when stacked. 

Decorative Elements on a Trading Card 

Source: MPC

In some instances, you'll also notice that the card has additional elements added to it. These may include: 

  • Foil Stamping: A foil stamp can be hot or cold. The former embosses the card and gives it texture, while the latter only applies foil to a specific area. For instance, in a football trading card, the player's name may be in foil. 
  • Metallic Ink: Typically, printers use 4 (CMYK) colors to create the image on a trading card. A 5th metallic ink can be added to the mix to give some areas a metallic sheen. 
  • Spot Varnish: Manufacturers may apply a glossy varnish to some parts of the trading card to highlight certain elements, such as the team logo or a player's signature. 

Takeaway 

There you have it! Now, if someone asks: how are trading cards made, you can give them a quick overview of the process. While you're at it, don't forget to marvel at the intricateness of the trading cards in your possession. They’re surely a work of art. 

 

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