Whether you're a seasoned collector or getting into this delightful hobby, one thing remains true: the material of your trading cards can decide between a prized possession and something forgotten at the back of your bedside drawer. The cool thing about custom trading cards is the wide range of material choices.
Basically, what you choose is a card stock. Think of it as the canvas for your card's art. Selecting the right card stock or material means you've done half the work right.
In this guide, we look at some materials for custom trading cards. We also discuss factors you should keep in view when choosing a card stock for your deck.
What Is a Card Stock?
Card stock is a type of paper specifically designed to create various types of cards. These may be trading, playing, greeting, and business cards.
It is thicker and more durable than standard printing paper. That's why it is suitable for applications where sturdiness and longevity are important.
Importance of Selecting the Right Card Stock
The card stock can make or break it for your custom trading cards. If it's too thin, the cards won't be as sturdy and may get easily damaged. On the other hand, if it's too thick, the cards may become too heavy and bulky for regular handling.
But that doesn't mean you always have to find the middle ground. That's the thing about card stocks; you choose based on your preferences.
For example, some card stocks are better for playing cards. Others may be suitable for souvenirs. Your use case will decide which material you choose.
Thickness of Card Stock
The card stock's thickness is measured in ''points.'' One point is equal to 1/1000th of an inch. So, the higher the points, the thicker the card stock will be.
Besides the thickness, another measurement is the paper density. It is measured in grams per square meter (GSM). A common card stock weight is 225 GSM, which is used in business cards and invitations.
Materials for Custom Trading Cards
If you plan to make custom trading cards for your business or personal use, you should be familiar with the available card stock options. At Card Makers, we offer the following materials.
Promotional Card Stock (Smooth Finish)
As the name gives away, this material is quite high quality since it's made for promotional use. It has a blue core, which limits the amount of light that can pass through the card. Compared to our other options, this one is more affordable. However, that doesn't mean there's any compromise on quality.
Use Cases: Creating promotional and marketing materials and game design
Professional Card Stock (Blue Core)
Another of our card stocks with the blue core is the professional variant. It has a similar smooth finish as the promotional card stock but is thicker and more durable. Plus, it minimizes the light passing through, ensuring the back design isn't visible from the front.
Use Cases: High-end company and wedding promotional purposes
Smooth Card Stock (Black Core)
If you're looking for a card stock with a higher visual contrast than a standard stock, this is the right option for you. The material of this card stock allows you to print graphics on each side in vivid colors. It also looks much cleaner and is extra durable.
Use Cases: Game creation
Linen Card Stock (Blue Core)
Many people are surprised to learn about the use of a ''linen'' finish in custom trading cards. However, this is a great material for card stock because of its unique texture and sturdy construction. Our standard linen card stock has a blue core to minimize card transparency.
Use Cases: Partnering trading cards and high-end game design
BGM Linen Card Stock (Blue Core)
As an in-house production card stock, BGM linen is an excellent choice for high-end card designs. The smooth finish and minimal transparency make it perfect for custom card games and promotional materials.
Use Cases: Game creation and trading cards
Black Core Linen Air-Tight Finish Card Stock
Have you ever noticed how the cards used in magic shows are a little different from standard playing cards? They are more bendy, which is why they are so perfect for tricks.
Our card stock with an air-tight linen finish is made specifically for magic tricks. Since it's a light and soft material, it's perfect for manipulating and handling.
Use Cases: Magic shows and cardistry performances
Premium White Plastic Card Stock
Made of 100% plastic, our premium card stock has a 13pt thickness. It's long-lasting, easy to handle, waterproof, and slippery. The good news is it will retain its shape and durability even after extended use.
Use Cases: Card games and more
Casino Card Stock
Our premium offering in casino-grade paper cardstock is renowned for its unparalleled quality and performance. Crafted with precision, these cards boast a sophisticated linen finish, enhancing durability and ensuring superior handling.
Incorporating air pockets elevates their resilience, giving the card a smooth and slippery feel that enhances gameplay. Plus, there's a distinctive black core layer at its center, engineered to prevent light from shining through.
Use Cases: Professional card games, casinos, and tournaments.
Master Quality Card Stock
Our master quality card stock is pretty similar to the casino option, except that it has more defined air pockets (card surface embossing). As a result, it's smoother. These cards are printed on offset printers, providing a stunning color output.
Use Cases: Cardistry, magic shows, and Kickstarter projects
Thick Standard Card Stock
The thick standard card stock is the heaviest option in our selection. Unlike most of our other card stocks, this one lacks a core. It's an ideal option for people who want to design board games with heavier and thicker cards.Use Cases: Board game designing and professional playing
Eco-Herbage Sustainable Card Stock
We live in a time where sustainability should be at the core of every practice, including printing. Our eco-herbage sustainable card stock is made of grass and other herbaceous plants, making it completely biodegradable and environmentally friendly. It has a brown tint to it, which adds an earthy appeal to your custom trading cards.
Use Cases: All types of trading cards with an eco-friendly approach
How to Choose the Right Card Stock for Your Needs
You should look at three main things when selecting a card stock:- Material
- Flexibility
- Thickness
- Material: Plastic or eco-friendly card stock may be more suitable for outdoor or long-term use, while standard card stock is ideal for games and activities that require frequent handling.
- Flexibility: If you want to do magic tricks with your trading cards, you'll need a flexible card stock that bends easily without breaking.
- Thickness: Thicker cards are more durable but may be harder to handle. So, consider the purpose and frequency of use when deciding on the thickness of your card stock. Usually, a 12pt to 14pt thickness is suitable
Conclusion
As you can see, there is quite an attractive variety of card stock options. You can make your choice based on eco-friendliness, flexibility, durability, cost, transparency, and frequency of use.With so many options, it can be hard to settle on the right card stock. However, that's not a concern. You can simply get in touch with us at Card Makers, and we'll guide you through the selection process. We know how much you cherish your trading cards, and we consider them as precious!
