I Created a New Trading Card Product Line!

[mouschi]

Let me see a show of hands. How many of you think that it is absolute madness at how many types of cards have been released this past year? The card release calendar shows TONS of them ... not to mention the online only and store specific cards out there.

Well, the card market is about to get one more, though case breakers will not have an interest in this one.

I realize that there is a big risk in coming out with a new card product. Whether they have succeeded or crashed and burned, generally all are met with harsh criticism. I hope this isn't one of them!

What if I told you that I've made a new card line with the most diverse checklist ever? One that will elicit emotions that go beyond normal trading cards. They will make some laugh, others cry, and have a high potential of being quite possibly the most notable & cherished card in your entire collection.

That sets the bar ridiculously high, but it is my hope that you agree with me.

First, I had to come up with a killer name. Something that oozes high end ... glamor. Lifestyles of the rich and famous.



Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the HIGHEST END EVER....wait, what? That name has already been taken? :/

Okay, let's try again ...



INSANITY! The ULTIMATE high end card. It would be pure insanity to spend money on this...errr...I mean it would be pure insanity not to buy. Yeah, that's what I meant!

Not quite ....



When a good deal comes my way, I JUMP IN IT. (I love that DirectTV commercial with the mini giraffe!) Speaking of good deals, check this sweet costume I found at Target the other night! #hemustworkout



Sigh, if only working out were as easy as putting on a costume.

Okay, back to the card line. (Forgive me, but how could I NOT share that pic with you?)

After talking it over at the kitchen table with my family, I came up with this:



Custom Cuts - Yeah! I like the ring to it! My first thought was to grab the domain name customcuts.com. Sadly, someone picked it up, but it was for sale.

I inquired about the price, and here is the response I got:



Uhmmm.... $59,888 ????

I considered countering at $50.00 but instead, I thought this response was more appropriate:



Silly, silly interwebs.

I opted instead for CustomCutsOnline.com for a smooth $15/year.

So, what exactly is Custom Cuts? Well, let me show you. There are 2 different configurations.



A gorgeous high-end design and beautiful gold holo-foil. I know what you are asking yourself "Hey, where's the cream filling?"

This is where it gets interesting and exciting.

Custom Cuts is an easy to use kit that allows you to create your own card! You have two choices: Buy the kit and do it yourself, or send me the pieces and I'll create it for you.

Here is how it works.

Each kit comes with the following pieces:



First, you want to cut the picture / relic / signature / whatever you want to cover the gray areas of the mounting template. Then you just glue/tape them down to the mounting template.



The front frame piece is 1/8" thick and has a well on the underside of it that fits the mounting template.



The back is actually like a sticker. Once you are ready, you just peel it and stick it to the back!



For me, the story of a card is absolutely huge. It is the difference between having just another shiny parallel that was pushed out, and something that is truly meaningful. To me, a shiny low numbered refractor with no story means very little to me when compared to a dull looking older card with a fantastic story.

The backs will have a hand-written serial number, if you desire. The reason for this is so you (or anyone) can go to the website and look up what the story is behind the card in the database. You, of course, would write the story. This could be something documenting the pieces that were used, or even a nice note to the recipient of the card if you are giving it as a gift.



My favorite thing about this is that there are literally no limits to your creativity, aside from being mindful of the hole dimensions.



The fun part in creating customs is finding the right pieces for a project. The Custom Cuts kit is designed to have fun, and end up with something meaningful - whether it is for your own collection, or for someone else!

Here are some examples of what can be done:

A picture of your little leaguer and jersey patch or signature = your new favorite 1/1



A paw print + pic you printed out of your cat = a Custom Pawtograph



Continued on next post .....

[mouschi]

Old Magazine page + signed index card = Custom High End ALF!



Signed Post Card + Trading Card = Mickey Mantle Cut Signature



Magazing + dog chewed trading card = Al Kaline cut signature



Wedding Picture + Invitation = Keepsake that may actually get your wife into cards (Hey, we can dream, can't we?)



Here they are all together:



This is my first "invention" so to speak, and I'm very proud of it. I look forward to hearing what you all think about this as well! I hope this will be a bit hit for folks this Christmas, as I've gotten loads of requests to create personal cards as gifts.

Oh, and what a better way to kick off my first invention than with my first infomercial?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFpGLdr7Fa8

For anyone who does pick up a kit, I encourage everyone to post what they have made online. I'd get a huge kick out of seeing what other people use this for.

As always, thanks for reading! I look forward to hearing what you all think.

[bnorth]

Very cool stuff, wish you the best of luck with these.

[Jantz]

Cool idea!

I like it and may be purchasing 1-2 shortly.

I have a picture of my Dad playing baseball in high school and this custom card of yours has given me an idea what to do with it.

Oh and....No moustache on the microphone? I'm disappointed!


Jantz

[almostdone]

I think this is absolutely an incredible idea and wish you the best of luck on it. You could market these to little league teams as a giveaway at the end the season.
Great way to use your creativity and allow others not so creative to enjoy the process.
Drew

[mouschi]

Thank you guys! If you want to order, just hit my site or pm me - either way is fine!

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by mouschi

Thank you guys! If you want to order, just hit my site or pm me - either way is fine!

My only question is how good is the adhesive used on the card backs. As someone that has built several multi layered cards I am sure i could easily put your awesome new cards together. On the other hand I can see someone with no experience having real problems getting the back even close to lined up properly.

[mouschi]

Originally Posted by bnorth

My only question is how good is the adhesive used on the card backs. As someone that has built several multi layered cards I am sure i could easily put your awesome new cards together. On the other hand I can see someone with no experience having real problems getting the back even close to lined up properly.

That is a good question. It is basically a sticker. I think it would be easy to line up, but ultimately, I suppose someone could even just glue the back on w/out taking the backing off.

There is a little bit of getting your hands dirty, so to speak, but I think this is well within the realm of ease for the everyday consumer when in line with any other type of do it yourself kit...probably even much easier!

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by mouschi

That is a good question. It is basically a sticker. I think it would be easy to line up, but ultimately, I suppose someone could even just glue the back on w/out taking the backing off.

There is a little bit of getting your hands dirty, so to speak, but I think this is well within the realm of ease for the everyday consumer when in line with any other type of do it yourself kit...probably even much easier!

I use a lot of Avery shipping labels for fronts/backs on items. I know they also make a removable version. I have never tried them but maybe it would be worth looking at in case someone does not get the back lined up the first time they have another chance.

[mouschi]

Got this in from Twitter ...
Just put together a @gzusi card with a @tanmanbbfan Custom Cuts template. Easy to use and looks great! Thanks Tanner!