What year did Topps finally get better with centering?

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by bobsbbcards

I remember thinking in 1988 when I was opening packs, that the cards seemed better centered. 1991 also seemed like a distinct improvement (I'm scanning Desert Shield cards, and none are off center).

+1

I think centering got progressively better with major leaps in 1991 when they switched to new card stock and overall appearance with an emphasis on premiums. I think they started to concentrate more on printing & centering issues at that time.

It seems like Topps progressively worked at taking better quality photos ('70's & '80's) and then turned towards printing/card stock/premium issues in the '90's onward. At least it feels that way. You no longer see as many of the goofy cards like this poorly centered '82 Fleer of Morris or the others. Although I have to say, these type of pics made it interesting to look through the various sets.....

Not my style, but that is an impressive Unibrow.....

Z

[steve B]

I'd have to look at a bunch of different years and see, but the change to new stock for 1992 may have come along with changes in the equipment used. I know the sheet size didn't change for 92 and 93, but I think it did at some point.

The newer stuff like Gypsy queen is partly die cut. Most cards are die cut on all sides, but a few are die cut on I think 3 sides. It's possible they're using a press that's web fed (prints from a roll rather than sheets) and that also has a die cutter/trimmer built into it so the output is just cards. Those can do very well on centering.

The mini cards aren't always centered well though so maybe not.

Steve B

[frankhardy]

Just from memory, I think that 1987 Topps was really consistent with centering.