Sunday, September 5, 2021

Custom Cards: PRINTED (Plus a Giveaway)

 
Big news from Nine Pockets Headquarters:
 
 

 
My custom cards are now available in print form!

After spending a few months looking into various printing companies and their products, services, and prices, I finally found one I felt good about and went for it. 
 
Here are a couple of close-ups of the finished product:
 
 




I'm happy with the results. The cards have a similar thickness and feel to the standard "vintage" card (i.e., 1980s and earlier). Slight gloss on the front, no gloss on the back. 
 
And speaking of backs, here are two examples.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Instead of basing each card back on whichever Topps design appeared on the front, I decided to give them more of a "compete set" feel. The cards are separated into series by year, and they're numbered in the order in which I designed them. For example, George Costanza up there was the first custom card I created in 2019, so he's card #1 in the 2019 edition. And likewise, the Toxic Twins card was the 11th that I created in 2020, so it's card #11 in the 2020 series. (Note the different ink color for the 2020 backs.)
 
Also note the hand-stamped Nine Pockets "NP" circle in red, which is my little way of letting you know that you've received an authentic custom card, straight from the source.
 
For a card like Costanza's, which compares a celebrity's likeness to a ballplayer on an original Topps card, I thought about placing a small image of the original card on the back (à la 1991 Stadium Club). However, that would have been clear misuse of property I don't own. Instead, I decided to go with a brief write-up that mentions the original card. Collectors can then use that information to look up the originals themselves. Maybe that makes it a more fun, interactive experience. There's too much instant gratification in the world these days, anyhow.
 
So, what am I going to do with these cards now that they've been printed out?



 
I've set up a store on bonanza.com where the cards can be purchased for prices that I hope everyone will feel are affordable. The site offers some built-in marketing and advertising features, so I'm interested to see what kind of traffic it brings in.

But wait. Don't purchase anything from the store just yet. I have some gifts to give out. If you're one of the first 20 commenters below, I'm going to send you three custom cards of your choice.
 
It's a way to thank you for reading about my designs and for always leaving such enthusiastic, complimentary comments here on the blog.
 
Here's what to do:

(1) Go to my custom card gallery and find three cards you'd like from the 2019 and/or 2020 lists. (I haven't ordered the 2021 designs yet, as I'm still working on a couple more.) The only options from 2019 and 2020 currently unavailable are the Sadaharu Oh stained glass card and the Mr. Bean Topps Giant card.
 
(2) Come back here and leave a comment that includes your three card choices, plus one consolation choice just in case there's high demand on a particular card and I start running out of stock.
 
(3) email me with your mailing address. A link to my email address appears on my blogger profile page. You can also contact me on TCDB.
 
And that's all you have to do. 
 
Thanks so much again for spending some time here at Nine Pockets, and for helping to fuel my creativity. I look forward to getting some of these cards into the hands of fellow collectors.

41 comments:

  1. Wow, cool! I am always impressed by the creativity of those of you who do these customs. And getting them professionally made is amazing too. I thought long and hard about trying that for a set of cards I made of my daughter's softball team, but couldn't find a service I liked. Glad you found one.

    My picks would be:

    1. Rick Vaughn
    (1964 Topps)

    2. Willie Hayes and Rick Vaughn
    (1964 Topps Rookie Stars)

    3. Jim Carrey (1969 Topps)

    consolation - Toxic Twins (1959 Topps)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol, sorry, all of mine were from the 2021! I'll back off and let others pick, sorry for the strange inability to read!

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    2. No problem at all, DK! There are still plenty of cards available from the 2019 and 2020 lists (including the Toxic Twins card), so feel free to choose from those.

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  2. Congratulations on the new business venture, Greg! Hopefully much money will be made! And who knows, you might end up being a trendsetter amongst the other bloggers who make customs.

    I don't want to seem too greedy, so can I just claim one of the Hulk/WW combos, and a '76 style Harry Callahan. I'm thinking I'll have to go back and purchase a Salma Hayek once you add her to your store :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks very much, Jon! I'm setting those two cards aside for you now. Stay tuned early next year for an availability update on the Salma Hayek card and the rest of the 2021s ;-)

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  3. I'm not that big a collector of non-sport cards, but as a Mets fan I'd love to have the Joel Youngblood card, and the Henderson/Ryan highlight card, too. For a third I'd be happy to have the Muppets card, or if you need an alternate either Simpsons card. Thanks! Email on the way...good luck with the project!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Brett! Received your email with the updated card choice. Will set all three aside and mail them out later this week, most likely.

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  4. Oh man! If you have them available I'd love a Costanza, '82 Hendrix and '82 Beastie Boys!!! As a backup any of the Mr. Bean cards would be awesome. This is just FANTASTIC Gregory, and I will absolutely be supporting your store. Awesome work all around!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Order received, shoebox! Thank you. I definitely appreciate the compliments, too. You and all the other commenters and readers are providing motivation for me to keep making more custom cards.

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  5. Congrats on finding a printing option. That's cool.

    I will select the All-Star Cabbies, All-Star Muppets and All-Star Superheroes, in that order.

    Consolation is the Joel Youngblood card or the '84 Beastie Boys. Thank you for your generosity.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks very much, Night Owl! (And thanks for sending your mailing address again.) The all-stars will be heading up to you shortly, and they look forward to a tour of your card room.

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  6. These are fantastic! I would like to have Best Burger Buds, 1984 Highlights Beastie Boys, and All Star Roommates. Backup would be the 1982 Beastie Boys rookie (if 1984 not available) or Ed (for Buds). Thank you!

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    Replies
    1. Much appreciated, David! Will set those cards aside for you. Thanks very much for reading!

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  7. That's awesome. Best of luck on your business. If available... I'd love the Beastie Boys and the SF Police Harry Callahan.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gregory: So what'cha want, Fuji?
      Fuji: Beastie Boys cards!
      Gregory: You've got it. (Plus the Callahan card.)

      Delete
  8. Great work. I would love the two Simpsons cards.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Whoops just realized those are from 2021! Sorry. I'll pass this time but thanks for the offer!

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    2. No worries on accidentally choosing cards from the 2021 list, Jeff. I've still got plenty of 2019 and 2020 cards available for the giveaway, so if any of those cards interest you, please feel free to choose three and I'll send them out.

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  9. This is great idea, hope it works out well for you.

    Hulk and Wonder Woman ('74)
    Clint Eastwood ('76)
    Harry Callahan ('76)

    Those are the only 3 I'm interested in so if any of them are unavailable, just send me any of the 3 that are available.

    Thanks in advance. Email on the way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You've got 'em, Jeff! Will set those three cards aside for you. Thanks very much for the kind words!

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  10. Awesome stuff! Best of luck with the store. I'd love any of these:

    George Costanza (1956 Topps)
    Jimi Hendrix (1982 Topps In Action)
    Beastie Boys Future Stars (1982 Topps)

    Beastie Boys Highlight (1984 Topps)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks very much, Gavin! Consider those cards yours. Keep up the great work over there at Baseball Card Breakdown.

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  11. WOW, that's awesome!

    Sadahara Oh Stained Glass

    1974 All-Star Super Heroes ( Hulk/Wonder Woman & The Odd Couple. )

    Good Luck, and thanks for the opportunity.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks John! You'll have to modify one choice, as the Sadaharu Oh stained glass card isn't available. Feel free to reply here again and let me know if you'd like a different card. I'll also need your mailing address.

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  12. George Costanza for sure!! 1956 topps
    Ed 1959 topps
    Best Burger buddies 59 topps

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You've got it, Matt! Thanks very much for reading. I look forward to getting those three cards out to you.

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  13. That's so cool! And thank you for the giveaway! I don't know how I missed the post when reading my blogroll. I'd like the Best Burger Buds, the Ed from Good Burger and the Muppets All-Stars please! The fact that the 2021 cards aren't available yet made it an easy choice, as I generally won't walk away from the Simpsons stuff. Thanks again!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're very welcome, Billy! I'll set aside those three cards for you. Stay tuned early next year for availability of those Simpsons cards ;-)

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  14. This is amazing! Good luck on your new venture. I'll pass on the free cards, just wanted to show my support.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the compliments and well wishes, Derek! If you change your mind or want to set up a trade on TCDB at any point, just let me know. Hope you'll stop by the blog again!

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  15. I'm always up for pop-culture customs, and you certainly did an awesome job with these! Would love any of the following if still available:

    George Costanza
    "Burger Buddies"
    Sadaharu Oh Stained Glass

    Either of the other "Good Burger" cards would be a fine consolation if any of the above aren't available. Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks very much for the compliments, Nick! The Sadaharu Oh card isn't available, so I'll swap in one of the Good Burger cards for you.

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  16. 1. Costanza & Bette Middler Play at The Plate
    2. Beastie Boys '89 Highlight
    3. Jimi Hendrix in Action

    Fuji sent me and I'm satisfied like after the risotto!

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  17. Consolation: Beastie Boys Future Stars, Everett McGill or Ed 1959 Topps
    So many to choose from, fantastic work.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks very much for the compliment, Xavier! Please send me your mailing address when you can, and I'll get your cards ready to go.

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  18. Received these yesterday and they are gorgeous. Thank you!

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    Replies
    1. Excellent! Glad to hear it, David. Thanks again for reading the blog, and stay tuned for more custom cards.

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  19. Way late to the party, but is the offer for the custom cards still available? The blogs have been blowing up with them so I was still curious. Didn't look like you hit 20 yet.

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    1. Hi Jafronius, welcome to the party! Getting close to 20 but not there yet, so please feel free to participate. (Be sure to make at least one consolation choice.)

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    2. Awesome! If available, I would like to get the Costanza, the Hulk / Wonder Woman All Star, and the Bean Steals Away (love Mr. Bean) cards. The backup would be Harry Callahan card. E-mail will be incoming. Thanks again!

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    3. You've got 'em! Should be able to send the cards out later this week.

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