Collectors Cards
Custom 2.5 x 3.5 inch collectors cards for team profiles, artist releases and shop giveaways.
- Sizes:
- 2.5 x 3.5 inches; choose vertical or horizontal orientation.
- Print Options:
- Full color on both sides
- Full color front with a grayscale back
- Full color front with an unprinted back
- Additional Options:
- Rounded corners with a 0.25 inch radius are available on selected stocks.
- Specialty Finishes:
- Raised UV on 16 pt. Premium Matte
- Raised foil in gold, silver or rose gold on 16 pt. Premium Matte
- Paper Stocks:
- 14 pt. Gloss
- 14 pt. Uncoated
- 13 pt. Premium Linen
- 16 pt. Premium Matte
- 18 pt. Ultra Premium Pearl
- 18 pt. Premium Kraft
- 18 pt. Ultra Premium Smooth White
- 24 pt. Trifecta Green
- 38 pt. Trifecta Black
- 38 pt. Trifecta Red
- 38 pt. Trifecta Blue
- 100 lb. Matte Cover
- Paper Appearance:
- Kraft and pearl papers can vary slightly in thickness and color. Their background colors also affect printed artwork; compare samples when choosing your stock.
- Proofs:
- A digital proof for every order. Nothing prints until you approve it.
- Delivery:
- Local pickup or shipping. Rates and any sales tax are calculated at checkout.
- More Info:
- Hand out a card series at conventions, trade shows or club events. Feature books, comics, artwork or individual team members.
- Choose gloss for reflective photographs, uncoated for a natural surface, or matte for a quieter finish. Layered Trifecta stocks add a colored edge.
- Linen adds woven texture; pearl adds shimmer; kraft adds a brown background; smooth white gives artwork a clean base.
- Choose 16 pt. Premium Matte for raised UV or raised foil in gold, silver or rose gold. Keep raised artwork away from the trim edge.
- High Gloss UV helps protect the card surface. UV-coated areas cannot be written on or overprinted. Front-only UV can make the two sides differ in color and brightness.
- For handwritten notes, choose uncoated paper or front-only High Gloss UV on 14 pt. Gloss. The reverse of front-only UV cards still has a semi-gloss surface; test your pen on a sample.
- Quantities range from 50 to 100,000. Paper and finishing can affect available production quantities; compare the choices in the order form.
- Cover means heavier card paper; book and text describe lighter paper. A matte finish has little shine, while a gloss surface reflects more light.
- Large dark ink areas on uncoated paper can transfer to neighboring cards. Consider lighter coverage and allow open space in the layout.
- Gloss surfaces tend to make colors look brighter; matte and uncoated surfaces give a softer appearance. C2S is a paper term for coating on both faces.
- Aqueous is a glossy coating; matte finishes have little shine. Writing on aqueous-coated paper is not guaranteed.
- The familiar trading-card size works for business contacts too: combine a portrait, short biography and contact details, or create a coordinated limited-edition set.
All of our paper stocks are premium quality and printed in full color.
14 pt14 pt. Gloss
About this paperGloss cover with a high-gloss UV layer for a bright surface and added protection from handling.
- Shiny coated white stock
- High Gloss UV adds shine and protection
- 14 pt thickness
14 pt14 pt. Uncoated
About this paperA white stock with an uncoated surface for a natural feel and handwritten notes or signatures.
- Natural paper surface
- Suitable for writing or signatures
- 14 pt thickness
13 pt13 pt. Premium Linen
About this paperA woven surface adds a tactile detail to portraits, lettering and simple card layouts.
- Fine woven texture
- Writable surface with a fine woven texture
- 13 pt thickness
16 pt16 pt. Premium Matte
About this paperA substantial white stock with a smooth matte surface for portraits and understated card layouts.
- Smooth matte surface
- Substantial white card stock
- 16 pt thickness
18 pt18 pt. Ultra Premium Pearl
About this paperA pale pearlescent surface gives printed artwork a subtle shimmer; compare a sample to judge the background color.
- Smooth pearlescent surface
- Natural off-white pearl color
- 18 pt thickness
18 pt18 pt. Premium Kraft
About this paperBrown paper made from 100% recycled fibers gives your artwork a natural background and a writable surface.
- 100% recycled brown paper with natural fibers
- Writable surface
- 18 pt thickness
18 pt18 pt. Ultra Premium Smooth White
About this paperA smooth white surface pairs a clean background with substantial card thickness.
- Smooth matte white surface
- Writable surface
- 18 pt thickness
24 pt24 pt. Trifecta Green
About this paperWhite outer layers surround a green center, visible along the cut edges, with a soft velvet finish.
- White faces with a green center
- Three layers with a velvet finish
- 24 pt thickness
38 pt38 pt. Trifecta Blue
About this paperA blue center sits between white outer layers on this extra-thick card with a velvet finish.
- White faces with a blue center
- Three layers with a velvet finish
- 38 pt thickness
38 pt38 pt. Trifecta Black
About this paperWhite outer layers and a black center create a bold edge on an extra-thick card with a velvet finish.
- White faces with a black center
- Three layers with a velvet finish
- 38 pt thickness
38 pt38 pt. Trifecta Red
About this paperA red center accents the cut edge of this extra-thick white card with a velvet finish.
- White faces with a red center
- Three layers with a velvet finish
- 38 pt thickness
100 lb100 lb. Matte Cover
About this paperCrisp white cover paper with a matte surface similar to Premium Matte, in a lighter weight.
- Crisp white paper
- Matte surface similar to Premium Matte
- 100 lb / 10 pt thickness
Cover is thick card paper; book and text refer to lighter paper.
High Gloss UV adds a shiny protective coating. Aqueous is glossy; matte is flat with little shine.
UV-coated areas cannot be written on or overprinted. Pen performance on aqueous coatings is not guaranteed.
Avoid large areas of heavy dark ink on uncoated paper: ink can transfer between stacked cards.
Gloss tends to make printed colors brighter. Matte and uncoated papers give a softer appearance.
C2S means the paper is gloss coated on both faces.
- Bleed:
- Include 0.1 inch bleed on each edge. For a vertical 2.5 x 3.5 inch card, use a 2.7 x 3.7 inch canvas; reverse these dimensions for horizontal artwork.
- Safe Zone:
- Keep names, statistics, borders and logos at least 0.125 inch inside the trim. The vertical safe area is 2.25 x 3.25 inches. Backgrounds must extend through the bleed.
- Resolution:
- Prepare images at 350 dpi at final print size. A vertical canvas including bleed is 945 x 1295 pixels.
- Color Mode:
- Prepare artwork in CMYK. Screen colors can differ from the printed result, especially on kraft and pearl stocks.
- File Formats:
- Send a print-ready PDF, PNG, JPG or TIFF. Flatten image layers and embed or outline fonts in PDF files.
- Upload Size:
- Check the maximum file size shown by the upload form before sending artwork. Flatten layers and remove unused content to reduce file size while keeping images at 350 dpi.
- Printed Sides:
- Supply one page or file for each printed side. Match the front and back orientation, and check that each player name, portrait and set number belongs together.
- Specialty Prints:
- For raised UV or foil, supply a separate mask matching the print artwork in size and position. Mark the raised areas in solid black on white, without gradients, and keep them clear of the final cut edge. Raised elements cannot extend to the edge. Ask our design team to review fine details before approval.
- Instant Online Proof:
- Review your uploaded artwork in the instant proof and check every detail before approving. You are responsible for errors left in an approved file; an instant proof does not include a second manual proof.
- Manually Processed PDF Proof:
- Request a manual file check and PDF proof from our team. We will contact you about file problems or send a proof for approval. Confirm timing with us before planning your order.
- Processing and Order Status:
- Pricing includes processing one artwork set and creating one proof. Sign in to your account to follow order progress. Incorrect files can delay production; contact us about file delivery or holiday schedules.
Keep a reusable layout with a 2.5 x 3.5 inch trim and 0.1 inch bleed on every side. Rounded cards use the same finished size; keep essential content clear of the curved corners. Remove all guide lines before export.
- Vertical Layout:
- Trim: 2.5 x 3.5 inches. Canvas including bleed: 2.7 x 3.7 inches. Keep important details at least 0.125 inch inside the trim.
- Horizontal Layout:
- Trim: 3.5 x 2.5 inches. Canvas including bleed: 3.7 x 2.7 inches. Keep important details at least 0.125 inch inside the trim.
- Rounded Corners:
- Allow for a 0.25 inch corner radius. Keep names, logos and portraits clear of the curved cut line; ask our design team for help adapting your layout.
- Export:
- Remove guides, flatten image layers and embed or outline PDF fonts. Export a print-ready file with 350 dpi images in CMYK.
Use these free layout specifications as a starting point. Our design team can help adapt an idea or prepare a custom template; contact Design Services for more layout inspiration. Review File Setup before exporting.
Honest Pricing Guarantee
Compare your options and quantities with clear pricing before checkout. We keep our pricing straightforward so you can plan your card order with confidence.
Low Price Promise
Choose the paper and finishing that fit your budget. Review the displayed total for your selection and contact our team with any pricing questions.
Satisfaction Guarantee
Your first order is covered by our satisfaction guarantee. If the result falls short, contact us so we can review the issue and work toward a reprint or refund.