HOF Custom Cuts...need help

[200lbhockeyplayer]

Some may remember the batch of "Classic Cuts" I did of former players. I did 15 of these and I love them, so I am now on the "Cooperstown Classic Cuts" set and I need some help. I know neither card is complete, but I am looking for opinions on which to go forward with, and which to stop messing with. Of course, both could be not worth following through with.

I have done two mock-ups for each design...two of the same player to keep it "apples to apples".

Postcard/Stamp style

Black Leather style

Thanks for any suggestions or brutality.

 

[scotty21690]

I LOVE the postcard/stamp ones!

 

[thenumberonemetfan]

The cooperstown classic cuts are beautiful imo.The black leather looks too much like a custom.

 

[caseya10781]

I absolutely love the post card design with stamps! Very nice man!

I just cant stop looking at them!

 

[i43770]

I like the postcard style better. I think it would be cool if the date on the postmark was the day they were inducted into the HOF.

 

[MaineMule]

The black one is a little too dark IMO, the upper left quadrant is very dark (as I can barbely see the background). If you made the background brighter it might look better.

 

[shanks25]

I like the postcard / stamps version but I the the "Cooperstown Classic Cuts" in the upper left needs to be darker........really hard to read it right now.....

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

So far, the results are what I expected (including the selection of #5)...so thanks for everyone that has responded so far.

It's interesting that i43770 suggested the idea of postmarking the date inducted...it was my original plan to do the year inducted but I figured if it would save me a step I would leave it off. And if someone suggested it then it would be worth the time. Suffice to say...it's worth the time.

The "black leather version" actually looks a lot better printed because the background text jumps more off of the leather textured background...but I do agree that it looks a lot more like a "custom" rather than a real card. Of note, the second generation of the leather version was a distressed background, shown here:

Both of the "leather" versions are far more time-consuming to do...for what most perceive as a lesser result.

The one thing about the "postcard/stamp" version is that the two stamps will be very small...just less than 1" wide and 0.5" high. I do like the effect so I may just have to increase the size of the stamps to make then almost "real" size.

Here is a close-up of the stamps:

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

Bump for other comments.

 

[ru4scuba]

I didn't see a I think "200lbhockeyplayer is a ***** and don't care either way" option so I went with the postcard.

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

I didn't see a I think "200lbhockeyplayer is a ***** and don't care either way" option so I went with the postcard.

I've since edited it...

 

[383astro]

I like the black better, but they still need some work. Nice job though. Too bad you cant figure out how to put a refractor coating on them. that would be cool.

 

[Musial Collector]

LOVE the postcard look.
You take requests?

 

[AMAZIN HOF COLLECTOR]

The cooperstown classic cuts are beautiful imo.The black leather looks too much like a custom.

TOTALY agree!

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

LOVE the postcard look.
You take requests?

Requests? Such as specific players? IE: Stan?

Right now, I am running through my 3x5 and awkward cut collection, and dealing with most of the deceased players first.

I have done some customs for others here...and will certainly do up custom cuts for people if they are interested, but that's not really why I am doing these. Personally, I just got tired of looking at a 3x5 index card and wanted something a little different. And at the same time getting fairly jaded with the hobby releases as a whole...I was bored.

And again, thanks to everyone for the comments. I will be reworking a few things to hopefully lock down the look of the "Cooperstown Classic Cuts" set.

 

[wideright]

Even though I'm getting to this after the fact, I'll still give a little critique FWIW! Postage stamp look is very nice. Great start, here's my take:

1. The "Cooperstown" title on the card... a little too light, hard to read. I know you don't want it jumping off or taking up prominence, but still a little more readable would be nice. Also, maybe a slightly different spin on it... tilted a bit instead of straight? Just a thought.

2. I'd personally like to see the player name in a different font style. I like the old style, rough looking typeface, but I think you used it on the last cards too. Maybe play around with something not so heavy? Not stacked? Maybe add team name under it? I don't know. The area where the name is just seems a little empty. It may be the effect you were going for, so if I'm way off base then just ignore!

3. I love the Bill Terry card. But when you lay the Jackson card next to it, I immediately get the feel like the Jackson card is missing something that the Terry card has. It's the background on the Terry card, it just gives the card a more complete nostalgic look. The fuzzy halo around Jackson just doesn't seem to fit the look. That's a modern photoshop trick. So keeping with a vintage style, maybe grab a generic old photo, blur it and use it behind Jackson or any other player you are doing in the set.

Overall, love the postage stamp cards. Very nice idea for HOF cards.

The black leather cards, don't care for the look of those as much. As Maine stated, the darker text is almost imperceptible if you didn't look hard enough. I had to tilt my screen to read it. This style just doesn't have the same appeal.

Can't wait to see the final product. You do good work.

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

Even though I'm getting to this after the fact, I'll still give a little critique FWIW! Postage stamp look is very nice. Great start, here's my take:

1. The "Cooperstown" title on the card... a little too light, hard to read. I know you don't want it jumping off or taking up prominence, but still a little more readable would be nice. Also, maybe a slightly different spin on it... tilted a bit instead of straight? Just a thought.

2. I'd personally like to see the player name in a different font style. I like the old style, rough looking typeface, but I think you used it on the last cards too. Maybe play around with something not so heavy? Not stacked? Maybe add team name under it? I don't know. The area where the name is just seems a little empty. It may be the effect you were going for, so if I'm way off base then just ignore!

3. I love the Bill Terry card. But when you lay the Jackson card next to it, I immediately get the feel like the Jackson card is missing something that the Terry card has. It's the background on the Terry card, it just gives the card a more complete nostalgic look. The fuzzy halo around Jackson just doesn't seem to fit the look. That's a modern photoshop trick. So keeping with a vintage style, maybe grab a generic old photo, blur it and use it behind Jackson or any other player you are doing in the set.

Overall, love the postage stamp cards. Very nice idea for HOF cards.

The black leather cards, don't care for the look of those as much. As Maine stated, the darker text is almost imperceptible if you didn't look hard enough. I had to tilt my screen to read it. This style just doesn't have the same appeal.

Can't wait to see the final product. You do good work.

All of that is extremely helpful...and I agree with all of it.

 

[hofmichael]

I voted that you are a ***** becuase it seemed like the right thing to do but I like the postcard better.The black ones are missing something.No offense but they look a little blah.This is not a bash at all because wouldn't even know where to start on making these.
Mike

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

I voted that you are a ***** becuase it seemed like the right thing to do but I like the postcard better.The black ones are missing something.No offense but they look a little blah.This is not a bash at all because wouldn't even know where to start on making these.
Mike

Trust me, I would much rather have votes for honesty rather than anything else.

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

Ok...so some adjustments have been made here with the postcard version such as;
- Changed typeface of the player name and added team name
- Changed typeface of "Cooperstown Classic Cuts" and made it darker
- Increased the size of the stamp effect
- Two versions - one showing a smaller, slanted "Cooperstown Classic Cuts"
- Changed the date to the year of player induction
- Adjusted some of the type effects

New Version 1

New Version 2

Original Version

Any/all feedback appreciated and thanks again.