If some autographs are on-card, why use stickers at all?

[Austin]

Topps and Upper Deck are able to get players to sign autographs on card (Turkey Red, Bowman Chrome, UD Buybacks, UD Heroes, etc.)
So why do they also use sticker autographs?
It doesn't make sense to make some products on-card, and others with stickers.
I understand stickers are cheaper and faster, but If Topps and UD can send the full cards to the players to sign, and create an on-card product by their deadline, why use stickers as well?

 

[thenumberonemetfan]

Topps and Upper Deck are able to get players to sign autographs on card (Turkey Red, Bowman Chrome, UD Buybacks, UD Heroes, etc.)
So why do they also use sticker autographs?
It doesn't make sense to make some products on-card, and others with stickers.
I understand stickers are cheaper and faster, but If Topps and UD can send the full cards to the players to sign, and create an on-card product by their deadline, why use stickers as well?

Thats the main reason.

 

[Austin]

Topps and Upper Deck are able to get players to sign autographs on card (Turkey Red, Bowman Chrome, UD Buybacks, UD Heroes, etc.)
So why do they also use sticker autographs?
It doesn't make sense to make some products on-card, and others with stickers.
I understand stickers are cheaper and faster, but If Topps and UD can send the full cards to the players to sign, and create an on-card product by their deadline, why use stickers as well?

Thats the main reason.

I just wish the companies would spend an extra five bucks for postage per player to send them a couple hundred cards instead of a sheet of stickers.
They already to it for some sets, so why not all sets?
It just seems like common sense to me.

 

[Lars]

It is still about logistics. With stickers, Topps/Upper Deck/others don't have to wait on an athlete and even lose the cards, if there is a problem in transit.

Sure, you might see some certified autographs that are on-card and companies see the value in having an on-card certified autograph, but already having stickers is the standard already because it seems so much easier to send someone a bunch of sticker labels than a bunch of cards.

 

[Austin]

It is still about logistics. With stickers, Topps/Upper Deck/others don't have to wait on an athlete and even lose the cards, if there is a problem in transit.
Sure, you might see some certified autographs that are on-card and companies see the value in having an on-card certified autograph, but already having stickers is the standard already because it seems so much easier to send someone a bunch of sticker labels than a bunch of cards.

Then why do Topps & Upper Deck have no problem making on-card autographed sets like Turkey Red and UD Heroes?

 

[zep33]

a roll or a sheet of stickers can be be used for many products over many years. On card autos cannot

 

[Mr.Whipple]

Topps sends a company rep to witness all signings, So on card auto's would be on what is printed at that time..Upper Deck usually is at the mercy of the athlete and when they decide to send back..Thats why you see less Topps/Bowman redemptions in products....I have no issue with sticker auto's myself, On card is nicer but an auto is an auto to me anyway it comes...

 

[Lars]

The companies can go with on-card autographs for more product, but it doesn't seem like a practical option anymore. If the trading card companies had it their way now, 95 percent of their products would probably be using sticker autographs.

To the companies, it is harder for them to go with on-card autographs because they have to ship them to the player, make sure the cards get to the player/maybe his representative.

Sometimes the players aren't aware there is a deadline to send the cards back to the company and the company is forced to wait. Maybe some of the cards get damaged and even lost through the mail.

The companies pick-and-choose a select number of brands to use the on-card autographs [I assume when they know they can send cards to 'dependable signers' or those athletes they have done business before] to build up a premium [ooh, on-card autographs] among traditionalists [who probably prefer on-card autographs as opposed to ones signed on a sticker and slapped on a card].

It is still about logistics. With stickers, Topps/Upper Deck/others don't have to wait on an athlete and even lose the cards, if there is a problem in transit.
Sure, you might see some certified autographs that are on-card and companies see the value in having an on-card certified autograph, but already having stickers is the standard already because it seems so much easier to send someone a bunch of sticker labels than a bunch of cards.

Then why do Topps & Upper Deck have no problem making on-card autographed sets like Turkey Red and UD Heroes?

 

[Y4NK335]

Most of the time people will continue to buy the products anyway so why should the companies care.

 

[ChasHawk]

The logistics involved in making an on-card product are staggering.

Ask Steven from http://www.thesportscardfile.com/

If you wanted to put out an on-card product with a decent sized checklist
next April, you would have to have the cards printed now in order to assure
that you get them all signed in time.