My custom cuts cards are done...with step-by-step scans

[200lbhockeyplayer]

EDIT

 

[MojoDan]

Simply awesome!

I might have to hire you for a cut or two...

Link to your other cuts?

 

[wideright]

And I gotta say, those look great. This tutorial was well done too. Thanks for doing the photos. I may be doing these soon too. I love the look of them and there's nothing like seeing your own designs in toploaders! Nice work.

 

[DaleMurphyCollector]

WOW!!!! Great stuff!

 

[rico08]

Some good looking custom cards for a change--congrats on the final product!

 

[BunchOBull]

Thanks for taking the time to compile that. I've forwarded this thread to members of other forums as well...you've been thanked.

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

Thanks for the comments.

This "batch" of "Classic Cuts Baseball" includes 14 players: Dick Porter (shown here), Dick Bartell, Elden Auker, Ollie Bejma, Fred Baczewski, Eddie Basinski, Toby Atwell, Floyd Baker, Johnny Gee, Bud Podbielan, Ken Keltner, "Double Duty" Radcliffe, Jimmie Crutchfield, and Lester Lockett.

So who's next? Well, I am working on a Hall of Fame set, so my HOF cuts are staying as cuts for now.

Also, you may notice from the photo of the edge that the middle of the card appears to have a yellowish stripe. This stripe is from stock of the cut and also I chose an ivory colored matte board to give the edge some color texture...IE: a thicker stripe.

I will also say, cutting the final card requires a perfectly vertical cut so the edge does not appear to be beveled.

 

[luker2324]

That is very impressive. Your craftsmanship is excellent not to mention the design of the card is great. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Therion]

Amazing work, Mike. Did you use a die to cut out the window? If so, any insight for the unwashed masses?

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

That is very impressive. Your craftsmanship is excellent not to mention the design of the card is great. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks.

In regards to the design, I wanted it to be original, but have the "feel" of other cuts. There are a lot of people that design cuts based upon what we've already seen, and I just wanted something different.

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

I just looked at the Photoshop mock-up of this specific card...and here they are for comparison.

Photoshop mock-up

Final printed and cut card

 

[caseya10781]

Awesome. I'll try the spray adhesive next time I make some cards, looks like it worked better than what I used. Also, the card looks very nice on photo paper. Is the thick middle part one piece or two pieces glued together? Really nice work!

Casey

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

EDIT

 

[bballcardkid]

Nice cuts indeed. Wish I had some design talent and I would try it out.

 

[caseya10781]

Awesome. I'll try the spray adhesive next time I make some cards, looks like it worked better than what I used. Also, the card looks very nice on photo paper. Is the thick middle part one piece or two pieces glued together? Really nice work!

Casey

The "thick middle part" is the matting board.

As far as the make-up of the custom cut card "sandwich", the recipe follows.

1. Front of card on photo paper
2. 100lb cover stock
3. Signature cut
4. Matte board
5. Back of card on photo paper

Each layer is affixed with 3M Photo Mount spray adhesive.

The spray adhesive is incredibly important as it keeps your card together, but also needs to be acid-free / pH neutral so the paper/signature does not discolor or degrade. Spray adhesive is messy, but virtually required.

Why are you using the 100lb cover stock instead of affixing matte to cut to photo? Thanks for your help.

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

Amazing work, Mike. Did you use a die to cut out the window? If so, any insight for the unwashed masses?

Billy, here is a picture of the failed custom die for the windows. Functionally, the die worked perfectly, however lining the die up correctly and consistently with this specific layout was tough, if not impossible.

The die is made from Stanley Quick Point 9mm blades, epoxy and wood.

Suffice to say, I know what I need to do for the next die if I build it like this. I still like the idea for using a sheet metal so I can get rounded corners which is what I would like ideally.

NOTE: This die is now more of a medieval torture device than anything card related.

 

[Lancemountain]

I found this by searching (going to try to make some custom cards)

is the tutorial somewhere else?

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

I found this by searching (going to try to make some custom cards)

is the tutorial somewhere else?

The tutor lost his tutorial license and NATALRLA (the North American Tutor Association of the Lesser Rockies of Los Angeles) took the information down. The only other copy with written on a bar napkin, however after being kidnapped by the North Koreans, the tutor was forced to eat the napkin for fear of his life.

 

[Pine Tar]

I found this by searching (going to try to make some custom cards)

is the tutorial somewhere else?

The tutor lost his tutorial license and NATALRLA (the North American Tutor Association of the Lesser Rockies of Los Angeles) took the information down. The only other copy with written on a bar napkin, however after being kidnapped by the North Koreans, the tutor was forced to eat the napkin for fear of his life.

It's ok we can wait for it to pass.

 

[Lancemountain]

I found this by searching (going to try to make some custom cards)

is the tutorial somewhere else?

The tutor lost his tutorial license and NATALRLA (the North American Tutor Association of the Lesser Rockies of Los Angeles) took the information down. The only other copy with written on a bar napkin, however after being kidnapped by the North Koreans, the tutor was forced to eat the napkin for fear of his life.

figured as much. thanks for all the help!