My latest custom autograph cut subset...

[200lbhockeyplayer]

I've done a few in the past, but after acquiring some additional cuts, I have started a new "set." This will be a standard 3.5" X 2.5" baseball card and the autograph cut is shown to size. I went with a well worn, distressed look to match the vintage signatures of the players.

(Of note, while former Indian and Red Sox player - Dick Porter is not a household name...he is in my household as he was an old friend of my dad's and my grandfather.) Also, I have a pile of Dick Porter cuts, but this is the least "clean" and therefore I believe that it lends itself perfectly for a cut card like this.

 

[Musial Collector]

Very Nice, I Like!!

 

[scotty21690]

Wow, very nice looking!!

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

Thanks for the comments.

 

[wideright]

That looks great. Love the vintage look.

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

I figured this lazy Saturday I'd hack out a few others...few "household" names, Keltner is the most known, but some might recognize Johnny Gee "Whiz" as he was the tallest Major Leaguer in history until Randy Johnson debuted.

Again, these are set up as standard 3.5 X 2.5 cards with the cuts shown at 100%. I am going to work up a dry run to see how the die I created to punch out the signature box works out and then start turning these into live cards.

 

[alifaxwa2]

Nice cuts, how do you cut the window out? Those are awfully clean cuts. I use xacto knife, and i don't always produce a clean cut.

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

Nice cuts, how do you cut the window out? Those are awfully clean cuts. I use xacto knife, and i don't always produce a clean cut.

For this set, I created a custom die/punch from sheet metal and wood that will allow me to "punch out" the window and reproduce the same size box every time. I used to work for a professional print company so the concept for creating the die-line was a logical solution.

These are the Photoshop mock-ups with the correctly sized cuts. IE: These should reproduce printed almost dead-on.

I plan on getting them all slabbed once they are completed. Right now however I cannot decide how think to make the cards.

 

[Viking4Alpha]

:shock: Damn man nice job!

 

[alifaxwa2]

Nice cuts, how do you cut the window out? Those are awfully clean cuts. I use xacto knife, and i don't always produce a clean cut.

For this set, I created a custom die/punch from sheet metal and wood that will allow me to "punch out" the window and reproduce the same size box every time. I used to work for a professional print company so the concept for creating the die-line was a logical solution.

These are the Photoshop mock-ups with the correctly sized cuts. IE: These should reproduce printed almost dead-on.

I plan on getting them all slabbed once they are completed. Right now however I cannot decide how think to make the cards.

PM sent

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

PM sent

I built the custom die myself, but I may spring for a professional die-line if this doesn't work.

 

[dethomas07]

You are awesome with that stuff!!

If you ever want to do some of Brandon and/or Brad, I could definitely get some autos for you.



David

 

[imac220]

Those look really cool man!

 

[alifaxwa2]

PM sent

I built the custom die myself, but I may spring for a professional die-line if this doesn't work.

If you would be willing to make a couple custom dies for me, please send me a PM.

 

[AMAZIN HOF COLLECTOR]

VERY NICE!!!!!!!!!!

Those are better than Topps & Upper Deck!!

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

Thanks for the comments everybody, my main purpose was really to be able to have a standard card sized way to be able to flip through my cuts. I've done the standard matting with some cuts and photos, but some cuts just don't lend themselves well for that.

I had previously done some custom cut cards that were larger (4x6 and 3x5) and I really can't stand that abnormal size.

Now I'm looking for some more cuts of old-time nobodies to flesh out a larger sized set.

 

[Therion]

Great stuff! I print all of my customs as 4X6 photos and agree that I'm not thrilled with the size. What do you use for card stock, etc? I've considered using dummy cards and some spray glue, but I see myself screwing that up pretty badly.

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

Great stuff! I print all of my customs as 4X6 photos and agree that I'm not thrilled with the size. What do you use for card stock, etc? I've considered using dummy cards and some spray glue, but I see myself screwing that up pretty badly.

I build everything larger, then cut it down to size.

For example, for these it is...
- front of card (artwork) printed on matte photo stock
- then a sheet of 100lb card stock
- punch out the autograph window
- center cut in window
- then 20pt stock
- then 100lb card stock
- then the card back, also printed on matte photo stock

All layers are adhered with non-destructive adhesive spray and the final piece is 4 X 3. The entire piece is pressed until dry. I then trim the card down to standard 3.5 x 2.5 size.

The problem I have had with dummy cards (or any other already cut piece) is that the edges never look right and the piece is often just waiting to separate or split.

 

[Therion]

Very detailed response! Thank you. Do you have any links or recommend any books/resources about cutting die?

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

Very detailed response! Thank you. Do you have any links or recommend any books/resources about cutting die?

If the die that I create for these actually holds up long enough, I'll post a step-by-step "How to".

The concept is basic, and is simply based on cookie cutters. My main interest was wanting to have an easily reproducible consistent cut-out signature box.