POLL..... STCIKERS/ON-CARD/WHAT TO DO?

[cardsrmytherapy]

First off...Thanks for asking. As a collector, I appreciate the fact you're requesting our opinions on what would work and what we'd like to see (regardless of how many different views you'll be presented with).

I would LOVE to see a set with a hot rookie card produced with a 90/10 split of on-card vs. stickers. Yes, It would be troublesome for some of the set-builders but for those of us (like myself) who like chase cards, it's the unicorn effect.

I do think that whatever route you do go with it's critical that the stickers be clear and tastefully presented. Meaning, setting up a shadowbox or seamless presentation that would almost make it seem like it's not even there. I know this is not as cost-effective as industry standard issue, but collectors will love you for it.

A great example of how NOT to do it...check out all 2010 Triple Threads 3x and 6x autographs featuring the likes of A-rod, Pujols, R. Howard, and Fielder. The clear and shiny stickers intertwined on the same card RUIN these for me. To all of you who own them, I'm truly sorry and don't want to put them down, but the stickers negate the quality of the players on the card.

Thanks for inquiring Mr. Gray, it's nice to see you're interested in our opinions.

 

[Ty Hope]

half and half, no question!

Better to have some on-card autos in a set than none at all!

 

[craftysouthpaw]

I will echo the sentiment that any on-card is better than none.

Stickers can be done well enough that I can live with them. I prefer clear or white that are integrated into the design. The traditional Topps model of silver foil seemingly slapped on haphazardly is brutal.

Thanks for taking the time to ask!

 

[Sean_C]

I'd go with the "trapped" design as well. Much better than a half and half idea. Other than that, a design difference / specialty set within a set wouldn't be a bad idea either.

I agree with George. Some are better than none, as long as the stickers are done well.

Since presumably many of the players cannot sign on-card, would it be better to have all players,
instead of a sticker, sign some design element of the card that can be incorporaed later??

I like this idea as well. Have them sign something that can be incorporated later along side the other on-card autos instead of stickers.
That's the solution!

 

[purplehaze67]

I'm not a set-builder so consistency across the product is meaningless to me. I pick and choose the individual auto cards I want for my collection and I greatly prefer on-card sigs. I vote for anything that brings more hard-signed and fewer stickers to market.

 

[djrulz]

I would prefer the mix. Any On-Card autographs are always welcome. And under certain circumstances, like difficulty getting the autos On-card, stickers would be fine with me.

Just make sure that the stick is incorporated well and make sure they are straight!!!

 

[ajbraves25]

I agree with other posts, as long as when the product is packed out and shipped, everything is availible. With the introduction of autos then the change to sticker autos, I don't ever see the need for redemptions anymore. Like the Bowman or the Elite, if they can't get the physical cards to the player then send them a sheet of stickers. There is nothing worse than opening a product and getting to the end of the box only to find that the one "hit" is a damn redemption. I would rather have the card in my hand with a sticker auto than a redemption. I find it really hard to want to keep the card no matter who it is. Hell I pulled a Jordan/Magic/Dr J triple auto redemption from SPA and I sold it. I didn't want to wait and I felt cheated to pull such a high end card only to have to wait and look at a boring white piece of card board.

Just my thoughts. If you can get the whole product out and some of them are on card and some are stickers do it that way. Atleast the buster will have the actual card and not have to wait. I think the worst example this year is Strasburg. For as big as Topps made the hype machine, they could have atleast made sure that he was signed completely before packing that stuff out.

~AJ

 

[metallicalex777]

I think the combo of stickers and on card is also the way to go. There are always going to be times that you cannot get an on card auto for the set for numerous reasons and buyers HATE waiting for product after due dates are given. I would do as many on card autos as possible if you can and keep the stickers atleast NON foiled. Other than that I think a great idea would be to either short print the on card autos (a specific print run for set building) OR have the on card autos be a different color ink wise to give another "good" reason to pick up both the sticker and on card auto of the same guy/set. Just my two cents...I will be trying it out either way. If I don't want stickers I go with cut autos :mrgreen:

Alex

 

[DRav87]

I would rather have the whole set be the same. If you have to it all with stickers then just work the sticker into the design of the care so it looks nice. Stickers can be done right if the company cares.

 

[Greg Cleveland]

Card design when using stickers is paramount to eye appeal. Some cards aren't designed for a sticker and look like the sticker was slapped on. :evil: Designing the card with the exact dimentions in mind really can help the card look better, therefore being more sought after (not just based on who it is.)

 

[james5348]

if you use clear stickers i would be down for the mix of the too. as others posted. if the stickers are used and not so obvious they are stickers i think it would mix well with on card autos. hope this helps

 

[aminors]

I agree with those who have said mix. Also, I dont like trapped or shiny stickers personally (except on bowman sterling), so i think clear stickers and on card autos are the way to go.Just my opinion though.

 

[baseballguy350]

A set that features both on card, and stickers is fine. I would challenge a manufacturer though to create two different types of cards, one that would support the on card autos, and one that would support a recessed window.

 

[bportjoey]

Id say it could go both ways. keep it consistent....like others said it all depends on how you incorporate the sticker on the card using the color of the sticker at part of the card design... clear on a designated light background avoiding the mirrored sticker, or even a dark sticker with a lighter colored marker(UD Blackesque) or use the autos that you are able to get on card as a subset, for instance all the sticker autos would be on one card design, and then for the on card due a different card design....just my two sense

 

[piggy1918]

I would prefer a mix as well. The only way the mix could be annoying to some is if you owned both a sticker and an on card auto. But the majority of collectors will not be assembling your set, but instead will be picking up their player, or players from their team, or someone they like. And even for those assembling the set, as long as the sticker is clear and put in the same spot as the on card autos (don't change the card design for the two), having some on card would be vastly preferable.

 

[17ROCKIES12]

Set collectors probably would like consistency. Most player/team collectors probably want as many on-card autos as possible.

 

[bigalbert]

I always like to see on card autos so any ammount sounds great to me. Or start planning ahead a bit more and get those cards all made so they can be on card. Maybe do an auto set and release them in all your products throughout the year and if you need rainbow autos of base cards use stickers on those.
Thanks AL

 

[rymflaherty]

Kind of surprised at my own response....but I said consistency and keeping it all stickers is the way to go.

To be fair though - I could see myself voting the other way depending on the design.
It's tough to say for sure without seeing how each card would look.

Any chance you can go another way with the "mix" - Keep the main set all stickers for consistency purposes.......but then have an insert auto set that can be a nice clean design made for on-card auto's, That set could consist of some of the guys that you know would be able to sign. Not sure that's feasible.....but it would probably be my best case scenario if possible.

 

[uniquebaseballcards]

If I were to collect a set, I rather that all the cards are the same; either all on card or all sticker (preferably clear).
If I were to try to buy and sell key autos, then I rather have on-card.

Exactly my thoughts.

 

[reljac]

I say on card... the more on-card the better should be the mantra..... I generally stear away from the 'sticker' variety. They just don't have that appeal to me.

to me it's like asking the question, would you rather have an autographed baseball... or an autographed sticker on a baseball...