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HOW TO PRINT BASEBALL CARDS

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The first step is to design the baseball cards. This involves creating the layout and design of the front and back of each individual card. Some key elements that should be included are:

Player photo on front: You’ll need to obtain high resolution photos of each player to use. Photos should generally be cropped to focus solely on the player.

Player name on front: Include the player’s first and last name in a prominent location, often at the top of the card.

Team logo on front: Include the logo of the team the player plays for. This helps identify them and the club. Logos can usually be found online or licensed from the league if needed.

Statistics on back: The back of the card should include key statistics for that player. Things like games played, batting average, home runs, runs batted in, etc. Stats will need to be researched.

Bio on back: Include a short 1-2 sentence bio with details like when they were drafted/signed, career accomplishments so far.

Copyright/series information: Add small text with copyright, series name, card number, etc in an unobtrusive location.

Once the card design is complete, you’ll need image editing software to lay everything out. Popular options include Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or free programs like GIMP. Create a template with all the common elements and just change the player photos and stats for each unique card. Be sure to use layered designs for easy editing.

With the digital card designs complete, it’s time to print them. For best results, consider printing on cardstock specifically for trading cards. Thick 14pt material works well. You have a few print options:

Home printer: For small test runs or proofs, a home inkjet or laser printer can work. But cardstock may jam. Test settings first. Inkjet photos may smear.

Online printing services: Websites like PrinterStudio allow uploading PDFs for professional grade printing on cardstock. Offers spot varnish, foil stamping too. Cost effective for runs of 100+ cards.

Local print shop: Taking the PDFs to a local copy/print shop allows reviewing physical proofs first. Many can print on appropriate cardstock. Still best for runs of 50+ cards.

Commercial printer: For very large quantities, like 1000+ cards, it may be worth getting quotes from commercial printers. Can handle high volumes and special materials. But higher setup costs.

After printing, the cards will likely need to be cut. A paper trimmer or guillotine-style cutter allows cleanly cutting the printed sheets into individual cards. Be sure not to damage or curl the edges. Consider rounding corners for a more authentic look.

The final step is putting protective plastic sleeves or cases on each card. Small sealed toploaders or rigid card holders protect from fingerprints and dings. Sleeves allow for displaying or protecting cards while still showing them off.

With the printing, cutting, and sleeving complete – the baseball cards are now ready for trading, collecting, or giving as gifts to fellow fans. With attention to the design and choosing the right printing method, anyone can create and distribute their own unique baseball card sets! Let me know if any part of the process needs more explanation.

WHERE TO PRINT CUSTOM BASEBALL CARDS

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There are many companies that offer printing services for custom baseball cards. Some top options to consider include Trading Card Printers, Sports Card Wholesalers, Quality Trading Cards, and PrintRun Baseball. All of these companies have many years of experience printing baseball and trading cards and can handle both large and small orders. They offer a variety of paper stock, printing process options, finishing treatments, and templates/design software to fit different budgets and needs.

When deciding where to print custom baseball cards, one of the most important factors to consider is paper stock or cardstock quality. Trading card paper is thicker and higher quality than typical photo paper in order to withstand wear and tear from being sorted, shuffled, stored, and handled frequently over time. It comes in different weights such as 270-350 gsm which is ideal for trading cards. Lighter weight stock below 250 gsm may not hold up as well long term. Paper thickness, texture, and surface finish can impact the crispness and longevity of the printed images and designs.

Another key consideration is the printing process. Most custom baseball card printers use digital printing options like dye sublimation or offset lithography which can produce sharp, high resolution images at large volumes. Some may also offer spot color, foil stamping, embossing, spot UV coating, and other specialty treatments during post-printing processing that can add vibrancy, dimension, and protection to the card designs. Flexography is generally lower quality and dot gain may distort small details. Know your printer’s capabilities and specifications.

Cost is obviously an important factor as well when choosing where to print custom baseball cards. Most companies offer various templates, stock options, minimum order quantities, and pricing tiers that make larger or premium jobs more affordable. Per card rates may be lower when ordering several hundred or thousand cards at once versus a smaller test run of a hundred. Upcharge fees apply for rush jobs, specialty treatments, or low minimums. Get cost estimates from multiple vendors.

When working with a custom baseball card printer, pay attention to order details like proofing process, QC checks, packaging, and shipping logistics. Proofs allow verifying designs before a full print run and catch any issues. Samples of various papers and finishes help decide what’s best for the intended use of the cards. Clearly outline specs, deadlines, and needs on the insertion order form. Reputable printers stand by quality and work closely to ensure client satisfaction.

Overall the best printers for custom baseball cards have strong reputations for quality and service. Do thorough research factoring in all considerations mentioned here like materials, processes, minimums, costs, proofs, and support. With the right vendor, budgets both large and small can produce attractive, long-lasting custom baseball cards that players and collectors will enjoy and treasure. Let me know if any part of the process needs further explanation.

WHAT IS SHORT PRINT BASEBALL CARDS

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In modern baseball card sets released by companies like Topps, Panini and others, the standard or base cardsusually have print runs in the millions of copies. These include cards showing current and retired players that are common and readily available on the secondary market. In contrast, short print cards are only printed in quantities ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand copies. Within a typical card set of several hundred total cards, there may only be 5-10 short print cards.

The short print cards are intentionally left unknown to collectors until the full set is found and checked against official checklist guides. Top mainstream rookies, stars and key subsets are often the subjects of short prints to add scarcity and intrigue. For example, in recent years some of the most coveted short prints have included cards of superstars like Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Fernando Tatis Jr. from their early career seasons.

Some manufacturers like Topps and Panini actually announce and document the specific short print cards in checklist card guides released after a set is on the market. This confirms which cards collectors should watch for. The print runs are still kept private so the exact quantities remain a mystery. The lack of precise numbers fuels debate, detective work and discussion among hardcore collectors trying to find and trade for these rare shorts.

For serious set builders, tracking down all the short prints to complete high-end releases like Topps Chrome, Bowman Chrome and Topps Finest can be a white whale mission. Their relatively miniscule print runs compared to base parallels make short prints incredibly difficult to locate, especially for the biggest stars. Savvy sellers know this demand and often hold onto their short print duplicates to fetch huge premiums down the road from frenzied collectors. Prices for unopened hobby boxes and loose packs from recent years escalate greatly in the following years as well, as breakers and rippers clean them out searching for the remaining shorts.

Even decades later, coveted short prints from the 1980s and 90s golden era of sports cards maintain lofty values due their continued scarcity. Graded gems of highly acclaimed rookies like Ken Griffey Jr., Chipper Jones and Derek Jeter in their short printed rookie or star debuts can sell for thousands of dollars or more at auction. The lowest population reports on tracking sites like PSA and BGS is a testament to their rarity enduring the test of time.

Short print cards add adrenaline and thrill of the hunt for collectors seeking to complete sets. Their intentionally low print runs create a lasting chase and demand premium due to infrequency compared to typical parallels. While frustrating short term, short prints develop cult followings and maintain premium secondary market prices long term due their persevering scarcity in the hobby. They are truly the white whales that every serious sports card collector hopes to find or trade for at some point.

HOW TO PRINT BASEBALL CARDS AT HOME

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Printing your own baseball cards at home is a fun hobby that allows you to customize cards exactly how you want them. While it does require a bit of setup and supplies, it is relatively straightforward if you follow these steps:

To start, you will need to design the baseball card templates. This involves creating the front and back sides of the card digitally. You can use graphic design software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Canva to layout the card design. Be sure to set the dimensions to match standard baseball card sizes, which are typically 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches for modern cards. On the front, include a photo of the player as well as their name, team, stats, and any other relevant information. The back of the card is where you can add more stats, the player’s bio, or whatever else you want to include to tell their story. Be as creative as you like with the design.

Once the card templates are complete, it’s time to print them. This is where you will need to invest in the proper home printing supplies and equipment. Your best options for high quality prints are either an inkjet printer designed for cardstock or a laser printer. Stay away from standard inkjet printers as the paper feed is not meant for thicker cardstock. You will also need to purchase cardstock specifically for printing cards at home. Look for heavyweight cardstock around 11-16pts thickness that is compatible with your printer. Treat yourself to a paper cutter as well to neatly cut the printed sheets into individual cards.

Get your printing surfaces ready before starting. Lay a sheet of cardstock smooth side down and tape it at the corners and edges to prevent curling during the printing process. Make sure your printer and paper settings match the cardstock – always print one test sheet first to check for quality. Then send your card templates to the printer and watch them come to life. Allow the prints to fully dry before proceeding.

Now comes the fun part – cutting and assembling the cards. With your paper cutter, carefully score and cut along the outer edges of each printed template sheet to separate the cards. For straight cuts, take your time and cut one at a time. You can also round the corners for a more authentic look. Once cut, you can optionally add protective outer sleeves or magnetic sheets on the backside for display purposes. And finally, store your homemade baseball cards in sleeves, sheets, or DIY binders for your collection.

Creating baseball cards at home takes some work but results in a highly customized product that is truly one-of-a-kind. With the right design skills and printing tools, you are empowered to honor your favorite players in a unique collection that brings you joy for years to come. So grab some friends, your imagination, and get started printing baseball cards!

HOW TO PRINT YOUR OWN BASEBALL CARDS

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The first step to printing your own baseball cards is to design the cards. You will need to decide on a template for the card that includes the proper size and dimensions. Regulation baseball cards typically measure 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches. It is best to design the template on a computer using graphic design or image editing software like Photoshop or Canva. Make sure to leave enough blank space around the edges for trimming after printing.

When designing the template, you’ll need to include all the standard baseball card elements. Most cards feature the player’s photo on one side and their stats and biography on the other. For the photo side, add the player’s headshot image leaving room at the top for their name. Also include spaces for other standard info like the team logo or uniform number. For the back of the card, have sections for stats like batting average, home runs, RBIs etc. Also include a short paragraph about the player’s career highlights. You can get creative with colors, fonts, and graphic elements as well.

Once you have designed the template, it’s time to add the content specific to each player. Photos can be obtained by taking your own pictures of the players or finding high-quality images online. Stats and bios will need to be researched and written for each individual. Make sure to double check all info for accuracy. You can create a single template file and populate it with the varying content for each player to ensure consistency across the full set of cards.

When the card design and content is complete, you’re ready for printing. The best paper to use for authenticity is thick, glossy cardstock similar to real baseball cards. You have a few printing options – office printers for smaller short run sets, online print services for larger volumes, or using a printing business near you. Before sending large files to a printer, be sure to package the images, bleed settings, and fold lines properly as one multi-page print ready PDF file.

After receiving the printed pages back, you’ll need to trim the cards to the proper size. Carefully cut along the edges you designated as the bleed area in your template design. An exacto knife or paper trimmer works well. Take your time for clean, straight edges. As an added optional step, you can round the corners of the cards like real ones. Once trimmed, your custom baseball cards are complete!

For presentation and protection of the finished cards, there are several options. Plastic sleeves or mini toploaders provide a low-cost way to protect individual cards. Small binders, screw-down holders, or specially made baseball card sheet protectors are great for full sets. You can also get creative by designing custom tins, boxes or albums to store and display the cards. The possibilities are endless for truly customizing the baseball card printing and organization process.

With the proper planning, design work, research, printing and finishing steps – you can make fully customized, high-quality baseball cards of any players, teams or themes you choose. Printing your own allows for complete control over every element. Whether it’s for personal enjoyment or as gifts, creating custom baseball cards is a fun hobby that combines graphic design, sports fandom and collecting. With the detailed guide outlined here, you now have everything you need to start printing your very own baseball cards!

HOW TO TELL SHORT PRINT BASEBALL CARDS

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Short print cards are somewhat difficult to identify because they look very similar to the common regular issue cards in most baseball card sets. There are some distinguishing characteristics to look for that can help determine if a card is a short print or not. First, it’s important to understand what makes a card a “short print.” In most modern baseball card sets released by companies like Topps, Upper Deck, etc. they will include short printed parallels or variations of certain players’ base cards. These short print cards are printed in much lower quantities than the regular base cards, usually making up only 1-5% of the total print run for any given set.

Some key things that distinguish short prints are their rarity within sets as well as specific numbering or markings added by the manufacturers. For example, most Topps sets in the 1980s and 1990s included 100-card base sets. There would be additional short print cards numbered in the 101-125 range. So any card above the standard base set count (like #107 for example) would be considered a short print from that set. Other manufacturers may use text identifiers like calling them “SP” or “Variation” versions of the base cards. Card Condition and centering is also important to examine. Since short prints are lower quantity, printing errors and poor centering were more common on these scarce parallel cards compared to the regular sharplooking base versions.

Examination under a magnifying glass can sometimes reveal telltale clues in things like surface texture, color variations in photos or logos, or slight differences in card design/formatting compared to the standard issue cards. The hobby also developed several shorthand identifiers over the years when discussing short prints. For example, 1991 Upper Deck Barry Bonds is usually referred to as the “Refractor” short print due to its rare refractive photo variation. Or the 1987 Topps Roberto Alomar rookie card is known as the “Blue Jay” short print because of its unique team logo in the picture.

There are also often subtle statistical or biographical discrepancies between short prints and base cards. A good example is the 1992 Topps Frank Thomas rookie card – the standard issue lists his batting average as “.327” while the short print correctly states “.318”. Careful cross-referencing checklists and population reports compiled by tracking services like PSA and BGS can also provide clues that a certain serial numbered card in a set with no other identifiers could be a rare unmarked short print parallel.

Examination of printing and paper quality differences compared to “control group” standard base cards from the same set under high magnification is also a reliable method used. Things like telltale rosette patterns in the paper stock or misaligned registered color layers are further proof a card may be from a lower printed parallel variation. Simply scouring eBay successfully for years has sorted seasoned collectors so they can often spot subtle details that reveal a card’s short printed scarcity status where new collectors may not see the differences at first glance.

It really takes a combination of thorough research, keen visual inspection, comparison to checklists and pop reports, and hands-on experience examining dozens of examples for most seasoned collectors to be able to reliably attribute short print status with confidence. But paying attention to serial numbering, parallel marking labels, centering quality, photo variations, statistical discrepancies, and careful comparison to known “standard issue” base versions from sets are the primary ways to begin analyzing cards and determining if they represent the much rarer short printed parallel issue within most modern baseball card sets.

WHAT IS A SHORT PRINT IN BASEBALL CARDS

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In the hobby of collecting sports trading cards, a short print refers to a card that was printed in significantly lower numbers than the base set cards in the same set. Short prints create scarcity and drive collector interest in specific cards. While the exact definitions may vary, generally a short print from a modern baseball card set will be printed around 10 times or fewer than the standard cards in the set.

The concept of short prints started in the late 1980s and took off in the 1990s as the baseball card industry boomed. Card manufacturers like Topps, Fleer, and Score would insert select cards that were printed in vastly smaller quantities randomly into their standard wax packs or factory sets. By limiting the print run of key cards like rookie cards of future superstars or popular veterans, it created a chase for collectors to try to track down these elusive short prints to complete their sets.

While short prints were always randomly inserted and unannounced ahead of time, clever collectors could sometimes deduce which cards may be potential short prints based on the story lines or big name players in a given year. Rookie cards were usually good guesses, as were stars on contending teams or those achieving career milestones that season. But sometimes short prints would feature more obscure or backup players too, just to add an extra layer of randomness and suspense to the hunt.

In the beginning, short prints may have been printed only 5 times or even fewer relative to the much larger run of standard cards that were inserted by the hundreds of thousands or millions. As technology advanced, card manufacturers gained more precise control over their printing processes. By the 1990s, common short print ratios emerged around 1 per case of cards or 1 per 10 regular cards printed. But individual manufacturers or specific sets might vary the ratios more or less to suit collector demand.

The scarcity created by short prints transformed certain cards into veritable collector “grails” that could command huge prices in the trading card marketplace if preserved in pristine condition. Rookie short prints of future Hall of Famers like Chipper Jones, Nomar Garciaparra, or Derek Jeter became some of the most sought after and valuable modern baseball cards ever produced due to their extreme rarity levels. Even short prints of role players could gain significant collector interest and value over time depending on the set and scarcity ratio used.

In today’s uber-competitive card industry, some manufacturers have adapted short prints to more contemporary collecting trends. Panini and Leaf brands may announce short prints ahead of release or feature the cards more prominently rather than a true “chase card.” And short prints in premium high-end sets can often carry four or even five-figure price tags. Still, the core allure of scarcity endures. Whenever a manufacturer strategically rations the print run of key cards, it engages collector competitiveness to seek out and complete coveted short print subsets.

As hobby demand has fractured across different collecting segments, definitions of short prints have also evolved. Services like Beckett track print run data and help standardize scarcity assessments for moderating today’s secondary trading card market. generally any modern baseball card produced under a 1:100 or rarer print ratio qualifies as a legitimate “short print” by collector consensus. But the term still loosely encompasses any strategically under-produced card that challenges collectors through its deliberate limited availability. After more than 30 years, short prints remain an influential concept shaping collector passions and set values in the dynamic sports card industry.

A short print in the context of baseball card collecting refers to a strategically underprinted card inserted randomly into factory sets or packs at a much lower production ratio than standard base cards. By creating unexpected scarcity around key Subjects like rookies or stars, short prints engage collector competitiveness to complete sets and drive interest in specific hard-to-find chase cards. This hobby tradition that began in the late 1980s helped popularize the modern sports collecting phenomenon and transform obscure pieces of cardboard into genuine collector grails prized for their extremely low print runs. Whether ratios number in the tens, hundreds or thousands, short prints still represent one of the purest test of collector dedication through their deliberate limited availability in today’s expansive multi-billion dollar vintage and modern trading card markets.

HOW TO IDENTIFY SHORT PRINT BASEBALL CARDS

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Short print cards were introduced by the major card companies in the 1970s as a way to add scarcity and excitement to the sports card collecting hobby. These cards had much lower print runs than the standard cards in any given baseball card set. Identifying short print cards can be challenging, but there are some definitive signs collectors can look for:

The most obvious way to identify a short print is if the card is numbered. Starting in the late 1980s and 1990s, Topps and other companies began numbering the short prints at the end of the base set, usually in the 700-900 range. Short prints from the 1970s and early 80s will not have a number designation. Without a number, identification takes a bit more detective work.

Focus first on the photo and design. Short prints will almost always have a completely unique photo from any other card in the set. The image will be one not used on any standard or common cards. Examine every photo carefully and compare to checklists online. A photo only used on one card is a clue it may be a short print. The design work around the image may also differ subtly from the standard cards. Things like color shades, font styles, and layout positioning could vary just enough to stand out.

Inspect the cardboard stock and printing quality as well. Short prints tended to have lower quality paper stock and fuzzier, less sharp printing due to the smaller and rushed print runs. Hold the card up to light and examine the surfaces and edges for signs of inferior quality. Duller, thicker cardstock and blurrier ink are clues. Technology improved over the decades, so late 80s and 90s short prints may not show this trait as noticeably.

Check online checklists and census population reports. Websites like Trading Card Database keep records of confirmed short prints from particular sets. Compare your suspects to the listings and document photo/design to see if it’s a confirmed match. You can also see how many of a certain short print are reported as graded and verified to get a sense of its overall scarcity versus standard cards. The lower the population, the more likely it truly is a short print.

Consult with experienced collectors and graders. If still unsure after exhaustive comparisons, seek the opinions of those very familiar with identifying short prints. Post photos of your suspects on card collecting forums for community feedback. Or have cards graded and encased by a reputable third party service – their skilled authenticators can definitively authenticate a short print. Take the consensus into account when making your final determination.

Pay attention to the secondary market price guides as well. If a card from a set is consistently valued far higher than its teammates, even in raw ungraded condition, that price premium is usually due to it being a known short print. While price isn’t confirmation alone, it does add supporting evidence for cards attracting the “short print premium.” Do due diligence on recent confirmed auction sales as well.

With dedication to detail, comparison research, and input from experts, collectors stand an excellent chance of pinpointing those elusive short print baseball cards that hold such cachet in the hobby. It takes work but can pay off to recognize rarities hiding in plain sight in vintage sets. Applying these identification methods will uncover many confirmed short prints over time.

PRINT YOUR OWN BASEBALL CARDS

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Print Your Own Baseball Cards: A DIY Project with Endless Creative Possibilities

Printing your own baseball cards is a fun hobby that allows you to unleash your creativity. Whether you want to design cards commemorating iconic players from history or make custom cards to celebrate memorable moments from your favorite team’s season, developing DIY baseball cards gives you complete control over every aspect of the design process. With some basic materials and digital design skills, you can turn any player or season into a uniquely personalized collectible.

To get started, you’ll need digital graphics software like Photoshop or GIMP to design your cards. These programs make it easy to add photos, stats, bios, and other elements onto card templates. Free online templates are a great starting point as they include properly sized frames, borders, and layout guides to help your design conform to standard baseball card dimensions. Major manufacturers like Topps have specific sizing standards, so measuring a real card is helpful to ensure your DIY designs have the authentic look and feel.

When designing, think about what you want each card to represent. For historical figures, gather photos and find career stats to include. If commemorating personal memories, add details about specific plays, games attended, or player accomplishments from that season. Get creative with graphic elements too – you could incorporate team logos, stadium images, or even personal pictures onto specialty cards. The options are endless once you have the design space of a digital template.

After finalizing graphics in your software, it’s time to print. Most card projects use thick cardstock paper cut to size for durability during handling. Laser or inkjet printers capable of printing on cardstock are suitable. For photo-quality prints at home, look for printers with at least 1200 dpi resolution. Check that your paper is compatible and load a sheet, printing one card per page. Some prefer printing on glossy or semi-gloss paper to further simulate the sheen of real cards.

After printing, the next step is cutting. Sharp scissors or a paper trimmer are good for basic rectangular shapes on a few cards. But for larger projects, consider an electric paper cutter with a built-in ruler guide. Place your printed sheet face down and carefully score and cut along the edges of each card template outline. Peel away scrap paper to reveal professionally trimmed cards.

The final touches are what really bring DIY cards to life. Consider adding stats or background graphics on the back with a second printing. Protect images with spray acrylic sealer or consider laminating cards with adhesive film for durability. Get creative with packaging too – you can store cards in classic plastic sleeves, mini portfolios, or decorative boxes perfect for a collection.

Whether given as gifts or proudly displayed in a personal collection, handmade baseball cards are a unique way to celebrate the players and moments that spark your baseball passion. The process is also very rewarding creatively. With some basic supplies and design skills, the possibilities are endless to craft exciting new tributes to the game’s rich history one custom card at a time. Start printing your own today – your inner child and favorite players will thank you!

2022 TOPPS BASEBALL SHORT PRINT CARDS

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The 2022 Topps baseball card release featured a wide variety of short print cards inserted throughout Series 1, Series 2, and Update Series packs. Like in previous years, Topps included scarce parallel and variation cards to drive collector interest and chase cards. While the base cards and most inserts were readily available in packs, Topps strategically included tough-to-find short prints to entice collectors to purchase more product in hopes of finding these rare gems.

Some of the most coveted 2022 Topps short prints included the rainbow foil parallels, gold label parallels, sepia parallels, negative refractors, and negative refractors with sepia underlays. The rainbow foil cards featured a brilliant iridescent foil treatment on the player image area that popped under light. Only one rainbow foil was inserted per hobby box on average, making these parallels extremely scarce. The gold label parallels featured gold foil borders and labels instead of the standard design. Like the rainbow foils, only a single gold label was included per hobby box.

Sepia parallels also featured among the toughest pulls in 2022 Topps. Printed on a sepia-toned card stock, these parallels mimicked the appearance of vintage tobacco cards. Statistics suggest only 3-5 sepia parallels were inserted per case of Topps Series 1 and Series 2 hobby boxes. The negative refractors may have been the most scarce parallel in the entire release – estimates placed the odds of pulling one around 1 in 500 hobby packs. To make matters tougher, some negative refractors also had an additional sepia underlay, multiplying their rarity.

In addition to parallel short prints, Topps also included several scarce base card variations. One of the most notable was the Luis Robert photo variation, which featured an alternate image of the White Sox outfielder in an action pose instead of the standard smiling portrait. Other photo variations popped up for players like Rafael Devers and Shane Bieber. Topps Series 2 also featured tough-to-find “Stars of MLB” variations, which replaced the standard design with text-heavy cards highlighting each player’s accomplishments.

Topps Update Series took short prints to another level with several highly sought-after parallel insert sets. The Archives Autographs parallel featured autographed versions of the standard Archives insert cards signed by legends like Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver, and Hank Aaron. Statistics suggest these parallel autographed inserts were rarer than 1 in 500 hobby packs. Another chase set was the Retired Numbers parallels, which paid tribute to retired uniform numbers on a textured card stock. Like the Archives Autographs, Retired Numbers parallels also clocked in around the 1 in 500 mark.

The 2022 Topps release showcased the brand’s continued commitment to including scarce chase cards that drive collector interest long after the initial release. While the base rookies, stars, and inserts were certainly fun to collect, it was the hunt for the tough rainbow foils, gold labels, sepia parallels, photo variations, and parallel inserts that kept the secondary market buzzing all season long. Savvy collectors who cracked multiple cases and hobby boxes had the best odds of checking some major short print boxes off their want lists. For those who missed out initially, the short prints commanded big premiums on the resale market all year as demand far outpaced the limited supply. Topps’ strategic short print planning ensured 2022 would be another memorable year for baseball card collecting.