Baseball cards are typically made from paper stock or cardboard. The specific materials used to produce baseball cards have evolved over the decades as printing and cardstock technologies advanced.
In the late 1800s when baseball cards first originated, they were typically included as promotional inserts in tobacco products like cigarettes or chewing tobacco. These early baseball cards were produced as a form of advertising and marketing by the tobacco companies. As a result, the original baseball cards from this era were made from very thin and low quality paper stock. They did not last very long and have not aged well over time due to their poor quality paper materials.
By the early 1900s, specialized baseball card companies started to emerge and mass produce dedicated baseball card sets rather than just tobacco inserts. The cardboard stock quality improved somewhat during this period but was still not very durable. Typical paper fibers and cardstock of the time included cotton, wood pulp, and other plant-based natural materials. Printing technology was also still rather basic which resulted in lower quality image reproduction on the cards.
Into the 1950s is when modern baseball card production really began in earnest. Several major companies like Topps, Bowman, and Fleer established themselves as the leading producers. The cardboard stock used for cards became thicker and of higher quality during this era. Materials shifted away slightly from plant-based fibers to include more wood pulp and some early synthetic fibers as cardstock technologies advanced. Color printing techniques also improved which allowed for more visually pleasing and accurate recreations of player photos and team logos on the front of cards.
The 1960s saw another leap forward in baseball card materials. Plant-based natural fibers accounted for less and less of cardstock composition. Wood pulp remained prominent but was supplemented heavily by the rise of synthetic polymers made from petroleum products. Plastics and other early manmade materials provided cardstock that was thicker, more durable, and less prone to damages over time compared to earlier eras. Front image printing became sharp and highly detailed in full color as well.
Into the 1980s and 1990s, the compositional blend of cardstock had shifted almost entirely to petroleum-derived synthetic polymers rather than natural materials. Common plastic polymers such as PVC and polyester were most frequently used. These modern plastic compositions provided baseball cards that were especially resilient, long-lasting, and could faithfully reproduce high resolution color images on both front and back sides. Holograms, glossy finishes, and other additives were also introduced in card designs.
Today, while the basic materials have remained plastic polymers, further advancements have been made. Specific plastic formulations are engineered for maximum strength, durability, and visual quality possible. Multi-layer laminations, special inks, uv coatings, and precision cutting/cutting provide near-indestructible modern baseball cards. With care, cards produced now will maintain their collectability indefinitely thanks to innovative composite materials engineering.
Baseball cards have come a long way from their thin paper origins primarily meant as cigarettes advertising inserts. Through over a century of progress, card compositional materials transitioned from natural to almost entirely synthetic derivations correlated to advancements in Chemistry and Manufacturing technologies. Modern cards benefit from specialized durable plastic blends that allow them to withstand the test of time as cherished collectables and artifacts of baseball history. The evolution of cardstock mirrors broader development trends and ensures future generations can enjoy these small pieces of the national pastime.
