In the earliest days of baseball cards from the late 19th century through the 1900s, most cards were produced on thin paper stock that was prone to damage. This paper was usually some variation of coated paper that was not specifically designed for long-term storage and handling of collectible cards. As baseball card collecting grew in popularity in the early 20th century, card manufacturers began experimenting with different paper formulations to make the cards more durable.
In the 1930s through 1950s, the predominant stock used was a coated paper known as chipboard. Chipboard is a heavy paper that has been laminated with a thin wood fiber or clay coating on one or both sides. This gave the cards much improved rigidity and strength compared to the thin papers previously used. The chipboard allowed information, stats and photos to be printed clearly while also providing protection against the crumpling or tearing that the thin papers were prone to. Chipboard cards could still become worn around the edges with repeated flexing over decades of handling.
Into the 1960s, card manufacturers transitioned largely to using paper made of card stock. Card stock is a thick, heavy paper specifically designed for printed materials like greeting cards, tags and game boards that are meant to withstand repeated usage. Typical baseball card stock from this era weighed approximately 16-20 pounds (around 110-130 g/m2), giving the cards stiffness yet some flexibility without cracking. The heavier card stock allowed vivid colors and finer details to be printed on the cards while also protecting the images and text. This paper formulation became the standard into the 1970s and 80s as the hobby boomed.
Through the late 1980s and 1990s, technology advanced to allow foil stamping and embossing effects to be added to cards. To support these enhanced printing techniques, the paper stock composition needed to be updated. Cards from the late 80s onward typically used a stock weighing 20-24 pounds (140-170 g/m2) which was a blend of wood fibers and chemical pulps. This provided the heft and rigidity for foil stamping while maintaining the flexibility still required to easily store and trade cards. The increased weight also improved durability through many cycles of bending.
Modern baseball cards produced from the 2000s to present continue to utilize an improved coated paper/card stock blend that can withstand modern printing capabilities. Some manufacturers also release high-end, limited edition card sets printed on rag paper stock weighing 30 pounds or more (200+ g/m2). The ultra-heavy rag paper approximates the feel and longevity of photographs but at a much higher price point. As insert and parallel card sets have grown more intricate with taxing production requirements, some use an archival-grade acid-free/lignin-free paper.
Baseball card paper formulations have advanced significantly over the decades to match increased collecting interest and more sophisticated printing needs. From thin coated papers in the early 1900s to today’s hefty, multi-ply coated card stocks, the materials used ensure these cherished collectibles will stand the test of time for generations of fans to enjoy. Whether subjected to browsing in attics or rigorous grading scrutiny, card papers today are engineered for long-lasting durability.
