Trading cards (collectible cards) are made of paperboard, thick paper, or sometimes plastic. They typically feature an image of a person, place, or thing—fictional or real—along with a brief description and additional text.
Traditionally, trading cards are associated with sports, with baseball cards being the most common. Today, they also include subjects such as Pokémon and other non-sports subjects, such as cartoons, comic book characters, television series, and films.
In the 1990s, game-specific cards gained enough popularity to form a distinct category called collectible card games. These games primarily feature fantasy-based gameplay, with fantasy art cards being a subgenre that emphasizes the artwork.
What began as simple inserts in consumer goods packaging has grown into a huge industry encompassing several types of cards, games, manufacturers, and associated products that make up the trading card industry.
As this is the shopping area of our website, we will concentrate on the products involved in the industry here. Additional information about the trading cards can be found in the corresponding subcategory of our Sports & Recreation area.
Sports cards are the oldest and still the most popular types of trading cards. The first baseball cards were printed in the late 1860s when baseball became a professional sport. In the early 20th century, most baseball cards were distributed in candy and tobacco products. In 1933, the Goudey Gum Company began issuing baseball cards with bubble gum, and Bowman Gum followed in 1948.
Today, sports cards are available featuring athletes from various sports, such as baseball, basketball, football, and hockey. Collectors seek the cards of their favorite players, rookies, and limited edition or autographed cards. Iconic brands like Topps and Panini have dominated this segment.
Non-sports cards cover a large range of subjects, from movies and TV shows to historical events and fictional characters. These cards attract collectors who have interests beyond sports. Popular series include "Star Wars" cards by Topps, "Garbage Pail Kids," and "Pokémon" cards by the Pokemon Company. Non-sports cards often feature intricate artwork and unique designs.
Collectible card games are a large subset of the trading card market. These games combine traditional trading cards with gameplay mechanics, where players build decks and compete against each other. Popular collectible card games include Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Pokémon TCG.
While several manufacturers are involved in the trading card industry, some of the more prominent include Topps, Panini, Wizards of the Coast, and The Pokemon Company.
Besides the cards themselves, the trading card market includes products designed to store, protect, and display the cards.
Card protectors and sleeves designed specifically for trading cards prevent damage from handling, dust, and moisture. Brands like Ultra PRO offer protective products for different card sizes and types.
Binders and other storage containers help collectors organize and display their cards. These may range from simple plastic pages to more expensive leather binders with specialized card pockets. Proper storage keeps cards in pristine condition and easily accessible.
Trading card catalogs provide information for collectors, including checklists, card values, and historical data.
These and other products associated with the trading card market are appropriate resources for this category.
Recommended Resources
Dave & Adams Card World is a popular online retailer of sports cards, trading card games, and collectibles. They offer a wide range of products, including boxes, cases, packs, and individual cards for various sports like baseball, basketball, football, and hockey, as well as a selection of gaming cards, comics, and autographed memorabilia. They are also in the market for buying cards. Offering free shipping on orders $199 and above, they promise same-day shipping.
https://www.dacardworld.com/
Panini is an Italian company that produces books, comics, magazines, stickers, and trading cards through its collectibles and publishing subsidiaries. In 2009, the NBA announced that Panini would become the exclusive trading card partner of the league. The Panini Group purchased assets of the industry's second-oldest trading card company, Donruss, and formed its subsidiary, Panini America, which operates out of Irving, Texas. It offers trading cards, memorabilia, and stickers.
https://www.paniniamerica.net/
The online store specializes in Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) products, offering booster packs, single cards, tins, and card supplies, including Black & White, the POP series, Sun & Moon, XY, Yu-Gi-On, and Sword & Shield items. Its online product catalog may be browsed by series or sorted alphabetically. Also included is a Buy List, which notes cards that PokeOrder is interested in buying or acquiring for store credit, along with those they do not accept.
https://www.pokeorder.com/
Pokezor World TCG Trading Cards
Billing itself as the largest online English Dragonball Z/GT trading card selection. They also carry Pokemon, Pocket Monsters, Naruto, and Yu Gi Oh, offering sales of single cards, promos, booster packs, boxes, theme decks, rares, and special editions, all in mint condition unless otherwise stated. Most items are in stock, and orders usually ship within 48 hours, although collectible items sometimes sell out quickly. Ordering information, payment options, and shipping information are posted.
https://www.pokezorworld.com/
TCGPlayer is an online trading card marketplace started in 2008 in Syracuse, New York, where it is still headquartered. It specializes in Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Disney Lorcana, Digimon, Star Wars: Unlimited, Flesh and Blood, and MetaZoo products. Besides its online shopping area, the website discusses its subscription program, customer service policies, refund and return policies, press information, and career opportunities. Gift cards are also available.
https://www.tcgplayer.com/
Formed in 1938, Topps is an American trading card company. In the 2010s, Topps was the only baseball card manufacturer with a license with Major League Baseball. However, following the loss of that license to Fanatics, Fanatics acquired Topps in 2022. Its online shopping area features collectible trading cards from several sports, as well as apparel. Shoppers may purchase from the site or at stores carrying Topps products. A map of stores is featured on the site.
https://www.topps.com/
