Panini Collections Guide

DIFFERENT WAYS TO COLLECT: BY PLAYER/CHARACTER, TEAM, NUMBER, COLOUR, DIVISIONS/CONFERENCES, SETS/INSERTS

One of the coolest parts of card collecting is that there are no set rules. Collectors are free to organise their binders or casings however they see fit. Some people dedicate entire binders or specific sections of their collections to certain cards. Others will use special methods of protection depending on the rarity. Some will only keep certain cards, trading or selling the rest. It’s all up to you. Below are popular options you can use if you need some inspiration.

HOBBY, RETAIL, HANGER, BLASTER, FATPACK, FOTL. WHAT ARE THESE DIFFERENCES?

An important part of the card-collecting world is knowing the ins and outs of packs and boxes, as well as the differences between the various packs. Programs are split between hobby and retail releases. Some are bigger releases and include both, while others are reserved for one or the other. Hobby variations feature the more exclusive cards, while retail variations are more widely available. All hobby configurations can be obtained online or in hobby shops, while the retail configurations are available online and wherever cards are sold.

LOOKING BACK AT SCORE

Score it! It’s the goal of every collector, and Panini America has a brand for that. It’s the Score brand itself, the most widely collected offering in sports memorabilia since its debut in 1989.

DONRUSS – THEN AND NOW

Originally founded as a confectionery company in 1954, Donruss initially entered the collectables industry producing entertainment-themed trading cards in the 1960s. In 1965, it produced its first sports-oriented cards with a racing series sponsored by Hot Rod Magazine.

CHASING PARALLELS AND INSERTS

Sports trading cards first began circulating in the 19th century when cigarette and confectionery companies started including baseball cards with their products to drive sales. With more than 150 years of history, it’s safe to say these collectables have changed, and some people may not be fully aware of all of the exciting features trading cards have nowadays. That’s what we’re here for. From base cards to parallels to inserts and everything else in between, you can consider this your quick guide to everything you need to know about trading cards, across sports and more, in the modern world.

HOW TO UNDERSTAND A CHECKLIST

When trading cards first became mainstream, things were simple. They were relatively limited. Nowadays, there are tens of thousands of trading cards on the market, with even more being added on a regular basis. That vast number is far too much for anyone to balance, especially if you’re looking for specific inserts, players or special variations of your favourite cards. How can anyone be expected to keep up?

TRADING CARD COLLECTION CHECKLIST

Starting a trading card collection can be a little overwhelming – especially when it comes to how to store and display cards, and what supplies are the best for collection. By simply visiting a local card shop, a novice collector can easily be overwhelmed by these decisions. In this article, we have compiled a list of our top items that every collector should have in their collection. These items will help keep collections organised, secure them from most types of damage, and help you display your collection in the best way.