Custom card FAQ
Custom trading card FAQ
Cost, size, what you can put on them, the QR code on the back, team orders, the display case — the questions people ask most, answered.
The short answer
A custom trading card turns your photo and details into a real, personalized card. Designing is free, and every card is numbered in its set automatically unless you change or hide the number. Cards are standard 2.5 x 3.5 inch size, the Display Card comes sealed in a display case, and the Card Pack contains 10 unslabbed cards. Full answers are below.
Related guides
Dig deeper: what they cost · card size · how to make one · buyer's guide · photo tips · what they are · design tips · slab vs. case · the QR code on the back · what to write on the back · display ideas · glossary
Frequently asked questions
What is a custom trading card?+
A custom trading card turns your own photo into a real, display-ready trading card — with a name, title, stats, and a message on the back. Every card is numbered in its set automatically — 1/1 for a single card — and you can change or hide the number.
How much does a custom trading card cost?+
A single Display Card is $29.99 and a 10-card Card Pack is $49.99 (about $5 a card). Designing and previewing is free — you only pay if you order.
What size are the cards?+
Standard trading card size, 2.5 x 3.5 inches — the same as sports and collectible cards, so they fit standard sleeves, top-loaders, and cases.
Is it really free to design?+
Yes — you design and preview the full card (front, back, and display case) for free, and only pay when you order the physical card.
What can I put on a custom card?+
Anyone or anything — a kid, a pet, a couple, a trip, a car, or yourself. Add a name, a title, stats, and a message on the back, and pick from eight card styles.
Does the card come in a case?+
The Display Card ships sealed in a display case (a slab), ready to stand on a shelf. The Card Pack is 10 cards for sharing.
How do I order cards for a whole team?+
Build one Card Pack with a card for each player, then share a single link so each family orders their own copies — no collecting money or shipping yourself.
What photo should I use?+
A clear, well-lit photo that fills the frame with your subject. A recent phone photo is fine — you reposition and zoom it in the live preview before ordering.
Do I need design skills or software?+
No — pick a template, upload a photo, and personalize it in the live preview. Everything happens in your browser.
What does the QR code on the back of the card do?+
Every Cardbop card is a Living Card: the QR code printed on the back opens a page that belongs to that card. After you order, you can add the story behind it, more photos from that day, links (a highlight video, a playlist, a shared album), and a note the person who gets it finds when they scan it. Only people with the card or its link can open the page, and the owner can make it private. The printed code never changes, so the page can be updated any time.
Can I leave a note for the person who gets the card?+
Yes. The short message printed on the back can be read by anyone holding the card; the longer note goes on the card's page behind the QR code, where they find it when they scan it. After you order, open the card's page and sign in with the email you ordered with to add to it.
Does the page behind the QR code cost extra?+
No. The Living Card page is included with every card. A Display Card is $29.99 and a 10-card Card Pack is $49.99.
Is it a real graded card?+
No. A Display Card is sealed in a display case for presentation, but it is not graded, authenticated, certified, or assigned a numeric grade by a third-party grading service.
Can I make a TCG-style card?+
Yes. A Cardbop TCG card is a custom trading card in a game-card layout: your photo or artwork in a bordered window, a name with HP and an element symbol, a type line, up to two abilities with damage, and flavor text. It prints as a Display Card sealed in a clear display case, or as one of the cards in a 10-card Card Pack.
Can I upload my own drawing or anime art?+
Bring your own image: a photo, a drawing, or art you made or commissioned. We print it on the card as you upload it. We don't animate it or turn photos into anime.
Can I put a character from a show or game on my card?+
Upload a photo or art you made, commissioned, or have permission to use. We can't print characters from shows, games, or movies you don't own the rights to.
Is a TCG-style card playable?+
It is a personal collectible, not a playable game card: there are no rules, energy costs, or deck building, and it is not made for tournament play.