Collector’s Guide: How to Start Commissioning Custom Cards

Commissioning a custom card is one of the most rewarding experiences in the hobby. Whether you’re creating something deeply personal for your personal collection (PC) or crafting a unique, high-end piece to flip for profit, the process allows you to blend creativity, authenticity, and storytelling into one incredible collectible.

At Reclaim Customs, we specialize in turning your ideas — and sometimes your existing memorabilia — into works of art that feel just as valuable as they look. But before you get started, it helps to know what direction you’re going.

For Your Personal Collection

If your goal is to create something for your own collection, the most important factor isn’t resale value — it’s personal satisfaction.

Ask yourself: What makes me smile when I look at this piece? Maybe it’s your favorite player, your team’s championship moment, or a sentimental autograph that deserves more than a drawer or plastic sleeve.

At Reclaim Customs, we can take those ideas — even if they’re just rough sketches in your mind — and bring them to life exactly how you want them.

For your PC, we recommend focusing on:

• Personal meaning – Build around memories, milestones, or icons that matter to you.

• Display value – Think about how you’ll show it off. Framed? Slabbed? In a shadowbox?

• Storytelling – We can weave in photos, quotes, jersey relics, or design cues that tell your story as a collector.

And don’t underestimate the legacy factor — even if you’re not chasing market value, many collectors are building custom pieces with the idea of passing them down to children or grandchildren. Those heirloom-quality designs can become family treasures for generations.

When you create for yourself, make it how you want it — we’ll handle the craftsmanship and creativity to ensure it’s unforgettable.

For Flipping or Profit

If you’re looking at customs as an investment or resale opportunity, the strategy shifts slightly. Custom memorabilia can be extremely profitable when built with the right eye for timing, subject matter, and presentation.

We’ve seen authentic pieces enhanced by Reclaim Customs sell at auction for up to five times the original investment once our design and assembly are complete.

When creating a custom card with the goal of flipping, here are a few factors to consider:

1. The Current Market

Just like the trading card hobby, timing matters. Look at what’s trending — breakout rookies, MVP candidates, or players with milestone achievements coming up. For vintage subjects, consider historical anniversaries or pop culture tie-ins that might reignite demand.

We recommend keeping an eye on hobby news outlets, eBay sold comps, and collector forums to see where momentum is shifting before locking in your subject choice.

2. Player Selection: Current, Potential, or Legendary

Every player category carries its own opportunity window:

• Current players have short-term spikes tied to performance, awards, or postseason runs.

• Potential stars are speculative plays — high risk, but huge upside if they break out.

• Legends and Hall of Famers are evergreen — their stories are already written, but key anniversaries or hall inductions can boost attention.

Think of your custom piece the same way you’d think of a rare insert or limited parallel: there’s both an art and a science to timing and subject selection.

3. Presentation & Finishes

If you want your piece to stand out — whether on display or at auction — the finishes make all the difference. Reclaim Customs offers unique enhancements like textured holofoil, metallic layering, and premium-grade materials that few, if any, other custom makers provide.

These elements don’t just add visual impact — they increase perceived value. Collectors and investors alike are drawn to eye-catching detail and craftsmanship, and finishes like these ensure your piece commands attention the moment it’s revealed.

4. Letting the Professionals Design It

We love when customers have creative ideas, and we always encourage input. But if your main goal is to maximize end value, it’s often best to let our design team take the lead.

Our artists have years of experience creating layouts that balance composition, storytelling, and visual impact. Giving us the creative freedom to build your piece from a blank canvas allows us to craft something truly special — both artistically and in terms of resale potential.

You’ll still approve all artwork before printing, but when we have room to work our magic, the finished product typically carries stronger appeal and long-term value in the market.

Authentication & Slabbing: The Final Step

Once your custom is complete, the last step to locking in its value is authentication and encapsulation.

Reclaim Customs proudly partners with Beckett Authentication Services (BAS) to offer our exclusive Pedigree Label Service. When submitted through us, your card can be slabbed by Beckett with both authentication and the “Reclaim Customs” name printed directly on the label — a mark of quality and craftsmanship recognized across the hobby.

This pedigree label not only confirms authenticity but also preserves your piece and enhances its resale appeal. It’s the perfect finishing touch for collectors and investors alike.

👉 Learn more about our pedigree program here: Reclaim Customs x Beckett Pedigree Service

How to Get Started

Starting your own custom project is simple:

1. Begin with our FAQ page — you’ll find answers to common questions about pricing, design options, and turnaround times.

2. When you’re ready, fill out our Custom Card Order Form — include as many details as you can about size, finishes, relics, and autographs. The more we know, the better we can bring your vision to life.

3. Still have questions? Reach out anytime through our Contact Page — we’re happy to walk you through the process or brainstorm ideas with you.

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Final Thoughts

Whether you’re creating a sentimental piece for your personal collection or crafting something to flip for profit, Reclaim Customs makes it easy — and exciting — to bring your vision to life.

From concept to final slab, every project is built by hand with care, creativity, and precision. Each one is a story, an artwork, and a collectible all in one.

And that’s what makes a Reclaim Customs piece truly special — it’s not just a card, it’s an experience.