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Questions
Custom Sports Cards FAQ
Everything teams ask before ordering: pricing, minimums, photos, what is actually on a card, and how long it takes.
What is Over-The-Top?
Over-The-Top makes custom trading cards and sealed card packs for youth sports teams. Instead of a single novelty card, we build a complete card set around one team: a base card for every player, insert cards, and parallels, then seals them into packs the team opens together. Over-The-Top is based in Stittsville, Ontario, near Ottawa, and is owned and operated by Flyers Cove Media Inc.
What exactly do you make?
A designed trading card release for one team. That means a base card for every player on the roster, retro-era insert cards, our own OTT Originals design, and holographic parallels seeded through the packs. The cards are printed and sealed into packs, so nobody sees the lineup before they are opened.
How many players do we need?
The team packages, Starter and Premier, require a minimum of eight players. The Individual Player Package has no minimum, so a single family can order on their own without the rest of the team taking part.
How much do custom sports cards cost?
Pricing is per player. The Individual Player Package is $49 per player for 3 packs and 18 cards. The Starter Team Package is $35 per player for 5 packs and 30 cards. The Premier Team Package is $45 per player for 7 packs and 42 cards. Both team packages require a minimum of eight players.
What is included in each package?
The Individual Player Package includes 6 base cards, 3 throwback cards, 3 vintage cards, 3 OTT Original cards and 3 holographic parallel cards. The Starter Team Package includes 4 tradable Team Packs and 1 Individual Player Pack, totalling 21 base cards, 3 throwback, 3 vintage and 3 holographic parallel cards. The Premier Team Package includes 6 tradable Team Packs and 1 Individual Player Pack, totalling 26 base cards, 4 throwback, 4 vintage, 4 OTT Original and 4 holographic parallel cards.
Who provides the photos?
You do. Teams supply their own photos, and most already have everything they need from a season shoot or a parent with a good camera. Photography is not included in our packages. If your team still needs a photographer, get in touch and we will help you make arrangements.
What is on the front of a card?
A professionally designed front built around your team, carrying the player’s photo. Like a real card release, the designs change year over year and season to season, so one season’s set never looks like the last.
What is on the back of a card?
A real card back with the player’s name, number and position, plus a written player profile. The back is designed, not blank. It is the same anatomy as a card you would pull in a shop.
What is the difference between Team Packs and Player Packs?
Team Packs contain a mix of teammates and are built for trading. Doubles get swapped and everyone chases the rare cards. Player Packs contain six cards of one player only, a complete set of that player’s base card and inserts, which is the pack families tend to keep.
What card sets are in a season?
Four: the Base Set, which covers every player on the roster; Retro Inserts, using throwback designs from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s card eras; OTT Originals, our signature design and the chase card of the set; and Holographic Parallels, the rarest pull in the box.
What is a holographic parallel?
A parallel is an alternate version of a card printed in a different finish. Ours are holographic and are seeded through the packs rather than guaranteed in every one, which makes them the rarest thing a kid can pull.
Which sports do you make cards for?
Hockey, baseball, basketball, football, soccer and ringette are the sports we see most, but the format works for any team sport. If yours is not listed, ask us. The answer is almost always yes.
Do you make ringette cards?
Yes. Ringette teams get exactly the same sets, packs and process as hockey teams.
Where are you based, and where do you ship?
Over-The-Top is based in Stittsville, Ontario, just outside Ottawa, and builds card sets for youth teams worldwide. If you are ordering from outside Canada, get in touch before you order and we will confirm shipping and timing for your team.
How long does it take?
It depends on your roster size and where you are in the season, and sets are built one team at a time. Tell us the date you are working toward, whether that is a banquet, a tournament or Christmas, and we will confirm a realistic timeline for your team before you commit.
Can we customise the design?
Every set is already built around your team’s colours, crest and roster. If you want something beyond that, such as a sponsor panel, a special insert, or an association-wide program, email us and we will quote it.
Can one family order without the whole team?
Yes. The Individual Player Package has no minimum and is designed exactly for that.
Do the card designs change every year?
Yes. The designs change year over year and season to season, the same way a professional card release does, so collecting across multiple seasons actually means something.
Who owns the photos we send you?
You do. By uploading photos you confirm you have the right to use them and any necessary permissions from players, parents or guardians. Full detail is in our Terms of Service.
How do we order?
Start in the order portal at portal.over-the-top.ca, or email info@over-the-top.ca if you would rather talk through options for your team first.
Still deciding?
Email info@over-the-top.ca with your sport, roster size and the date you are working toward, and we will come back with specifics for your team.