by Non-Sport Update magazine

Do you find yourself wondering why a card collector would chase after an error card? Do you wonder if it is common to find redemption? No, we are not speaking about religion or some strange lifestyle, we are actually refering to words used in the non-sport hobby. Read on for a definition of some common terms you might see.

Autographed card - card signed by an actor or artist and randomly inserted into packs. The same value does not apply to cards autographed at shows.

Case - holds as many display boxes as manufacturer packs into it. Most cases contain 10 to 24 boxes.

Cel - four-color images printed on mylar or acetate film which suggests animation.

Cello pack - a wrapper made of cellophane, either plain or with a picture on it, with crimped edges and having cards or stickers inside.

Chase cards - do not come in every pack, or even in every box, but are randomly inserted. Can be holograms, prisms, autographed cards or any special card. Also called insert cards.

Chromium card - has a debossed, foil background and is laminated with a sheet laminator.

Clearzone - takes an image and makes it translucent and chrome-like at the same time.

Common - a term used mostly in baseball card collecting to denote the difference between a "star" card and a card having no special value. Sometimes used to refer to single non-sport cards.

Cut card case - does not contain display boxes, just the cards or stickers.

Double - after one of each card or sticker is set aside to make a set, the leftovers are called doubles.

Dumping - the practice of selling off product for a fraction of the original cost -sometimes by manufacturers and sometimes by dealers.

Embossed foil card - has a raised image printed on foil.

Error - a card or sticker which is changed due to a mistake on the original printing.

Full-bleed - indicates the picture is not surrounded by borders and completely goes to the card edges.

Holochrome - a chromium card with a holographic, foil background (see definitions for chromium card and hologram).

Hologram - a specialty card in which the design becomes three-dimensional when the card is moved (or sometimes when you move your eyes).

Holithogram - a combination of a foil-printed card and a hologram.

Inserts - other than the numbered or unnumbered items that make up the regular portion of the set. This term encompasses holograms, specialty cards, chromium cards, and all other types of cards you don't find in every pack. Also called a chase card.

Lentiuclar hologram - a 3-D lens is glued to the card in order to produce different images with depth.

Lithogram - a specialty card with a holographic background and lithography on the foreground.

MagniChrome - as opposed to a chromium card, you can actually feel the embossing.

Matrix card - a specialty card combining the visual effects of holography and etched-foil cards. They are prismatic with a sense of animation in some portions.

Medallion card - a specialty card which has art different from other cards in the set on the front and a graphic of a medallion on the back. This is a randomly-inserted card.

Metallic Storm - a specialty card which is similar to a spectra card but a special printing process allows for the stamping of various (rather than specific) areas.

Model-imaging hologram - a model rather than line art is used to form the print image, in order to provide a deeper three dimensional effect.

Multi-image hologram - more than one image may be viewed when the card is moved (or sometimes when you move your eyes).

Optigram - a hologram with depth and movement.

Opti-prism - a specialty card containing a reflective prismatic background which gives an optical illusion of a sky full of fireworks.

Oversized card - larger than the average 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" card.

Pack - a wrapper with cards or stickers inside.

Pop-Up card - image becomes three-dimentional when a tab is pulled.

Prism - specialty card containing a design which refracts light.

Proscenium hologram - specialty card which has multi-images which change.

Redemption card - a randomly-inserted card which can be redeemed for a specific item such as an autographed card, painting or gold card.

Reprint - something which was previously printed that is printed again. It may be an old set done by a different manufacturer or a current set for which not enough were printed the first time. Reprints rarely have much value.

S.A.S.E. - self-addressed, stamped envelope. When writing for information, or whenever there is a possibility that a person may have to respond to you, it is common hobby courtesy to include a S.A.S.E.

Set - all of the numbers, or if unnumbered, all of the different pictures for a specific title. A set generally includes no chase cards.

Single - a term used to denote a leftover card or sticker that is not needed to make a set.

SkyDisc - a top-of-the-line hologram which when held under direct light causes the image to become multi-sided and appear to be standing up.

Spectra card - has a foil background which seems to reflect and project a continuous sense of colors.

SpectraScope - see the definition for spectra card and add a 3-D image coming off the background.

Stickers - usually have a paper backing which can be removed leaving a sticky portion.

Thermofoil card - light embossing on a foil surface for which heat plays an important part in creating the effect.

Unopened box - display box with all of the packs in it just as it came from the manufacturer.

Unopened pack - a wrapper with cards or stickers inside just as it came from the manufacturer.

Variation - a card or sticker with more than one picture, title or story line appearing on the same number.

Wax pack - a wrapper with a waxy finish having cards or stickers inside.

Wiggle cards - picture changes when you move the card back and forth.

Wrapper - the covering from the cards or stickers.

X-out - an unopened box with magic marker black lines on the lid, indicating the item is a return.

History of Non-Sport Cards
Where to Start
What to Collect
What Makes Some Things More Valuable Then Others
Card Terminology
Defining the Condition of Your Cards
What to expect at the Philly Non-Sports Card Show

Back to main Basics page

© 1999 Non-Sport Update. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is strictly prohibited.