How to make custom trading cards

CardStar offers 60+ professional templates inspired by iconic card designs from Topps, Panini, and Upper Deck. Templates are organised by sport and style:

• Classic styles — Clean, timeless designs that focus on the photo
• Retro styles — Vintage-inspired layouts with bold typography
• Modern styles — Dynamic, contemporary designs with gradients and effects
• Team-specific — Templates featuring team colours and logos

Browse templates by sport (football, rugby, cricket, basketball, hockey) or by occasion (birthday, coach gift, end of season). Each template includes a matching card back design with stat fields.

The photo is the heart of your trading card. For best results:

• Use a high-resolution image — at least 1500×2100 pixels (our builder checks automatically)
• Choose bright, natural lighting — outdoor shots or well-lit indoor photos work best
• Action shots vs. posed shots — both work great, depending on the template
• File formats — JPG, PNG, and HEIC are all supported (up to 20MB)

Don't worry if your photo has a busy background — CardStar's AI-powered background removal tool can isolate the player automatically.

Once your photo is uploaded, you can:

• Position and scale — drag to reposition, pinch to zoom
• Add player name — appears on the front in the template's designated spot
• Enter shirt number — displayed prominently on most templates
• Add team name — optional, appears on card front or back
• Choose portrait or landscape — flip between orientations with one tap

The live preview updates in real-time so you can see exactly how your card will look.

The back of your trading card is just as important as the front. Our templates include:

• Stats table — enter season statistics (goals, assists, appearances, etc.)
• Player bio — a short text area for highlights or personal message
• Team logo area — upload a club crest or leave blank
• Card number — great for team sets or limited editions

Not sure what stats to include? Check our guide to writing card back stats.

Before checkout, review your card in full detail:

• Front preview — see the final design at print resolution
• Back preview — verify all stats and text
• Quantity selection — no minimums, order 1 or 100
• Finish options — glossy (classic shine) or matte (fingerprint-resistant)

Add to cart when you're happy, then proceed to checkout. We accept all major credit cards and PayPal.

Here's what happens after you order:

• Production — your cards are printed on 14pt card stock within 2 business days
• Quality check — every card is inspected before dispatch
• Delivery — standard delivery is 3-5 business days; express options available
• Packaging — cards ship in protective sleeves inside rigid mailers

Cards are printed and dispatched from the UK, ensuring fast delivery and professional quality.