One More Pack

There is a whole lot going on in the world right now with the entire country shutting down to prevent a pandemic. I’m one of the lucky ones my employer is still paying me, for now. But with that said I’ve got some extra time on my hands and I’ve decided to get back to blogging about my collection. I am hoping it will be a bit of escapism and keep my mind sharp and focused on the positive.

There isn’t going to be any real focus other than I’m going to keep it related to collecting, the hobby, and Buffalo Bills. #BillsMafia! Organization is going to be my focus on some of the first few posts. Then I’ll move into more on my collection. I’ve had stacks of boxes and stacks of cards and half-full binders all over my bonus room since I moved into my house 6 years ago. (For those of you wondering…a bonus room is an extra room someplace in the house that is neither a bedroom or a living space. Think kids play room, storage, man cave.)

I mentioned binders, this was my first card project during the pandemic shelter in place orders.

BEFORE

AFTER

My labels are my own creation using an excel spreadsheet. I’m an excel geek so I have all of my checklists and all of my cards logged into spreadsheets. At least all the ones I have logged so far. But that’s for another post. Here’s the basic break down I used for building my binder labels.

1.) Excel Spreadsheets allow me to check sizes, easily change logos and text, and keep all the labels to a similar style.

2.) 1 Inch Binders are for 200-300 cards, 23-35 pages depending on thickness of cards and whether or not you double up the cards. I don’t double up. I like to see front and back of my cards. The have a label size of 1 inch wide and 9 inches long.

3.) 1and ½ Inch Binders are only slightly bigger. I use these often for Prizm or sets with 400 cards I use 1 ¼ inches wide and 9 inches long for the label.

4.) 2-inch binders need a much larger label with a width of 1 ¾ inches wide and 9 inches long. These are for sets like my prized 2015 Topps base set with all of the short prints. A collection of approximately 600 cards.

5.) I try to keep the text on the label as simple as possible. Just for ease of use when searching through the binders. (i.e. Donruss Optic Football, Topps Football, Panini Prizm)

6.) I also like to add the company logo (Topps, Panini, Upper Deck) along with the set logo (Contenders, Optic, Valor, Platinum) if the particular set has a designated logo.

7.) I then print them out on full uncut sheets of label paper. I used Avery 8165 labels (full sheet in white) that I get at the Office Depot. I’m sure you can find these labels where ever you get your printing supplies.

8.) I have a paper cutter that allows me to make very precise cuts. It’s the best way to get straight lines. (Here’s a similar one on Amazon. Paper Cutter

9.) Peel and stick to the spine of your binder. Feel free to reach out if you’d like to use my labels. I’m more than willing to share them.

My goal is 2 posts per week for the foreseeable future. But I’m going to end each post with a Buffalo Bills card. The first card of the 2020 COVID-19 quarantine is card #725 of 1990 Pro Set.

Howard “House” Ballard.
Stay in your house and open one more pack.

Let’s Go Buffalo!