Storing Large Card Collections
Do you need to store a large collection of cards? The BCW Card House and Shoe Box House are great solutions.
Continue readingDo you need to store a large collection of cards? The BCW Card House and Shoe Box House are great solutions.
Continue readingMost BCW cardboard boxes are only large enough to hold standard 2½” x 3½” cards or cards in sleeves. However several boxes have wider rows to accommodate cards in protective holders such as semi-rigids, toploaders, 1-screws, magnetics or other holders or cases. Some BCW boxes are designed to hold graded cards or other tall cards. A few boxes have both wide rows and increased height.
If you are trying to decide which BCW boxes are right for your collection, the list below shows the basic sizes. If you store cards in protective holders, you’ll need a box with WIDE rows. If you have graded cards, other tall cards, or you have 4-screw card holders, get a box labelled GRADED.
Continue readingWith the increased popularity of memorabilia sports cards comes increased confusion on what thickness of card holders you need to protect your prized cards. Card thickness (depth) is often measured in points. One point is equivalent to .001 inches or .0254 millimeters.
A simple method to determine the correct thickness of a card is to use a Card Thickness Point Gauge. These gauges are located on BCW toploader and magnetic card holder packages. You can also download a printable Card Thickness Point Gauge (PDF). If you print the gauges, make sure to print the sheet at 100% scale (no print scaling like “fit to page”) to get accurate sizing.
There are lots of choices when deciding how to protect your cards. You can use 9-Pocket Pages to place cards in an Album, or you can use individual card holders. We have listed most of the BCW and Pro-Mold Card Holders below. To simplify the decision, first determine what size you need. Most cards are 2½ inches wide x 3½ inches high, but dimensions can vary. Then check the thickness using your Card Thickness Point Gauge. After you have determined the size, select your desired closing method: snap, 1-screw, 4-screw, magnetics, toploaders, or semi-rigids.
Interior W x H in Inches | Depth in Points | Description | Brand | Closing Method | SKU |
2½ x 3½ | 20-pts. | BCW Mini Snap | BCW | Mini Snap | 1-MS |
2½ x 3½ | 20-pts. | Pro-Mold Mini Snap Display Box | Pro-Mold | Mini Snap | PM-PC1D |
2½ x 3½ | 20-pts. | Pro-Mold Mini Snap Blank Packaging | Pro-Mold | Mini Snap | PM-PC1B |
2½ x 3½ | 20-pts. | BCW Regular Snap | BCW | Snap | 1-RS |
2½ x 3½ | 20-pts. | Improved Mini Snap | Pro-Mold | Mini Snap | PM-PC1II |
2 5/9 x 3½ | 70-pts. | Action Packed Mini Snap | Pro-Mold | Mini Snap | PM-PC3 |
2⅔ x 3 8/9 | 30-pts. | Pre-57 Holder | Pro-Mold | Mini Snap | PM-PC4 |
2 5/9 x 3½ | 120-pts. | Real Thick Card | Pro-Mold | Mini Snap | PM-PC20 |
2 1/16 x 2½ | 30-pts. | 1948-1950 Bowman | Pro-Mold | 1-Screw | PM-PC48 |
2 3/16 x 3 | 20-pts. | Topps & Bowman Minis | Pro-Mold | 1-Screw | PM-PC21 |
2 1/16 x 3 1/8 | 20-pts. | 1951-1952 Bowman | Pro-Mold | 1-Screw | PM-PC51 |
2 5/8 x 3¾ | 30-pts. | 1952-1956 Topps | Pro-Mold | 1-Screw | PM-PC52 |
2 ½ x 3¾ | 30-pts. | 1953-1955 Bowman | Pro-Mold | 1-Screw | PM-PC53 |
2½ x 3½ | 20-pts. | Regular 1-Screw | BCW | 1-Screw | 1-1S |
2 9/16 x 3 9/16 | 50-pts. | Thick Card 1-Screw Holder | BCW | 1-Screw | 1-1S-THICK |
2 9/16 x 3 9/16 | 120-pts. | Super Thick Card1-Screw Holder | BCW | 1-Screw | 1-1S-STHICK |
2½ x 3½ | 20-pts. | Regular 1-Screw | Pro-Mold | 1-Screw | PM-PC5II |
2 5/9 x 3½ | 20-pts. | 1-Screw with Stand | Pro-Mold | 1-Screw | PM-PC13 |
2½ x 3½ | 20-pts. | 1/2″ 1-Screw | Pro-Mold | 1-Screw | PM-PC14 |
2½ x 3½ | 50-pts. | 1/2″ 1-Screw Thick Card | Pro-Mold | 1-Screw | PM-PC15 |
2½ x 3½ | 110-pts. | 1/2″ 1-Screw Real Thick Card | Pro-Mold | 1-Screw | PM-PC16 |
2½ x 3½ | 180-pts. | 1/2″ 1-Screw Super Thick Card | Pro-Mold | 1-Screw | PM-PC17 |
2½ x 3½ | 50-pts. | Thick Card 1-Screw | Pro-Mold | 1-Screw | PM-PC6II |
2 5/9 x 3 5/9 | 120-pts. | Extra Thick Card 1-Screw | Pro-Mold | 1-Screw | PM-PC18II |
1.517 x 2.717 | 20-pts. | 1-Screw T-206 Topps Ginter | Pro-Mold | 1-Screw | PM-PC206 |
n/a | n/a | 4-Screw Non-Recessed | BCW | 4-Screw | 1-4SNR |
n/a | n/a | Pro-Mold 4-Screw Non-Recessed | Pro-Mold | 4-Screw | PM-PC9 |
2½ x 3½ | 4-Screw Recessed | BCW | 4-Screw | 1-4SR | |
2½ x 3½ | 30-pts. | Pro-Mold 4-Screw Recessed | Pro-Mold | 4-Screw | PM-PC11 |
2½ x 3½ | 4 Screw Black Border | BCW | 4-Screw | 1-1CS-B | |
2½ x 3½ | 35-pts. | 35-pts. Magnetic | BCW | Magnetic | 1-MCH-35 |
2½ x 3½ | 55-pts. | 55-pts. Magnetic | BCW | Magnetic | 1-MCH-55 |
2½ x 3½ | 75-pts. | 75-pts. Magnetic | BCW | Magnetic | 1-MCH-75 |
2½ x 3½ | 100-pts. | 100-pts. Magnetic | BCW | Magnetic | 1-MCH-100 |
2½ x 3½ | 180-pts. | 180-pts. Magnetic | BCW | Magnetic | 1-MCH-180 |
2½ x 3½ | 360-pts. | 360-pts. Magnetic | BCW | Magnetic | 1-MCH-360 |
2½ x 3½ | 20-pts. | Pro-Mold Regular Magnetic | Pro-Mold | Magnetic | PM-MH1 |
2½ x 3½ | 50-pts. | 50-pts. Magnetic | Pro-Mold | Magnetic | PM-MH2 |
2½ x 3½ | 120-pts. | 120-pts. Magnetic | Pro-Mold | Magnetic | PM-MH3 |
2 9/16 x 3 9/16 | 180-pts. | 180-pts. Magnetic | Pro-Mold | Magnetic | PM-MH4 |
2½ x 3½ | 80-pts. | 80-pts. Magnetic | Pro-Mold | Magnetic | PM-MH5 |
2½ x 3½ | 150-pts. | 150-pts. Magnetic | Pro-Mold | Magnetic | PM-MH6 |
2¾ x 3½ | Approx.30-pts.. | Acrylic Card Stand Vertical | BCW | Pressure Fit | 1-ACS-V |
2¾ x 3½ | Approx.30-pts.. | Acrylic Card Stand Vertical with Header | BCW | Pressure Fit | 1-ACS-VH |
2¼ x 4¼ | 1/4″ Acrylic 4-Screw | BCW | 4-Screw | 1-A025 | |
2¼ x 4½ | ½” Acrylic 4-Screw | BCW | 4-Screw | 1-A050 | |
2¼ x 4½ | 118-pts. | ½” Acrylic 4-Screw with 3MM Insert | BCW | 4-Screw | A050–A050-I-3MM |
2¼ x 4½ | 1″ Acrylic 4-Screw | BCW | 4-Screw | 1-A100 | |
2¼ x 4½ | 118-pts. | 1″ Acrylic 4-Screw with 3MM Insert | BCW | 4-Screw | A100–A050-I-3MM |
2¼ x 4½ | 235-pts. | 1″ Acrylic 4-Screw with 6MM Insert | BCW | 4-Screw | A100–A100-I-6MM |
2 1/16 x 3 1/8 | 20-pts. | Tobacco Card Toploader | BCW | Topload | 1-TLCH-TBC-25 |
2¾ x 3 7/8 | 20-pts. | 25-Pack Standard Toploader | BCW | Topload | 1-TLCH-N 1-TLCH-100 |
2¾ x 3 7/16 | 20-pts. | 25-Pack Premium Toploader | BCW | Topload | 1-TLCH |
2¾ x 3 7/8 | 20-pts. | Toploader with “Rookie Card” | BCW | Topload | 1-TLCH-RG (Gold) 1-TLCH-RW (White) |
2¾ x 3 7/8 | 20-pts. | Toploader with Color Border | BCW | Topload | 1-TLCH-BK 1-TLCH-BL 1-TLCH-RD 1-TLCH-GR 1-TLCH-WH |
2¾ x 3 7/8 | 50-pts. | Action Packed Toploaders | BCW | Topload | 1-TLCH-TH-1.5MM |
2¾ x 3 7/8 | 79-pts. | Thick Card Toploader | BCW | Topload | 1-TLCH-TH-2MM |
2¾ x 3 7/8 | 108-pts. | Thick Card Toploader | BCW | Topload | 1-TLCH-TH-2.75MM |
2¾ x 3 7/8 | 138-pts. | Thick Card Toploader | BCW | Topload | 1-TLCH-TH-3.5MM |
2¾ x 3 7/8 | 168-pts. | Thick Card Toploader | BCW | Topload | 1-TLCH-TH-4.25MM |
2¾ x 3 7/8 | 197-pts. | Thick Card Toploader | BCW | Topload | 1-TLCH-TH-5MM |
2¾ x 3 7/8 | 240-pts. | Thick Card Toploader | BCW | Topload | 1-TLCH-TH-7MM |
2¾ x 3 7/8 | 360-pts. | Thick Card Toploaders | BCW | Topload | 1-TLCH-TH-9MM |
2¾ x 4 7/8 | 20-pts. | Tall Card Toploader | BCW | Topload | 1-TLCH-TALL |
3 3/16 x 4 1/4 | No inset | Semi-Rigid Holder 1 | BCW | Semi-Rigid | 1-SR1 |
2 7/8 x 3 3/4 | No inset | Semi-Rigid Holder 2 | BCW | Semi-Rigid | 1-SR2 |
3 3/16 x 5 1/8 | No inset | Semi-Rigid Holder 3 – Tall | BCW | Semi-Rigid | 1-SR3 |
In Magic: the Gathering, Pokémon, and other card games, collecting playsets of four cards is ideal for some strategies. In Magic for example, you have a deck of sixty cards (in general) and you draw seven cards in your opening hand and one more each turn thereafter. Magic rules limit your card selection to no more than four of the same card in your deck. Thus, if you have four of a certain card in your deck, a “playset”, you can maximize the likelihood the desired card will be in your hand when needed.
Organizing playsets in a binder is perfect for displaying what sets you have or showing what cards you’re needing to complete a set. Furthermore, when forming a deck with a desired tactic, folios make it easy to see your options and selecting your deck. BCW offers three solutions for collecting cards in playsets.
BCW 4-Pocket Pro-Folios provide a simple 4-up page. Twenty double-sided pages are welded into the album for holding 160 cards. The pages are acid-fee with side-loading pockets. An elastic closure is used to keep the folio closed. 4-Pocket Pro-Folios are available in five colors.
The BCW 8-Pocket Page Pro-Folio LX is available with a black leatherette cover and an elastic closure. It’s the same exterior size as our 9-Pocket Page Pro-Folio LX, however the cards are oriented the other direction with 8 pockets per page which is conducive to collecting sets of four. The folio contains twenty double-sided pages to for holding 320 cards.
The BCW 12-Pocket Page Z-Folio LX has twenty double-sided pages for holding 480 cards. The pages are acid-free with side-loading pockets. The leatherette covers are available in five colors. A durable zipper ensures cards will be kept safe.
BCW offers numerous sizes of boxes to store collectible trading cards. The boxes are named by numbers, implying they can store that many cards. An example is the BCW 930 Count Box – its title implies it holds 930 cards, however the description claims it holds 825 cards. So why do BCW box names not match what the boxes actually hold? Is there a system to help collectors understand the box naming system vs. the actual box quantity amount?
This is a frequently asked question at BCW Supplies. To understand the answer, a brief history lesson in baseball card collecting is needed. Between 1956 and 1981, Topps was the only manufacturer of baseball cards and they used an 18 point card stock. In 1981, the MLB added 2 more licensees which were Donruss and Fleer. By 1989, The Upper Deck Company, Score, and other brands started emerging. With competition came innovation and card companies started making cards with a little heavier card stock and UV coating which made them a couple of points thicker. One manufacturer of football cards, Action Packed, even started embossing their cards. Then, the card manufacturers started making thicker “premium brands” of trading cards and adding pieces of memorabilia to some of the special cards, usually referred to as inserts.
So, the answer is that, for the period between 1956 and 1989, cards were approximately 18 points thick (18/1000th of an inch) and the boxes were originally designed for these cards. As your cards might be thinner or thicker than 18 points, the card box will hold more or less depending on your situation.
The 1000 Count TCG Card Storage Box is sized to hold 1000 game cards, such as Magic: The Gathering (MTG), Pokémon, and KeyForge. These gaming cards on a pressed, glossy paper that’s thinner than traditional sports cards. A MTG card is about 11 points thick (11/1000th of an inch), while a 1980’s Topps baseball card is about 18 points thick (18/1000th of an inch). BCW card boxes have been named for the cards they were designed to hold. So the 1000 Ct. TCG Box is designed to hold 1000 gaming cards, while the 800 Ct. Box will hold about 800 traditional sports cards. This explains why (in the picture below) the 1000 Ct. Box, designed for the thinner game cards, is actually smaller than the 800 and 930 Ct. Boxes, that were designed for the thicker sports cards.
See all of the BCW Trading Card Boxes. Please refer to the product description to ensure the box you need will protect all of the cards you’re storing.