Quality Controlling 2010 Gridiron Gear

I had the rare, resplendent opportunity on Tuesday to witness -- for the first time firsthand -- the unexpectedly breathtaking sights and sounds of trading cards being produced. To be sure, it's a fascinatingly well-oiled process that's intricate, complex and highly involved. It's also a process that I'll begin sharing with you extensively in the coming days and weeks via exclusive video footage.

I had the rare, resplendent opportunity on Tuesday to witness — for the first time firsthand — the unexpectedly breathtaking sights and sounds of trading cards being produced. To be sure, it’s a fascinatingly well-oiled process that’s intricate, complex and highly involved. It’s also a process that I’ll begin sharing with you extensively in the coming days and weeks via exclusive video footage.

But thanks to Stephanie Carlson, Panini America‘s Vice President of Production, and Ben Ecklar, the company’s Director of Product Development, I also got to take in the on-location quality controlling of 2010 Gridiron Gear Football, which goes live next week.

Based on what I saw from the two cases that were busted for QC purposes, this year’s installment will be the best Gridiron Gear yet — hands down. The reasons why are many, but you can start with the still-riveting-after-all-these years Rookie Hidden Gems Autographs, which are more attractive and more attainable than ever in 2010 (with as many as nine dropping per case).

The NFL Pro Gridiron Signatures insert — including the legendary likes of Jim Brown — is also sure to please. Of course, you’re sure to find plenty pleasing in the following gallery.

(Two things before you start: One, my own incompetence is responsible for poor lighting in some of the images; trust me when I say that the cards are way more beautiful than some of these pictures might lead you to believe. Two, an extra special thanks to Graphic Converting‘s Blake Widener for making today’s remarkable field trip possible.)

Now, on to the eye candy . . .

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16 Replies to “Quality Controlling 2010 Gridiron Gear”

  1. Hey Tracy, great images and thanks for sharing with us the process of QA and QC at Panini America. I can see that from these pictures, redemptions will be minimal as compared to Certified? If so, great work there and will be picking up a few boxes as always. I think so far since 09/10 basketball and 2009 football came out, is when I really took an interested in panini’s products and yes, its pricey as each product i have tried 3 boxes onwards up to a case of each, I have enjoyed the cards so far.

    Hope to see these live soon!

    Take care and hope the holidays were good to you,
    Adrian

      1. Hey Tracy,

        09/10
        Basketball – Rookies & Stars (Complete the set of all jersey cards, manufactured patch autos (rookies and normal parallel, except legends (still waiting on a few) I think out of all the “patch prime” cards out there, Rookies & Stars and Threads from last year did well.
        Basketball – Classics (simple on card designs and have the #/25 and #/50 of Kobe autos, and just received my Toni Kukoc Jersey auto redemption)
        2009
        Football – Gridiron Gear
        Football – Contenders (this design was off the hook, seriously)

        I did open around 3 cases of National Treasures and enjoy collecting Kobe autos, as you saw before, I have a few) and opened 2 cases of Timeless Treasures (the few case hits are awesome although the ink on the on-leather autos have faded fast) The only one that I did not get too many of was Crown Royale as the costs at the time was a bit steep for me. Another product value for money, Season Update. While there are many base cards, the autos are strong due to a strong draft class and updating previous sets helps us set collectors complete full sets.

        10/11
        Basketball – Prestige (collecting the patches of the Prestigious Pros)
        2010
        Football – Certified (gone through at least 50 boxes now)
        Football – EPIX (no idea why people say this doesn’t sell well or people don’t like it, love the design of the shiny parallels with that technology and its a decent product.)

        still in the middle of the season to have a real crack at the rest. But looking towards National Treasures & Plates and Patches. Focusing more on football this year as this years basketball rookies have little to be desired about (except John Wall) but I have been collecting Landry Fields cards. I don’t collect Hockey but Certified Hockey has been popular as evident world wide, in Hong Kong alone, they went through at least 20 cases in 3 weeks with many Canadian Chinese still living here.

        Sorry to ramble on, but been a big fan of Panini Products so far. Topps has excellent packaging but its all too similar and UD, well, the designs have always been great, no doubt, but poor customer service, redemption program and heavy prices for non decent hits did put me off a bit.

        Overall, you guys have brought the collectors back and made the collectors happy.

  2. I think you guys need to patent a card holder to display these in.
    I would love to display them on my shelf with the jersey and auto pulled out.

  3. These have been AWESOME blog entries…. course it kills my work productivity. Cant wait to get into some of these, I do agree the quality control Panini has done has been stellar.

    1. Tracy,

      Just pulled a Peyton Manning Gamebreakers Combos Signatures redemption card @ my local card shop. I can’t find an image online of what this card will look like. Can you give me an idea? Or do I have to use my imagination for the next four months?

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