[Oshi Activities] Ideas for making DIY trading cards. Handmade merch for your fave
Photo cards, which are popular as bonuses with K-POP idol merchandise and albums.
They’re items you can enjoy in various ways, like displaying your bias’s photos as interior decor or slipping them into your phone case.
Some of you may want to try making your own photos or character goods of your favorite member.
In this article, we’ve compiled a bunch of ideas for handmade photo cards.
We’ll introduce everything from easy projects themed around social media or student IDs to more elaborate creations.
Be sure to try making your own original goods using photos of your favorite idol.
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[Oshi Activities] Ideas for making DIY trading cards. Handmade oshi goods (21–30)
Movie ticket-style trading card
These trading cards, with their unique movie ticket-inspired shape, really highlight the cuteness.
Create a rectangular image with conscious use of top and bottom margins and a frame, print it on matte paper, mount it on a backing, and then cut it into a ticket-like shape.
For the back side, emphasize the ticket concept with text: it’s recommended to place numbers related to the person so that they evoke a film screening date and time.
Carefully design the overall shape and the use of whitespace so it clearly conveys the ticket motif.
split into two trading card
This is a trading card split into top and bottom halves, allowing you to showcase more of the person’s visuals.
Carefully determine the card size and adjust the images so they divide exactly in half.
It’s recommended to set a theme for your image choices—such as placing a fierce pose on one half and a smile on the other to create contrast.
To emphasize the split photos, keep the back simple with elements like a logo or the person’s name.
It could also be interesting to experiment with different impressions by changing the design—for example, making one half intentionally larger to draw attention instead of keeping them the same size.
Mini trading card file
This is a palm-sized binder for storing small trading cards.
The process is simple: cut clear files into smaller pieces and combine them to create the pages.
Use a soft material for the exterior and a firm material for the inner pages to protect the photos from scratches while keeping the look cute.
Since the entire piece is made from transparent materials, it’s easy to add sticker decorations, making it fun to design the binder in your own style.
A button closure works well, and adding a keychain for easy carrying is also recommended.
Glossy trading card
It’s not just about printing—the glossy finish of the paper is also an important point that makes it feel like a trading card.
Let’s create a simple trading card design that really focuses on that gloss.
A classic layout is a photo on the front and the person’s name on the back; design this properly in an app and print it on glossy paper.
Then cut the pieces, align them precisely with no gaps, and stick them together—that’s it.
Rounding the corners will enhance the trading card vibe even more, so that’s recommended too.
Instagram-style trading card
How about making Instagram-style trading cards using printed illustrations and inexpensive laminating cards from a 100-yen shop? The key to making these cards is to use prints made with a laser printer, such as those at convenience stores.
Stick the printed illustration onto a laminating card cut to trading-card size, then firmly rub it from the back with a ruler or similar tool.
If you don’t press hard enough here, the color won’t transfer to the card.
Once you’ve rubbed it thoroughly, soak it in hot water for 10 minutes and scrub with a toothbrush; the paper will come off, leaving only the illustration.
After completely removing the paper, stick it onto the laminating card again to finish.
