It is National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs time! Whether you follow the sport or just love an underdog story, the postseason is a magical time of the year. The intensity, the competition, and most importantly, the fun all comes together for one unforgettable event.
While you wait for the puck to drop, you can’t help but wonder how the ice will look like at the end of the game. Will it be frozen over? How will the winning team celebrate? Will they do the famous post-playoff hug or will they just shake hands and go home?
If you happen to be one of the passionate fans who plays ice hockey, then you will no doubt be looking for ways to celebrate the sport. One way is to make some custom hockey cards!
There are a few simple steps you can take to make your own hockey cards. All it takes is some creativity, a decent camera, and of course, some hockey cards templates. Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Step one: Select a template.
First things first – you need to select a template for your cards. There are a few options readily available online that you can use to make your cards look great. Alternatively, you can use a program like Microsoft Office to make your own templates. Don’t worry – we will get you started correctly the first time. So make sure you have your template before you begin your project.
Step two: Find a subject.
The next step is to find a subject for your cards. You can pick any subject you want, but make sure you find one that is suitable for both males and females. We know that some subjects can be a little overwhelming for younger children, so it is best to pick an easygoing subject that they can relate to. For example, you can use one of the popular baby photo shoots and turn it into a fun little game that your children can play with their friends. Alternatively, you can use a template for a famous person and add some funny facts about them. Think of something that will make your friends laugh while having fun with your children.
Step three: Take a few practice shots.
Once you have your subject ready, it’s time to get some practice shots. This is where you will need to use your camera’s timer to take a few shots as quickly as possible. Set the timer for 1/10th of a second (1/10th of a second is equal to 1/1000th of a second) and make sure you hold the camera steady. You can also use a tripod or a steady surface to take your photos from. Setting your shutter speed to fast will give you a good chance of capturing some great action shots, but it also carries a bit of a risk. In case you miss something, you can always take another look at your photos later on in the editing process. Set up a quick screen name on YouTube so you can easily find and save your videos for later use. If you followed our advice and used a tripod, then you won’t have any problems holding steady for a few seconds. Good luck!
Step four: Edit your photos.
Now that you have your practice shots taken, you can begin editing them. Simply crop out any elements that you don’t want (like people’s heads) and add text boxes or pictures that are relevant to the game you are recreating. Remember: simpler is usually best when it comes to customizing photos. The last thing you want to do is make your images look too complex when there is so much room for improvement. When you are done editing your photos, you should have a completed piece ready to print or use as a backdrop for your device’s display. The display shouldn’t be larger than 8.5 x 11 inches (the size of an average print) to ensure that the photos look good when displayed on screen.
Step five: Print your cards.
Finally, it’s time to print your cards! This is a very simple step, but important to get right. First, make sure that your printer is equipped with an ice-hockey-themed paper set. If not, you can always grab some off the internet or find a friendly local store that stocks a good variety of sports gear and office supplies. If you have a local ice hockey store, they will surely have the right paper for you. Remember: the paper type and brand matter so much when printing on card stock. Using regular paper will result in blurred photos and odd colors around the edges. Always use the best quality paper you can afford. Make sure to follow the exact directions that came with your printer. Doing so will ensure that you get the best results every time. When you are done, lay your cards onto a plain surface and leave them there for a few minutes for the ink to dry. Now you can stick them in a drawer or on a shelf and enjoy your work.
That’s it! You now have some custom hockey cards. Be sure to add some funny facts about your chosen subject or put a funny spin on something relevant to the game. You can also find templates online that you can use to make more cards if you want. Having more than one set of cards is preferable so that you can game with your friends whenever you want. Plus, it’s good for bragging rights!