A trading card photo booth photographs each guest and turns the portrait into a custom trading card, designed around your event, team or brand, printed and finished on site and handed over in a collector case. It suits sports nights, brand activations, corporate events and celebrations. See our custom trading card photo booth for both card tiers.
How a trading card photo booth works
- Pose in studio light. A host guides the shot so every portrait looks like it belongs on a card.
- Pick the design. Guests choose from up to five card designs built for your event. On a Signature Card they also enter a name and number and approve a live preview.
- Print on site. Front and back print at the classic 2.5 by 3.5 inch trading card size, finished to collector-card thickness.
- Case and share. The card goes into a collector holder or a magnetic case, and a digital copy reaches the guest's phone by text.
Fan Card vs Signature Card
| Fan Card | Signature Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Guests pick from up to five event designs | Guest-entered name, number and details on a live preview |
| Finish | Protective collector holder | Magnetic case with a holographic seal in your mark |
| Best for | Team parties, tournaments, grad nights, holiday parties with a fast line | Fan nights, corporate events, gaming events, product launches |
| Both include | The booth, a host, studio lighting and digital delivery | |
Either tier can add a metallic finish, AI transformation cards, a second station or an athlete signing station.
Where trading cards fit
- Sports and fan events: member nights, tailgates, youth tournaments and team banquets. See sports photo booths.
- Brand activations: a card in the brand's colors is a takeaway people keep for years, and every share carries the design. See brand activation photo booths.
- Corporate events: team cards make a natural centerpiece for an awards segment or a sales kickoff. See corporate event photo booths.
- Gaming and campus events: player cards suit tournaments, launches and orientation weeks. See gaming photo booths.
At CommunityAmerica Credit Union's member night with the LA Rams in Hawthorne, every member left with a Signature Card in a sealed case, about one finished card every 90 seconds. Impressions are from the post-event analytics dashboard.
How many cards can a booth make?
Card volume depends on the tier, the crew and the line. In Hawthorne a two-person crew finished a cased Signature Card about every 90 seconds, one running capture and the screen, one finishing the cards. For larger crowds, a second station keeps the line moving. We quote trading cards by card count, so tell us the expected guests and we'll plan the stations.
Planning a trading card activation
- Design early. Send logos, team colors and any sponsor marks; you approve the card front and back before the event.
- Plan for extras. We bring extra card supplies so a busy line never runs short.
- Measure it. After the event you receive the full gallery of cards and an analytics summary of sessions and shares.
Planning a full activation? Our brand activation planning checklist covers guest flow, artwork, consent and reporting, and what a brand activation photo booth is explains the formats.
Trading card photo booth questions
What size is a photo booth trading card?
The classic 2.5 by 3.5 inch trading card size, so it fits standard sleeves, binders and display cases.
Can guests put their own name and number on the card?
Yes. On a Signature Card, guests enter their details and approve a live preview before the card prints. Fan Cards use event designs guests choose at the screen.
Can the card carry our brand or team design?
Yes. Every card is designed around your event, team or brand, and you approve the front and back before the event.
Do guests get a digital copy?
Yes. Each guest receives a digital copy by text, and you receive the full gallery after the event.
How do you price a trading card photo booth?
Trading cards are quoted by card count and stations. Send the event details through Get Pricing and the quote comes back built for your crowd.
Planning trading cards for your event?
Tell us the date, the crowd and the brand, and we'll recommend the tier and send pricing.
Get Pricing