When Do New Topps Cards Come Out — And What to Do Instead
Every collector knows the feeling: refresh, refresh, refresh — waiting for a new Topps release that may or may not arrive.
Topps releases follow a complicated annual calendar that leaves fans guessing for months. Series 1 usually drops in late January or early February. Series 2 arrives around May or June. Update Series — the one with rookies who actually played that season — doesn't land until October or November. That's a lot of calendar watching, a lot of refresh clicks, and a lot of waiting for a card that may or may not feature the player or moment you actually care about. And even after waiting, there's no guarantee your favorite athlete makes the checklist.
Snapshot flips that script entirely. You pick the photo, you pick the template, and your custom premium sports card ships from Des Moines, Iowa in two to three business days — not two to three months. Every card comes in a free magnetic case and ships anywhere in the USA at no extra cost. It's the card you actually want, built around a moment that actually matters to you, ready before the Topps pre-order window even opens.
Here's exactly how that process works — and how it compares to waiting on a traditional release schedule.
We ship custom cards to fans in all 50 states every week, and we print every single one of them in Des Moines, Iowa — which is how we keep the two-to-three day window a real promise rather than a marketing estimate.
Topps vs. Snapshot: Two Ways to Own a Piece of the Game
| Feature | Snapshot | Alternative |
|---|
Before You Order Your Custom Card, Run Through This List
- ✓Photo resolution is 1000px wide or higher — the sharper the image, the sharper the print
- ✓Subject is clearly lit — dark or backlit photos lose detail in card-size print
- ✓You've chosen which template style fits the sport and feel you're going for
- ✓You've decided whether you want a single card, a pack, or the 11x15 MEGA poster card
- ✓Shipping address is correct — free shipping goes exactly where you tell it
- ✓You've got a plan for the magnetic case: shelf, desk, frame, or gift wrap
Why Fans Are Choosing Custom Cards Over Release Schedules
Topps cards are great at capturing what the company decides to capture. Snapshot captures what you were actually there for.
Your Moment, Not Their Checklist
Topps curates thousands of players, but your specific memory — that overtime goal, that walkoff celebration, that locker room photo — probably isn't on any checklist. With Snapshot, the moment you choose is the moment that gets immortalized on professional card stock, in a format built to last.
No Preorder Window, No Allocation Drama
Retail releases sell out. Hobby boxes get scalped. Topps exclusives disappear before most fans know they exist. Snapshot doesn't run out. Every order is printed on demand, which means your card is always available — no competing with bots at 11 p.m. on a drop night.
Ready for Display or Display-Ready Gifting
Every Snapshot card ships inside a free magnetic case — the kind typically sold separately for premium collectibles. It's ready to sit on a shelf, hang on a wall, or get handed off as a gift the moment it arrives. No additional supplies required.
Printed in the USA, Shipped in Days
Snapshot prints every card in Des Moines, Iowa. That matters if you need something by a specific date — a birthday, a retirement party, a frame for a kid who just finished their first season. Two to three business days is a real promise, not an estimate padded with warehouse delays.
When Do New Topps Cards Come Out vs. How Fast Snapshot Ships
The contrast is pretty stark. Topps operates on a publishing schedule tied to licensing, print runs, and distribution. Snapshot operates on your timeline.
Upload Your Photo
Start with any photo — a sideline shot from last season, a championship celebration, a stadium selfie with a player you'll never forget. Snapshot's order page accepts standard image files and works on mobile or desktop. No special software needed, no account required to browse templates. If the photo means something to you, it's already the right photo.
Choose a Pro-Style Template
Snapshot offers templates built to look like the real thing — clean borders, stat fields, team-ready color palettes. Pick the style that fits your sport and aesthetic. Want it to feel like a vintage collectible or a modern chrome-style design? There's a template for that. Your name, number, and any custom text drop right into the layout. The card looks legitimate because it's built to professional card standards.
Get It Printed and Shipped
Once you place your order, Snapshot prints your card on professional card stock right here in Iowa and gets it out the door in two to three business days. It ships free anywhere in the USA, tucked inside a magnetic case so it arrives protected and ready to display. Singles start at $17.99. That's it — no waiting for a Series 2 announcement, no retail allocation frustration, no sold-out pre-orders.
The whole thing takes about five minutes to set up. The wait for your card is about five times shorter than a Topps release cycle.
What the Custom Card Community Keeps Telling Us
Snapshot ships custom cards to fans across all 50 states every week, and the most common thing people say when they reorder is some version of 'I didn't expect it to look this good.' That's not an accident — it's what happens when professional card stock, precise color printing, and a free magnetic case all show up together. Fans who've been collecting Topps for decades use the same word: legit.
The Best Reasons Fans Order Custom Memorabilia Cards Right Now
Topps cards make great collectibles. Custom Snapshot cards make great memories. These are the moments people order for most.
The Game You Actually Attended
You were in the upper deck when the comeback happened. You've got 47 photos on your phone that prove it. A Snapshot card built around your best shot from that night becomes a real collectible — not a mass-produced version of the same player from the same stock photo Topps used for everyone. It's specific to your seat, your game, your night.
The Player Who's Hard to Find on Any Checklist
Not every athlete gets a Topps card. Minor league standouts, niche sport professionals, journeymen who meant everything to a fanbase — Topps doesn't print them all. Snapshot doesn't have a checklist to clear. If you've got a photo and a reason to make a card, you can. Athletes across every professional sport have been featured in Snapshot orders.
The Gift That Hits Different
A Topps card is a great gift. A custom card featuring the recipient's favorite moment, their favorite player, or — for the youth sports fan who turned pro in their mind — themselves in a professional-style layout? That hits differently. The MEGA 11x15 poster card at $49.99 turns any photo into a statement piece that belongs on a wall, not in a binder.
Snapshot Pricing: What You Get for Your Money
Straightforward pricing, no surprise fees at checkout, and free shipping on every order to every address in the USA.
Single custom card starts at $17.99 and includes your photo, your chosen template, professional card stock printing, a free magnetic case, and free standard shipping. Card packs run up to $49.99 and let you bundle multiple designs or photos into one order — great for sets, gifts, or building out a custom collection. The MEGA poster card is also $49.99 and scales your design to a full 11x15 inches, printed on professional stock and built to frame.
Compare that to what a single graded rookie card costs on the secondary market. Snapshot gives you a premium custom piece for less than most eBay shipping fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Topps cards release for every professional sport?
How fast does Snapshot ship compared to waiting for a Topps release?
Can I make a custom card of a professional athlete I love even if they don't have a Topps card?
What sizes and formats does Snapshot offer?
Is there a difference between collecting Topps cards and ordering from Snapshot?
Do Snapshot cards come with any protective case?
Where are Snapshot cards made?
Can Snapshot cards work as memorabilia gifts for fans who already collect Topps?
The Best Reasons Fans Order Custom Memorabilia Cards Right Now
Stop Waiting to Know When New Topps Cards Come Out — Build Yours Today
Your photo. Your moment. A professional custom card printed in Iowa and shipped to your door in two to three business days. Free magnetic case, free shipping, starting at $17.99. The Topps release calendar doesn't have a date for your memory. We do.
No credit card required | Instant preview | Pro-quality designs
Explore More Card Options
Discover more custom trading card options for every sport and occasion
Custom When Do New Football Cards Come Out
Create custom cards →
Custom Topps Upcoming Releases
Create custom cards →
Custom New Sports Card Releases
Create custom cards →
Custom Topps Release Calendar
Create custom cards →
Custom Topps Baseball Card Sets By Year
Create custom cards →
Custom Topps 2025 Release Schedule
Create custom cards →