From Offset Printing to Lenticular Inks: The Evolution of Materials in Garbage Pail Kids Trading Car

https://www.topps.com/cards-collectibles/online-brands/garbage-pail-kids.html

Garbage Pail Kids, also known as GPK, are a series of trading cards featuring cartoonish and grotesque parodies of popular children's stickers. The cards were first produced in 1985 by the Topps Company and have since become a cult classic among collectors.

In the past, the cards were made using a process called offset printing. This method involves using ink to transfer an image from a plate to a rubber blanket and then onto the card. The cards were printed on a thin, glossy cardstock, giving them a cheap and flimsy feel. This was part of the appeal of the cards, as it added to their "garbage" aesthetic.

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Today, the materials used to make Garbage Pail Kids have changed considerably. Topps now uses digital printing technology to produce the cards. This allows for a higher level of detail and color accuracy, resulting in a more polished and professional look. The cards are now printed on a thicker, more durable cardstock, making them less prone to wear and tear.

Topps has also introduced a variety of different materials for the cards, including lenticular printing, which gives the cards a 3D effect, and metallic inks that give the cards a shiny, foil-like appearance. The company has also released special edition cards made of materials such as plastic and even wood.

In addition to changes in the printing materials, the packaging of the cards has also evolved. The original Garbage Pail Kids cards were sold in packs of 15 cards wrapped in wax paper. Today, the cards are sold in packs of five and are packaged in a glossy, sealed wrapper.

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Overall, the materials used to make Garbage Pail Kids have undergone a significant change since the series was first introduced. The use of digital printing technology and new materials has allowed for a more polished and professional look, while still maintaining the series' signature "garbage" aesthetic. These changes have also made the cards more collectible, appealing to both old and new fans of the series.

1. The Topps Company website: The official website of the company that produces GPK cards has a section dedicated to the series where you can find information about the history of the cards, including the materials used to make them.

2. "The Garbage Pail Kids Movie" (1987) DVD or online streaming: This movie, which was released in 1987, gives an overview of the GPK phenomenon, including the materials used to make the cards and their impact on pop culture.

3. "The Official Garbage Pail Kids Collectors Sticker Book" (1986) by Mark Newgarden and David Souter: This book contains information about the history of GPK, including the materials used to make the cards, as well as an overview of the different series and cards produced.

4. Online GPK communities: Websites like GPKNews.com, GPK World, and GPKCollectors.com provide detailed information about GPKs, including the materials used to make the cards, as well as a wealth of photos.

5. Articles: you can find articles written by experts and collectors on the subject, such as "The Garbage Pail Kids: A Study in Subversion" by Zachary Lipez, which were published on reputable websites or magazines like Vice, The Ringer, Complex, etc.