Based Trading Cards Redefines Innovation With Specialty Finishes, 3D Printing | Collectibles

6/12/2026

RRD’s best-in-class collectibles support blends technical sophistication with immersive design for premium collector experience

Based Trading Cards creates unique, limited-edition cards and collectibles that blend high-end, fantastical art aligned with Bitcoin’s principles of finance and economics. The California-based company’s founder and artist, Alladan Flinn, creates sought-after cards with built-in scarcity and verifiable authenticity. This mission is fueled by limited releases and a commitment to transparency.

CHALLENGE

Flinn wanted to create a fully bespoke, limited-edition trading card set that would strengthen collector loyalty, boost revenue growth, and position Based Trading Cards alongside other premium collectibles brands. 

Eager to bring a one-of-a-kind experience to collectors, Based had monumental ideas to bring to life. Unique embellishments, such as raised 3D holographic patterns, required enhanced printing capabilities. Creating engaging packaging, one that turns the unboxing itself into part of the collectible experience, called for complex manufacturing techniques. Security would also be key — both to protect intellectual property and to ensure each card’s authenticity and value through anti-counterfeiting features.

Flinn understood that achieving these objectives meant he’d need to work with a company specializing in collectibles. However, in addition to logistical obstacles, Flinn faced creative concerns, and specifically wanted to avoid mass-produced, expendable cards with redundant designs. The manufacturer would need to share Flinn’s vision, understand the nostalgic leanings of his loyal collectors, and be able to bring the collection to life.

SOLUTION

With a combination of technical capabilities and best-in-class creative expertise, RRD was the perfect fit. “It was a dream to even have a chance to work with RRD,” says Flinn. “There are very few trading card commercial printers with the same integrity and manufacturing track record.”

With a custom solution encompassing print production, color management, design, fulfillment, and speciality finishing, RRD helped Based Trading Cards create The Experience Box for Orange Pill In A Pack Series 4: The Simulation. The kit contains interactive cards featuring thermal inks, glow-in-the-dark elements, and frameless designs. It also contains professional-grade white gloves, scissors, and a leather binder for long-term preservation, along with an oversized, gold-plated master key artifact. 

Additionally, RRD produced a miniature, 3D-printed automobile containing a promotional grand prize element for collectors to discover.

Merging elite craftsmanship with immersive design, The Experience Box uses elevated card embellishments, such as heat- and cold-receptive inks that simulate melting icicles or make lava appear like rock. Other innovations include inks that only appear in sunlight and a complex “cast and cure” technique, which creates raised 3D holographic patterns. In total, the collections’ trading cards feature 15 post-print embellishment treatments. 

“This project is a testament to the willingness of RRD to push the envelope in terms of what we can do with trading cards,” says Flinn. “This goes beyond printing — this is artistry. RRD has taken my art to a whole new level.”

RRD’s ability to produce high-end, custom-enhanced trading cards at scale also helps contribute to the company’s value on the secondary market, which is driven largely by scarcity. Trading cards on the secondary market are professionally “graded” to assign value. Due in large part to RRD’s commitment to quality, Based’s cards consistently receive high grades, indicating value preservation. 

Currently, Based Trading Cards is working with RRD to produce graphic novels with thematic ties to their trading cards, again utilizing RRD’s industry-leading print, fulfillment, and creative services. 

RESULTS

The partnership between RRD and Based Trading Cards yielded the following results:

• Crafted fully bespoke trading card and unboxing experiences
• Enhanced brand identity through premium embellishments and custom inks
• Boosted secondary market value by producing cards that receive consistently high grades
• Protected intellectual property and secured authenticity through high-security manufacturing protocols
• Elevated an emerging brand by providing dedicated consulting and meaningful support
• Opened the door to the exploration of new product lines, such as graphic novels