Do-It-Yourself Card Storage System

Bill February 1, 2017 3 Comments

When I got back into collecting I didn’t have the money to spend on the true card storage boxes (those you see with five rows and a cover). But I did some experimenting (and got lucky) and found a great way to build my own card storage system. Follow the steps below to create your DIY card storage system, and this is what you’ll end up with.

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What You’ll Need to Complete the DIY Card Storage System

You’ll need a few things to get this done. Some are kind of optional or depend on what you are comfortable with. Your dealing with some sharp stuff so PLEASE BE CAREFUL! It’s easy to use a little too much strength and cut yourself.  Here’s what you’ll need:

• Scissors
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Packing Tape (preferably with a dispenser that cuts it)
• Optional:
  • Exacto Knife or Box Cutters (you can get away with just the scissors)
  • Paper Cutter (you can always just use the scissors on the paper)

Start with a Printer Paper Box

This was actually where I got lucky. A printer paper box is the perfect size to fit four rows of cards with some extra room on the sides. The box is big enough that when you cut down the sides you automatically have some scraps to make the row dividers out of. If you feel the need to, you can tape the sides for more strength. I suggest using the tape at the end though.

Cut the Box to Account for Cards Plus Taller Dividers

It’s time to cut the box. First, measure and mark the box for where you want to cut off the excess. I make my box height 5 inches. Mark 5 inches all the way around and then cut. A scissor can work here but it can be challenging (and give you carpel tunnel). This is where I find an exacto knife or box cutter works great.

Cut the Scraps to Create Dividers for Rows

The scraps you have become your row dividers. First, cut off the ends. Then cut the long sides in half. You should have about 4 1/4 inches of extra so half will be 2 1/8 inches. Try to measure it from the manufactured cut side rather than the side you cut as it will most likely be uneven. This cut is easy enough to make with the scissors and it probably more dangerous with the box cutter.

Insert the Row Dividers into the Box

To get the dividers into the box you might need to take a little bit off then ends. You want it to be snug, but you don’t want it to bow. I just keep taking a little off and trying it as I go along. Once you have them cut, go ahead and tape them in. I usually tape the dividers up to try to make them smooth so I don’t damage my cards, but its probably unnecessary. You really just need to tape them in. When they get a bit old this is the part that gives way first but mine have lasted me a pretty long time so far. It can be tricky getting them in because there isn’t much space to move around.

Create Your Own Dividers

I also create my own dividers to split up each year, brand and set of cards. This is a simple MS Word template I developed. I cut the boxes high enough that these stick up a bit. That shows all the information on the divider. I usually have enough for four lines of information about the cards.

Organize and Store Your Cards

The last step is loading them up. I find they work great to stack on shelves. While I’ve piled them four high before, I didn’t like it. It works best with two or maybe three high and I’m still trying to find a good shelving solution to fit the most boxes I can fit. I might have to plan for my own shelves.

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