In the world of sports cards, creativity is the ultimate parallel. The Best Custom Card Artist category celebrates the designers, illustrators, and visionaries redefining what a trading card can be. These artists aren’t just crafting collectibles — they’re shaping culture, blending nostalgia, innovation, and storytelling into tangible works of art that push the boundaries of the hobby.
The nominees for Best Custom Card Artist represent a new generation of craftsmanship — where digital meets analog, and passion meets precision.
Nominees
Andy Friedman
An accomplished illustrator and fine artist, Andy Friedman has crossed into the custom card world with a painterly approach. His cards feel like gallery pieces shrunken to trading card scale, merging Americana and sports nostalgia. He has released over 600 cards through four complete 100-card sets of baseball card paintings with Topps. The trailblazing collaboration has introduced the first complete set of hand-painted, pack-pulled, checklisted, 1/1 OG art cards in the company’s history.
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Card Carver
Specializing in hand-cut pieces, Card Carver transforms cardboard into layered works of art. His intricate craftsmanship pushes the limits of what a trading card can physically be, turning each piece into a collectible sculpture.
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Kev’s Kards
Kev’s Kards blends nostalgia with modern flair, often reimagining iconic rookie cards and sets with fresh twists. His customs are highly sought-after for their clean aesthetic and limited-run drops that speak to both vintage purists and modern hobbyists.
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Kickstradomis
Best known for customizing sneakers for NBA stars, Kickstradomis brought that same energy into trading cards. His cards carry a distinct urban-art style, merging graffiti, hip-hop, and basketball culture into instantly recognizable designs.
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Luke the Cardist
Luke’s work is rooted in detail and storytelling, often building entire narratives around the players he features. His custom cards mix hand-drawn elements with digital design, giving collectors a unique blend of artistry and lore in every piece. He has designed custom inserts for multiple Topps products and has his art featured in Upper Deck’s Hockey flagship product.
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Mr.Shadowbox
Mr.Shadowbox transforms original TCG cards into immersive 3D art, giving depth and dimension to the pieces collectors cherish most. Each handcrafted shadowbox is built from the original card itself – no reprints, no shortcuts – preserving authenticity while reimagining presentation.
With years of experience behind every cut, layer, and frame, his work bridges craftsmanship and preservation, turning collectibles into sculptural storytelling. As the official European partner of SlabMags, Mr.Shadowbox has become a trusted name in protecting and showcasing high-end cards, elevating the hobby from display to display-worthy art.
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Spector Art
Artist Jordan Spector thrives at the intersection of abstract and athletic, using vibrant color palettes and bold styles to amplify player personas. Each Immortals card is a one-of-a-kind visual burst that captures the energy of the game in a way stats never could.
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Tyson Beck
Arguably the most famous custom sports card designer in the world, Tyson Beck has worked directly with the NBA, MLB, Topps, and Panini. His futuristic designs have redefined the look of modern sports cards, influencing both official releases with brands and athletes.
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These artists represent the creative soul of the hobby — those who see cardboard not as a limit, but as a canvas. Their work reminds us that collecting isn’t just about owning history — it’s about reimagining it.
Voting for Best Custom Card Artist is now open.
All registered Mantel users who vote will automatically be entered to win a limited /50 Ghostwrite Hobby Awards Trophy. More information here.
To see all categories, nominees and vote, visit TheHobbyAwards.com.
