RipTAG Patches VS. Trading Cards
Growing up, the grocery store checkout line was my favorite because I would always try to sneak a pack of trading-cards onto that black conveyor belt of hope. Would Mom notice? She wouldn't always let me get away with it, but when she did... JACKPOT!
The promise and anticipation of a pack of trading cards still gets me going. I collected baseball, football, but loved movie cards. I have some original Star Wars, Superman and even BattleStar Galactica. They were shiny, new, smelled good and told a story about my eight-year-old self. Superman was cool, but Star Wars was AWESOME!
This box is all that's left of my childhood trading card collection. It is 2021 and doing some quick math says that some of these cards are over 40 years old. That's old... I'm old. Ugh. Back to the blog...
Patches are NOT Trading Cards
I get that trading cards are not patches, and patches are not trading cards. A traditional trading card is a photo-quality, paper-based article. Trading cards are designed to be collected. Conversely, a patch is a generic, fabric-based article. Patches are designed to be worn.
What if we could meet in the middle? What if we could take best qualities of trading cards and patches and make something new? Meet the RipTAG™ patch.
RipTAG™ Patches are Wearable Trading Cards
RipTAGs™ are ripINVENTed™ patches that are designed to be worn AND to be collected. We have combined the best features of traditional patch design with the collectible experience of trading cards. RipTAG™ patches are a new medium for design, expression and collections.
Different Detail
Like a trading card, a RipTAG™ patch has identification and collection information permanently printed on the back of the design. Our system for identification and collection is "patent pending". You will notice that the space on the back of a RipTAG™ patch is limited and will not compare to the detail offered on the back of a trading card. 
Different Mystery
Another difference is the mystery. RipTAG™ patches are inherently more expensive to manufacture than paper trading cards. We cannot offer RipTAG™ patches in bulk foil packages or boxes. There are no 1 and 1000 chances of a rare RipTAG™ patch design.
Instead and differently, RipTAG™ patches are sold individually and transparently. There is no question what you are buying, but there is mystery in the form of our NTE system.
NTE means "Not-to-Exceed" and every RipTAG™ patch will transparently tell you how many of a RipTAG™ patches could exist. But it could be less. For specifics about collecting RipTAG™ patches and out NTE methodology and system, please read this blog entry: RipTAG Patches Are Collectable!
Different Durability
An obvious positive between trading cards and RipTAG™ patches is paper vs. fabric. This is important when considering durability and the ability to share your collectible with your peers.
Our fabric RipTAG™ patches are durable and water resistant. They won't wear out, fade or fray like a trading card. You won't need white gloves and you don't have to purchase plastic sleeves to protect your RipTAG™ patch. RipTAG™ patches are made to be proudly shared and worn on your RipHEAD™ cap, RipFISH™ backpack or RipBOARD™ display.
BETTER RipTAG™ Patch Collections
Trading cards are really hard to collect. There are too many companies, options, experts and channels. Trading card value and pricing is super complicated and there is no single version of the truth. To the trading card collector purists, I'm sorry but there has to be a better way.
Meet the Rip.FISH.Market where you won't need a PHD to collect, buy, trade and sell RipTAG™ patches. Our simple and intuitive marketplace will combine the best features from your favorite social media platforms with a stock-market-like buying, selling and trading experience for RipTAG™ patches.
Even better, the Rip.FISH.Market will include artists, designers, brands, companies, athletes, influencers, gamers and individuals alike... all who can design and offer their own RipTAG™ patch designs, or an entire collection of RipTAG™ patches.
You can discover, design and deal your own RipTAG™ patch by publishing it to the community. Much, MUCH more to come and we'll need your help to support this vision. Look for a detailed Rip.FISH.Market blog post soon.
Wear and Display
What do you do with a trading card when your not actively showing it off to a friend? Probably, lock it away in a desk drawer or plastic box like mine above.
In contrast, RipTAGs™ are designed to be worn and displayed. When you aren't wearing your collectible RipTAG™ patch, stick it to one of our RipBOARD™ displays that hangs in your man-cave garage, or your office.
Conclusion: RipTAG™ Wins!
In the Trading Cards vs. RipTAG™ patches battle we declare RipTAG™ patches the winner! We have invented a new medium for expression and collecting with our RipTAG™ patches. We are building a collectors marketplace where anyone can discover, design and deal their own creations!
Help ripINVENT™ patches and build this new collectors platform.
We're launching on Kickstarter soon and will offer our FIRST collectible RipTAG™! Please sign up on our mailing list (bottom of page) to be the FIRST to know, AND to be eligible for some sweet pre-campaign (early bird) promotions!