A Difference You Can See Through: Peeking 2013 Elite Football’s Laser-Cut “Portraits”
Are you ready to see the likes of Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers and Adrian Peterson in a whole new light? Or through a whole new light? If so, then Panini America’s 2013 Elite Football, due out everywhere next Wednesday, has a nifty new insert set for you. After a few solid months of research and development, the intricately laser-cut Portraits insert is ready to present 20 of your favorite NFL stars as you’ve never seen them.
The concept picks up where last year’s Elite Prime Numbers insert left off (and in case you’ve forgotten about that gem, here’s a sweet production-line video to refresh your memory), with a computer-programmed laser burning surgically precise patterns into each card to create a hole-filled spitting image of the featured player. Base Portraits cards will fall once every other box or so; Gold versions are much tougher.
If you thought last year’s Prime Numbers cards were cool (and I certainly did), you’ll find the upcoming Portraits to be nothing less than Louvre-worthy, laser-burned works of art. Immediately below, we offer a complete gallery of every card in the Portraits set, an insert that Panini America Prepress folks Tom Baker and Stephen Knight worked extensively with outside vendors on to perfect.
The gallery includes a few pics of the cards in normal light, and quite a few more atop a light table to show detail. We’ve also provided images comparing some early rejected versions of the technology compared to their finished products. After the gallery, stick around for a quick six-second video preview.
Enjoy the preview and stay tuned to The Knight’s Lance on Monday for a comprehensive Quality Control Gallery showcasing 2013 Elite Football.
Now, to the video:
Trackbacks
- 2013 Elite "Portraits" - pretty cool imo!! - Blowout Cards Forums
- The Panini America Quality Control Gallery: 2013 Elite Football (Must-See Preview) | The Official Panini America Blog
- Panini America Presents 2013 Elite Football in an Unwrapped Scavenger Hunt Special | The Official Panini America Blog
The Knight's Lance 
So similar to the Silhouettes in the late 90’s for Donruss Hockey? I collected those as a kid and was a big fan … never understood why discontinued that subset. These look to be of better quality. It would be pretty cool to have this displayed in your ‘man-cave’.
Looks amazing, guys! Well done! I’m just getting back into collecting, so bare with me. Isn’t this what was once Donruss Elite? I lovvved Donruss Elite! If I seem naive about the products….well, I am. 🙂 Have a great day!
You got it!
Thank You. I knew I remembered that logo.
Yes they were bought out by Panini of Italy which they named this venture Panini America..so like most Americana..baseball cards has gone foreign to
I see. Thank You, for the information.
I like these even better than the old pacific ones
Holy moley! Wholely impressive gallery, THack. One might even call it The holy Grail of “holey” card tech.
In all sincerity, that’s pushing the envelope (and…perforating it).
Beautiful stuff.
I like them!
Will Elite come out for retail?
So are there actual holes in these cards to make the images? Shouldn’t there be a mirror opposite on the back side? At any rate, looks very cool Tracy!
Yes, there are laser-cut holes.
These are cool. On an unrelated note, why doesn’t anyone do old school hologram inserts anymore? Are they too expensive or do they think the fans won’t like them? Holograms are great when done right.
NICE? yes… cool card yes… innovative? NO… it’s been done…. in the early and mid 90’s. Recycled concept… but still nice
I love this concept!
Wow these are really cool. Want that Eli one!
I’ll definitely be in the market for one of those Luck cards, very cool design. Thanks Tracy!
Hi Tracy, off topic here, but can you confirm if Dan Herron, Derek Wolfe, Dre Kirkpatrick, Jorvorskie Lane, Justin Tucker, Michael Brockers, Michael Smith, Miles Burris, Rod Streater and Tommy Streeter all actually were released in National Treasures or not? They are on the checklist and I have seen none pop up on ebay or any box break I have seen of this product. I am assuming they were a late removal? Thanks!
Not a fan of this!! Seems like P. Diddy stuff to me
This is quite possibly the coolest thing I’ve ever seen! Congrats to Panini for the innovation!