Thoughts on reusable cards

Discussion in 'Referee' started by ejschwartz, Oct 8, 2024.

  1. ejschwartz

    ejschwartz Member

    Manchester United
    United States
    Oct 17, 2021
    I've been trying out various reusable cards again this high school season. The two types I have been using are:
    I really like the layout of both cards. The major difference of the refsneedlovetoo cards is that they are not the same on the front and back; the back side has a notes area and an area to record substitutions. Since I don't record substitutions in any of the matches that I do, this is just a waste of space. The writeoncards that I bought are the same on the front and back, which makes more sense for me personally.

    The materials of the cards are very different. The refsneedlovetoo cards are a fairly traditional lamination, though it is high quality and looks pretty nice. It works best with a permanent marker. In a pinch, you can use a pencil, but you need to press pretty hard and it does not retain as well.

    The writeoncards are not laminated, and instead are a very nice plastic that is similar to a yellow/red card material. I find it works better with pencil than marker. However, pencil does fade from it with abrasion. They recommend placing it in your pocket so the writing is away from your body. I have found that if you write hard, it stays legible for about a game.

    Therein lies the dilemma. If it is not wet, the permanent marker works best. As long as it makes a mark, the mark will stay on the card. Even if it gets wet later, the mark will be there. But if the card or marker tip gets wet, whether from precipitation or sweat, the marker will not make a mark at all. This is unfortunately true of all permanent markers I have tried, including "pro" markers that are supposed to work better in wet conditions. A pencil will always mark, but tends to smudge and fade away.

    What have your experiences been using reusable game cards?
     
  2. ManiacalClown

    ManiacalClown Member+

    Jun 27, 2003
    South Jersey
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I order from Write On Cards, but I don't actually write on my yellow/red cards. I slide their blank white game card into my backup card wallet and write with a pencil. The wallet keeps the writing safe from sweat.
     
    ejschwartz repped this.
  3. soccerref69420

    soccerref69420 Member+

    President of the Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz fan cub
    Mar 14, 2020
    Nat'l Team:
    Korea DPR
    I semi created my own write-on card. Made a template and laminated it with a thin piece of cardboard between it for stiffness. I think it’s like 4x6 and I use a regular sharpie to write on it. I like it because I don’t have to carry around a wallet, and I don’t really want to use the card with pencils and pens because it can dig into the card and be unable to get out.

    This is what the front and back look like, it’s a little different now but these are the only photos I have on my phone of the general look of them

    upload_2024-10-8_9-19-58.jpeg
    upload_2024-10-8_9-22-13.jpeg
     
  4. ejschwartz

    ejschwartz Member

    Manchester United
    United States
    Oct 17, 2021
    I have been keeping them in my front shirt pocket without a wallet. I'll give the wallet a try to see if it protects them a bit better.
     
  5. dehoff03

    dehoff03 Member

    Apr 22, 2016
    I have the older version of the write-ons with the matte finish and I like those the best with an ultra fine retractable Sharpie. As long as I have the writing facing away from my body I haven't had any issues with them. I've had to get creative to find a spot (inside of shorts pocket) to dry the card so I could write on it, but also have been able to write on them with a Sharpie.
    I have the refsneedlovetoo cards and don't care for them as much without the outlined cell borders that the write-ons have along and the unnecessary sub area for the games I have.
     
    DaveRef repped this.
  6. the_phoenix612

    Manchester United
    United States
    Sep 13, 2022
    Houston, TX
    I run a set of personalized cards (with my name and my state referee organization logo or the high school referee organization logo) from here: https://www.refshopworld.com/personalized-items

    And I put one of these stickers on each card: https://refstore.co.uk/products/refstore-card-skins

    I write with a retractable ultra fine Sharpie and it erases with an alcohol swab or spray sunscreen. The only issue I run into is occasionally if it's raining the Sharpie has issues writing so I bring two Sharpies out with me and alternate them.
     

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