Since releasing its first flagship baseball set in 1952, Topps has become known for creating some of the most important and recognizable designs in the sports card hobby.
And since the turn of the century, Topps has delivered designs featuring everything from graphics fit for a television broadcast to quirky colors and oddball borders.
Here are cllct's rankings of the best Topps Series 1 base card designs over the last 25 years.
1. 2008
For many modern collectors, the design for 2008 Topps is one of the greatest ever, regardless of manufacturer.
A clean white border is always nice, but it’s the color-matched team names at the card’s top that put this design above so many others. The design translated extremely well to football and basketball, too, and is featured on ultra-popular cards for both Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.
2. 2018
The 2018 cycle of baseball cards is best known for a stacked rookie class that includes Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Juan Soto, but the Series 1 design is also one of the best since this century.
The design work at the bottom looks fit for a TV broadcast, while still giving so much room for the photography to shine. It doesn’t hurt that the design is truly stunning when used in Topps Chrome.
3. 2022
Sometimes creating something simple in an era when every manufacturer is fighting to deliver the most cutting-edge technology can be a major positive. That’s what Topps did in 2022. These cards feature a basic border with a lower third that is a great combination of simplicity and flair.
4. 2019
Like so many of the top designs from Topps over the last two decades, 2019 Topps Series 1 features a crisp layout that lets the photography stand out, while still letting the creative team flex its chops with some subtle elements.
The design for 2025 seems to be heavily-influenced from this set, though 2019 might be just a bit better.
5. 2024
Manufacturers often get themselves into trouble when cards are overdesigned, but 2024 took risks in what ended up being the right places.
Adding a black gradient to the top of the design wasn’t incredibly popular among collectors hoping to grade these cards, but for many collectors, the gradient pairs beautifully with a neon border around the photograph and team name. When applied to chromium cards, the 2024 design is among the best Topps has ever done.
6. 2017
Similar to the design a year later, 2017 delivered a lower third that seemed to almost fit better on a TV broadcast than on a trading card.
For this design, you can almost feel the graphic at the bottom snapping into place after sliding in from the left and right, and Topps deserves credit for pulling it off.
7. 2005
The design for 2005 can appear a little too busy in places, but overall it packs some solid elements into a small space.
The player name at the top pairs well with a full team logo at the bottom to create one of the best designs from the early 2000s — though it’s fair to admit the competition during that period wasn’t exactly strong.
8. 2023
After an extremely simple design in 2022, Topps followed with one of its most complicated layouts this century.
The bottom third of the card is a little chaotic at first glance, but the creative team did well to pack a ton of information into a small space. The player headshots are a fantastic addition that really put this design over the top.
9. 2025
Following the design from 2024 was always going to be challenging, but Topps managed to put together another strong layout.
A bending border element along the edge of the card is a nice feature, though team names can be a little tough to read. A clear team logo with a drop shadow in the corner is a nice touch.
10. 2020
For the most part, Topps has delivered strong design after strong design from around 2015 through 2025, and 2020 is a standout set.
Instead of another layout with key information dropped at the bottom, Topps attached the element to the side of the card vertically. That area can seem a bit big as it runs the length of the card, but it’s always good to see design teams take risks, and this is one that worked out.
11. 2007
Traditionally, cards with dark borders don’t perform exceptionally well with collectors or third-party grading services. At best, they stand out against cards with white borders. At worst, they show off all the chipping and edge damage no one wants to see.
The design for 2007 split the gap here by using a black border that will certainly show plenty of surface damage, but is at least a neutral color.
12. 2013
The 2013 rookie class wasn’t exactly stacked for collectors, so it often gets lost when hobbyists think back to their favorites.
The reality, however, is the 2013 design is clean enough to work for every team and player, but not quite too simple to be completely forgettable.
13. 2015
For many collectors, complicated design elements along the border aren’t incredibly popular, though the design for 2015 kind of pulls it off.
The bottom border might be a little too busy for some collectors, but it does give off a modern feel without feeling too gimmicky.
14. 2010
Even if some designs aren’t truly exceptional, it’s worth giving credit when a card stands out from the rest — that’s the case with 2010 Series 1.
It’s hard to say the border elements are great, but the team logos in the corner pop when compared to other cards.
15. 2004
The early 2000s weren’t a strong period for Series 1 designs, and 2004 is about as simple as it can get without being too bland.
Team names are clear at the top and some color-matching around the border is a nice touch.
16. 2014
Overall, the design for 2014 is solid — it’s simple but adds a twist with curved edges around two of the photograph’s borders.
The layout is clean enough to function well, though it’s hard to see cards that lack an outstanding action shot standing out among the others above it.
17. 2016
Of the cards that attempt to pull off a TV broadcast design, 2016 might be the weakest. This isn’t to say the design is bad, it just doesn’t really pop when compared to other sets from the era.
It does appear to have influenced other cards after it, however, and that’s certainly worth something.
18. 2006
The design for 2006 Topps Series 1 is fine, though it’s a bit boring. A team name inside of a black box is functional though not inspiring.
Repeating the design element at the bottom for the player and position also feels rushed and bland.
19. 2021
Topps has been willing to take some risks throughout the years with the base design for Series 1, and 2021 feels like one of the few misses.
The futuristic spirit of the design is felt, though it can feel a little too busy depending on the photograph.
20. 2012
The design functions well in that it lets strong photography stand out, but its other core uses don’t work well enough.
The team color-matches are a nice touch, though some of the text can be difficult to read, and that pulls the overall layout down.
21. 2001
It’s difficult to knock a design when it’s so often associated with rookie cards for stars such as Ichiro Suzuki and Albert Pujols. Outside of that, however, 2001 Topps mostly comes up short.
From a layout standpoint, the design is fine, but it’s difficult to get around a dark green border. In addition to showing damage easily, dark green simply doesn’t look great when paired with the majority of team colors.
22. 2011
Simply put, the design for 2011 is just a bit boring and too generic. Matching team colors on the lower-third element is nice, but it doesn’t really stand out much compared to other sets.
Topps has gotten plenty creative over the years, but 2011 seems like a miss.
23. 2002
Topps utilized a number of dark borders during the early 2000s, and they just didn’t work. The dark blue from 2003 wasn’t a winner, and the goldish-brown border from 2002 wasn’t either.
There’s a reason so many card designs feature neutral colors along the edges, and it’s because they're extremely effective.
24. 2003
Starting with a dark border is already an uphill battle, but a deep blue just doesn’t work with so many franchises.
For teams with blue in their uniform, 2003 Topps pops well as a wonderful color-match. For every other team, it clashes and looks off.
25. 2009
Some designs are a little boring, and others just don’t seem super crisp and clean. The layout for 2009 was a mix of both.
The border is just too simple to stand out and the team logos in the corner aren’t eye-catching either.
Ben Burrows is a reporter and editor for cllct.