Hoping for help with cards and blisters.

David_Smail Sunday, 10/18/2026

Hi everyone!

I'm a brand-new newbie here, and this is my first post! I only recently discovered this forum, and I'm hoping it'll help me learn from people who have already put in years of research and experience. There's an overwhelming amount of information out there, and I'd love to learn from folks who really know their stuff.

I'm recently retired and have gotten into restoring and collecting vintage Hot Wheels Redlines as a hobby. I'm really enjoying it, and I'm hoping to take things a step further by reproducing some of the original packaging for my restored cars.

I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to this stuff. I'd love to get the details as close to the originals as possible, including the correct card artwork, dimensions, blister shapes, and those little details that make the early Hong Kong packaging distinctive. The more accurate, the better!

I came across an older discussion here about Smitty (model40fan) sharing custom blister-card templates. I was wondering if anyone knows whether those files are still available, or if Smitty is still around and can be contacted.

I'd much rather start with work that an experienced collector has already put into getting right than try to reinvent the wheel.

If anyone has suggestions, knows where these files might be available, or can point me toward someone who specializes in accurate Redline packaging reproductions, I'd really appreciate the help.

Thanks for welcoming a newcomer, and thanks in advance for any guidance!

Also, if I've inadvertently stepped on any toes or violated any forum etiquette, please let me know. I'm brand new here and still learning the ropes, so I certainly don't want to do anything the wrong way. I appreciate your patience with a newcomer!


Discussion

I do not have any answers for your question but wanted to say......WELCOME TO REDLINEDERBY!

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Route355Racing 10/19/26

Welcome aboard! Good luck in the races!

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dr_dodge 10/19/26

welcome to redline

I'd go to a show that has stuff in oem packaging and take pictures
photo a ruler next to it for sizing

good luck!

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redlinederby 10/19/26
Site manager

Welcome to RLD! Hope you can find some useful stuff...there's a lot to browse through!

I got one of those from Smitty many years ago and it is wonderfully DIY (classic Smitty). I don't have a template or any files but honestly, he just got some light card stock neon paper, printed on it, cut it out, and then glued that on to cereal box cardboard. Then glued the blister on by hand.

The plastic blisters you can find by searching - lots of outlets for those it seems; eBay, Etsy, Amazon, etc...depends on size/shape/style you want.

So honestly, you could make this with Word or a Google Doc...just depends what size you want. The one I got is about a 4" x 4" square (short card).

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David_Smail 10/23/26

All right gentlemen thank you for your help and your replies I do intend to get into some racing as I finally have some time to relive a bit of my youth I look forward to looking things up and researching on here This looks like it may be a fun place for that kind of stuff. Thanks for being kind

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