← Glossary

Card types & finishes

Super short print (SSP)

Also called: SSP, super short prints

A super short print, or SSP, is an even rarer short print, among the scarcest cards pulled from a product. SSPs are frequently photo variations and are a top chase in many sets.

An SSP sits a step above a regular short print in rarity. Many are special photo variations, such as a player celebrating or in an alternate jersey, printed in tiny numbers and seeded at long odds.

Because they usually are not serial numbered, collectors rely on shared research and population data to understand how rare a given SSP really is.

Why it matters: SSPs are often the headline chase of a release, and a well-known SSP variation of a popular player can be one of the most valuable non-autograph cards in the whole product.

This glossary is a plain-language reference for collectors, not financial or purchasing advice. Card values move, so always check recent sales before you buy or sell.

Related terms

Short print (SP)A short print, or SP, is a card printed in deliberately smaller quantities than the rest of the set, making it harder to pull. Super short prints (SSP) are rarer still.VariationA variation is a card that shares a base card's number but uses a different photo or design element, usually printed as a short print. Variations are a common way sets hide a chase.Case hitA case hit is a card so rare it averages about one per sealed case of boxes. Case hits are among the biggest pulls in a product.Chase cardA chase card is a card collectors specifically pursue within a set or for a player. The single card you want most of all is often called your grail.