How to Make Playing Cards
Creating your own deck of playing cards is an exciting and rewarding experience. Whether you’re designing a custom deck for a card game, creating oracle or affirmation cards, or making educational flashcards, this guide will walk you through the entire process. We’ll cover everything from choosing the right size to setting up your design file correctly. Let’s get started!
Why Make Your Own Playing Cards?
There are many reasons to make playing cards, whether for fun, business, or creativity. Custom decks are great for:
- Card game creators looking to prototype or sell their game.
- Coaches and educators who need personalised coaching or educational flashcards.
- Artists and designers wanting to create unique tarot or oracle cards.
- Businesses looking for promotional playing cards.
- Gifts and personal use, such as family photo playing cards.
Now, let’s start into the step-by-step process to create your own playing cards.
Step 1: Choose the Right Card Size
Before designing, it’s crucial to decide on the card size. Here at Spingold, we offer a variety of sizes to make playing cards:
- Poker Size 63.5mm x 88.8mm (2.5″ x 3.5″) – Standard playing card size.
- Bridge Size 57mm x 88.8mm (2.25″ x 3.5″) – Slightly narrower, great for trick cards.
- Flash Size (A6) – 105mm x 148.5mm (4.1″ x 5.8″) – Ideal for educational flashcards.
- Education Size 89mm x 146mm (3.5″ x 5.75″) – Larger for easy reading and handling.
- Tarot Size 70mm x 120mm (2.75″ x 4.72″) – Perfect for tarot and oracle decks.
- Trump Size 62mm x 100mm (2.44″ x 3.93″) – Popular for collectible card games.
- Jumbo Size (A5) – 148.5mm x 210mm (5.8″ x 8.26″) – Large playing cards, excellent for events or educational purposes.
- Jumbo Size (A4) – 148.5mm x 210mm (5.8″ x 8.26″) – Large playing cards, excellent for events or educational purposes.
- Double Poker Size 89mm x 127mm (3.5″ x 5.0″) – Larger than standard poker cards for unique designs.
Need a more bespoke format?
Step 2: Set Up Your Design File (Templates & Bleed)
To ensure your cards print perfectly, you need to set up your file correctly.
Use Our Free Templates
We offer free templates for every card size, which you can import into design software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, GIMP, or Canva. These templates include safe zones, cut lines, and bleed areas.
Understanding Bleed
- Trim line – The final cut line of your card.
- Bleed area – Extends beyond the trim line (3mm) to avoid unwanted white edges.
- Safe zone – Keep important text and elements inside this area to ensure they’re not cut off.
You can download the templates from our product pages – see links in Step 1.
Step 3: Design the Front and Back
Designing the Front
Your design should be engaging and clear. If you are making oracle or affirmation cards, consider using readable fonts and inspiring imagery. For game cards, ensure the icons and text are distinct.
Don’t Forget the Card Back!
Many first-time designers forget to design the back of their cards! Whether you want a simple colour, a pattern, or a custom logo, make sure to create a separate design file for the card back.
Step 4: Export Your File Correctly
Once your design is ready, export your file in 300 DPI resolution in CMYK colour mode (not RGB) for accurate colours. Save your design as a PDF, PNG, or JPG following our template guidelines.
Step 5: Upload and Print
Once your designs are ready, email them to us or use WeTransfer for larger file sizes.
We use our standard high-quality card stock. 320gsm professional playing card grade Stock
Request a free sample pack here – to see and feel the quality of our cards.
Creative Ideas for Custom Playing Cards
Need inspiration? Here are some ideas:
- Personalised Family Decks – Use photos of family members for a unique twist.
- Affirmation Cards – Include daily positive messages.
- Coaching Cards – Help clients reflect and engage in self-improvement.
- Learning Flashcards – Perfect for kids and language learners.
- Tarot & Oracle Decks – Create beautiful divination decks.
- Board Game Expansions – Design your own game cards.
- Corporate Branded Decks – Great for marketing and gifts.
Evaluate Your Design Before Printing
Before submitting your order, ask yourself:
- Are the text and images within the safe zone?
- Have I included bleed margins?
- Are the colours in CMYK mode?
- Is the back of the card designed?
Double-checking these points will ensure a perfect print every time!
Start Making Your Playing Cards Today!
Now that you know how to make playing cards, it’s time to bring your ideas to life! Browse our Playing Cards available sizes, download a template, and start designing today.
Ready to print? Visit our website and get started!
Get creative and design your perfect deck now!
If you have any more questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
