I’ve been designing my own tarot deck for months now and I’m ready to get it printed, but I’m running into a problem. Every print service I find wants me to order at least 100 decks.
I just want one deck for myself to use. The few places that do single decks are charging insane prices (over $150!), or they’ll only let me customize the card backs, not the face designs.
Has anyone here successfully printed their own custom deck without spending a fortune or ending up with boxes of extras? Would appreciate any tips or printing places you know about.
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I designed and printed my own tarot deck last month during that Venus-Neptune thing. Spent way too many hours on it honestly. The cards do feel different when I use them now though… and I did have a lot of fun with it.
Maybe it’s just because I made them myself, but readings seem more personal. I notice it especially during Mercury retrograde, the interpretations come easier somehow. Could be that the energy from when I created them stuck around, or maybe I’m just imagining it.
I was talking to a friend who printed her oracle deck last week.
She said that WJPC and ACELION can handle the design work if you send them your artwork, which saved her a lot of time compared to using MPC. There, you have to use their online design tool. Since you already have your designs ready, it might be something to look into.
Make Playing Cards does single deck printing. Finally got my moon phase tarot made without having to order 100 decks like most places require.
Your friend might really enjoy creating their own tarot deck. It’s a unique way to deepen their practice.
For printing, they could check out MPC, WJPC, or ACELION tarot cards. MPC usually has an online platform for design, while WJPC and ACELION offer more personalized printing services and can assist with the design process. This could be great if your friend prefers to focus on the intuitive side rather than the technical design work.
The best tarot deck is the one that really connects with the reader, whether it’s store-bought or custom-made. The cards are just tools to help us tap into our own insights.
Check with the print shops near universities - they do small batches for art students all the time so they’re used to that kind of thing.
What about the rule of them needing to be gifted if you’d like to design your own?
The secret to getting ahead is getting started.
If you want to make a special deck, check out some local independent bookbinders or artisan printers. Many traditional craftspeople enjoy unique projects and might be interested in collaborating on a single deck. Their personal touch could really boost your deck’s feel.
I used ivory.co.uk because I wanted eco-friendly card printing. The print quality was better than I expected honestly.
The finish on the cards is smooth and they shuffle well. What got my attention was their sustainability focus. They might still have minimums like most printers, but I’ve found UK companies are sometimes more flexible with smaller orders than American ones. Might be worth checking out if you’re interested.
Have you checked out Etsy? There are tons of artists on there who do custom tarot decks. You could probably find someone who specializes in deck design and commission them to bring your ideas to life.
Local print shops have been my go-to for custom work. Smaller places tend to care more about individual projects. Some shops let you come in and work directly with them on your design. Makes a difference when you can explain what you’re looking for face to face. Plus, no dealing with minimum orders like at the chain stores.
Learn from my experience: order a test deck on regular paper first before you shell out for premium cardstock.
Just found a print service that has an online card maker. You can drag and drop your designs on the fronts and backs. The best part is they don’t make you order 100 decks minimum - you can get whatever number you need.
hey before you spend money on printing, maybe try making them yourself first? I saw this video where someone printed on cardstock and laminated each card
Came out pretty good actually. might be worth testing out, especially if you’re just using them for yourself
Yeah print shops usually use thinner playing card stock unless you specify. The thicker cards hold up better against cats and shuffle nicer. Learned that after my first deck got destroyed.
Thats a smart start. Before investing in professional printing, try making a prototype with some cardstock from an office store. Its a great way to see your designs in person. Just print on heavy paper and cut them out. Youll be able to notice if any images need color adjustments or size changes. This practice can save you money and some frustration.
look for printing companies that have ‘tarot cards’ as its own category instead of just ‘playing cards.’ they usually get that artists want smaller test runs before committing to a big order.
