this post was submitted on 28 Aug 2023
80 points (97.6% liked)

Asklemmy

43945 readers
638 users here now

A loosely moderated place to ask open-ended questions

Search asklemmy ๐Ÿ”

If your post meets the following criteria, it's welcome here!

  1. Open-ended question
  2. Not offensive: at this point, we do not have the bandwidth to moderate overtly political discussions. Assume best intent and be excellent to each other.
  3. Not regarding using or support for Lemmy: context, see the list of support communities and tools for finding communities below
  4. Not ad nauseam inducing: please make sure it is a question that would be new to most members
  5. An actual topic of discussion

Looking for support?

Looking for a community?

~Icon~ ~by~ ~@Double_A@discuss.tchncs.de~

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Hello fellow lemmings! I'm designing a customized deck of cards as a present for a friend of mine. When finished, I'd like to print it by myself, because online print services would cost way too much for a single deck of cards. I'd like the cards to be robust and durable, and to be easy to shuffle. Is there a particular type of paper that you recommend? Or something to apply afterward? I'm thinking of plasticizing the cards after the print process, but I don't know how well it would come out. Any idea is welcome!

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[โ€“] LastYearsPumpkin@feddit.ch 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The problem with printing on cardstock and cutting them yourself, is the minor differences in the cards will cause the cards to be "marked" and people will be able to tell which card is which by feel.

I've found that it's better to print the cards then put them into card sleeves (like people use for magic the gathering, or pokemon, or other trading card games) because the minor imperfections will be hidden by the protective sleeves. You can even get ones with opaque backs to make it so printing changes won't impact the card shuffling (but it will make them a little less interesting). But you can find ones with designs on the back too if you want.

https://www.thegamer.com/best-tcg-card-sleeves/

[โ€“] LastYearsPumpkin@feddit.ch 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Found this other option for making your own playing cards on BGG, but again, any variation is going to be obvious, so I'd still put them into card sleeves to even out any differences.

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/631400/my-overkill-card-making-technique

The general consensus on BGG is to use linen cover stock, which is halfway between regular copy paper and card stock thickness. Then print front and back on two different papers and spray adhesive them together before cutting them out.