Card Game Design: 4 Playing Card Design Ideas

 

Playing cards is a household entertainment tool that almost everyone has come across at one time or another. However, what you may not know is that behind make playing cards is actually a pretty amazing project with a lot of room for creativity and experience.

 

That's because, a deck of playing cards offers more than 50 design canvases to do that! For brands, they offer the opportunity to exchange insights in a fun way. And for individual projects, they allow themes or ideas to be explored in a unique but sometimes challenging format.

 

So, do you want to make your own playing cards? Here are 4 tips for creating beautiful custom playing card designs:

1. Persistence is victory

2. Capture any inspiration

3. Keep some criteria

4. Flexible use of software

 

 

Persistence Is Victory

 

To design over 50 blank art boards one after the other is a frightening thing for any designer! While it is certainly a daunting task, things are not as complicated as you might think, as not every card has to be completely unique to produce a good deck of cards.

 

Generally the backs of playing cards are the same throughout the set and even the faces can be in the same basic structure. It is therefore perfectly possible to take shortcuts: re-use certain elements and then, for a few details, tweak them to get a unique design.

 

You can try starting your card in the following order (from easy to difficult):

• Your theme and color palette
• The backs of your cards
• Your Ace of Spades
• Your Jokers
• The faces of your cards
• Your packaging box

 

Plus, a challenge is certainly a good one, but using a style that you are good at and feel comfortable with, will allow you to design more quickly and confidently.

 

 

Capture Any Inspiration

 

Once you start exploring the world of playing card design, you quickly realize that it is an incredible visual medium.

There is so much scope for creative expression that you can take inspiration from anywhere: some people start with daily habits, others are inspired by nature, and more take on larger fantasies in legends.

 

Many people have a stereotype of what a playing card should look like. When you subvert these impressions with impact design, it will surprise and delight people!

Also, don't forget your Jokers, card backs and card box! The backs and box are perfect for fun and flashy graphics, and Jokers are a great place to inject a little humour.

 

 

Keep Some Criteria

 

While you are free to design and customize playing cards, there are some standards that you need to adhere to - after all, you will want other people to be able to use them without problems.

 

It is good to get rid of the red and black colors in the standard set, but please at least make sure that all the numbers are clear and consistent and retain the hearts, diamonds, clubs and spades that one would expect to see.

 

Sticking to the convention of placing letters, numbers and suits in the corners is the easiest way to read and is what poker players are used to. This is because players usually hold many cards in their hands and spread them out in a “fan” shape. Thus, a symmetrical corner design allows players to see all the cards in their hand at a glance.

 

Similarly, while you are free to customize the size, material and finish of your cards, you should choose a standard poker size (63 x 88mm, 2.5 x 3.5"), a card stock with low translucency (e.g. black core paper) and a smooth finish (e.g. casino varnish).

 

What’s more, as the canvas size for playing cards is relatively small, it is important to ensure that all your words and artwork is clear and legible at that size.

 

In general, we recommend that you save your design files in CMYK format at 300 DPI or above. Also, retain enough edge space with rounded corners to prevent your important content from being cut.

 

 

Flexible Use Of Software

 

When designing playing cards, you don't have to use just one software from start to finish. Taking full advantage of each application can help you work more easily. You can create the visual elements in Adobe Illustrator, then transfer the artwork into a copy of InDesign and work on the parent pages and type styles.

 

There is a lot more information that you should probably learn, but knowing the above, you can already start taking the first steps. Make sure you sketch out your ideas in a sketchbook or on paper before moving to the computer.

 

Finally, to better create your playing cards, you can download our templates directly as follows, or simply use our online design platform for free.