How To Choose An Online Custom Playing Card Website 1?

In recent years, the rise of online custom playing card makers has opened up a world of possibilities for creating truly unique and personalized decks. Whether you're a professional cardist, game designer, or simply appreciate the art of playing cards, having a deck that reflects your personal style or theme is an exciting prospect.

 

However, with so many options available online, choosing the right custom playing card website can be a daunting task. I have explored some of the top contenders and what sets them apart, which may help you make an informed decision to bring your dream deck to life.

 

Why Should You Make Custom Playing Cards Online?

 

Compared to traditional methods of custom playing cards, use online designer to make your custom playing cards can let you forget the limitations of local print shops. Online platforms are available 24/7, allowing you to design and order your deck from anywhere with an internet connection.

 

Online services often have a larger library of design tools and templates compared to what a local print shop might offer. This gives you more creative freedom and the ability to personalize every aspect of the deck.

 

Also, online printing tends to be more cost-effective, especially for smaller quantities.  Traditional printing often has minimum order requirements, whereas online services allow you to order a single deck for a special occasion. And you can often track your order progress and receive your customized deck quicker than with traditional methods.

 

6 Most Popular Online Platforms

 

1. MakePlayingCards (makeplayingcards.com)

 

 

- Experience:

 

You'll dig the straightforward interface and the breezy ability to design your own cards. This website lays out a smorgasbord of customization options, from tweaking card faces, backs, boxes, to manuals. Users can pick from various card sizes, paper types (like linen or smooth, black core, paper or plastic), surface finishes (foil stamping, gold/silver edging, embossed boxes, spot UV), and box packaging options. Such a wide array of choices lets users whip up poker decks that scream individuality. Plus, many users rave about how intuitive the online card maker is, guiding them smoothly through the customization process.

 

- Process:

 

It's got a detailed customization flow. You first pick your category to customize, then sift through a myriad of meticulous options to nail down your size and design preferences, landing you on the quote page, where you select your materials, quantity, print type, finish, booklets, and packaging. From there, it's a hop, skip, and a jump to the designer page. You can either upload your own design or pick from their template library. Once all designs are in the bag, it's time to place your order and pony up.

 

 

- Features:

 

Supports automatic switching between multiple languages and currencies, offers global delivery services, making it accessible to customers from different corners of the globe. Its speedy turnaround time makes it a hot pick for folks on tight budgets or tight deadlines.

 

- Price:

 

A standard 55-card Poker size deck will set you back roughly $15-$21, with lower unit prices for larger quantities.

 

- Effects:

 

Some users sing praises for the extensive customization options, including different card sizes, stocks, and finishing options. They mention the final product quality is good, meeting their expectations. Users appreciate the user-friendliness of the online card maker and its wide range of customization options. The ability to upload artwork and add text allows for personalized designs, making the decks truly one-of-a-kind.

 

 

However, compared to other sites, some users who've never customized cards before find its customization process somewhat convoluted, and it might not be the most user-friendly for those seeking quick orders. Its customer service may be inconsistent, with slow response times. While print quality is generally good, some users have reported inconsistent color reproduction or alignment issues.

 

 

2. PrintNinja (printninja.com)

 

 

- Experience：

 

Users have praised PrintNinja for providing a customized experience. The company offers full-time customer service and pre-press departments in their American office, located in Chicago. This ensures that customers can receive personalized assistance and have their questions answered promptly. PrintNinja also helps customers ensure that their files are set up correctly to prevent any surprises during the printing process.

 

- Process：

 

PrintNinja has been commended for its smooth and efficient customization process. All sizes, materials, finishes, packaging, shipping costs, etc. are integrated into one page, and customers only need to follow the guidance to get a quick quote. First you need to find the customized category (such as playing cards), then select the quantity (within or above 500), and then select the size, number of sheets, material, design, finish, packaging, brochure, etc. on the same page. The final price includes shipping costs.

 

 

- Features：

 

Notably, the website offers picture examples for each option, granting users a crystal-clear and intuitive grasp of how each effect differs. This visual aid significantly streamlines the decision-making process, empowering users to confidently select the perfect customization for their decks.

 

Moreover, in the rare event of a misprint, PrintNinja steps in with a safety net—any error is caught before the product leaves the factory floor, guaranteeing a swift reprint. This level of accountability and meticulous quality control is a cornerstone of PrintNinja's ethos, earning them high praise and trust from their clientele.

 

Yet, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Despite its stellar reputation, PrintNinja falls short in certain aspects. Unlike its competitors, it offers fewer customization options, limiting users to more conventional sizes, materials, and finishes. This lack of variety may leave some customers feeling creatively stifled, yearning for more unique choices to truly make their decks stand out.

 

Additionally, while other platforms boast user-friendly online designers, PrintNinja opts for a more traditional approach, requiring users to manually organize and submit files. This antiquated method may deter those accustomed to the convenience of digital design tools, resulting in a less seamless experience.

 

Furthermore, orders exceeding 500 decks cannot be placed directly through the website; instead, customers must engage in manual communication to arrange such large-scale purchases. This additional step not only adds complexity but also introduces potential delays in the ordering process, testing the patience of time-sensitive customers.

 

 

- Price：

 

It also cannot intuitively see the price comparison, and the MOQ is 5 decks. 5 standard 55-card Poker size decks will be about $88.

 

Take a break, and we'll continue with Part 2, where I'll introduce the remaining excellent online custom playing card websites.