How Much Does It Cost to Make a Deck of Cards?

Creating a custom deck of cards is an exciting way to bring your game, promotional idea, or personal brand to life. Whether you're producing a party game, educational tool, or a collector’s edition, understanding the cost of custom printing is essential for planning and budgeting. In this guide, we’ll break down the factors that influence the cost of printing a deck of cards, provide pricing examples, and offer tips to help you make the most of your investment.

1. Factors That Affect the Cost of Printing a Deck of Cards

When it comes to custom printing a deck of cards, several key factors determine the overall cost. Whether you're creating a branded promotional product, an educational tool, or a game for retail, understanding these elements will help you budget effectively.

a. Quantity Ordered
Printing cost per unit decreases significantly as the order volume increases. Small batches (e.g., 100–300 decks) tend to have higher per-deck pricing due to setup costs, while larger orders (1,000 or more) benefit from economies of scale.

Example:
100 decks: $3.50–$5.00 per deck
1,000 decks: $1.50–$2.50 per deck

b. Number of Cards Per Deck
A standard poker deck has 54 cards (including jokers), but custom decks can vary greatly—from as few as 20 cards to over 100. The more cards per deck, the more material and labor involved, which directly impacts the price.
Tip: Consider optimizing your deck size to standard options for cost savings.

c. Card Size
Common card sizes include:

Poker size (2.5" × 3.5")
Bridge size (2.25" × 3.5")
Tarot or custom sizes
Custom sizing often involves special die-cutting and tooling, which can raise the price, especially for small quantities.

d. Card Stock and Material
The choice of paper material and thickness greatly influences both the feel and durability of your cards:
Standard cardstock: 300gsm or 310gsm
Premium options: Black core, blue core, or plastic cards
Special textures like linen finish or smooth matte may also affect the cost.

e. Printing Specifications
Full-color (CMYK) printing on both sides is standard for most custom decks.

Additional costs may apply for:

• One-side-only printing (slightly cheaper)

• Special ink such as white ink on dark backgrounds

• Metallic or Pantone colors

f. Coating and Surface Finish
To enhance durability and tactile appeal, printed cards are usually coated. Options include:

• Gloss lamination – vibrant and shiny

• Matte lamination – elegant and smooth

• Spot UV – adds shine to specific design elements

• Soft touch coating – velvety finish, more expensive

Each coating type has a different cost and feel, so choose based on your end-use and brand aesthetic.

g. Packaging Options

The type of packaging you select is another key price factor:

• Tuck boxes (standard)

• Rigid boxes or magnetic flip boxes (luxury)

• Custom inserts or compartments (for deluxe sets)

Printed packaging adds cost, especially when combined with finishes like foil or UV coating.

h. Extra Features
For a truly premium look, many customers opt for additional customization such as:

• Foiled edges (gold, silver, holographic)

• Custom die-cut shapes

• Embossing or debossing on cards or boxes

• Add-ons like instruction booklets, divider cards, or QR cards

These enhancements significantly increase cost but also enhance product appeal and perceived value.

2. Estimated Price Ranges (Examples)

While final costs will always depend on your specific requirements, here are some typical price ranges based on common printing specifications. These estimates are for reference only and assume you already have your card designs ready for print.

Basic Deck (Standard Poker Size, 54 Cards)
Specifications:
Size: 2.5" × 3.5"
Material: 300gsm art paper
Printing: Full color (CMYK) on both sides
Coating: Gloss or matte lamination
Packaging: Custom printed tuck box

Quantity Estimated Cost per Deck
100 decks $3.50 – $5.00 USD
500 decks $2.20 – $3.00 USD
1,000 decks $1.50 – $2.20 USD
5,000 decks $0.90 – $1.30 USD

Premium Deck (Linen Finish, Foil Stamping, 78 Cards)
Specifications:
Size: 2.75" × 4.75" (Tarot size)
Material: 310gsm black core with linen finish
Printing: Full color both sides
Coating: Matte + spot UV
Features: Foil stamping on box
Packaging: Custom rigid magnetic box

Quantity Estimated Cost per Deck
100 decks $6.00 – $9.00 USD
500 decks $4.00 – $6.50 USD
1,000 decks $3.00 – $5.00 USD

Special Edition Deck (Gold Foil Edges, Custom Box Insert)
Specifications:
Size: 2.5" × 3.5"
Material: 310gsm black core
Coating: Soft touch lamination
Extra: Gold foil edges, custom insert tray
Packaging: Full color rigid box with magnetic closure

Quantity Estimated Cost per Deck
100 decks $8.50 – $12.00 USD
500 decks $6.00 – $8.50 USD
1,000 decks $4.50 – $6.50 USD

Cost Summary Tips
Shipping costs are usually not included in the printing quote and vary depending on your location and shipping method (air or sea freight).
Set-up fees may apply for specialty finishes like foil or embossing.
Larger quantities reduce unit prices dramatically, so planning a bigger print run is often more cost-effective.

3. Turnaround Time

When planning a custom printed deck of cards, it’s important to factor in the total turnaround time—from production to delivery—especially if you’re launching a product or fulfilling pre-orders.

a. Production Time
Production time depends on the complexity of your order:

Type of Deck Estimated Production Time

• Standard deck (basic materials, tuck box) 7 – 12 business days

• Premium deck (foil, rigid box, linen finish) 12 – 20 business days

• Special edition (foil edges, embossing, inserts) 15 – 25 business days

Note: These are general estimates for production only, assuming print-ready files are provided and approved promptly.

b. Shipping Time
Shipping time varies based on destination and shipping method:

• Air shipping: 5 – 10 business days (faster but more expensive)

• Sea shipping: 25 – 45 days (more economical for large orders)

Tip: For urgent or small-volume orders, air shipping is often preferred. For larger bulk orders, sea shipping offers significant cost savings.

c. Total Turnaround Time (Typical Example)
Order Type Production + Air Shipping Production + Sea Shipping

• Standard Deck (500 units) ~2 – 3 weeks ~5 – 7 weeks

• Premium Deck (1,000 units) ~3 – 4 weeks ~6 – 8 weeks

d. Factors That May Affect Turnaround Time

• Approval delays for digital or physical proofs

• Custom finishes requiring additional processing time (e.g., foil, spot UV)

• Holiday schedules and factory capacity

• Changes to the order after confirmation

e. Planning Tip
Always add a buffer of at least 7–10 days to your schedule in case of unforeseen delays—especially if your custom card decks are for a specific event, campaign, or launch date.

4. Tips for Reducing Cost Without Sacrificing Quality

Creating a high-quality custom deck doesn’t always require a high budget. With smart planning and the right choices, you can reduce costs while still delivering a professional, polished product. Here are practical tips to help you save without compromising the final result:

a. Choose Standard Sizes and Card Counts
Opt for standard card sizes (e.g., poker or bridge) and traditional deck counts (54 or 78 cards). Custom sizes or irregular quantities often require new tooling or die-cutting, which adds to production costs.
Example: A 54-card poker-size deck will generally be more cost-effective than a 65-card custom-sized set.

b. Order in Larger Quantities
The more you print, the lower your cost per deck. Fixed setup and machine calibration costs are spread out over more units in larger orders, resulting in better value.

c. Simplify Finishing Options
While premium finishes like foil, embossing, or soft-touch lamination add luxury appeal, they also raise costs. You can maintain a high-quality look by:

• Using matte or gloss lamination (more affordable)

• Printing striking full-color designs instead of metallic accents

• Avoiding multi-process finishing on small runs

d. Stick to a Standard Tuck Box
A standard tuck box with CMYK printing is the most economical packaging option. Rigid boxes and magnetic closures add considerable expense due to extra materials, labor, and shipping weight.
Optional upgrade: Add a simple logo or title in foil only on the box, rather than on each card.

e. Limit the Use of Specialty Materials
Premium materials like black-core paper, linen texture, or plastic cards are durable—but costly. Choose quality mid-range options like 300–310gsm art paper with smooth lamination for a professional finish at a lower price point.

f. Avoid Multiple Prototypes
Physical samples and printed proofs are useful—but can be expensive and time-consuming. Reduce costs by thoroughly reviewing digital proofs before requesting physical samples. Only order printed proofs if your design includes critical alignment or specialty finishes.

g. Consolidate Print Runs
If you’re planning multiple products (e.g., expansion packs, different editions), combining them into one production run—even with variations—can save on setup fees and logistics.

h. Work with an Experienced Custom Printer
Choose a printing partner that specializes in custom card decks. Their experience helps you avoid costly mistakes, ensures accurate quoting, and gives better guidance on how to balance quality and cost.

Final Tip:
Focus on what makes your deck functional, attractive, and aligned with your brand. With a well-optimized approach, you can create a cost-effective yet impressive printed product—without overspending.

5. Why Choose Custom Printing for Your Deck?

Custom printing gives you full control over the look, feel, and impact of your card deck—whether it’s a game, a learning tool, a coaching resource, or a collector’s edition. Here's why investing in custom card printing is the smart choice—and how Sese Printing Company can help you bring your vision to life.

a. Total Creative Freedom (Design-Ready Files)
With custom printing, you’re not limited to pre-made templates or generic layouts. You choose the size, card count, materials, finishes, packaging, and more—based on your unique goals and audience. As long as your designs are print-ready, you’re in complete control.

b. Build a Stronger Brand
Printed card decks offer an excellent branding opportunity. Whether you're a small business owner, educator, or content creator, a custom deck helps reinforce your message in a tangible, engaging format—one your audience will keep and share.

Sese Printing Company supports brand-focused printing with high precision, clear color reproduction, and a wide range of finishes that make your product stand out.

c. High-Quality, Professional Presentation
Custom decks look and feel premium—far beyond what on-demand or DIY options offer. By choosing the right materials and finishes, you enhance the user experience and increase the perceived value of your product.

At Sese Printing, we offer:

• Durable 300–310gsm card stock

• Gloss or matte lamination

• Linen texture, spot UV, or foil stamping

• Custom tuck boxes, rigid boxes, and magnetic packaging

d. Tailored for Your Purpose
From tarot cards to flashcards, party games to daily affirmations, each deck has its own purpose. Custom printing allows you to match your product's look to its function, audience, and tone—whether minimalist and modern or bold and playful.

e. Scalable for Small or Large Runs
Custom printing isn’t just for big brands. At Sese Printing Company, we support flexible minimum order quantities—making it easier for startups, indie creators, and small publishers to launch professional decks with lower up-front investment.

Need 100 decks for a local event? Or 5,000 decks for global retail? We can scale with you.

f. Reliable Support from Sese Printing
Choosing the right printing partner is just as important as choosing the right design. With years of experience in custom card deck printing, Sese Printing Company offers:

• Expert guidance on materials and finishes

• Fast turnaround and clear communication

• Quality assurance every step of the way

• Global shipping options to meet your delivery needs

Conclusion

The cost of making a custom deck of cards varies depending on your choices, from materials and finishes to packaging and quantity. By understanding these factors and working with a trusted printing partner like Sese Printing, you can create a high-quality deck that meets your goals and budget. Contact Sese Printing Company today for a personalized quote and professional service tailored to your card deck project.