Custom playing cards

In My Humble Opinion
1

I’m looking to purchase a quantity (200 to 500 decks) of customized playing cards. I’d like to put my own graphic on the backs of the cards and, if possible, I’d love to supply a couple of photos to be used on the faces of the jokers.

A quick search on Google turned up a bunch of sites that will produce customized playing cards, but I’ve never purchased anything like this before, so I’m not even sure what to look for from one of these outfits.

Before I start calling these companies up and asking for price lists and samples, has anybody here purchased customized decks of playing cards before? Anything I should look out for?

Thanks.

2

This sounds interesting! I’d check for a company that allows returns if you are not satisfied with their product.

3

The closest I’ve come is buying 4 decks of cards with our family crest on them from here: http://www.fleurdelis.com/playingcards.htm

I’d probably find out what their printing process is, how many colors you can have, and the thickness of the cards and whether or not they are coated with a plastic layer or not.

4

From what I’ve seen, it’s like buying business cards: you approve a proof copy and then you’re committed to buying the lot. Unless what I get is markedly different from the proof, I don’t think I’ll have much of chance to return the cards.

Believe me, the company that makes these cards won’t be re-selling them if I don’t buy them. I seriously doubt that anyone else is going to want to buy cards with this logo on the back…

5

Maybe they can send you a sample deck with some (fictional, or their own) company logo on it in the quality in which your lot would be produced. You could check whether it matches what you need.

6

I’ve never bought custom playing cards, but I work as customer service for a company that sells stuff like that.
My advice:

  1. Request a random printed sample (if you just request “a sample deck”, it might be a blank one, if you don’t specify), printed in the color you are planning to use if possible.
  2. Request a proof copy and find out if there’s a charge for it. Ask about both paper proofs and product proofs (also called spec samples).
  3. Get a price quote in writing. Make sure the quote specifies exactly what you are getting and that it is the same as what you are looking for. If there’s anything unclear about what you will be paying for, ask.
  4. Yes, make sure you’re satisfied with their return policy.

If there’s anything in specific you need to ask about, I might be able to look it up.