Custom Magic Card Frame Templates: Complete Guide

Magic: The Gathering card frames have evolved significantly over 30+ years. Understanding different frame templates helps you create authentic-looking custom cards. This guide covers all major frame styles and how to use them effectively.

Understanding Card Frames

A card frame is the visual structure that contains all card elements:

• Art box - Where the artwork appears
• Text box - Rules text and flavor text
• Title bar - Card name and mana cost
• Type line - Card type and subtypes
• Border - Outer edge of the card
• Rarity symbol - Set symbol indicating rarity

Frame Evolution Timeline

Original Frame (1993-2003)

Also called "Old Frame" or "Pre-8th Edition Frame"

Characteristics:

• Textured, parchment-like backgrounds
• Distinct textures per color (wood grain for green, water for blue)
• White text on colored backgrounds
• Brown borders for artifacts
• Marble-like border textures

Best for:

• Nostalgia-themed custom sets
• Cards that feel "classic" or "ancient"
• Old School format proxies
• Retro design projects

Modern Frame (2003-2014)

Introduced in 8th Edition and Mirrodin

Characteristics:

• Cleaner, smoother lines
• Reduced texture complexity
• Larger art box
• More standardized appearance
• Equipment subtype introduced

Best for:

• Cards from 2003-2014 era
• Clean, modern aesthetic
• Standard custom cards
• General-purpose proxies

M15 Frame (2014-Present)

Current standard frame, introduced in Magic 2015

Characteristics:

• Holofoil stamp area (rares/mythics)
• Beleren font for names
• Black bottom curve
• Variable color borders
• Support for new card types

Best for:

• Modern custom cards
• Current-era proxies
• Most custom card projects
• Professional-looking designs

Special Frame Types

Planeswalker Frame

Features:

• Unique layout with loyalty abilities
• Loyalty counters display
• Distinctive appearance
• Multiple ability boxes

When to use:

• Custom planeswalker cards
• Planeswalker proxies
• Special character cards

Double-Faced Card Frame

Features:

• Two sides (front and back)
• Transform or modal design
• Special indicators
• Day/night or other mechanics

When to use:

• Werewolf cards
• Transform cards
• Modal double-faced cards
• Custom mechanics

Artifact Frame

Features:

• Brown/gold borders
• Metallic textures
• Distinctive appearance
• Colorless or colored variants

When to use:

• Artifact cards
• Equipment
• Vehicles
• Artifact creatures

Land Frame

Features:

• Full-art or standard
• Basic or non-basic variants
• Special land frames
• Unique text boxes

When to use:

• Custom lands
• Basic land proxies
• Special land designs
• Full-art variants

Choosing the Right Frame

Match the Era

• Old cards → Original frame
• 2003-2014 cards → Modern frame
• 2014+ cards → M15 frame
• Special types → Appropriate special frame

Match the Style

• Classic feel → Original frame
• Modern look → M15 frame
• Clean design → Modern frame
• Unique cards → Special frames

Consider Your Audience

• Old School players → Original frame
• Modern players → M15 frame
• Casual players → Any frame that looks good
• Format-specific → Match format's era

Frame Customization Options

Color Selection

• Mono-color - Single color identity
• Multicolor - Two or more colors
• Hybrid - Hybrid mana costs
• Colorless - Artifacts, Eldrazi

Rarity Indicators

• Common - Black set symbol
• Uncommon - Silver set symbol
• Rare - Gold set symbol
• Mythic - Red/orange set symbol

Border Styles

• Standard border - Normal black border
• Borderless - Full-art, no border
• Showcase - Special set frames
• Extended art - Art extends to edges

Using Frames in TCGCustom

Selecting a Frame

1. Open card editor
2. Choose card type
3. Frame style is automatically applied
4. Customize colors and details

Customizing Colors

• Select card colors
• Frame updates automatically
• Match mana cost colors
• Consider color identity

Adding Special Elements

• Set symbols
• Rarity indicators
• Holofoil stamps (rares/mythics)
• Special frame treatments

Frame Design Best Practices

Consistency

• Use same frame style throughout a set
• Match frame to card's era
• Keep customization consistent
• Don't mix incompatible frames

Readability

• Ensure text contrasts with frame
• Use appropriate text colors
• Check text box visibility
• Verify all elements are clear

Authenticity

• Follow Magic's frame conventions
• Use proper color combinations
• Match real card formatting
• Respect frame limitations

Common Frame Mistakes

Wrong Era Frame

Mistake: Using M15 frame for 1990s-style card Fix: Match frame to card's intended era

Inconsistent Frames

Mistake: Mixing frame styles in one set Fix: Choose one frame style per set

Poor Contrast

Mistake: Text blends into frame Fix: Ensure sufficient contrast

Incorrect Colors

Mistake: Wrong border colors Fix: Match colors to card type

Advanced Frame Techniques

Custom Set Symbols

• Design unique set symbols
• Match set theme
• Use appropriate rarity colors
• Place correctly in frame

Special Treatments

• Full-art variants
• Borderless designs
• Showcase frames
• Extended art

Frame Modifications

• Custom borders
• Special textures
• Unique layouts
• Experimental designs

Frame Resources

Official References

• Wizards of the Coast card image gallery
• Magic: The Gathering official site
• Card databases (Scryfall, Gatherer)

Design Tools

• TCGCustom frame library
• Magic Set Editor templates
• Custom frame generators

Frame Selection Guide

For Custom Commanders:

• Use M15 frame (modern look)
• Match colors to commander's identity
• Use mythic rarity for uniqueness

For Proxies:

• Match original card's frame
• Use same era frame style
• Maintain authenticity

For Custom Sets:

• Choose one frame style
• Use consistently
• Match set's theme/era

For Special Cards:

• Use appropriate special frame
• Planeswalkers → Planeswalker frame
• Double-faced → Double-faced frame
• Artifacts → Artifact frame

Conclusion

Understanding Magic card frame templates is essential for creating authentic-looking custom cards. Whether you're making proxies, custom commanders, or entire custom sets, choosing the right frame and using it correctly makes a huge difference in the final result.

Use TCGCustom to access various frame templates and create professional-looking cards. Match your frame choice to your card's era, type, and intended use for the best results. With the right frame template, your custom cards will look like they came straight from Wizards of the Coast.