How to Print MTG Proxies: Home Printer vs. Professional Service (2025)

So you've designed a killer custom card on TCGCustom, or maybe you just want to playtest a $2,000 Legacy deck without selling your car. Now you need to get those digital images onto physical paper.

You generally have two options: DIY Printing at Home or Professional Printing Services. This guide breaks down the pros, cons, and methods for each.

Option 1: Printing at Home (Fastest & Cheapest)

This is the "I need this deck for FNM tonight" option (except don't use proxies at FNM!).

What You Need

• A Color Printer: Inkjet usually provides better color depth/vibrancy than Laser for art.
• Paper: Basic printer paper is fine if you are slipping it in front of a land. For standalone proxies, use cardstock (specifically 300gsm if your printer can handle it).
• Sleeves: Essential. You cannot play with raw paper cutouts.
• Bulk Magic Cards: To use as stiff backing.

The Process

1. Export: Download your cards from TCGCustom.
2. Layout: Use a tool like Microsoft Word, Photoshop, or a dedicated "MTG Print Sheet" generator. A standard Letter/A4 page fits 9 cards (3x3 grid).
3. Sizing: Crucial step! Magic cards are 2.48" x 3.46" (63mm x 88mm). Set your image dimensions to exactly this size so they fit in sleeves.
4. Print: Set quality to "High" or "Photo".
5. Cut: Use a paper cutter (guillotine) for straight lines. Scissors take forever and look uneven.
6. Sleeve: Slide a real bulk card (like a basic Land) into a sleeve, then slide your cutout printed paper in front of it.

Verdict: Good for playtesting. It feels a bit thick and looks obviously fake up close, but it's free and instant.

Option 2: Professional Services (Best Quality)

If you want cards that shuffle like real cards and look great, you need a professional printing service. The gold standard in the community is MakePlayingCards (MPC).

Why Use a Service?

• Texture: Real card stock (S30 or S33) feels like a Magic card.
• Shuffle Feel: They slide and rifle shuffle perfectly.
• Durability: They don't smudge or fade like home prints.

How to Order from MPC

1. Export for Print: In TCGCustom, select the "Print" export option. This adds a 1/8th inch "bleed edge" (extra blurred border). Printers need this bleed area to account for slight cutting misalignment.
2. Upload: Go to the custom card printing site (standard size is 63x88mm).
3. Stock Selection:
   • S30 (Standard smooth): Closest to non-foil MTG cards.
   • S33 (Superior smooth): Slightly thicker and snappier.
4. Back Selection: Do not use the official "Deckmaster" back. That is copyrighted. Use a custom back or a solid color.
5. Finish: Order! It usually takes 1-2 weeks to arrive.

Cost: Usually around $0.25 - $0.50 per card depending on volume. A full Commander deck might cost $30-$40.

Summary: Which Should You Choose?

Ready to get started? Build your deck in our Card Creator first!