Sunday, 5 April 2020

Card Printer list


Good printers confirmed/review list;) 
Update 19 jan 2024 to add Disclaimer & Note to check https://www.trustpilot.com/ for more recent reviews of any web page you plan using as this post is written few years back & not fully up to Date!(; I'm still looking for Best printer especially in Europe!;)
: All printer prices & shipping rates are Up & production time is longer!
Concerning fact linen cardstock is near impossible to find & pod linen cardstock quality is declining compared to linen cardstock quality few years back so im trying to figure linen cardstock production in my own country Bosnia Europe but Not EU~0% progress so far!xc

POD(Print on Demand) List;

US based;
https://www.thegamecrafter.com/(aka TGC) best price for best cardstock quality linen 12pt 320gsm black core with UV finish custom made box and option for shop page & best shipping rates worldwide! print books! +big selection of game parts including Transparent & Holographic Cards & all sorts of box, bags & blank cards & sleeves, & discount for creators & larger quantities these are great for DIY & ks projects!:)  Production time is now around 5 to 15 days, Note; their prints may have stronger yellow hue &  drift can be a bit much, so make sure that your important parts are inside the safe zone but otherwise replace defective decks at no cost to the artist.
 
http://www.drivethrucards.com/ (aka DTC aka OneBookShelf) - their Embossed (aka linen) card stock is 320gsm 11pt with good colors and silk UV finish & shipping rates in US, it say Printed in US & offer best costumer support + discount price for  larger quantities+ option for larger prints and poster+ books! and shop page!:)) + best statistic sale/earnings overview & payment options for seller!:) full review here; http://creativenlight.blogspot.ba/2017/01/drivethrucardsonebookshelf-review
downside; outdated web interface, complicated print file preparation & expensive shipping outside US (+20$!x,x) also starting August 2021 discontinued Bridge card size & linen cardstock option for all but Tarot card size!x//

http://superiorpod.com/category/custom-card-decks#.WvWXf4VOKDs offer best options & price for different cardstock box books & more as well as shop option for publisher via Adventure Game Source and Wackadu. This family owned company is taking Big Steps at Top of this list with it's modern automated printing process, plenty different cardstock options including waterproof/tear-proof & holo stock in different sizes, can print round cards, books & stickers & plenty other game & merch, expanding box options to include: regular tuckbox and tuck box that open on the long side for tarot cards as well as envelope style box & rigid two piece box (wrapped & plastic), tins & custom box options for customers!:D web page is handmade & will continue to improve & you can watch regular updates on official fb page: https://www.facebook.com/superiorpod Will Share my full review when I receive my test prints!:) Looking forward to Selfpublishing my decks with these great people in future as both Jeff & Anthony are great to work with & answered all my questions so feel free to contact them if you have any question regarding your print ideas!:)Downside according to their fb it seems their production time is around +20days!?
 
https://www.primoprint.com/ products big selection of printed products including cards, stickers & bookmarks including UV &  foil option!:)

 
 
http://store.vervante.com/c/affil/index.html seems to offer best deal for 100decks(not sure about price but they let you sell on amazon & other big bookstore?:)
"offer cards printed on demand, printing in short runs and offset printed on 12 pt C2S stock equivalent to 260 gsm.  Any size with square corners or round.
Short run cards, 100+ decks, are printed on 350 gsm stock and can also be printed any size with square corners or round, with matte or gloss UV.
Can add foil stamp, spot UV, and a variety of other specialty touches for cards that are offset printed  These are usually for 500+ decks.
Offer custom printed tuck boxes for most of decks.  You are also welcome to send us packaging for decks such as tin boxes, drawstring bags, etc.  We can add printed booklets or instruction cards that can be accordion folded depending on the number of panels.  For decks that are packaged in a drawstring bag, we can add printed bag tags or tie charms to the ribbons, etc. "
 
China based;
http://www.makeplayingcards.com/promotional/personalized-tarot-cards.html aka MPC This company is getting great reviews by most people for quality and service & easy upload interface.  Also MPC is only POD offering gilded edge print option as well as different box options including Tarot size tins!:) so if you plan printing 50+ decks it's worth checking as they also offer affordable fulfillment service if you need to ship your decks worldwide to your costumers/backers for around 10-12$ per deck!:) Shipping may be an issue as it's not always traceable but as long as you are paying with paypal you are ok!:)
ETA; my 1st printed deck & mpc tin arrived & I like Big card size & good quality & shipping my only remarks is colors on 300gsm card stock are bit light so better use linen/other option?;) you can read my full review here!:) 
 
https://www.boardgamesmaker.com/ similar design & price as mpc only difference they offer more *game piece options!;)

http://www.printerstudio.com/ - aka PS affordable, easy upload and fast. Similar to MPC above but less cardstock & box options & more other items options. Card Colors may be less bright than original digital files. UPDATE by Lucky Card; just to add link for my review for their linen and plastic stock!:)) http://creativenlight.blogspot.ba/search?updated-min=2015-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2016-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=6 Note this was before their stock price rise significantly 2016 same as MPC that may be sister company?:) compared to US PODs so you may wish to consider TGC and DTC to be better option for US and worldwide?:) 
 
 
Canada: just find out about these!:) Order Your free Sample Book & Start your Art project here:
https://www.catprint.com Great Selection of different stock & finish options including my favorite Holographic prism effect!:) This is only printer I know offering this Holo & Magnet option!?:) Printers take notice This is How you present yourself! Artist You Need This!=D mini Sample Book is Best I’ve seen with over 40 different cardstock & finish options including Awesome selection of heavy card stock linen & Shimmer & Pearl paper as well as Stickers & Magnetic stock Definitely Perfect Choice for All Your Art Projects!:D I’m printing my Tarot deck limited edt with holo next choice between plastic (*untearable!:) Shimmering & Perl?:) will probably do test print of each moment I have my Art Completed!;D let me know if you would be interested in any of these *Super Sparkly limited edt?!;) also hope to see actual playing cardstock (aka black core) included as well as box & fulfillment option son so I can write full review & recommend this printer as Best (eco & animal friendly!;) to my 

https://www.newprint.ca/trading-cards-printing big selection of various promo items!:)


Australia: 
https://shop.eprintonline.com.au/game-decks/products/ big selection of printed items including cards & booklets With Effect also offering assistance with printer file preparation & demo deck prior to production a huge plus for self publishers full confidence before rolling forward into a full scale production order. Everything is print in house helping support eco awareness fair wages and local economy.
 
 
 

Europe; Note imo EU printers are great way to offer better price & faster shipping for EU orders!:)+save your costumers of extra import charges/VAT tax or whatever post is charging for international orders & everyone complains about!:D 
 
  
 
Germany; Note I noticed plenty PoD in Germany have variety of box options including my favorite tins!:)
https://www.spielematerial.de/en/ this company have awesome selection of game parts & best tins I find in Europe!:) also their wikipage mention 320gsm 350gsm & 390gsm cardstock worth checking out!:) will update moment I know more!:)
http://spieleerfinden.de/wiki_en/index.php?title=Cards
 

https://www.piksieben.de/de/spielkarten/100-individuelle-spielkarten this have good poker & bridge size tin box & few larger sizes!:)
 
https://www.printerstudio.de/fotogeschenke/personalisierte-spielkarten.html printerstudio pod in Germany!:) recommended!^^ 
 
 
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Italy; http://www.ludocards.com/ Update 19 jan 2024 Disclaimer last time I used this printer was 2021 & according to my personal expirience they were & still are Best Card Printer in Europe in spite of complicated file upload requirements & potential issues some people expirienced Please Keep in mind We Don't Have Much Options in Europe & Link me if you find better also check  https://www.trustpilot.com/ for more recent reviews & here is my from 2021!;)
Best printing price & Quality standards for good cardstock Cards (330gsm black core recommended!:)
Sturdy 2piece Box Full Print inside & Out with Metalic foil option & Gilded Edges!:D
Full Color Book Options!:D 
+drop ship service & ship worldwide!:) + you used to get free shipping if you ship All your decks at once to your home address you registered your acc!;)
it's my exclusive EU printer(: I was using drop shipping service from Germany at that time!;)
check out pic of Tarot decks LC printed for me here; https://photos.app.goo.gl/qZ6dZc6J49nUdTVf6
check their faq here; https://www.ludocards.com/faq
same page can also generate your required standard or customized card size & box & book preset/pdf template (Note:most printers use 3mm cut/bleed line & for standard Tarot size card preset for 7x12cm printed card +3mm bleed on each side would be around 76x126mm, but LC generator seems to work with 2mm & 74x124mm so you may wish to contact their costumer service to confirm exact card img size in pixel before printing!:) you can download templates I've used here; http://fav.me/dd30ioa but print drift is still possible (like with all printers here!) so avoid borders etc & I'll be not held responsible for any possible misprint resulting from these issues!;) also standard gamecrafter tarot template guidelines are fit & easy to convert to this ludocard Tarot size!:)
 

UK:
https://cardcreator.personalisedplayingcards.com/prices PoD based in UK & offer printing deck & free shipping for UK!:) worth checking out for UK orders 
 
https://generationpress.co.uk/ eco friendly company that printed Oak Ash & Thorn Tarot
 
https://aura-print.com/uk/custom-playing-card-printing  playing cards bookmarks & other prints!:)
 
https://thefoilprintingco.com/uk/metallic-foil-playing-card-printing only one in Europe offer foil options for single deck & slim aka bring card size cost is best for +100 decks will test it out for my next deck & provide detail review!:) also big selection of other promo prints such as booklets!:) 
 

& if you plan printing larger quantities here are some recommendations; 
Europe (the prices mentioned are rough guidelines and where received on inquiry)
  • https://www.fabryka-kart.eu/en/ Happy to add this great Poland printer factory with long tradition certificates & awards in card industry they also offer all fancy add ons including: UV Gloss, Metallic Hot & Cold Stamping & Glitter & Gilded edges!:D & sturdy 2 piece slider & clam shell & wooden box options!:D & plenty of cardboard elements such as puzzle & other plastic & wood elements!;D minimum quote is 500 decks read my review here p.s it seems they printed larger gilded Shadowscapes Tarot as well!:D will add more info upon confirmation!;D Downside: only accept Bank Transfer payment option, hopefully will manage to talk them into paypal eventually!;)
  •  http://www.cartamundi.com/de / Good quality & price but only if you only print cards there and the box and/or booklet print elsewhere. 1000 decks around 3,70 Euro per deck
  • http://www.piatnik.com/ Perfect austrian quality, but also the most expensive one. 1000 decks plus box 6,13 Euro (additional costs not included), only decks without box 5,57 Euro.
     
  • https://www.groels.nl/ Netherland
  •    Hungary https://keskenynyomda.hu/en/printing/boardgame/ Thank You my deck creator friend for link & info provided here!;) Great web design with Enghlish & Germany language & plenty print option including luxury books & boxes as well as cards that are mentioned as board games not much info available without further inquery aside from minimum quote order is 500 decks & regarding printing techniques, they offer almost everything. Their portfolio includes matte and glossy UV varnish, cold foils in a wide color spectrum, metallic colors from the Pantone chart, embossed printing in any simple or metallic color, etc. However, they do not offer gilt edges. They can do any kind of custom packaging and will also assemble your product.
  •  https://omegadruk.pl/kontakt.html Poland
  
World
http://expertplayingcard.com/#custom Playing Card Company, New York City, New York 10001 professional playing cards with foil & Embossing option 
 
http://www.gamblerswarehouse.com/ printer & fulfillment center in USA
  
www.guruplayingcards.com “GPCC printing company in partnership with one of the top most leading printer. Based out of Australia. The printing and shipping happens from China while the 100% handcrafted and lacquered decks are done in India. Produced 2 (poker) decks till now, both of which received rave reviews. Bharata Major Arcana tarot will be first tarot deck by this company. Given current customers are playing card collectors, quality of printing, card stock etc. is paramount, and rest assured, I take care of each production print personally. Don't offer print on demand and minimum print run is 600 decks. Offer any type of card size as well. Any other question, please feel free to ask. Regards, Sunish”
 
www.imageppm.com/ Recommended by Jay DeForest: Image Printing & Packaging is a company where you will deal directly with an English speaking print manager in China. print card decks, books, boxes and other items. minimum printing quote of 500, but the pricing is much better at 1000 units or more.  
 
https://www.jimiagency.net/ this dynamic duo is based in Korea & offering playing cards with holo effect!:)minimal order per 1design is 200 cards, they also offer bookmarks, postcards & much more so be sure to check out their web page!:)
 
http://jsmccarthy.com/ Personable and professional. 100% of all our electricity purchases are derived from wind power. 

  
https://plaincards.com/ waiting for review! 


http://www.printninja.com/printing-products/card-game-printing based in US & print in China, printing options include metallic n foil print!;)
 
https://shuffledink.com/ Formerly known as Quality Playing Cards, this company is a professional card printer. They do any size and number of cards, have a top notch art department, and the quality is exceptional. They do work internationally.
 
 
  
 & if you decide to Print your books/box & other add ons separately here are some printers I find online!;)

books simple interface good quotes: https://ridero.eu/en

good quote for color books:  https://bookprinting.eu/?Sheet=Stitched%20brochures

best luxury book options: https://www.graspo.com/en/hardcover/

Books & Everything; https://www.pixartprinting.com/try-us-for-free/

Boxes: https://www.pack.ly/create/en/dieline-box/rollover-hinged-lid-box-standard


& if you are looking for easy alternative for Adobe illustrator to prepare your printer files check:

https://www.canva.com/ platform for designing custom decks, you can switch on bleed if you go to: File > Show print bleed. Then, when downloading the file, Select "PDF Print" file type (switch on crop marks and bleed) - this will give you a print ready file and avoid any artwork fix charges that may be incurred with respective print houses. 

 

 
also be sure to post us here what worked best for you?:)
 
All Best!
reall/Irena

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1 comment:

  1. The Ace Card Campany13 January 2021 at 22:23

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