The materials and craftsmanship of carte da gioco have evolved by blending traditional printing methods and techniques. With the rise of the playing card industry, various printing methods, techniques, and small-scale craftsmanship equipment have emerged, leading to many effects different from those of the past.
Different types of playing cards are suited to different printing processes. Tarot cards prioritize the user experience, requiring cards to be exquisite and highlighting their stunning illustrations. The beauty of the patterns on the cards is enhanced through printing techniques such as gold/silver foil stamping, laser engraving, foil edges, and iridescent patterns.
Additionally, paper selection is crucial. Poker cards emphasize the tactile feel, and embossing can be used to highlight surface textures. Whether you are a business or an independent game developer, making informed decisions about these elements can significantly impact the quality and success of your card game.
In this guide, we will explore the key considerations and available options for printing different types of card games to help you make the best choices for your card game project.
Card Paper Options
Coated Paper | Features | Application Scenarios |
|---|---|---|
| Coated Paper | 1. Water-resistant and stain-resistant, suitable for use in various environments. A thick paper used for high-quality printing, typically weighing 300 gsm or 350 gsm. 2. Durable and tear-resistant, with a long service life. 3. Supports high-quality printing and special processes to enhance visual appeal and texture. | Game cards, anime-themed cards, promotional cards |
| White Cardstock | 1. Hard texture, high stiffness, smooth surface without coating, thickness typically between 250 gsm and 400 gsm, good fold resistance. 2. Printing effects are less vibrant than coated paper but more natural. | Mid-range playing cards, board game cards, membership cards, ecc., suitable for products requiring moderate durability and budget. |
| Black Core Paper | 1. Fully lightproof: The black core layer completely eliminates light penetration issues, making it suitable for high-security cards. Thickness typically exceeds 300gsm. 2. Premium texture: Uniform edge color, visually thicker and more luxurious. 3. Excellent durability: Typically paired with high-grammage paper, offering strong resistance to wear and tear. 4. Printing restrictions: Special inks or lamination processes are required; otherwise, it may affect the color reproduction on the front. In these aspects, Xinyi can print cards with the most perfect color reproduction for you. | Luxury edition cards, collectible-grade products (such as limited-edition TCG cards), and magic cards. |
| White Core Paper | 1. High aesthetic appeal: The white core layer ensures clean card edges, suitable for colored or light-colored cards. 2. Excellent printing quality: Accurate color reproduction, especially suitable for high-precision patterns. 3. Good durability: More resistant to bending than gray core paper, with lower risk of delamination. | Mid-to-high-end game cards (e.g., TCG), custom cards requiring high-quality printing. |
| Blue Core Paper | 1. Anti-cheating design: The blue core layer effectively prevents light transmission, avoiding the back patterns being peeked at (e.g., carte da gioco). 2. Professional feel: Commonly used in professional-grade playing cards to enhance product credibility. 3. Excellent durability: Superior bending and delamination resistance compared to white core paper. | Professional playing cards, competitive card games, or scenarios requiring anti-transparency. |
| Gold and Silver Paper | 1. Luxurious appearance: Gold and silver cardstock surfaces feature a metallic luster. 2. Excellent color reproduction: Superior brightness and print gloss performance. 3. Water-resistant and wear-resistant: Possesses certain water-resistant and wear-resistant properties. 4. Special effects possible: Surfaces feature a glossy finish. | Common materials for star cards, rare cards, board games, and other card games. |
Card Coating and Surface Finishing Options
Gold/silver foil stamping: Gold itself has a strong visual impact. After foil stamping, the edges or patterns exhibit a rich metallic luster. Whether it is matte gold or glossy gold, it can showcase a warm or dazzling texture under light, instantly enhancing the visual appeal of the object.
Spot UV: After curing, UV coating can create high-gloss or matte surface effects. High-gloss UV coating has a strong mirror-like reflective property, with high light reflectivity, making patterns or text appear crystal-clear and translucent.
Laser: Laser patterns reflect, refract, or diffract light at different angles, creating a dynamic effect that changes with the viewing angle—for example, appearing golden from the front, blue or red from the side, or even displaying a gradient or flickering rainbow effect.
Lamination: a thin layer of plastic film is applied to the card, with a glossy or matte finish. Glossy lamination provides a shiny appearance and vibrant colors, while matte lamination offers a soft, glare-free appearance and smooth texture.
Embossing: Embossing is divided into raised and recessed patterns. The raised and recessed textures create light and shadow contrasts through reflective properties, giving the design a three-dimensional shadow effect on a flat surface. Even without relying on color, the texture itself can highlight the design theme.
Flocking: Flocking length can be adjusted according to requirements (typically 0.03–3mm). Localized flocking or varying densities of flocking can create raised patterns or gradient effects.
How do you choose the appropriate paper, coating, and surface treatment? This depends on the type of card game you are producing.
You can evaluate the following factors to determine which printing materials and processes to select:
Game Type: Trading card games and tarot cards may benefit from high-quality black core paper with a glossy laminate to ensure durability and a more expensive, luxurious appearance. In contrast, educational flashcards or interactive traditional card games may use C1S paper with a matte finish for ease of use and the ability to write on one side.
Budget: While premium materials and finishes clearly contribute to quality, they also increase costs. Balance your desire for high-end materials with budget constraints to find the right compromise. We excel at helping you save money while still achieving the results you desire; we know all the tricks, so if you have any questions, please contact us, and we will assist you in finding the solution your game requires.
Target Game Audience: Consider who will be playing your game. Children’s games may require more durable, splash-resistant finishes, while collector’s games may prioritize high-quality visual and tactile experiences.
2025 Trends in Game Card Printing
1. Adhering to sustainable business principles: Using eco-friendly paper & biodegradable coatings, Xinyi has developed coffee grounds paper samples, fully implementing environmental policies. The factory features large transparent windows to reduce artificial lighting and maximize natural light.
2. Enhancing the experience: More premium surface treatment combinations (e.g., Matte + Spot UV + Gold Edging)
3. Cross-industry applications: Combining game cards with art and NFT collections
Conclusion
Paper, coating, and surface treatment are the three key factors determining card quality. We recommend that clients first clarify the intended use and target audience when designing cards, then communicate with professional printing factories to obtain the most suitable solution. Xinyicardprinting is always online to provide you with the best printing solutions.
