The minimum order for custom playing cards at Mr. Playing Card is 15 decks. There is no maximum — we print runs of 15, 100, 1,000, and 100,000+ on the same equipment with the same quality.
Why 15 decks
Every custom print job carries fixed setup costs — color profiling, press calibration, plate or file prep, and trim/punch setup. Those costs are the same whether the press makes one deck or two hundred. Fifteen decks is the smallest quantity where the per-deck cost stays in a reasonable range while still earning back setup.
What 15 decks is good for
- Prototypes and concept tests before a larger run
- Executive gifts or small client appreciation
- Wedding-party decks or family gifts
- Limited artist editions
- Sales-rep demo kits
When to scale up
Per-deck cost drops fast between 15 and 500 decks. If you're already ordering 50 decks, adding 50 more often costs only marginally more in total — but cuts your unit price meaningfully.
| Quantity | Typical per-deck (paper) |
|---|---|
| 15 | $18.99 |
| 50 | $8.99–$10.49 |
| 250 | $5.09–$5.59 |
| 1,000 | $2.59–$2.99 |
| 5,000+ | $1.67–$1.94 |
Note: per-deck pricing is for cards only on black-core paper, shrink-wrapped. Custom tuck boxes, foil, embossing, and metallic ink are priced separately as add-ons.
Want to test before you order 15?
Order a press-printed proof — a single deck printed on your real stock with your real finish. It costs more per deck than a production run, but it's the only way to verify color, finish, and feel before committing to volume.
Ready to order?
Run a live quote at 15 decks and watch the price drop as you scale.
