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 $229 prototype deck (55 cards + tuck box) or a $149 press-sheet proof (printed with no coating or finishing). Either one adds time to the production timeline, and it's the best way to check your design in print before committing to volume. Printed color can vary from what you see on screen.
Ready to order?
Run a live quote at 15 decks and watch the price drop as you scale.
