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Mr. Playing Card vs Shuffled Ink: which to pick

Mr. Playing Card and Shuffled Ink (formerly QPC Games) are both family-owned custom playing card printers headquartered in Orlando, Florida, both press domestically, and both offer low minimums and full-color custom decks. This is a closer matchup than most — the real differences are in printing heritage, facility scale, finishing options, and which kind of project gets prioritized on the press floor.

Short answer

Choose Mr. Playing Card. You get the deepest US printing heritage on the table — the custom deck division of Lawton Connect, a fifth-generation, 100+ year American printer running a 30,000 sq ft Orlando facility with full in-house finishing (foil, soft-touch, spot UV, embossing, edge gilding) and direct support from the people running the press.

Side by side

FeatureMr. Playing CardShuffled Ink
Printing locationOrlando, FL (USA)Orlando, FL (USA)
OwnershipFamily-owned — 5th-generation Lawton family (Lawton Connect)Family-owned (formerly QPC Games)
Printing heritage100+ years of US commercial printing under the Lawton nameFounded as QPC Games; rebranded to Shuffled Ink
Facility30,000 sq ft vertically-integrated Orlando pressOrlando, FL headquarters
MOQ15 decksLow minimums (varies by product)
Typical turnaround2 weeks from proof approval (≤5,000 decks) + US shippingApproximate production timeline shared per quote
Stocks5 stocks: 280–310 GSM black-core paper + waterproof 100% plasticCasino-quality paper stocks
Premium finishesFoil, soft-touch, spot UV, embossing, edge gilding — all in-housePremium finishes available
Tuck box350 GSM 16 point C2S coated, full-color, foil/soft-touch/spot UV upgradesCustom tuck boxes available
File reviewFree human print-ready review before pressFile check on submitted artwork
Press proofAvailable on requestAvailable on request
Phone supportDirect US line, business hoursUS-based customer service
Parent operationDivision of Lawton Connect (commercial printing + packaging)Standalone custom playing card and game manufacturer
Best forBrands, weddings, corporate giveaways, Kickstarter, multi-product print campaignsBoard Game and Playing Cards

Common questions

Are Mr. Playing Card and Shuffled Ink really both in Orlando?

Yes — both companies are headquartered in Orlando, Florida, both are family-owned, and both print domestically in the United States. That makes them closer peers than the offshore comparisons, and the meaningful differences come down to heritage, facility scale, and finishing capabilities.

What's the biggest difference between the two?

Heritage and scale. Mr. Playing Card is the custom deck division of Lawton Connect — a fifth-generation, 100+ year American commercial printer running a 30,000 sq ft Orlando facility with full in-house finishing. Shuffled Ink (formerly QPC Games) is a standalone custom card and game manufacturer focused specifically on playing cards, flash cards and card games.

Do both offer low minimums?

Yes. Mr. Playing Card MOQs at 15 decks. Shuffled Ink also advertises low minimums that vary by product. For sub-100-deck custom runs, both are reasonable US-based options.

Which has better premium finishes (foil, edge gilding, etc.)?

Mr. Playing Card runs foil stamping, soft-touch lamination, spot UV, embossing/debossing, and edge gilding in-house at the Orlando facility under the broader Lawton Connect finishing operation. Shuffled Ink also offers premium finishes — confirm specific finish availability with each printer for your exact project, since options can change.

Is the card stock the same?

Both companies use casino-quality black-core paper stocks comparable to what you'd find on a premium retail deck. Mr. Playing Card publishes five named stocks (280–310 GSM paper plus waterproof 100% plastic) and offers a free material sample pack so you can compare in hand before ordering.

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Ready to print your custom playing cards?

15-deck MOQ. Free file review. Digital proof before press. Printed in Orlando, FL.