Card Game Design

Navigating the realm of card game design can prove challenging for newcomers to the field. Even self-proclaimed game-creation experts can find value in continuously expanding their understanding of game design.

The subsequent blogs and websites present an exclusive avenue to delve into the nuances of card game design, catering to all experience levels.

Through personal anecdotes, triumphs, and setbacks, these platforms offer an engaging and genuine means to enhance one’s comprehension of the card game design process.

You can embrace these resources, which promise an enjoyable and authentic approach to cultivating expertise in the realm of card game design.

11 Card Game Design Blogs And Websites

The League of Gamemakers

The League of Gamemakers stands as a collaborative haven for ingenious minds in the realm of game creation. Comprising visionary game designers, adept publishers, and skilled artists, this collective has united with a common goal: to forge an unparalleled game blog that emanates creativity.

With remarkable dedication, they unveil fresh and insightful posts thrice weekly, solidifying their status as a prolific source of gaming wisdom.

Within the virtual confines of their digital domain, an array of subjects come to life through their words.

From the intricacies of design philosophy to the labyrinthine pathways of publishing intricacies, and from the fine-tuning of mechanics to the contemplative musings that shape the very essence of the gaming world, their posts encompass a captivating spectrum.

The League’s synergy fosters an environment where discourse and exchange flourish, nurturing both novices and veterans in their pursuit of excellence.

In the ceaseless march of time, The League of Gamemakers remains a beacon of inspiration and a cornerstone of the gaming community. Its rhythmic cadence of knowledge dissemination enriches minds, empowers creativity, and perpetuates the legacy of game design innovation.

Cardboard Edison

Cardboard Edison stands as a vanguard, tirelessly assembling a treasure trove of resources tailored to the needs of aspiring and seasoned board game designers alike.

With an unwavering commitment, they curate an invaluable collection that encompasses an array of indispensable tools and insights. This platform serves as a guiding light, illuminating the intricate path of board game creation.

At its heart, Cardboard Edison is a wellspring of knowledge, offering an assortment of board game design tips that range from the fundamental to the esoteric, providing designers with the compass to navigate the uncharted waters of creativity.

Their meticulously crafted infographics and reports serve as visual waypoints, distilling complex concepts into easily digestible forms that ignite innovative sparks.

Perhaps most notably, Cardboard Edison’s board game publisher directory is a testament to their dedication. This curated repository of industry contacts empowers designers to bridge the gap between creation and publication, offering a bridge to turn dreams into tangible game boxes.

Cardboard Edison

Games Precipice stands as a remarkable testament to the power of collaboration, an intimate two-person endeavor that delves unfailingly into the intricate labyrinth of tabletop game design.

Conceived by the dynamic duo of Alex Harkey and Matt Pavlovich, this venture embarked on its journey in 2013, sparking a beacon of enlightenment for game design enthusiasts across the world.

The origins of Games Precipice trace back to a shared passion for game design that Alex and Matt cultivated while navigating the halls of academia. Gradually, their individual pursuits coalesced into a shared vision, leading to the inception of a platform dedicated to dissecting the very essence of game creation.

What distinguishes Games Precipice is its unwavering commitment to depth. With every topic they explore, they excavate the layers that constitute the bedrock of tabletop games. Their posts act as immersive workshops, where readers are invited to introspect the nuances of mechanics, narratives, and player dynamics.

Stonemaier Games

Stonemaier Games’s mission encompasses crafting games and fostering communities that embrace seasoned players, newcomers, those who enjoy solitary play, couples, larger gatherings, and people from all walks of life – regardless of ethnicity, gender, beliefs, culture, nationality, sexual orientation, abilities, or age.

Beyond traditional board games, it enhances the creative landscape by sharing its entrepreneurial victories, blunders, insights, and its passion for a wide array of games.

Mechanics & Meeples

Mechanics & Meeples stands as a vibrant hub celebrating the multifaceted world of board games, with a special penchant for Eurogames.

This platform, a haven for enthusiasts, delves into the intricate realm of game mechanics, fostering an understanding of the inner workings that drive the joy of play.

With a spotlight on Eurogames, it unravels the artistry behind strategic gameplay, immersing readers in the nuances of these engaging creations.

Whether exploring the mechanics of worker placement or the elegance of resource management, Mechanics & Meeples offers an intellectual journey through the heart of board gaming.

Board Game Designers Forum

The Board Game Designers Forum stands as a beacon of knowledge and camaraderie for creators and aficionados of tabletop board and card games.

This invaluable resource encompasses a wide spectrum of design intricacies, ranging from the conception and refinement of game mechanics to the nitty-gritty of prototyping, playtesting, and the labyrinthine journey to publishing success.

One of its core strengths lies in its expansive coverage of topics. Aspiring designers and seasoned creators alike can feast upon a banquet of insights encompassing every facet of the creative process.

Whether unraveling the tapestry of engaging game design principles, fine-tuning the delicate art of prototyping, or deciphering the invaluable feedback obtained through rigorous playtesting, the forum offers a treasure trove of wisdom.

Beyond its educational prowess, the forum fosters a sense of community that unites like-minded individuals sharing a passion for game design.

It serves as a nexus where beginners find guidance from experienced mentors, where ideas germinate and grow through collaborative discourse, and where the journey from concept to a fully-fledged, polished game becomes not just achievable, but also rewarding.

Make Them Play

Make Them Play unfolds as a strategic guide for crafting board games tailored for both commercial success and personal enjoyment. The platform propounds a concise sequence of steps that resonate with wisdom:

Immerse oneself in gameplay experiences, fostering an innate understanding of mechanics and dynamics, and engage in brainstorming sessions to spark ingenious ideas.

By advocating active participation in gaming culture and nurturing the imaginative process, Make Them Play empowers aspiring designers to transform abstract concepts into tangible, engaging board game experiences, effectively bridging the gap between vision and reality.

WJPC Blog

WJPC stands as a seasoned card game manufacturer, offering a wealth of expertise in not only crafting exceptional card games but also in generously sharing their professional insights.

Our commitment extends beyond production to encompass an altruistic sharing of knowledge concerning card design, printing intricacies, effective sales strategies, and more.

This dedication to education fosters a supportive community, where aspiring designers and industry enthusiasts alike can tap into the reservoir of wisdom cultivated by WJPC.

Our willingness to impart their experience solidifies them not just as a manufacturer but as a guiding light for those navigating the multifaceted landscape of card game creation and distribution.

Some Lists Of Articles From Personal Designers To Watch

Greg’s Design Blog

Greg’s Design Blog stands as a rich repository, a testament to the profound insights and expertise of game designer Gregory Carslaw.

This compilation encapsulates a treasure trove of his illuminating game design articles, spanning a vast spectrum of topics. With a diverse array of entries numbering in the hundreds, the blog becomes a comprehensive index that navigates through the intricacies of game creation.

Whether delving into mechanics, narratives, or the nuances of player engagement, Greg’s Design Blog is an invaluable compass for both fledgling designers and seasoned creators seeking to enrich their understanding of the art and science of game design.

Jeff’s World of Game Design Blog

Jeff’s World of Game Design blog is the eloquent musings of the mind behind BGG’s 7600th top game flow like precious nickels from a wellspring of creativity. Delve into a realm where insights about game design and its nuances are intricately woven with words.

Jeff’s perspective shines a light on the art of crafting experiences that resonate. Each post is a gem, offering readers a treasure trove of thoughts from a unique vantage point.

Join it on this intellectual journey as it explores the realms of design, unleashing innovation in every syllable, and savoring the riches of game creation.

Adam in Wales Blog

Immerse yourself in a captivating video series from Adam in Wales Blog, that not only explores the exhilarating world of playing boardgames, card games, and dice games but also delves into the captivating realm of creating them.

With the picturesque backdrop of Wales, Adam guides you through the intricate dynamics of gameplay while offering a behind-the-scenes peek into the art of game crafting.

From riveting strategies to the nitty-gritty of design, this blog is your passport to a dual adventure of enjoyment and innovation in the ever-evolving landscape of tabletop gaming.

Game card printing design represents the final phase of crafting your artwork, marking the juncture where meticulous setup is essential for optimal printing results.

While card game creators may possess a grasp of design and artistic formulation, they often lack comprehensive insights into the intricacies of the printing process. This absence of knowledge regarding printing techniques and best practices can inadvertently compromise the excellence of their visual content.

At WJPC, we’ve developed an extensive series elucidating the nuances of game card printing design.

Within this article, we will expound upon the fundamental principles, ensuring the attainment of superlative outcomes.

Game Card Printing Design vs. Game Card Web Design

Digital graphic design markedly diverges from its print counterpart. This distinction hinges on the fact that digital graphic design intended for online consumption can be effortlessly converted into formats such as JPEG or PNG. The audience viewing this digital image experiences it precisely as visualized.

Conversely, in the realm of printing, meticulous supervision by the print engineer is indispensable. This supervision encompasses the regulation of color rendition within the printing apparatus, as well as the precision alignment of printing zones, both of which collectively ensure the emergence of a splendid final product.

Consequently, the approach to graphic design for print diverges significantly from its digital variant; meticulous handling and adept control are prerequisites to success.

Ensuring Optimal Quality For Your Game Card Printing Design

Aiming for impeccable print results in your graphic design entails careful consideration of four pivotal aspects. Paying meticulous attention to these areas is paramount:

• Precise File Specifications
• Flawless Color Management
• Text Precision and Clarity
• Prudent File Handling

It’s crucial to acknowledge that this comprehensive checklist is indispensable for attaining flawlessness in your artwork and game production.

While the majority of manufacturers, publishers, and players may not readily discern these nuances, our primary objective is to ensure your contentment with the final result.

It remains within your purview to diverge from this list, yet it must be underscored that deviating from these guidelines may preclude us from guaranteeing the print quality in such instances.

1. Defining Your File Specifications

Ensure that the dimensions of your file match those of the final printed version. This prevents potential issues such as pix elation or distortion when preparing the file for printing. To generate precise files with bleed, you can utilize our Custom Art Templates.

Incorporate bleed and margins into your files to prevent any crucial content from being trimmed off during printing. For accurate alignment, it’s advisable to employ grid lines. Please note that we are unable to correct misaligned elements.

For optimal results, Adobe Illustrator is recommended due to its utilization of vector graphics, which maintain quality regardless of scaling. In situations where pixel graphics are necessary, ensure a minimum DPI of 300 for standard artwork and consider using 450 DPI for text-intensive designs.

2. Achieving Precise Color Setting

Starting from the artwork creation phase, it’s essential to work exclusively with CMYK color mode, avoiding the use of RGB.

Implement swatches in your file to maintain consistent colors across all elements. This ensures uniformity in your components.

For optimal color results on extensive surfaces, exercise restraint in color blending. Utilize a maximum of two colors from the CMYK color palette, with the option to incorporate black if necessary.

For instance, consider combinations like C+Y+K, C+M+K, or M+Y+K, avoiding the use of all four colors in a single mixture.

Maintain vigilance to ensure that the cumulative color percentage on large surfaces remains below 180%. Exceeding this threshold can result in the ink becoming muddled.

When dealing with gradients, it’s advisable to create them in PSD format and subsequently flatten them into PNG files.

3. Ensuring Crisp Text Appearance

Text predominantly consists of delicate ink strokes, making it susceptible to registration errors, which involve the misalignment of overlaid patterns in color printing. To mitigate this risk, observe the following three guidelines:

• Isolate all text on a separate layer, enabling the addition of an extra protective layer against registration errors.
• Black text should be entirely composed of 100% K (black), or if using a different color, limit it to a combination of only two colors (such as C+Y, M+Y, M+K, etc.).
• Consider converting text to outlines for added security against unexpected issues.

4. Outputting Your Files

When incorporating assets from diverse software, convert them into smart objects to prevent pix elation when resizing is necessary.

Maintain the files in their dynamic, unflattened state to retain control over colors and assets if adjustments are required.

For optimal color adjustment and printing effects, structure file assets across three or four layers: Background, Images & Icons, Text, and any cutting line templates.

Submitting files in Adobe Illustrator format is preferred. However, editable PDF or PSD files are also suitable. Use PNG/JPEG/flattened files only when you are fully confident in the flawlessness of your artwork.

5. Uploading Your Files To WJPC

To submit your files, please utilize our Contact Page. Organize your submission by creating distinct folders for each file type, such as Cards, Box, Booklet, etc.

In the event that your cards feature varying back designs, establish a separate folder for each distinct back design. This arrangement allows us to identify that all cards within a specific folder share the same back design.

If all your cards use the same back designs, please upload the back side of the cards just once, placing them in the appropriate matching folder. There’s no necessity to upload the same card back multiple times.

In instances where certain cards are intended to appear multiple times within the game, kindly replicate these cards as needed and label them sequentially. For instance: game card1, game card2, game card3.

If you want to maximize the printing effect of your design, you also need to choose the suitable finish and process, which you can check 9 Game Card Finishes to learn more.

Also, our team of skilled sales designers is readily available to provide you with comprehensive support and answers!

Every printed element requires a proper finish, particularly game card components. The presence of a game card finish is essential to prevent ink smudging and excessive stickiness in the printed materials. Nevertheless, numerous creators lack the knowledge of the optimal and most fitting card finishes for their games.

This article aims to address the concepts of the most suitable 9 Game Card Finishes, offering you a comprehensive elucidation of each option.

Choose The Most Suitable For You Among 9 Game Card Finishes

Required Game Card Finish

When deciding between oil varnish and lamination, the primary factors to consider are the intended usage of the components and the demographics of the players engaging with the game.

Lamination involves a plastic-based finish that is notably robust and thick. It proves particularly advantageous for games aimed at children, who often handle objects with a certain degree of roughness.

Lamination effectively safeguards the cards from tearing, ensuring their structural integrity even when bent over extended periods.

In contrast, the function of an oil finish primarily revolves around safeguarding the ink without notably reinforcing the inherent durability of the cards.

However, lamination does present certain drawbacks. Due to its plastic composition, it does not align with eco-friendly principles. And it impedes the ease and speed of shuffling.

The lamination layer’s static friction occasionally leads to cards adhering to one another, hindering seamless shuffling. In contrast, oil varnish serves to smoothen cards, reducing friction and thereby improving shuffling capabilities.

Another aspect to contemplate is the desired level of glossiness or matte appearance. While lamination offers the choice between matte and glossy finishes, oil varnish resides in an intermediate realm. Often referred to as a Semi-Glossy finish, oil varnish straddles the two options.

When considering packaging such as board game or card game boxes, opting for lamination is consistently recommended. These boxes demand heightened protection, even for the most meticulous card game enthusiasts who handle them delicately during storage and retrieval.

Moreover, the most irksome scenario is the splitting open of a box corner, a predicament that lamination effectively averts.

Linen Game Card Finish

The process of achieving a linen finish on cards involves employing a press machine equipped with steel plates featuring a specific pattern. During this process, the paper is fed through the machine and compressed to replicate the pattern on the surface.

Linen finishes are applied to cards for two primary reasons: to facilitate smoother shuffling or to impart an appealing visual texture. However, it’s important to note that the linen finish can slightly reduce the thickness of the paper.

To counter this effect, we advise using a card stock of at least 350gsm and adjusting the press pressure for the linen finish to prevent any potential damage to your cards.

The application of a linen finish is an independent process and can be utilized with various surface treatments. Whether your cards possess lamination, oil varnish, or an aqua-based finish, the linen finish can be seamlessly integrated.

Decorative Game Card Finishes

Incorporating decorative finishes can significantly elevate the visual appeal of your cards. By synergizing various treatments, you have the opportunity to craft truly remarkable and captivating card designs.

1) Metallic Inks

Metallic ink is formulated by incorporating metallic particles into the ink composition.

These particles reflect light, resulting in a distinctive metallic appearance for your cards. It’s categorized as a spot color, which signifies it’s a pre-mixed ink utilizing a single printing plate, as opposed to the four plates utilized for traditional CMYK colors.

Spot colors, also known as the Pantone Matching System (PMS), allow for printing colors beyond the standard CMYK spectrum. This is particularly effective for highlights or metallic effects.

Metallic Ink vs. Foil Stamping

While metallic ink is blended and applied similar to CMYK inks, foil stamping involves applying metallic foil to printed paper stock using heat and pressure. Both techniques yield unique visual appeal, but specific projects are better suited for one method over the other.

Metallic ink offers a subtler outcome because it’s applied early in the printing process and subsequently covered with a finish (lamination or varnish). Conversely, foil stamping produces a more vivid impact and an exceptionally realistic metallic sheen, applied after the printing process.

Delicate, intricate designs are better suited for metallic ink as it’s applied during the printing press operation. Foil stamping involves cutting the design out of foil stock. If the design is small and intricate, metallic ink is likely the more suitable choice.

For designs predominantly intricate and metallic, opt for metallic ink over foil for a softer shine. Designers sometimes find excessive foil use can create an overly flashy appearance, hence favoring metallic ink for such applications.

Metallic ink offers a wide array of color possibilities as it combines the ink color of choice with gold or silver metal particles. Even holographic foil options are available for a truly impressive effect.

If your project involves additional specialty printing techniques like embossing or debossing, foil stamping is more compatible. Metallic ink contains real metal fragments, which could potentially lead to cracking during embossing or debossing.

Foil stamping tends to surpass metallic ink in terms of durability. Over time, the ink’s metal particles might result in cracking.

From a cost perspective, metallic ink is generally more budget-friendly compared to foil stamping.

2) Foil Film

A frequently used form of foiling involves applying a foil film as an extra layer across the entirety of a card’s surface.

This imparts a luxurious holographic sensation to the card. However, depending on the specific finish and application method, certain disadvantages can arise, notably including the potential for card warping.

Gold, silver, and holographic foil cards (also referred to as hologram cards, holofoil cards, or simply foil cards) are a popular variety often seen in TCG trading cards or sports cards. These cards essentially feature an ultra-thin layer of rainbow foil meticulously applied onto the card prior to undergoing the printing process.

3) Cold Foil Stamping

The card passes beneath a foil roller, which binds the foil to the designated area. Afterward, the card undergoes curing, typically using UV light, followed by the application of a finishing layer.

One of the most notable distinctions between hot foil stamping and cold foil techniques becomes evident in their terminology.

The term ‘hot’ alludes to the requirement for heat and pressure in the former process, while cold foil relies on ultraviolet light instead of elevated temperature.

Whether employed in sheet-fed lithographic or flexographic printing, cold foil application can be seamlessly integrated inline.

The foil is dispensed from an inline roll and placed over the substrate, where a UV adhesive has been printed in the desired pattern. A pressure roller secures the foil onto the sheet before the adhesive is cured by exposure to a UV lamp, effectively locking the design in position.

The versatility of foils extends to customization, allowing for the application of CMYK or PMS colors onto traditional silver or gold foils.

4) Hot Foil Stamping

The application of a hot foil stamp involves imprinting the card with the foil, creating an embossed effect.

This imparts a certain level of texture to the card. The pivotal tool in the process of hot foil stamping is the hot foil stamping machine, requiring manual operation by a skilled operator.

Remarkably, the same machinery can facilitate both foil stamping and embossing (or debossing), making it possible to combine embossing with foil stamp printing for an even more captivating printed outcome.

Hot Foil Stamping Vs Cold Foil Stamping

Hot foil stamping works great for precise applications, defined patterns in small areas. Cold foil, on the other hand, is the preferred technique for large areas, such as moderate or full coverage of folding cartons.

Then there are customization considerations: Hot foil stamping allows for debossing or embossing in a single pass; cold foil gives you control over color.

5) Gilding

Once the card sheet has been trimmed, the cards are arranged in a stack, followed by the application of either foil or ink to the card edges.

This imparts a colored or metallic edge to the cards. For certain uses, the edges undergo beveling before being adorned with gilding.

Elevate your custom game cards with gilded card technology, infusing a touch of opulence to their edges. Our impeccably finished gilt edges are bound to captivate anyone who beholds them, providing your cards with the awe-inspiring flair they truly deserve.

6) Spot Varnish

A supplementary layer of high gloss varnish is meticulously added to targeted sections of the card, introducing contrast and expertly accentuating specific elements on the card’s surface.

This strategic application of gloss not only enhances the visual allure but also contributes to a heightened tactile experience, further elevating the overall quality and sophistication of the cards.

The interplay between the glossy and matte textures lends an engaging dynamic to the design, ensuring that every aspect of the card exudes a captivating and refined presence, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who engages with it.

Which Game Card Finish Suits Your Needs Best?

Reach out to WJPC today to discover how we can empower your products to stand out prominently on store shelves and instantly capture the attention of discerning customers.