MakePlayingCards.com — Prototype Order Specification

MakePlayingCards.com — Prototype Order Specification

Date: 2026-02-12
Order Type: Prototype — 15 unique cards × 2 copies (30 cards total)
Product: Custom Tarot Cards (70×121mm)

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1. Product Configuration

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2. Upload Specifications

File Format Requirements

Dimensions with Bleed

Bleed & Safety Diagram

┌─────────────────────────────┐  ← Full canvas (76×127mm)
│  BLEED ZONE (3mm)           │
│  ┌───────────────────────┐  │  ← Cut line (70×121mm)
│  │  TRIM ZONE (3mm)      │  │
│  │  ┌─────────────────┐  │  │  ← Safe zone (64×115mm)
│  │  │                 │  │  │
│  │  │  ALL IMPORTANT  │  │  │
│  │  │  CONTENT HERE   │  │  │
│  │  │                 │  │  │
│  │  └─────────────────┘  │  │
│  │                       │  │
│  └───────────────────────┘  │
│                             │
└─────────────────────────────┘

Background art: Extend to full canvas (bleed)
Text/logos: Keep within safe zone

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3. SVG → PNG Export Pipeline

Step-by-Step Conversion

# 1. Export each SVG to high-res PNG (600 DPI)
# Our SVGs are 70×120mm — need to extend to 76×127mm for MPC bleed

# Using Inkscape CLI (recommended):
inkscape \
  --export-type=png \
  --export-dpi=600 \
  --export-width=1792 \
  --export-height=2992 \
  input.svg \
  --export-filename=output.png

# Using rsvg-convert:
rsvg-convert \
  -w 1792 -h 2992 \
  --format png \
  input.svg > output.png

# Using ImageMagick (from existing PNG):
convert input.png \
  -resize 1792x2992 \
  -quality 100 \
  output.png

Bleed Handling

Our SVGs are designed at 70×120mm. MPC needs 76×127mm with bleed. Options:

Option A: Extend SVG backgrounds (Recommended)
1. Update SVG viewBox from `0 0 70 120` to `-3 -3 76 127`
2. Extend background gradient/color 3mm past each edge
3. Export at 76×127mm

Option B: Canvas extension post-export
1. Export SVG at native 70×120mm → 1650×2835 px @600DPI
2. Extend canvas to 1792×2992 px using edge-stretch
3. Background extends naturally; text stays centered

Option C: Use print-assembly.js
- Our existing `scripts/print-assembly.js` already handles bleed zones
- Run assembly script → export individual card PNGs with bleed

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4. Card-by-Card Upload Map

Front Faces (15 cards)

Back Faces (45 unique per-card backs)

> ⚠️ STRATEGY UPDATE 2026-05-08: The deck uses 45 unique chapter-portal backs, not 1 universal. Each card's back carries chapter title + color gradient + integrated QR code linking to its in-app reflection content. The back IS the in-app portal.

For the 15-card prototype, upload the 15 matching unique backs:

> ⚠️ Render Pipeline Pending 2026-05-08: Existing rendered backs at `editions/standard-final/card-back-NN.png` and `editions/standard-v2/card-back-NN.png` are the wrong aspect ratio (poker 0.811) for tarot print spec (0.599). Need to re-render all 45 backs at tarot proportions (1792×2992 px @ 600dpi with 3mm bleed). Source: existing back generators at `physical-cards/svg-templates/master-generator.js` + `editions/` rendering scripts. Cards 40-45 don't have rendered backs yet (need to be created from scratch).
>
> ⚠️ MPC Limitation: All cards in one deck share the same stock. MPC also typically charges per unique back design — this prototype with 15 unique backs may cost more than the original $83-146 estimate; budget could rise to $200-280. Confirm with MPC before submitting.

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5. Multi-Deck Stock Test Orders

Since MPC requires uniform stock per deck, split into sub-orders:

Deck A: Standard Smooth (S30) — 4 cards

Deck B: Superior Smooth / Black Core (S33) — 3 cards

Deck C: Linen (M28) — 1 card

> Note: MPC minimum is 10 cards per tarot deck. We may need to duplicate cards or add placeholder cards to reach minimum. Alternative: order as "custom cards" rather than "tarot deck" if custom allows fewer cards.

Deck D: Thick Standard (A35) — 7 cards

Alternative Approach: Single Combined Deck

If testing individual stocks isn't critical for the first prototype:
- Order all 15 cards on A35 (Thick Standard) — the heaviest/most premium
- Focus the prototype on testing: print quality, foil effects, color accuracy, triptych alignment
- Test stock differences on a separate MPC card stock sample order ($5-10)

Recommended: Alternative approach — one order is simpler, cheaper, and tests the most important variables (foil and print quality).

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6. Foil Mask Preparation

For cards with cold foil, MPC requires a separate foil mask file:

Foil Mask Specifications

Cards Needing Foil Masks

Generating Foil Masks

# For border-only foil (Rare cards):
# Extract border layer from SVG → export as black-on-white PNG

# For full-face foil (Epic/Legendary):
# Create solid black rectangle matching card dimensions
convert -size 1792x2992 xc:black foil-mask-full.png

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7. Packaging — Custom Tuck Box

Tuck Box Upload Specs

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8. Order Checklist

Pre-Order Preparation

• [ ] Export all 15 front card SVGs to 600 DPI PNG (1792×2992px with bleed)
• [ ] Export universal back SVG to 600 DPI PNG (1792×2992px with bleed)
• [ ] Create foil mask PNGs for 7 foiled cards (black = foil area)
• [ ] Design tuck box exterior (front, back, spine, flaps)
• [ ] Verify all text is within safe zone (64×115mm)
• [ ] Verify backgrounds extend to full bleed (76×127mm)
• [ ] Color-check all PNGs on a calibrated monitor

MPC Order Steps

1. Go to: https://www.makeplayingcards.com/design/design-your-own-tarot-cards.html
2. Select: Custom Tarot Cards
3. Configure deck size: 15-18 cards (pad to minimum if needed)
4. Select card stock: A35 (Thick Standard) — or split into multiple orders
5. Select printing: Full color front, full color back
6. Select foil option: Per card as mapped above
7. Upload front faces (15 files)
8. Upload back face (1 file, applied to all)
9. Upload foil masks for applicable cards
10. Configure tuck box (upload artwork)
11. Select quantity: 2 decks
12. Review proof preview
13. Add to cart and checkout

Post-Order

• [ ] Save order confirmation number
• [ ] Download/screenshot proof previews
• [ ] Note expected delivery date
• [ ] Order NTAG215 stickers from Amazon (50 pack) concurrently

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9. Estimated Cost

> Note: Multiple stock options may require separate orders, increasing cost. Single-stock approach recommended for prototype.

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10. MPC Useful Links

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Spec complete. Ready to order once SVG → PNG exports are done.