Guides

Custom Designing 52 Playing Cards for Merchlist

21/05/20256 min read

In an age where branding and merchandising have become essential touchpoints for businesses and creators, unique products can act as powerful marketing tools. One such creative and functional product is a custom-designed deck of 52 playing cards. This article walks through the concept, creation, and application of such a deck, specifically tailored for Merchlist — a brand or platform aiming to express identity, style, and creativity through customized merchandise.

Introduction to Playing Cards as Merchandise

Playing cards have transcended their original purpose of gaming and are now seen as collector’s items, souvenirs, artistic expressions, and branded merchandise. A 52-card deck offers 52 unique canvases, giving brands a chance to tell a story or display creative assets in a compact, practical format.

For Merchlist — a platform that may host creators, brands, or artists — the idea of a custom deck aligns with their ethos: celebrating creativity, promoting visibility, and adding value to everyday objects.

Why Playing Cards?

1. Universality

Playing cards are used worldwide. Whether for poker, bridge, solitaire, or magic tricks, almost everyone has engaged with them at some point. This universality makes them ideal for promotional merchandise.

2. Compact and Practical

Unlike posters or bulky items, a deck of cards is easy to ship, store, and sell. It fits easily into pockets, gift bags, and suitcases, making it an appealing item for both casual buyers and collectors.

3. Customizable Format

With 52 faces (plus jokers and box design), you get over 55 opportunities for branding or showcasing art, which is far more than the real estate on a t-shirt or cap.

4. Artistic Versatility

Artists, illustrators, and graphic designers thrive on varied surfaces. Cards allow for consistent visual identity or wildly diverse pieces within a set.

Step-by-Step Guide to Custom Design

Designing 52 unique playing cards for Merchlist is both an art and a project management task. Below is a comprehensive guide.

1. Define the Purpose

Ask: Why is Merchlist creating this deck?

To showcase different creators?
To celebrate a theme or culture?
To sell as a limited-edition collector’s item?
To create a playable, branded item?

Purpose will influence everything from the artwork to the packaging.

2. Choose a Theme

A theme gives cohesion to the design. Ideas include:

Creator Spotlight Deck: Each card features a different Merchlist creator.
Pop Culture Icons: Inspired by music, movies, or internet culture.
Abstract Art Series: Each card features unique artwork exploring shapes, colors, and emotions.
Streetwear Culture: Cards reflect graphics seen in Merchlist fashion or urban culture.
Seasonal Collection: Spring, summer, fall, and winter-inspired designs across the suits.

A theme can elevate a product from just being “cool” to “collectible.”

3. Structure the Deck

A standard deck has:

52 cards in 4 suits (Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, Spades)
Face cards: King, Queen, Jack (12 total)
Numbered cards: Ace to 10 (40 total)
2 Jokers (optional but common)
Card back design
Box design

Each element needs intentional design:

Face Cards: The Kings, Queens, and Jacks should reflect something special – perhaps real-life figures, mascots, or custom characters.
Number Cards: These can be minimalist or artistic, depending on the target audience.
Jokers: These offer creative freedom – often the most abstract or humorous.
Card Backs: The most important for branding, as this side is always visible during play.
Packaging: The tuck box must be eye-catching, sturdy, and aligned with the brand identity.

Design Considerations

1. Format and Resolution

Standard poker size is 2.5″ x 3.5″ (63.5mm x 89mm).
Designs should be created in 300 DPI resolution for print clarity.
Use bleed areas (around 1/8 inch) to avoid cut-off designs.

2. Typography

Use legible fonts for the numbers and suits.
If going artistic, make sure readability is not sacrificed — cards still need to function in a game.
Consider custom typography for numbers or letters to reinforce branding.

3. Color Palette

Consistent palette across suits or varied colors per suit.
Black and red are traditional, but you can customize — for example, neon blue vs pastel pink.
Make sure colors are print-friendly (CMYK or Pantone).

4. Suit Design

Instead of traditional hearts, diamonds, spades, and clubs, create custom symbols that reflect Merchlist branding.
For example, a lightning bolt instead of spades, or streetwear icons in place of hearts.

5. Illustration Style

Choose a consistent illustration style:

Vector art
Hand-drawn sketches
Digital painting
Photography + collage

The chosen style should resonate with Merchlist’s brand and its audience. For example, a street-style deck might use graffiti art and bold colors.

Collaboration Opportunities

A deck can be an artist collaboration project. Invite 52 artists or Merchlist creators to each design one card. This adds:

Diversity in visual style
Community involvement
Built-in audience (every artist shares the product with their fans)
Social buzz around the campaign

Each artist could receive royalties, promotional mention, or exclusive access to physical decks.

Production and Printing

1. Choosing a Printer

Reliable playing card manufacturers include:

MakePlayingCards (MPC)
Shuffled Ink
The USPCC (United States Playing Card Company – premium but expensive)
PrintNinja
BoardGamesMaker

Choose based on:

Print quality (linen finish, durability)
Minimum order quantity
Cost per unit
Shipping options

2. Materials

Cardstock: Choose 300+ gsm stock for durability.
Finish: Linen, smooth, or glossy. Linen is traditional and feels professional.
Box: Matte or glossy finish; consider embossed logos or foil stamping for premium appeal.

3. Mockups and Prototypes

Before mass production:

Order a sample deck
Check colors, alignment, card feel
Test with real users — does it shuffle well? Are the suits clear?

Branding and Storytelling

Merchlist’s deck should tell a story — whether about the community, culture, or brand journey.

Ideas:

Include a mini-booklet explaining each card’s inspiration.
Hide Easter eggs in the design — QR codes linking to artist pages or Merchlist drops.
Use cards in photo shoots, ads, or influencer kits.

Marketing the Deck

1. Limited Edition Drops

Create urgency and exclusivity by releasing limited quantities (e.g., 500 units only).

2. Bundle Offers

Bundle with hoodies, caps, or posters in themed boxes.

3. Creator Spotlight Campaign

Run weekly spotlights on the artists/designers behind each card.

4. Launch Events

Host virtual or in-person launch events, giveaways, and contests.

Share card reveals one by one
Show behind-the-scenes of the design process
Encourage fans to tag and post with the deck

Potential Use Cases

Retail sales: On Merchlist’s site or at pop-up events.
Gifts: With large purchases or exclusive drops.
Branding collateral: For media kits or influencer outreach.
Game nights: Community engagement and brand immersion.
Collector’s item: Sell signed editions or numbered sets.

Challenges and Tips

1. Consistency vs Creativity

With 52+ designs, consistency can slip. Use templates, guides, and one or two designers to keep elements aligned.

2. Cost Management

Custom decks can be expensive. Watch your per-unit cost and consider pre-orders or crowdfunding (like Kickstarter) to offset risk.

3. Licensing

If using real-life figures, mascots, or collaborations, ensure you have permission and licensing in place.

4. Quality Assurance

Poorly printed cards reflect badly on the brand. Always order prototypes and get user feedback.

Final Thoughts

Creating a custom-designed 52-card deck for Merchlist is more than a creative project — it’s a storytelling opportunity. Each card is a slice of art, culture, and identity, reflecting the values and aesthetics of the platform and its creators.

From concept to launch, it requires thoughtful planning, artistic vision, and sharp execution — but the result can be a timeless piece of brand magic. Whether it’s used for game night, shelf display, or Instagram posts, a well-designed deck leaves a lasting impression.

For Merchlist, this deck isn’t just merchandise — it’s a movement.