This page is a plain-English walkthrough of how Culture of Gaming produces print-on-demand cards (including MTG proxy/playtest cards). No jargon, no mystery — just what happens between “Order placed” and “Delivered.”
Last updated: January 3, 2026
The quick version
You order → we prepare files → we print → we cut/finish → we quality-check → we pack → we ship.
Because most items are made on demand, we’re focused on consistency and repeatable quality, not “art project” chaos.
Step 1: File prep (making sure it will print cleanly)
Before printing, we do a basic production check to catch issues that commonly cause bad results, like:
- tiny text that won’t stay readable after printing
- low-resolution images that will look blurry
- borders/art that will get trimmed off
- layouts that don’t match the product size
If something looks likely to print poorly, we may contact you — but we can’t guarantee we’ll catch every possible issue, especially on large or complex orders.
Want the exact technical requirements? See:
https://cultureofgaming.com/supported-files-custom-orders/
Step 2: Printing (what “print-on-demand” actually means)
Print-on-demand means we print your order after you place it — not months earlier and not pulled from a warehouse shelf.
That has a few benefits:
- you don’t get old, sun-faded inventory
- we can produce small or large runs without “minimum order” weirdness
- you get a consistent output from a controlled process
Important note on color:
Screens lie. Every monitor/phone displays color differently, and print behaves differently than backlit screens. We aim for consistent results, but perfect “screen match” color is not something any print shop can promise.
Step 3: Cutting (the part nobody thinks about until it goes wrong)
Cards are produced in sheets and then cut down to the final size.
What we do to keep cutting consistent:
- we align prints to cut guides
- we cut to the intended finished size for the product you ordered
- we keep tolerances tight, but minor variation is normal in physical cutting
If your design has a border, small cut shifts are more noticeable. If you want the cleanest look, consider borderless/full-bleed designs.
Step 4: Finishing (surface feel, durability, and “how it looks in sleeves”)
Depending on the specific product you select, finishing may include:
- a smooth or matte-like surface feel
- protective handling steps to reduce scuffing
- (where applicable) corner style consistent with the product format
The exact finish is determined by the product listing and is designed to look good in sleeves for casual play and playtesting.
If your order arrives with a defect or damage, we’ll make it right when it’s on us:
https://cultureofgaming.com/quality-guarantee-reprints/
Step 5: Quality checks (before it leaves us)
We do a basic quality check that focuses on:
- correct item count
- obvious print defects (major banding, severe blur, major misprints)
- major cutting issues
- packing correctness (right items/variants)
For very large orders, checks may be done via spot checks + count verification.
Step 6: Packaging (so your order arrives like cards, not chaos)
We package orders to reduce:
- bending in transit
- corner dings
- surface scuffs
- moisture exposure (within normal shipping reality)
If a package arrives damaged, take photos of:
- the shipping label
- the outside packaging
- the damaged items
Then contact us:
https://cultureofgaming.com/contact-us/
What we will not do (important)
Culture of Gaming proxy/playtest products are intended for casual play and playtesting only.
We do not support:
- sanctioned tournament use
- requests intended to deceive others
- resale as authentic cards
Details here:
https://cultureofgaming.com/proxy-use-policy/
Still have questions?
If you’re unsure whether your files will print well or you have a deadline, contact us before ordering:
https://cultureofgaming.com/contact-us/