What file formats do you need for custom cards?
We are preparing print files for a 54-card custom deck. What formats, bleed, and color notes do factories actually want, and what mistakes cause the most reprints?
We are preparing print files for a 54-card custom deck. What formats, bleed, and color notes do factories actually want, and what mistakes cause the most reprints?
Answers
7Include a one-page color intent sheet (lighting, soft-touch vs linen). Factories use it during press checks.
Hidden layers and live fonts have burned us—export a flattened print PDF plus a source archive.
Send a separate die-line layer and CMYK or Pantone notes for brand-critical colors.
Print-ready PDF with outlined fonts, bleed, and crop marks is still the safest handoff. AI is fine if layers are clean.
AI files with hidden layers have burned us before—clean exports only from now on.
We started sending Pantone notes as a separate one-pager. Factories love it.
Print-ready PDF with outlined fonts + bleed is still the safest handoff. Good reminder.