My thoughts on using thegamecrafter.com (TGC) and/or makeplayingcards.com (MPC) as a Print on Demand partner for Tarot and Oracle deck creators.
My experiences comparing them using two decks are discussed at MPC v TGC: A Case Study and MPC v TGC: Pricing and Profit (updated as of 08/20/2025). This page is my over-all feelings and general sense of how the companies work (or don’t) with me. As with most things in life, there are advantages and disadvantages to using each company.
YMMV Your mileage may vary.
EOE Errors and Omissions Excepted.
MPC’s product range (papers, packaging, inserts) is greater than what TGC offers by a huge factor. Their product pricing tends to be higher, with faster production and lower shipping fees (at least for small quantities- I’ve not priced shipping a dozen+ decks). And shipping rates for customers outside North America are (or were, last I compared) very much better at MPC. I haven’t yet spoken to anyone in the US who’s made a recent purchase to see how the Tariff Whack a’WTF is/was making an impact.
The 2025 on again/ off again Suspension of Duty-Free de minimis Treatment will make a huge difference when it is ON. See this 08/21/2025 article in an eCommerce-focused website.
If a deck creator is looking to buy their own decks for resale, TGC has the advantage. They charge a higher marketing fee (30% of the mark-up v 5%) but their published production costs tend to be lower. Much lower.
The minimum payout amount is US$100 at MPC- how many sales, over what period of time, to reach that threshold will vary by designer and deck. TGC has no published minimum payout. They issue payments on Mondays- 30 days after an order is created or the Monday after it ships (whichever is later)- to Paypal or as a Shop Credit.
The templates and production file spec’s are much clearer at TGC. It took me many attempts to create a pretty basic tuck box file for MPC with noticeable time lag for approval between me in the Eastern US and their staff in Hong Kong. Their very sparse Help section seemed to be written for deck buyers.
The ‘shop pages’ at TGC are pretty flexible and robust and the site just generally operates more smoothly- TGC is awkward on portable devices but usable as a shop. I’ve not tried to create or modify a product listing other than on a desktop for either site.
Because TGC was created as, and is primarily, a board/card game print on demand company their production times don’t match the 1-3 day turn around time that apparel (and similar items) POD sites typically offer. Well, you can put a RUSH on a TGC order for 100% mark-up.
As they’re a very popular provider of board game mock-ups and samples production in the 4 weeks or so before a gamer (or game designer) convention will be slow. But their production time estimates are always quite conservative.
Stories of decks printed in Asian countries being quickly counterfeited are rampant. As the bulk of oracle decks (regardless of publisher) are printed in that region, the actual source of the fake artwork could be anywhere. Major publishers and successful indie deck creators are all familiar with Amzn Marketplace rip-offs.
The environmental impact of deck production is hard to measure. TGC uses paper sourced (if I recall correctly) from Europe- so shipped via ocean freighter. I don’t know where MPC sources their dozen+ surfaces (card stock and plastic) or what they do to mitigate environmental impact of any of their products or processes.
TGC recognizes that POD isn’t always efficient compared to a bulk press run, but does work to mitigate that, see TGC Going Green. Some items can only be sourced overseas. Perhaps as a result of the COVID-19 shut down, they have invested in a small 3D Printer Farm to produce many of the gaming pieces they offer. I’m unable to find information on the MPC website as to their Going Green policy or if one exists.
As a neurodelightful person, and recovering perfectionist, I found my trial of MPC to be, well quite a trial. I have delisted the 2 decks I had in their marketplace. I do not plan to use them in the foreseeable future, but if I could be convinced their system has dramatically improved I would reconsider.
There are many deck creators- serious? professional? ones I respect at least- who continue to list their decks at one or both companies; my choice to stay with TGC may be as much about my neuro- comfort as other ‘business reasons’.
TheGameCrafter.com
The Game Crafter LLC is registered with the State of Wisconsin. The name was originally (2001) the brand used by one of the founder’s self-published games. In 2009 TGC expanded; offering a website for Print On Demand game designers. There’s much more to their story if you’re interested.
Their current physical address is 2609 Seiferth Rd, Madison WI 53716.
MakePlayingCards.com
The website says the company was founded in 1982.
Their website identifies the owner as:
MAKEPLAYINGCARDS.COM LIMITED
Office Address：21/F, Kings Wing Plaza 2, 1 On Kwan Street, Shatin, Shek Mun, New Territories, Hong Kong
That is also the offices of “Q P Group Holdings Limited” which lists MPC and other domains (PrinterStudio perhaps the best known) as theirs.
There is apparently some connexion to MAKEPLA LIMITED, incorporated in the UK in 2020.