Quality Custom MTG Cards, Minifigures, & Pokemon Cards

An MTG proxy card is an easily acquired or home-made substitute for a collectible card. A proxy is used when a collectible card game player does not own a card, and it would be impractical for such purposes to acquire the card.

This usually occurs when a player desires a card that is cost-prohibitive, or is “playtesting” with many possible cards. When doing intensive training for a competitive tournament, it often makes more sense to use proxy cards while figuring out which cards will be brought to the tournament. Another card is substituted and serves the same function during gameplay as the actual card would.

A proxy can also be used in cases where a player owns a very valuable card, but does not wish to damage it by using it in actual play.

Proxy cards can be used in various situations. The rules and restrictions are object of common agreement, or a given policy, and may differ from the above-mentioned “fair play requirements”.

In casual games, the players may agree on a common policy of how to incorporate proxy cards. This allows to play a higher variation of card combinations and strategies, while keeping a limit on the expenses. In tournaments, the organizer may permit a limited number of proxy cards, and define rules about how these cards must look. This policy has become especially popular in games or formats where some vital cards are far too expensive, such as the vintage format inMagic: The Gathering.

For playtesting. Proxy cards allow a player to test new cards, before they decide to actually buy or trade for them. In card prototyping. Card developers in companies like Wizards of the Coast use proxies to playtest their ideas for new cards before they are printed.

Some players create cards based on their own ideas for card themes and mechanics. In this case, however, the term “proxy” may no longer be applicable, as these cannot be considered substitutes for existing objects.

Famous cards that are often proxied are the so-called power nine in Magic: The Gathering, which are considered totally out of balance in gameplay, while being unaffordable for the average player, due to their rarity and enormous price on the secondary market.

The main issue to guarantee fair play in a card game is that all cards in the deck must be indistinguishable for any player who does not view the front side (if card sleeves are used, the term ‘card’ means the sleeve with the card inside).

Ideally, all cards (both original and proxy) should be indistinguishable in the following characteristics to ensure fairness:

Card size and shape, including the typical rounding cut on the edges.

The card’s total weight, its center of gravity and, ideally, the moment of inertia (which implies a homogeneous distribution of mass on the surface).

Overall and local stiffness and elasticity – all cards should behave equally on bending.

Overall and local thickness.

Feel and relief (tactilecharacteristics) of the card, especially elevations and cavities on the surface on both sides.

The image printed on the back side, including its shininess.

Overall and local transparency, when examined with a light from behind.

Besides these physical implications, it should be considered that someone (the players or a judge) will need to control the validity of the cards – which may prove difficult with some of the above points.

We deliver the best quality custom MTG proxies on the market. These are perfect for testing your decks and casual play with friends and family.

These cards are designed by us and printed in a professional commercial printing facility. They are the exact same size as a standard Magic card. We strive to make the most realistic proxies on the market. 

We are constantly adding new cards to our shop, so check back regularly.

1. Lower Barrier to Entry
Proxies make it easier for players to build new decks and for new players to get into the game. This is great for so many reasons but the main one is that it makes Magic: The Gatherings competitive community bigger. It’s more likely that LGSs and players will benefit from a more active community. For more information on why you should use MtG proxy cards, click here.

2. You Can Tryout MTG Cards Before Spending Big Money
If a player buys a proxy, that doesn’t necessarily mean he or she won’t buy the real card. It’s important to test these cards with your deck and against competitors. Let’s say someone buys a Cyclonic Rift proxy and decides it doesn’t work with their deck. Instead of wasting $20 on a card that won’t be used, that money can be put toward a new Rebuild card that is working great.

3. They Keep Your Authentic Magic Cards in Great Shape
A custom mtg proxy card can follow you into battle over and over again without the worry of damage or wear. One dual land set can save you hundreds or more by preserving valuable cards in your deck.

4. It Plain Saves You Money
This is straightforward, but it needs to be mentioned. Playing MTG is great – but plying MTG while paying off bills and going out on Friday night is even better. Proxies can help you save precious dollars and spend them even better. In conclusion, proxies are good for the players, which makes them good for the game.

Why Make Custom MTG Cards

Many Magic: The Gathering players get an itch to design their own cards. Sometimes it’s because they love the flavor of a certain character from a book or movie and want it represented in the game. Other times, it’s about crafting a perfect Commander for a niche strategy. And honestly, there’s just something fun about seeing your own ideas come to life in the style of a real card. It feels more personal than scribbling text on a blank piece of paper. Sure, there are plenty of cards already in existence, but none of them truly capture your unique vision quite like one you design yourself.

Besides, making custom cards can add fresh excitement for your playgroup. Picture surprising your friends with a custom creature that references an inside joke only you guys understand. You can incorporate your group’s personal memes, quotes, or even real-life stories into the flavor text. This little twist can keep the game feeling new, even if you’ve all played for years. You get to break from the standard sets that everyone else has and introduce something that’s meaningful to you. In my opinion, that’s worth the time and effort.

Still, you don’t want to spend hours editing a Photoshop file just to make a card look official. That’s where online MTG template tools come in handy. They save you from fiddling with complicated design programs, and they help ensure your final image looks sharp. One such website is mtg.cards, which is easy to use and has templates ready to go. It also offers a way to print proxies, so if you want physical copies that look decent, you can have them made. And you won’t need any fancy software for the job.

Using an Online Template

An online template tool simplifies everything. Instead of adjusting images or messing with layers, you just enter your card’s details, choose the card’s color and rarity, and upload any artwork you’ve found or created. Then the website automatically formats it to look like a typical Magic card. You can see how your custom text will appear, and you can tweak the layout if you notice a formatting issue.

When you go to mtg.cards, for example, you’ll see options to fill in name, mana cost, type, abilities, and so forth. It’s pretty intuitive. You don’t have to be an expert in graphic design. If you want to add a special frame or certain set symbols, those might be available too. After entering your card info, you can preview it right away. If something’s off, you just click back into the form, make your changes, and update the preview.

Another site might do things a little differently, but the concept is usually the same. Fill out a form, preview, and tweak. You probably won’t have to worry about your text not fitting or your mana symbols floating around the card. Most of these tools handle the alignment themselves. It’s faster than you might think, and it usually produces good results. Sure, you might need to experiment with the size of your text. But it beats trying to line up everything by hand.

Printing Your Proxies

Once you’re happy with your design, you’ll probably want a physical copy for casual play. Proxy card printing has become more common among players who want to test new ideas or replace an expensive card in a friendly match. It’s also a good way to share custom designs with friends, since not everyone wants to fuss with printing at home.

Many online tools offer a mtg proxy printing service right there. mtg.cards does this, so you can order your custom designs without leaving the site. Alternatively, you could download your card image and send it to a service like PrintMTG.com. That site also handles custom jobs, so you can upload multiple cards, specify how many copies you want, and then have them shipped. It’s a straightforward process: select your images, pay for the printing, and wait for the delivery. The final product feels like a normal card with a decent finish. If you sleeve it, most people probably won’t even notice it’s not official. Though of course, in a sanctioned tournament, these won’t be legal, but you already knew that.

If you decide to print at home, that’s also an option. It might not look as sleek, but it’s cheaper and faster. Just make sure you’re using good paper and be careful with your cutting. A home printer usually doesn’t match the clarity or color quality of professional printing, but for casual testing, it’s enough to see how your card plays. And if you find you messed up the balance, you can print a new version quickly. That trial-and-error approach can be part of the fun.

Balancing Your Custom Creations

Nothing spoils a custom card like a broken ability or an overpowered combo. You don’t want your friend rolling their eyes every time you cast a card you designed. Balancing a card takes some thought, especially if you aim to play it in a real game. One way to gauge power is to compare your card to existing ones. Look for something with a similar ability. If your card costs less mana but does more, it might be too strong.

It also helps to run your idea by friends. Ask them if they think the card is too powerful or if it’s missing a fair drawback. Don’t get offended if they criticize it. That feedback can make your design better. After all, you want a card that’s fun to play with, not a source of arguments.

It might also be wise to test your custom card in a few friendly matches. If it’s a Commander card, just slip it in your deck for a casual game. See how often it dominates or if it just fizzles out. You might discover it’s too weak. Then you can boost its stats slightly. Adjusting cost or tweaking abilities is just part of the creative process. Over time, you’ll develop a sense for what’s balanced and what’s not.

Tips for Artwork and Flavor

For many players, the card’s look matters just as much as its mechanics. That’s where artwork comes into play. Some folks commission actual artists or create their own illustrations. Others find art online. If you’re using random images, check their licensing first. You don’t want to step on anyone’s rights. And if you plan to share your custom card widely, get proper permission or use art that’s labeled for reuse.

Flavor text is another chance to show your creativity. You can add a quote that fits the character you designed, or maybe reference an event in your personal gaming history. If your card is comedic, a quirky line can make it more memorable. If it’s serious, keep the tone consistent. The best flavor text feels like it was pulled from some grand fantasy saga—maybe it’s a one-liner from a valiant hero or a cryptic hint from a wise old mage. It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece, but it should fit the card’s concept.

Also, think about the name. A good name can stick in people’s heads and give them a sense of what the card does. A card called “Chaos Wing Phoenix” should probably have some kind of chaotic effect or synergy with a Phoenix tribal theme. Details like that matter. And yes, you can always change it later if you think of something better.

Common Pitfalls

One common mistake is overloading a card with too many abilities. Sure, it’s tempting to create a creature that has flying, trample, haste, lifelink, and can’t be countered. But that might be too much. Keep it simple. Cards that are too complicated can be a pain to interpret, especially if you added paragraphs of rules text. Another issue is forgetting to format your text properly, so the rules read like a big block. Magic cards typically separate abilities on different lines. Even a custom card should follow that style. Otherwise, it might confuse players.

Another pitfall is ignoring color identity. A card’s mana cost usually indicates which color pie it belongs to, and that color pie has certain design rules. For example, Blue rarely gets direct creature removal. Red rarely does unconditional card draw. If you ignore this entirely, the card might feel off. Of course, it’s your card—you can break the rules if you like. But if your goal is to make something that blends well into normal gameplay, it’s helpful to follow the color guidelines.

Final Thoughts

Designing custom Magic: The Gathering cards can be a satisfying hobby. It breathes new life into your gaming experience, and it’s not as hard as you might think once you’ve played around with online template tools. You can tinker with costs and abilities, show off your own artwork, and make something that matches your style of play. If you really want to go all out, you can print copies of your creations, either on mtg.cards or through sites like PrintMTG.com, so you can shuffle them right into a casual deck. Just remember to be mindful of balance if you’re going to use them in actual games.

It’s okay to make mistakes in your first few attempts. Maybe your wording will be awkward, or the power level will feel off. That’s normal. Iteration is part of the fun. Keep making tweaks until you have something that feels right. If you enjoy the process, you can create an entire set of custom cards that tell a story. Or maybe you’ll just make one card to honor a friend. Either way, you get to shape the magic, which is what this game is all about. And who knows—maybe your group will adopt your designs as a permanent addition, because they love the flavor, the artwork, and the overall vibe of your creations. That’s what makes it worth the effort in the end.