Hello fellow lemmings! I'm designing a customized deck of cards as a present for a friend of mine. When finished, I'd like to print it by myself, because online print services would cost way too much for a single deck of cards. I'd like the cards to be robust and durable, and to be easy to shuffle. Is there a particular type of paper that you recommend? Or something to apply afterward? I'm thinking of plasticizing the cards after the print process, but I don't know how well it would come out. Any idea is welcome!
Have them printed from a service. A normal deck of cards should run about $30 USD. The paper, laminate, ink and maybe sleeves will probably cost the same or more and will come out with way lower quality especially if this is your first time crafting them.
I've done both and unless you want really quick and dirty prototype cards or something that is super handmade that you drew on yourself instead of designed on a computer, the ones from a printing service win hands down.