Many playing card creators, especially those launching crowdfunding campaigns, often consider MPC playing card alternatives like EzraCard. The manufacturer offers factory-level production with better quality control and dedicated support for Kickstarter card game projects. Others, like the USPCC, are popular for cards with professional handling quality, a lot finer than that of MPC.
So, if you worked with MPC and know their cardstock quality and level of customization, you might want to consider these and other MPC playing card alternatives that we review in this article.
First, let’s review MPC’s features to create the benchmark for comparison.
Key Features of the MPC Playing Cards
The Make Playing Cards company comes up often in discussions among cardists, game designers, and magicians. The international playing card manufacturer has been in the industry for 40 years. So, many love the high quality of its cards, especially when you want to create customized and prototype decks without being limited by high Minimum Order Quantities (MOQ).
Here’s what else you should know about MPC playing cards.
- Best Feature: MPC has an online customization platform with a wide range of options, allowing creators, designers, and businesses to design personalized custom playing card decks without large minimum orders or complex processes.
- Cost: Their prices are mid-high range, depending on your playing card size, quantity, card stock, and packaging. Rates start from $40 and can go down to a dollar or less for bulk orders.
- MOQs: They have no MOQs for most options. But the M30 and M32 linen air cardstock require a minimum of 1000 decks.
- Turnarounds: 8–10 business days (production) + 5-7 days shipping.
Why We Love It
- An online custom deck creation platform. You can upload your artwork and refine it for printing.
- A selection of cardstock and finishes. Including the 310gsm German linen air, M32 Master cardstock linen air, and Beta finish.
- Playing card type selection. MPC supports many playing card formats and sizes, from simple poker decks to small and large decks.
Watch Out For
- Higher prices for small runs. Customers highlight hidden costs, especially after you factor in tax and shipping costs.
- Delayed response times. Customers decry not being able to upload art and not getting prompt help from their customer service.
- Longer shipping and delivery times. Delivery times can be significantly prolonged, depending on your location and customs logistics.
Pros & Cons
- Extensive customization options.
- High print quality.
- Low minimum orders.
- Vast selection of cardstock and finishes, including 11 professional options.
- Hidden costs with shipping and order quantity.
- Varying customer satisfaction with their professional support.
- Challenges with art uploads on their online platform, especially for beginners.
Customization Highlights
- Vast selection of cardstock qualities, printing styles, and finishes, allowing you to create tactile and aesthetically striking decks.
- Numerous card sizes, including poker, tarot, and large cards.
- Full deck customization for card faces, back, tuck boxes, and number of cards.
Who It’s Best For
- Beginner designers making Kickstarter games or limited edition runs.
- Independent game designers who want to print prototypes.
- Playing card enthusiasts and collectors who want personalized decks.
- Brands and educators looking for promotional or training decks.
So, which manufacturers are worthy MPC playing card competitors? We have 6 suggestions, and you can read what we considered to list them in a later section of this article.
Our Top Picks
EzraCard (Best Overall Alternative to MPC)
- Controlled-quality factory-level production.
- Extensive customization in design, cardstock, and finishes.
- No minimum order restrictions.
USPCC (Best for Professional Performance Cards)
- High-quality performance playing cards.
- Proprietary air cushion finishes for easy shuffle.
- Popular brands and designs, like the Bicycle®.
EPCC (Best for Luxury Printing Effects)
- Premium card stock.
- Innovative designs, shapes, sizes, and finishes.
- Unique custom packaging for collectors.
Best MPC Playing Cards Alternatives at a Glance
| EzraCard | Best overall alternative to MPC |
| USPCC | Best for professional performance cards |
| LPCC | Best for premium collector decks |
| Shuffled Ink | Best for small runs and prototypes |
| EPCC | Best for luxury printing effects |
| PrintNinja | Best for large-scale game production |
Build Your Custom Deck with EzraCard
Best MPC Playing Cards Alternatives: Complete Review
1. EzraCard
(Best Overall Alternative to MPC)
If you are just starting your playing card adventures, EzraCard is a perfect option. Operational since 2000, EzraCard stands out as an alternative to MPC because it operates as a factory-first manufacturer rather than an automated printing platform. That also means they have greater control over quality and the production process as they don’t outsource.
Quick Facts about EzraCard
- Best feature: Unique focus on exclusive custom decks and Kickstarter projects. Customers can go from small-batch prototypes to large manufacturing runs.
- Cost: Mid-high range, depending on your project complexity.
- MOQs: No set order quantities, but they encourage customers to create larger orders for cost efficiency.
- Turnaround Time: 2-4 weeks.
Why We Love It
- Uses High-end manufacturing infrastructure, such as Heidelberg CMYK presses, to produce high-quality card color consistency, alignment, and finishing.
- Offers extensive customization options, allowing customers to choose from various cardstocks, coatings, and finishes, like embossing, holographic printing, and foil stamping.
- A one-stop manufacturer producing a complete retail-ready set of cards, card boxes, packaging, booklets, and other accessories.
- Supports beginner creators and Kickstarter projects with professional assistance for projects, design perfection, and crowdfunding.
Watch Out For
Manual price quoting: While you order online with MPC, EzraCard evaluates your project details manually and gives you a quote. That can delay the initial ordering process and prolong timelines.
- Unit costs rise with small runs: Bulk orders above 500 decks are more cost-effective.
- Delayed communication and delivery: Some customer feedback highlights delays in response and delivery.
Pros & Cons
- Factory-direct production, with full control of quality and process.
- Wide selection of cardstock and finishes.
- Support for both prototype and bulk orders.
- Complete set production, including packaging and game instruction booklets.
- Delay in kick-starting projects due to manual quoting.
- Higher costs for small orders.
- Communication delays in card order management.
Customization Highlights
- Varied materials, including 310gsm or 330gsm black-core cardstock, plastic/PVC, linen & smooth finishes.
- Controlled color management with Heidelberg CMYK offset presses.
- Specialty finishes and visual enhancements with foil stamping, holographic effects, embossing or debossing, and spot UV coating.
- Complete customization, with personalized tuck boxes, rigid boxes, instruction booklets, and matching card accessories.
Who It’s Best For
- Independent card game publishers with small studios.
- Designers producing card games for retail or crowdfunding.
- Creators with Kickstarter projects.
- Oracle and Tarot card creators who need custom card sizes, finishes, and packaging.
- Brands, businesses, and educational institutions looking for promotional and educational card decks.
2. USPCC (United States Playing Card Company)
(Best for Professional Performance Cards)
The United States Playing Card Company (USPCC) is a key global player in the industry. Dating back to 1867, the company reinforced its mark in the playing card market by becoming part of Cartamundi in 2019, another key global playing card manufacturer. USPCC is known for popular card brands like the Bicycle® and Bee®, widely loved in the worlds of magic, cardistry, casino, and home gaming.
Quick Facts about USPCC
- Key comparison feature: Compared to MPC, USPCC has the trophy as the industry standard for performance playing cards, especially among magicians and cardists.
- Cost: Premium pricing. (Does not show prices online).
- MOQs: 100 for Promotional cards and 2,500 for Magic and Specialty cards.
- Turnaround Time: 2 weeks mockup approval, 4-6 weeks production.
Why We Love It
- The cards have a proprietary air-cushion finish that gives them a high-quality shuffle feel, making them popular in magic, cardistry, and gaming.
- The manufacturer creates iconic brands and designs, like the Bicycle®, with global instant recognition.
- A longstanding card manufacturing legacy, dating back over 150 years, that is valued as a benchmark for professional playing card production.
Watch Out For
- Extremely high MOQs, especially for specialty cards.
- Less flexible customization, as its system is designed for large commercial runs.
- Occasional issues with large runs, from customer feedback, including misalignment and handling differences.
Focus on traditional cardstock, with limited room for experimental playing card types.
Pros & Cons
- Global brand recognition and reputation.
- Premium card handling and shuffling with air cushion finishes.
- Iconic branding, like Tally-Ho® and Bee®.
- Overall consistency in production quality for large runs.
- Very high MOQs.
- Limited specialty material and room for customization compared to other brands.
- Occasional complaints over production consistency in print runs.
Customization Highlights
- Manufacturer-specific features, including its own cardstock with greater control of card thickness and durability.
- High-quality Air-Cushion finish and multiple stock choices, including Crushed and Bee Premium.
- Custom artwork for faces, backs, boxes, and packaging.
Who It’s Best For
- Magicians looking for popular card brands that their audiences are familiar with.
- Cardists who want assured smooth card handling and flexibility.
- Seasoned playing card enthusiasts and players who want classic casino-grade cards.
- Brands and retailers looking for large-scale playing card manufacturing.
3. LPCC (Legends Playing Card Company)
(Best for Premium Collector Decks)
If you are looking to try out new playing card projects with top-tier quality, the Legends Playing Card Company is the place to go. With just over 10 years since its founding, the manufacturer has set itself apart for premium playing card quality made with top-class cardstock and finished with a “Diamond Cut”. Magicians, cardists, and collectors will love the shuffling ease of cards from LPCC.
Quick Facts about LPCC
- Key comparison feature: LPCC sets itself apart from MPC and other card manufacturers with its high-end manufacturing technology and collaboration with professional artists to help customers create absolutely unique decks.
- Cost: Mid-Premium range. Prices start from $3.8 a deck + $1 shipping per deck.
- MOQs: 1,000 decks.
- Turnaround Time: 6 weeks of production after design approval.
Why We Love It
- Premium card quality with innovative card stock and coatings for durability and improved handling.
- Signature cutting technology, or the Diamond Cut, that produces smooth card edges, great for handling techniques like the Faro Shuffle.
- Combines card performance with novelty using finishes such as foil stamping and embossing, and unique art.
Watch Out For
- Higher MOQs (1000 decks) compared to MPC.
- Premium pricing, as their focus is on luxury card materials and specialized finishes.
- Card handling differences depending on the material you choose.
Longer ordering times, as you have to fill out a detailed quotation form and wait for the manufacturer to respond.
Pros & Cons
- High-quality card stock and coatings for professional handling.
- Smooth edges with the ‘Diamond Cut’, great for easy shuffling.
- Possible design help from professional artists.
- High MOQs.
- Higher price range.
- Less beginner-friendly ordering process.
Customization Highlights
- Unique card finishes, including Classic Finish, Diamond Finish, and Viper Finish.
- The “Diamond Cut” for smooth shuffle-friendly edges.
- Custom coatings and heat-curing techniques to improve card durability and glide.
- Luxury packaging finish, like foil-stamped tuck boxes, deep embossing, and slide-out boxes.
Who It’s Best For
- Creators looking for high-performance cards with unique finishes.
- Magicians and cardists who want cards with specialized finishes for sleight-of-hand.
- Designers looking for luxury decks for collectibles.
4. Shuffled Ink
(Best for Small Runs and Prototypes)
Shuffled Ink is an optimal option for small playing card creators and businesses looking for high-quality for small orders. The Florida-based manufacturer has been on the market for over 25 years, specializing in multiple card types, including custom playing cards, tarot cards, flash cards, and card games.
Quick Facts about Shuffled Ink
- Key comparison feature: Unlike MPC, where you have a vast selection of templates that you can customize, Shuffled Ink is synonymous with small deck quantities customized to suit customer art.
- Cost: Mid-range pricing. (You send a quote to know prices).
- MOQs: Only 15 decks.
- Turnaround Time: From 2 to 8 weeks, and additional time for creating the boxes.
Why We Love It
- A more easily accessible alternative to MPC, with its production facility in the USA.
- Very low MOQs of just 15 decks.
- Fast turnarounds, depending on your project complexity and quantity.
- Flexible customization options for cards, packaging, and other accessories.
Watch Out For
- Limited cardstock options and card type, as they focus on paper cardstock, plus poker, bridge, and tarot types.
- Card handling characteristics may not be on par with those of MPC and other key players.
Slow ordering processes, as they work with direct quoting with the manufacturer.
Pros & Cons
- Low MOQs.
- Good customer service and design support.
- Competitive pricing, with no additional costs for setup or additional colors.
- Slow design process with downloaded PDFs to add your design.
- Limited card choices for customization.
- Overseas manufacturing, if you make bulk orders, extending timelines.
- Costs can increase with prolonged design support and hardcopy deliveries.
Customization Highlights
- Choose between linen and smooth finishes.
- Rich high-resolution color printing.
- Customize face and back or one side for the same price.
- Choose card type and card number.
- Customize tuck boxes, packaging, and game instruction booklets.
Who It’s Best For
- Kickstarter and independent game designers looking for prototype or limited-edition decks.
- Brands and marketers for promotional purposes.
- Artists and hobbyists making collector editions.
- Corporate gifts & events, including weddings and special occasion souvenirs.
- Small retailers who want trial orders.
5. Expert Playing Cards Co. (EPCC)
(Best for Luxury Printing Effects)
Expert Playing Card Company (EPCC) is a specialist custom playing card manufacturer. We included it for those who want really unique card decks. It’s been on the market since 2013, and is often mentioned alongside LPCC because they print with similar standards and source from the same manufacturers in China and Taiwan. However, they are a different card producer based in New York.
Quick Facts about EPCC
- Key comparison feature: Like MPC, EPCC makes unique custom playing card decks. However, they also focus on unique sizes (20-80 cards in a deck), shapes, and finishes, including Hot Foil, Cold Foil, Spot UV, as well as die-cut and unique-feature tuck boxes.
- Cost: Premium pricing that gets lower with bulk orders.
- MOQs: 1000 decks
- Turnaround Time: 3-4 weeks production. Shipping time can be long depending on your location.
Why We Love It
- High-tech card engineering with quality embossed black core stock and unique custom coatings for durability and handling.
- Innovative card finishes, such as hot and cold foil stamping.
- Focus on collectible decks made in unique shapes and sizes as limited editions for high-end customers.
Watch Out For
- High MOQs and premium pricing of the unique decks.
- Longer ordering processes, as they require direct consultation and quoting
Pros & Cons
- Premium card stock and special finishes, with greater durability and smooth handling.
- Extensive customizability in size, shape, and finish.
- Unique custom packaging.
- Higher prices and minimums.
- Manual quote processing, which takes longer than automatic online quoting.
- Often confused with LPCC.
Customization Highlights
- Specialized Card Finishes, such as the Cardista finish, popular among cardists and magicians for the soft, snappy, and smooth feel.
- Foil printing directly on cards, creating metallic and full-color designs on cards.
- Full customization, from card number to size, shape, finish, design, and box styles.
Who It’s Best For
- Cardists and magicians looking for high-end custom decks with unique handling features.
- Creators and enthusiasts wanting luxury collector decks.
- Crowdfunding campaigns that want limited playing card editions.
6. PrintNinja
(Best for Large-scale Game Production)
PrintNinja began in the US in 2003 and moved to China in 2009 for more affordable card printing. The company offers professional-quality offset card printing. Choose PrintNinja if you are an independent creator, publisher, or card retailer looking for custom playing cards in medium to large production runs.
Quick Facts about PrintNinja
- Key comparison feature:Similar to MPC, PrintNinja has a comprehensive online playing card customization platform where you can specify your card customization details, and the price calculates automatically.
- Cost: Mid-high range. Calculates on the online platform.
- MOQs: 500 decks.
- Turnaround Time: 6-10 weeks, depending on your card project complexity and shipping location.
Why We Love It
- High-quality offset printing that consistently produces vibrant colors in bulk runs.
- Wide customization options, from card art to card stock quality, size, shape, finish, packaging, and game instructions.
- Professional processing, providing both digital and hard proofs (at a fee), design support, and sample packs for pre-production card feel.
Watch Out For
- Relatively higher minimum order quantities, starting at 500 decks.
- Longer turnarounds, 6-10 weeks, as offset printing requires longer setup times than digital printing.
Overpriced hardcopy proofs ($450), whereas the digital proof is free.
Pros & Cons
- Superior card art color accuracy with offset printing.
- Extensive customization options for both cards and packaging.
- Reducing costs with bulk orders.
- Detailed artwork proofing and quality control.
- Relatively high MOQs.
- Longer setup and production timelines.
- Less suitable for small prototype runs.
- Overpriced hardcopy proofs.
Customization Highlights
- Multiple cardstock options, from standard (budget projects), blue core (280GSM), or black core (300 GSM)
- A range of finishes, including Gloss, Matte, Linen, or Soft-touch lamination.
- Premium effects, such as Foil stamping, Metallic ink, Spot UV, and unique card shapes.
Who It’s Best For
- Creators who need professional cards in bulk orders.
- Designers in the retail playing card business.
- Kickstarter creators who want production runs for crowdfunding campaigns.
- Businesses or brands creating promotional playing cards on a large scale.
MPC Playing Cards Alternatives Feature Comparison
| Manufacturer | Summary | Price | Cardstock | MOQ | Turnaround | Finishes |
| MPC | Flexible customization and no MOQs | Mid-range | 300–330 GSM black core, Plastic (PVC) options. S27, S30, M30, M31, M32, & E27. | No MOQ (except for two linen air options – 1000 | 8–10 business days (production) + 5-7 shipping | Smooth, linen, premium, plastic, eco, custom boxes |
| EzraCard | Factory-level production and extensive specialty finishes | Mid-high range | 310–330 GMS Premium black-core stock, PVC | No MOQ | 2-4 weeks | Matte, gloss, linen, foil edges, holographic, UV, custom packaging |
| USPCC | Industry-standard card handling (Air-Cushion finish) | Premium | Bicycle® & Bee® proprietary casino-grade stock, crushed stock. | 100 & 2,500 depending on card type | 4-6 weeks, after the 2 weeks for mock-up approval | Air-Cushion®, linen, embossed finishes, standard tuck boxes |
| LPCC | Precision cutting and performance-focused finishes | Mid – premium range | Casino-grade stocks, Custom proprietary paper stocks | 1000 | 6 weeks after proof approval | Legendary™, Diamond Cut™, Ultra-smooth, linen, embossing, foil inks, premium tuck finishes |
| Shuffle Ink | Low minimum orders and U.S. production | Mid-range | 300–330 GMS paper stock and PVC plastic | 15 | 2-8 weeks. Additional 1-3 weeks for boxes. | Smooth, linen, water-based coating |
| EPCC | Advanced printing technologies (foil on cards) | Premium | Premium black-core embossed stock, custom coatings | 1000 | 3-4 weeks | Hot and Cold foil stamping, Cardista finish, Metallic. |
| PrintNinja | Large-scale professional card game manufacturing | Mid-high range | Blue-core and Premium black-core | 500 | 6-10 weeks | Linen, smooth, foil stamping, embossing, Spot UV, specialty packaging |
What We Considered to List MPC Playing Cards Alternatives
From our vast experience in the playing card industry, we know how customers want their decks. We used that knowledge to assess several playing card manufacturers that are excellent alternatives to MPC playing cards.
Here’s what we considered:
Material and Durability
Does the manufacturer offer variety in material options, like:
- Black and blue core to render the cards opaque to light.
- Plastic coating for a better tactile feel among cardists and magicians.
- 100% plastic (PVC) cards for waterproof and durable decks, common in casinos.
Cardstock Quality
- Do the cards meet the standard density of 250-300 GSM, and does the manufacturer offer premium, casino-grade options in 310-350 GSM?
- Do the cards have good snap, and does their thickness support both durability and easy shuffling?
Card Finish and Handling
Does the manufacturer offer multiple card finishes, including:
- Embossing with the air cushion or linen finish to create the dimpled surface texture that allows cards to glide smoothly.
- A smooth finish, especially for casino decks where card slide is paramount.
- Performance or magic coating for protection, easy glide, and shuffling.
Edge Cutting Precision
Does the manufacturer ensure precise edge cutting to deliver durable, smooth, and easy-to-shuffle cards? Are there unique edge-cutting options, like the Diamond Cut used by the Legends Playing Card Company?
Design and Customization
- Does the manufacturer allow unlimited customization? (Front, back, tuck boxes, packaging).
- Do manufacturers with online customization platforms offer free support for design customization and expert review of artwork to prevent alignment, resolution, and bleed issues?
- Does the manufacturer provide a digital mockup or prototype to confirm quality and ensure color accuracy?
- Can the customer request special add-ons like holographic or metallic foil, gilded edges, and spot UV?
- Does the manufacturer have unique options, such as the eco-friendly, FSC-certified paper and vegetable-based inks?
Customer-Friendly Deals
- Does the manufacturer offer affordable prices for both small and bulk orders, or are there hidden costs in aspects like shipping or design support?
- Does the manufacturer require MOQs?
- Does the manufacturer indicate reasonable turnaround times and stick to them?
You can choose from the six MPC playing card alternatives in this article based on these factors.
Create Premium Custom Playing Cards with EzraCard
Sources:
- Trustpilot: MakePlayingCards.com.
- Reddit: Comparison of PrintPlayGames.com and MakePlayingCards.com.
- Reddit: How is MPC these days?
- Trustpilot: EzraCard.
- Wikipedia: United States Playing Card Company.
- EPCC: You x EPCC: Creating Custom Decks of Cards with Expert Playing Card Company.
- Talk Magic: New finishes from Legends & Expert Playing Cards.
- Conjuring Arts: Cardista Playing Cards.
- United Cardists: Cardista Playing Cards by Conjuring Arts.
- Trustpilot: Shuffled Ink.
- Reddit: Looking for Shuffled Ink customer reviews.
