Make Playing Cards
Make Playing Cards is a Hong Kong-based custom playing card and game card manufacturer founded in 1982, serving 35,000+ customers worldwide through an online design platform with no minimum order, plus a designer marketplace, Kickstarter fulfillment services, and premium sub-brands.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1982
- HeadquartersHong Kong, Hong Kong SAR China
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Make Playing Cards does
Make Playing Cards (MPC) is a Hong Kong-based custom playing card and game card manufacturer founded in 1982, operating with 1,001-5,000 employees and a wholly in-house production model. The company's core offering is an online, self-serve card design and print platform where customers upload artwork through a drag-and-drop online card maker with real-time preview and rule-based quality checks, and order custom decks with no minimum quantity on standard items. Product breadth spans 13 professional-grade card stocks (11 paper plus 100% plastic), multiple sizes (poker, bridge, tarot, mini, big, giant), and a wide range of finishing options including holographic foil, gilded edges, embossing, spot UV and proprietary offerings such as Linen Air card stock, BETA varnish finish, Eco Herbage sustainable stock, AQUA transparent waterproof cards, and Fluorescent UV-reactive cards.
MPC operates multiple revenue streams: direct-to-customer custom card manufacturing with unit pricing starting at $0.99 per deck for paper stock, $0.75 for blank game cards, $2.70 for plastic cards, and $0.20 for packaging and accessories; a MarketPlace platform where third-party designers list designs with markup up to 250% above MPC's base cost, with MPC retaining the base and taking a 5% handling fee; dedicated Kickstarter and B2B fulfillment services with a $1.00 per parcel surcharge for direct-to-end-customer shipping; and a portfolio of premium sub-brands (The ONE, AQUA, Fluorescent, Impressions, MPC Playing Cards). Two wholly-owned subsidiaries, CreateJigsawPuzzles.com and BoardGamesMaker.com, extend the manufacturing capability into adjacent product categories.
Go-to-market is primarily product-led via the company's website and integrated design tool, supplemented by organic social (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube), email, Kickstarter campaign partnerships, and event-driven launches at Cardistry-Con. The customer base is highly diversified across tabletop game publishers, educational institutions, retail/resellers, hospitality, corporate marketing, photography studios, TCG publishers, and Kickstarter creators, with 35,000+ customers served in the most recent year and worldwide shipping to the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore and Europe. The company holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, FSC Chain-of-Custody, GSV, and ICTI CARE certifications, and operates as a private entity with no disclosed funding rounds or parent company.
Make Playing Cards firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Make Playing Cards
- Website
- https://makeplayingcards.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1982
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Make Playing Cards is a Hong Kong-based custom playing card and game card manufacturer founded in 1982, serving 35,000+ customers worldwide through an online design platform with no minimum order, plus a designer marketplace, Kickstarter fulfillment services, and premium sub-brands.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Make Playing Cards industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Custom Playing Cards and Game Card Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing (339930)
- SIC
- Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Poker Equipment & Supplies (Tables, Cards, Chips, Shufflers) (MPAEAEAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Sports Trading Cards Retail (CRAMAOAA)
Keywords
Where Make Playing Cards is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hong Kong
- HQ country
- Hong Kong SAR China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Make Playing Cards business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Custom Playing Card Manufacturing: Direct manufacturing and sales of custom playing cards and game cards. Customers design online and order directly. Revenue from per-unit pricing with quantity-based discounts.
- Card Accessories and Packaging: Sale of tuck boxes, rigid boxes, tin boxes, chip sets, card sleeves, uncut sheets, and other accessories
- MarketPlace Platform Fees: MarketPlace takes 5% handling fee on product sales earnings and base price. Designers set their own markup (up to 250%) above base manufacturing cost.
- Fulfillment Services: Order fulfillment service for Kickstarter projects and businesses shipping to end customers. Additional $1.00 per parcel surcharge on top of normal shipping charges
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Poker Cards from $0.99 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Game Cards from $0.75 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Plastic Cards from $2.70 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Boxes, Booklets & Accessories from $0.20 |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Bulk Quantity Discounts |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | MarketPlace Designer Base Pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Fulfillment Service $1.00 per parcel |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Make Playing Cards product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Make Playing Cards is a Hong Kong-based manufacturer and online platform that produces custom playing cards and game cards in-house. Customers use the integrated Online Card Maker to design decks across 13 card stocks and multiple sizes, with finishing options such as holographic foil stamping, gilded edges, embossing, BETA varnish, AQUA transparent, and Fluorescent UV-reactive inks. The company sells directly via its e-commerce website, ships worldwide with no minimum order on standard items, and also operates the MPC MarketPlace where third-party designers can list and sell their card designs.
Product overview
Make Playing Cards (MPC) operates as a custom playing cards and game cards manufacturing platform. The core offering consists of custom playing cards and game cards in various sizes (poker, bridge, tarot, mini, big, giant), with multiple card stock options (paper, plastic, linen variants) and premium finishing (holographic foiling, gilded edges, embossing, spot UV). The platform also provides card packaging solutions (tuck boxes, rigid boxes, tins) and accessories (sleeves, chips, uncut sheets). MPC has developed specialty sub-brands including The ONE (premium cardistry cards), AQUA (transparent waterproof cards), and Fluorescent (UV-reactive cards). The business model includes a MarketPlace platform for third-party designers to sell their card designs, and fulfillment services for Kickstarter projects and bulk orders. All manufacturing is done in-house with no minimum order requirements for most products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Fluorescent: Fluorescent ink playing cards that glow under UV light, designed for magic tricks and cardistry performances.
- AQUA
- The ONE
- Impressions
- MPC Playing Cards
- MarketPlace
Products and services
- Custom Playing Cards Custom printed playing cards available in poker, bridge, tarot, mini, big, and giant sizes, with paper, plastic, and linen card stock options and various finishes. Sold directly to tabletop game publishers, corporate marketing teams, and individuals via the online card maker.
- Custom Game Cards Blank and custom game cards for tabletop games, TCGs, and custom card games, suitable for prototyping and full production runs.
- Custom Plastic Playing Cards 100% plastic playing cards that are water-resistant and durable, suitable for extended use and demanding environments.
- Card Boxes & Packaging Custom tuck boxes, rigid game boxes, tin boxes, brick boxes, and various packaging options for card decks and game sets.
- Special Finishing Options Premium finishing services including gold/silver holographic foiling, gilded edges, embossing, debossing, spot UV, hot foil stamping, and high gloss finishes applied to playing cards.
- Playing Card Accessories Card sleeves, clips, metal cards, chips, uncut sheets, sticker seals, booklets, and tarot cloth complementing custom playing card and game orders.
- The ONE Playing Cards Premium playing cards specifically designed for cardistry and magic performances, featuring Linen Air Light card stock with BETA varnish finish for superior handling and card flourishes. Limited edition decks.
- AQUA Invisible Playing Cards Transparent playing cards with clear ink print and raised gloss embossing technique; 100% waterproof including the box, designed for magic tricks and visual performances.
- Fluorescent Playing Cards Specialty playing cards with high-intensity fluorescent ink that glows under UV lighting, designed for magic tricks and performances in dark environments.
- QUAD Deck (Fluorescent range) Latest addition to the MPC Fluorescent range, featuring fluorescent ink printed on both sides of the card stock which intensifies under UV light. Limited edition release of 2,300 decks.
- MPC MarketPlace Platform Online marketplace where independent designers and small businesses list and sell their custom card game designs. MPC handles production, shipping, and customer service while designers set their own prices above base manufacturing cost.
- Fulfillment Services for Kickstarter and Businesses End-to-end order fulfillment service for Kickstarter projects and online stores. MPC manufactures and delivers orders directly to end customers worldwide, with tracking numbers, packaging, labeling, and labor included with no setup fees.
- MPC Playing Cards (House Brand) Pre-designed playing card decks under the MPC Playing Cards brand, available in various themes including Standard, Gods, Castle, Scented, Transparent, and other specialty lines.
Quantifiable outcome
- 35,000+ customers served worldwide in the last year alone
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Make Playing Cards
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Make Playing Cards technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Make Playing Cards partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- Alex TseminorDesigner of The ONE playing cards - a specialty cardistry deck developed in close collaboration with MPC. The deck represents 3 years of joint development on new card stock and varnish finishes for optimal card flourishes. Design based on the number 1 concept.
- Cardistry-ConminorAnnual cardistry convention partnership for exclusive deck releases. The ONE was first introduced at Cardistry-Con 2018 and The ONE Portland Edition was released at Cardistry-Con 2019.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Make Playing Cards competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Expert Playing Card Company: Expert Playing Card Company manufactures custom and premium playing cards, including plastic and paper stocks with boutique finishes. It is a direct peer in the custom card-printing and specialty hobbyist deck space.
- Ellusionist: Ellusionist designs and produces premium playing cards for magicians, cardists, and collectors. It competes with MPC's premium sub-brands for the same cardistry and magic hobbyist customer base.
- QP Group: QP Group (formerly known as Quality Playing Cards) is a major Asian playing card manufacturer offering custom card printing and finishing. It is a direct competitor to MPC in custom production, paper/plastic stock options, and global fulfillment to publishers.
- Cartamundi: Cartamundi is one of the world's largest playing card and board game manufacturers, producing branded and custom decks for publishers globally. It competes directly with MPC on custom card production, print quality, and turnaround for the tabletop and TCG segments.
- Theory11: Theory11 produces luxury designer playing cards and accessories marketed to cardistry, magic, and gift markets. It overlaps with MPC's premium sub-brands in design-led, limited-edition deck production.
- United States Playing Card Company: The United States Playing Card Company manufactures Bicycle, Bee, Tally-Ho, and Aviator playing cards and is the most globally recognized premium playing-card brand. It is the closest direct competitor to MPC in custom and stock playing card production, particularly in the US market.
- WJPC: WJPC is an Asia-based playing card manufacturer offering custom card printing and finishing services to global customers. It directly competes with MPC on custom orders, finishing options, and bulk production.
- Legends Playing Card Company: Legends Playing Card Company produces premium custom and boutique playing cards for cardistry, magic, and collector markets. It overlaps with MPC's specialty sub-brands (The ONE, AQUA, Fluorescent) and competes for the same hobbyist and Kickstarter creator customers.
Broad incumbents
- Ravensburger: Ravensburger is a broad games and puzzles incumbent with adjacent offerings in card games and jigsaw puzzles. MPC's expansion into jigsaw puzzles and board games via its subsidiaries places it in partial overlap with Ravensburger's broader portfolio.
- Wizards of the Coast: Wizards of the Coast publishes Magic: The Gathering and other TCGs, producing its own premium cards at scale. While primarily a publisher, its in-house production and procurement of custom cards make it a broad incumbent comparable to MPC in the TCG/custom card value chain.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Make Playing Cards social profiles
Digital presenceMake Playing Cards compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Make Playing Cards financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Make Playing Cards leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Make Playing Cards subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Make Playing Cards funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Make Playing Cards M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Make Playing Cards
What does Make Playing Cards do?
Make Playing Cards is a Hong Kong-based manufacturer and online platform that produces custom playing cards and game cards in-house. Customers use the integrated Online Card Maker to design decks across 13 card stocks and multiple sizes, with finishing options such as holographic foil stamping, gilded edges, embossing, BETA varnish, AQUA transparent, and Fluorescent UV-reactive inks. The company sells directly via its e-commerce website, ships worldwide with no minimum order on standard items, and also operates the MPC MarketPlace where third-party designers can list and sell their card designs.
Is Make Playing Cards a public or private company?
Make Playing Cards is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Make Playing Cards founded?
Make Playing Cards was founded in 1982. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Make Playing Cards based?
Make Playing Cards is headquartered in Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR China, in the Asia region.
How does Make Playing Cards make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Custom Playing Card Manufacturing is the primary driver. The others are card Accessories and Packaging, marketPlace Platform Fees and fulfillment Services.
Who are Make Playing Cards's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Expert Playing Card Company, Ellusionist, QP Group, Cartamundi, Theory11, United States Playing Card Company, WJPC and Legends Playing Card Company. Broad incumbents are Ravensburger and Wizards of the Coast.
Does Make Playing Cards have an API?
No public API is recorded for Make Playing Cards.
What industry is Make Playing Cards in?
Make Playing Cards's product category is Custom Playing Cards and Game Card Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAEAEAL, Poker Equipment & Supplies (Tables, Cards, Chips, Shufflers), with a secondary code of CRAMAOAA, Sports Trading Cards Retail. Its NAICS code is 339930 and its SIC code is 3944.