How To Make Your Own Tarot Card Deck

May 31, 2022

How to make your own tarot cards: the steps

  • Select a smooth or linen card stock for your project.
  • Choose how many cards you want, then complete.
  • Include a choice box in your deck.
  • Here’s our tarot card generator online.
  • Upload picture files, then drag and drop them onto the front and back of cards.
  • Preview and checkout.

Is it possible to create a Tarot deck at home?

Tarot cards have been created by numerous people over the years. Ones that are blank and have already been cut and sized for you are available for purchase. You can then design your own artwork to place on them. Alternatively, you may print them out on card stock or picture paper and cut them out by hand. The act of creating itself is wonderful and can be a tool for fostering spiritual development. You may simply incorporate any hobbies or talents you have into your artwork if you have them.

What is the price of making a Tarot deck?

As an illustration, the production cost for a regular size oracle card deck printed by MPC will be roughly $30.10 USD for 42 cards plus packaging. The printing price drops to $13.70 per card if you can order 100 decks at once. It costs $7.36 each deck for 1000 decks, and so on.

A nice place to start is cardstock. It will be more durable than regular printer paper and is about the proper thickness. It is much simpler to create and print your own unique card deck because it can be printed using your home printer.

Can I produce my own Tarot cards?

  • Create your own tarot cards by printing the front and back in full color.
  • Printable on more than 40 different types of paper
  • Ideal for artists to display their tarot card artwork

How are tarot cards created?

The major arcana, which contains 22 cards and is also known as the trumps, and the minor arcana, which has 56 cards, make up the 78 cards that make up this deck. Moon, card number 18 in the major arcana. The primary arcana cards feature images that stand in for a variety of energies, people, virtues, and vices.

How should my tarot deck be cleaned?

While rearranging the cards in the tarot deck is a good approach to purify and clear their energy, there are some circumstances in which you might wish to perform a more specialized ritual. If you’re just getting started with tarot, cleaning your deck can be an excellent place to start.

You might want to clean your tarot deck for a variety of reasons, including:

  • beginning with a fresh deck
  • readings for other people
  • You think you need to recharge.
  • Your card readings seem a touch “odd” or “disconnected”
  • Your deck hasn’t been used recently.
  • Your deck has been handled by others
  • You think you’ve been utilizing your deck a lot. A LOT, especially for books with strong emotional content

Why should you cleanse or clear your tarot deck?

Tarot deck cleansing helps keep the energy flowing between you and your deck. Consider it as a little spiritual hygiene to maintain a strong and clear connection. It’s not necessary, but if you have any of the aforementioned symptoms, try a few of the energetic cleansing techniques listed below and note which ones seem to work the best for you.

How often should you cleanse your tarot deck?

This is another way of stating USE YOUR INTUITION: there are no hard and fast laws. Don’t stress if you don’t believe it is necessary for your deck. Alternately, if you like to cleanse them once per week or once per month, that’s great. If it feels appropriate to you, you can even place your favorite crystal on the balcony each night.

If you frequently place crystals on your deck and store it on an altar while not in use, you might not feel the need to cleanse it frequently because this quick ritual will likely be sufficient to keep your deck feeling nice.

There are numerous ways to cleanse your cards, just as there are numerous reasons why you might desire to do so.

Different ways to cleanse your tarot deck

Use holy smoke. Light a dried rosemary, lavender, cedar, sage, or palo santo cleansing wand until it begins to smoke. Hold the smoke a safe distance below the deck while holding the burning herbs in one hand and the deck in the other so that the smoke drifts upward onto the cards. Turn the deck so that the smoke covers it from all angles. Next, safely put your deck to the ground and put out the fire.

On the deck, set a selenite stone (or a black tourmaline or a transparent quartz). It works well to leave it like way for an hour, but I prefer to leave it overnight.

Set them on display during a new moon. The New Moon is energy of a blank slate; you can purify the deck by setting it on a window sill on a new moon night. At this moment, you can also make a brand-new intention for your deck.

Place the cards in a salty dish. A strong and stabilizing cleaner is salt. My preferred choice for a thorough cleansing is this. Allow it to sit anywhere from one to eight hours in a dry area.

Unorderly shuffle. Spread the cards out on the ground, then shuffle them around like a child playing in dirt. This method’s freedom and randomization serve as an excellent reset.

the shuffle and sort. Set up the deck in rows of seven cards across, commencing with the Major Arcana numbers 0 to 22. (see photo above). Next, arrange the cards, Ace through King, one for each suit, as follows: Swords, Pentacles, Cups, and Wands. View the deck in this configuration, then mix everything up (like the chaotic!) and shuffle it thoroughly.

Step 1: Check Out Other Oracle Decks.

Check out the various oracle decks that other people have made on Pinterest. Which decks do you gravitate toward? Do you like playing card size or larger cards? Which form do you favor? If you prefer circles or triangles, they don’t have to be rectangles! What color palettes appeal to you? Keep in mind the objectives of each deck. Some are intended for divination, while others are just meant to brighten your day with a little inspiration.

You’ll begin to see certain patterns as you look around at what’s available. Topical or character-based oracle decks are the two main types of oracle decks. A topical deck might, for instance, include a different affirmation on each card. Each card in a character-based oracle deck can depict a different animal.

Step 2: Brainstorm Themes for Your Cards.

Take some time to write down ideas for your own deck now that your mind is overflowing with fantastic oracle deck concepts. Allow your imagination to run free while you complete this. Without filtering or judging, jot down every thought that comes to you. You could be pleasantly surprised by the themes you generate.

Consider the aspects of your life that “feel magical and spark something within of you” if you find yourself in a rut. Nature, sacred places (in your neighborhood or throughout the globe), magical objects you use in rituals, shapes, notable figures from literature, musicians, affirmations to stay motivated, food, quotes, or poetry could all be included.

Make a list of all the unique card design ideas you have after choosing a topic. Choose whether you want words or just an image on the cards. Sort through the design concepts and choose the ones that speak to you the most, even if you have no idea why. You can arrange your oracle deck’s cards in whatever number you like. The rules are up to you as this deck is exclusively yours.

Step 3: Pick Your Materials.

There are many options available to you. You can either buy the supplies at a nearby craft store or just use what you already have. Witches are resourceful individuals, and I think it’s entertaining to search through my home for unusual creative supplies.

Here’s what I’ve used to make oracle decks:

  • Notecards that measure 4 by 6 inches These are excellent since they are stronger than standard paper and are all the same size. And they already have a card shape. No cutting is necessary!
  • a stack of cards
  • On this paper, you can trace your playing cards and cut them out one by one. This allows you more flexibility when choosing card sizes and shapes. (Remember that these cards don’t have to be square either. Circles, triangles, and hexagons can also be used.
  • cardboard from cracker and cereal boxes, etc.
  • Oracle cards made on this sturdy, thin cardboard will last a long time. Additionally, it’s a fantastic way to reuse items you already have around the house! For my card designs, I typically paint white over the cardboard to create a blank canvas.
  • Always useful is Elmer’s Glue-It.
  • Mod Podge or Gloss Medium
  • This can be used for image transfers or to adhere paper to items that aren’t made of paper.
  • paint brushes
  • These can be used with gloss media, glue, or paint.
  • Paint
  • Because they are less textured as they dry, acrylic paint and watercolors perform better than oil paint.
  • Aerosol Paint
  • It’s ideal for stencils. Use this outside only, please. There is a fume!
  • Calligraphy pens, colored pencils, or markers
  • Your oracle cards will have a completely unique appearance if you handwrite the words and draw your own designs.
  • GlitterI’m kind of obsessed with the stuff, but use it with caution because it gets everywhere.
  • vintage mags
  • Using tape or glue, attach the images that go with the subject of your oracle deck to the cards.
  • If you have any personal images that fit your topic, use them!
  • birthday cards or postcards
  • You can boost the potency of your oracle deck by including symbols that have personal significance in your deck.
  • It’s all earthy with the pressed dried grass, flowers, or leaves! When you paint the gloss medium or mod podge directly on the paper and again immediately over the plants when you’re gluing it to your cards, they stick to the paper more effectively.
  • sanitary paper
  • I enjoy cutting out tissue paper forms and adhering them with gloss medium or dilute Elmer’s glue. This gives the effect of stained glass.
  • Paper Gift Wrap
  • This is useful for creating a consistent appearance on the back of the cards.
  • Sticky tape
  • I transfer images with this.
  • packaging tape in clear
  • This works for image transfers and to give your cards a nice finish. It resembles laminating somewhat.
  • Exactly what you want!

Step 4: Design the Back of Your Cards.

Choose whether you want all of the cards’ backs to be identical or more distinctive “jumbled up. In the past, every deck of cards had an identical “backs. This has the advantage that you won’t be able to tell which cards you’re drawing for a reading.

I suggest using masking tape, scrapbooking paper, gift wrap paper, or pattern stencils to create this uniform appearance.

The alternative is to customize each card. Although unconventional, this is a lot of fun. You’ll have to keep your eyes closed while drawing a card because you’ll be aware of the variations in your deck, but others who aren’t familiar with the cards might find the reading to be interesting. Their intuition might help them choose a specific hue or pattern from among your collection of miniature works of art during readings.

Paper weaving is a different technique I adore doing for the backs of my oracle cards. I take two identically sized pieces of colored paper and cut them into strips. I’m going to tape one pair of strips vertically side-by-side on a flat surface. After that, I horizontally weave in the second set of strips, alternating over and under, until all of the strips are woven in. You can glue the resulting checkerboard-style design to the back of your playing cards.

Step 5: Design the Front of Your Cards.

Recall the list you created in step two? Check it out by taking it out. Give each card in your oracle deck a design concept.

To create and embellish your cards, you can choose whichever medium you choose. Just bear in mind that you need to be able to shuffle these cards. Treat the textured materials gently.

Try outlining your symbols or characters on the cards if you can draw. Find photographs that go with your topic and attach them to the cards to give them a collage-like appearance if you’re not too confident in your artistic abilities.

Working on one card at a time can help you avoid getting overwhelmed. Only work on them when you’re feeling inspired because making them should be enjoyable rather than a duty. While you’re creating your cards, your energy will be absorbed, so have fun!

Step 6: Create Your Card Meanings.

Take a moment to connect with each of your finished oracle cards after gathering them all. Hold just one card at a time, giving it your whole attention. When you close your eyes, pay attention to the card’s energy. Describe how it feels in your hands. Does it evoke any feelings in you? After that, open your eyes and go over the card’s details. Keep track of the thoughts that run through your head. What does this card represent, ask yourself? Make notes on your observations and assign meanings to each card in light of your observations.

Additionally, you can do this as you design your cards. Writing down thoughts, associations, and meanings that come to mind throughout the creative process so that you can review them later can be quite helpful for this phase. Additionally, when you learn to know your cards better, don’t be hesitant to revise meanings. It should be a smooth and enjoyable experience. Do not overthink it.

Step 7: Make a Unique Cover For Your Deck.

Choose how you wish to store your cards while you’re not using them to prevent losing or destroying them. They can be kept in a pouch, tied with a ribbon, or kept in a pretty box. I like to preserve my oracle cards wrapped in a piece of white fabric that I used to wipe my paintbrush when creating them. Now I have a lovely fabric that matches the hues of my deck and has been imbued with my creative energy.

Step 8: Discover How to Use Your Oracle Deck.

Try out some oracle card combinations. Aim to pick a card each day, or design some spreads centered on the subject of your deck. If you like, you may add or remove cards from your deck. Let your oracle deck develop and adapt with you as it is YOUR design!

How much does printing an Oracle deck cost?

Most print-on-demand businesses let customers place orders as low as one deck. This is ideal for testing reasons or if your initial printing budget isn’t too large.

On the down side, this printing technique has very high production costs, which means your profit per sale will be modest. Additionally, you won’t have a lot of design freedom, so it would be a good idea to think about some additional options in the long run.

The good news is that almost all print-on-demand playing card manufacturers also provide bulk discounts for larger purchases.

Say you intend to sell each card in your deck for $35: Your profit per deck will only be around $5 if you print your cards on demand. If you purchase 100 decks in bulk, your profit per deck rises to $21.30 after subtracting shipping and other costs. You can make $27.64 per deck after expenditures at 1000 decks. so forth.

This choice works best if you anticipate receiving orders frequently, you feel confident sending the cards yourself, or you want to sell the cards locally but would rather print them in smaller quantities initially.