Printing Guide

Printing

  • Buy and download the Flipspark digital files. Thank you!

  • Open the file in your go to PDF viewer software and go straight to print.

  • Ensure that full color is selected. Flipspark looks best in full color!

  • Files have been design for printing in A4 format.

  • Set printing scale to 100%. This will trim off some of the guide lines but should leave enough as a guide when cutting into size.

  • Set printing layout to double sided, and ensure this is set to either 'short side' or 'open to top', depending on the printer.

  • Print the first 2 pages on basic paper as a test before printing the rest and check that both sides are aligned correctly. Save the planet.

  • Ideally print onto matte white card as close to 300gsm as possible for an authentic card feel.

  • Note you will see that some of the cards are left blank so you can fill them in with your own ideas. If you are a graphic design whiz, the font used is 'Roboto'.

Cutting

  • Get hold of your favorite pair of scissors, craft knife, or paper guillotine. Be careful people!

  • Turn each page so you can see the front side with the instructions for each card when cutting.

  • Note that some printers may not be perfectly aligned when printing double sided and might be out by a couple millimeters. You will get a better visual result by cutting while looking at the front side of the cards to keep the padding around the card borders consistent. The back side with the texture background is more forgiving visually if it ends up slightly off center.

  • Cut along the guidelines to create poker size cards.

  • For best results, cut out each row of four on page first, then chop this into the single cards.

Sleeving

By now you are left with a stack of cards that should look great, but lack the rounded corners and paper feel of a professional printed deck of cards. A solution to this is to explore card sleeves that are commonly used with trading card games such as Magic: The Gathering. Using gaming card sleeves with your printed Flipspark cards gives them a professional feel that feels great in your hand. It also makes it FAR easier to shuffle, and gives you a few options for personalization.

Buy sleeves and a box should cost less than $10 USD depending on your product selection.

  • Find your local hobby game shop that sells trading card games and accessories.

  • Look out for Ultimate Guard or Ultra Pro card sleeves.

  • It is recommended to use transparent card sleeves so you can see the back side of the Flipspark cards, however this isn't essential as the suits are clearly marked by color on the front side.

  • While you are at it, grab a box to put your cards in once sleeved.

  • If you printed Flipspark on thicker card, they can go straight into the sleeves.

  • If you printed Flipspark on thinner computer paper, you may want to purchase colored sleeves insert each Flipspark card with a dummy poker card behind it to give it a bit of weight. Not essential.