What Paper Type Is Best For Printing MTG-Proxy PDF Cards?

I've been printing MTG-proxy cards for my casual playgroup for years, and through trial and error, I've found that 300gsm smooth cardstock is the absolute sweet spot. It's thick enough to feel substantial when shuffled with real cards, yet still flexible enough to handle comfortably. The smooth finish prevents any graininess from showing in the artwork, and it takes ink beautifully without bleeding. I used to swear by photo paper for the vibrancy, but it lacks the rigidity needed for proper shuffling. Matte finishes work better than glossy to avoid glare during gameplay. Just make sure your printer settings are adjusted to cardstock mode to prevent jamming.

As someone who's obsessed with creating high-quality proxy cards that feel as close to the real thing as possible, I've experimented with every paper type under the sun. The biggest revelation came when I discovered double-sided matte presentation paper (around 250-300gsm). The weight is perfect, and the matte coating gives that authentic Magic card texture while preventing fingerprints.

For color accuracy, nothing beats premium inkjet cardstock with a bright white base. It makes the colors pop just like Wizards of the Coast's printing. I avoid anything with a blueish or yellowish tint. When cutting proxies, use a guillotine cutter rather than scissors for clean edges that won't peel.

One pro tip: if you're sleeving the proxies anyway, you can go slightly thinner (around 200gsm) and save some money, as the sleeves will provide the necessary rigidity. But for unsleeved play, nothing beats that 300gsm satisfaction when you draw your 'Black Lotus' proxy.

After printing hundreds of MTG-proxies for cube drafting, I've developed a strong preference for linen-textured cardstock in the 270-310gsm range. The subtle texture mimics the feel of authentic Magic cards better than smooth finishes, and it hides minor imperfections from home printing.

For budget-conscious players, 65lb cover stock works surprisingly well when combined with penny sleeves. While not as premium-feeling, it's cost-effective for large batches. Always do test prints on regular paper first to check sizing - nothing's worse than wasting good cardstock on misaligned cuts.

The biggest game-changer was discovering cardstock with pre-applied adhesive backing. Print, peel, and stick to bulk Commons for perfect thickness. This method gives the most authentic feel, though it's more time-consuming than straight printing.