Card Sleeves

Custom Card Packaging Sleeves Sized to the Finished Pack

Measure the complete card pack as it will be sold, including any inserts or wrapping. Give its length, width and depth in millimetres, together with the number of cards. When the sleeve goes around a deck box, use the box’s external measurements.

Double-sleeved cards take up more space than bare cards, so measure the protected deck rather than calculating from one card. Board thickness and folds also affect the usable space inside the packaging. The finished specification needs room for insertion without allowing the contents to sit loosely.

Open Ends Need a Secure Inner Pack

An open-ended sleeve leaves part of the contents exposed. Loose cards therefore need a suitable inner pack or another way to retain them. Agree how the cards will stay together before choosing the sleeve opening.

Retail presentation and postal protection need separate consideration. A sleeve can carry the game title around an existing box, but an exposed deck still needs suitable shipping packaging. For a boxed game, a printed wrap around the deck box can identify a special edition while keeping the original carton.

Board Choice Depends on Deck Weight and Handling

Board choice should account for the weight of the card stack and how often the pack will be opened. Increasing thickness also changes the folds and insertion allowance. For card packs needing a different wrap format, compare the paperboard sleeve styles before settling the structure.

Smooth white board provides a light base for printed game artwork. Brown kraft offers a different background, so ask how the stock will affect your colours. Confirm the board with the sleeve dimensions rather than choosing thickness separately.

Print Details That Distinguish Each Edition

Printed panels can carry your game title, card count and the details needed to identify the set. Position the main artwork for the way the deck will sit on display. Keep the barcode on a panel where folds or an overlapping seam will not obscure it.

Full-colour printing suits illustrated card-game artwork. Discuss spot colours where a specific brand colour is important, and confirm the print method against the chosen board.

Matt finishes reduce shine across the deck artwork, while gloss gives a more reflective surface. Foil can highlight a game title or edition mark. Ask for the chosen finish to be quoted against the agreed board and artwork.

Prepare Artwork on the Agreed Dieline

A structural dieline is the flat drawing showing the sleeve panels, cut lines and folds. It also identifies glue areas where relevant. Request the correct layout for your packed deck before placing the artwork; resizing a design from another card count can move important details.

Screen mock-ups show how the design may look when assembled. They do not establish the physical fit of the deck. Follow the guidance on setting artwork around cut and fold lines, and keep text and barcodes clear of those areas.

Record Each Deck Version for Repeat Orders

New editions may share artwork features while containing different numbers of cards. Record the pack dimensions and card count for each version so an expansion is not ordered against the original deck specification.

For repeat orders, identify the approved artwork version and flag any changes to inserts or protective sleeves. Recheck the packed depth whenever the contents change. Matching the game title alone is not enough to confirm the same packaging fit.

Submit the Packed Dimensions with Your Enquiry

Send the card count and complete packed dimensions, then explain how customers will open the sleeve. Include the quantity and delivery postcode, with any launch deadline. These details help define the sleeve specification and production brief.

Upload image references through the quote form. Email print-ready PDF, AI or PSD artwork to sales@healeypackaging.co.uk with your enquiry or order reference. Review the artwork proof and check the deck details before approving production.

Production takes 7–10 working days after artwork approval. Shipping is free to the UK and USA, including all US states, with Healey covering applicable import duties and taxes. For a game launch, confirm transit time separately; the production period is not a delivery guarantee.