Deck building games are getting the more popular each day, and there are no signs of their popularity slowing down. This is a rallying call; if you are yet to get into it, you are missing out on the fun. 

As more and more collectors join the craze, there is a hungry need to protect their collections with card sleeves. Board gamers are getting onto this craze as well. In this piece, we are guiding you to manufacturers and sellers of card sleeves and what to have on top of your mind when making your order.

Factors To Consider When Choosing a Card Sleeve

While the whole purpose of a card sleeve is to make your card last longer, it is not always the case with all sleeves. It is exactly why you have to take extra precautions when making your order. Here are must-have things you should pay attention to:

  1.     Sleeve type

The card’s finish is its main attribute. The finish is what determines what the card will look like through the sleeve and gives the card its feel. There are different finishes you can make your pick from; 

  •         Gloss finish – not textured and might cause cards to stick between them hence hinders shuffling. You may want to keep off this. 
  •         Matte finish – these sleeves are textured on the back while the front has a matte finish that is not as clear as the gloss sleeves. They are less prone to sticking and do not affect shuffling and pulling from the stack as gloss finish does. A pretty good choice for you. 
  •         Double matte finish – these have the matte finish both at the front and the back. They also have more texture and a slightly frosted appearance on the front. A bit fancy, but does the job perfectly. 
  1.   Sleeve durability

This is, of course, the most important factor to consider. The durability is determined by how well it holds up to regular gameplay use. The sleeve should be resistant to wear, rips, and tears through the shuffling, pulling, loading, and unloading them in and out of the deck boxes.

Whether accidental or deliberate, a good sleeve holds through and protects your cards longer from damage that might be caused by time or a fit of rage.

  1.   Sleeve size and thickness

The durability of the card sleeve affects the durability, feel, and price. Most penny card sleeves are 40 microns thick, while premium sleeves start at 50 microns and get to be as thick as 160 microns.

While the thickness you choose will depend on your preference and budget, consider how they will impact and fit into your deck boxes. The thicker the sleeve, the stiffer they will be, and double sleeves translate into really stiff cards. 

On the size, you will have to consider the size cards your specific game needs. At the same time, most manufacturers use a color code system to identify different sizes of their sleeves and cards; here is a sleeve size guide from Board Game Geek. It will come in handy when deciding the thickness you want for your sleeves. 

Where to buy custom card sleeves

Now you understand what makes a good sleeve purchase, but where can you buy your custom card sleeve? Below is a list of leading custom sleeve card manufacturers all over the world. Their products are available from stores, or you can buy from their sites directly. Remember to do due diligence before paying for anything online.

  1. Yu-Gi-Oh!
  2. Players’ Choice
  3. Dragon Shield
  4. Armor shield

If you are interested in board game sleeves, you can buy them from;

  1. Settles of Catan
  2. Ticket to ride
  3. Dominion
  4. Fantasy Flight Games
  5. Mayday Games

Final Word

The good thing about the sites above is that you can get your card custom mad, and isn’t that what every player likes – a card with the graphics of the things you like the most? Place your order and get playing!