Getting professional-looking results when printing your own playing cards can be tricky. A coating is essential for protecting the cards and getting them to have the right feel. So what should you use to coat inkjet printed playing cards?
As a professional custom playing card printing manufacturer, I’ve tested a variety of solutions for coating DIY cards printed with inkjet printers. And in this post, I’ll share everything I’ve learned.
Why Coat Inkjet Printed Playing Cards?
When you print playing cards on an inkjet printer, the ink sits on top of the card surface. This means it’s vulnerable to damage.
Cards can easily be scratched or scuffed. And if they get wet, inkjet ink will run. No bueno.
Applying a protective coating solves these problems by sealing the ink underneath a protective barrier.
A good coating will:
- Prevent ink from running if the cards get wet
- Protect printed areas from scratches and scuffs
- Give cards the slick feel needed for easy shuffling and cardistry
Without a coating, inkjet printed playing cards will look and feel subpar.
Trust me. I’ve wasted enough decks to know first-hand.
What to Use for Coating DIY Playing Cards
Okay, so coatings are pretty important if you print your own cards. But what exactly should you coat them with?
Ideally, you want a coating that:
- Dries completely transparent
- Leaves a nice smooth finish
- Is quick and easy to apply
Unfortunately, finding the perfect DIY playing card coating isn’t easy. After plenty of trial-and-error, here’s what I’ve found works best:
Clear Acrylic Spray
An acrylic-based clear coat spray is your best bet for protecting inkjet printed playing cards.
I’ve had great results with Krylon’s Kamar Varnish spray. It leaves cards with a smooth, plastic-like finish that allows them to glide effortlessly.
Just make sure you apply light, even coats and avoid over-saturation. Acrylic sprays can damage inkjet inks if you lay it on too thick.
Other popular options are Rust-Oleum Crystal Clear Enamel and Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic. Both offer stellar protection.
Workable Fixative Spray
Workable fixative is designed to permanently preserve and protect all kinds of art media.
The nice thing about fixative sprays is that they prevent smearing while still letting you apply other media on top.
So if you wanted to add some Sharpie art or rubber stamping to your playing cards after printing, a workable fixative like Krylon’s would be a great choice.
Clear Acrylic Mediums
Acrylic mediums are super versatile for all kinds of arts and crafts projects. They can also work nicely for sealing inkjet prints when brushed on:
- Golden Acrylic Glazing Liquid
- Liquitex Professional Gloss Medium & Varnish
Because they are thicker than sprays, acrylic mediums allow you to build up a thicker protective coating. Just remember that applying too much acrylic will make cards sticky.
DIY Sealers
If you’re looking to coat cards on a budget, believe it or not, hairspray actually works pretty well.
The key is to apply multiple light coats to gradually build up protection without making cards sticky. I’d suggest at least three thin layers.
And while homemade sealers probably won’t stand up to heavy use, they work fine if cards are mostly for display.
How to Apply DIY Playing Card Coatings
Coating your homemade playing cards is a delicate process. Applying too much coating or letting it pool will leave you with a sticky mess.
Here are some tips to get a smooth, even coating:
- Attach cards to a hard, smooth surface before coating. This prevents warping.
- Hold spray cans 6-10 inches away and apply light, even coats using a side-to-side sweeping motion.
- Allow each layer to dry for 2-3 minutes before applying the next.
- For acrylic mediums, use a foam brush, roller, or airbrush system to ensure even application.
And however you apply your coating, be sure to do it in a well-ventilated area. Breathing in fumes is no fun.
Custom Inkjet Playing Cards: Final Thoughts
Printing and coating DIY playing cards takes some effort. But being able to produce personalized decks is well worth it.
Clear acrylic sprays offer the best protection for inkjet printed playing cards. But fixatives and acrylic mediums also work well.
Just remember to apply coatings lightly and evenly. This prevents ink damage and keeps cards smooth and slick.