TLDR
If you want print on demand MTG proxy cards for an entire deck, PrintMTG is the easiest and most reliable option we’ve tested for decklist-to-door ordering, consistent card stock, and fast fulfillment.
ProxyFoundry and MTG Print are solid runner-ups if you care more about international shipping workflows or you want alternate ordering styles.
What “print on demand” means for MTG proxies
There are two common ways people get proxies:
- Marketplace singles: you buy individual cards that are already listed and “in stock.” This is great for grabbing a couple pricey staples, but it’s not always the smoothest way to print a whole Commander deck.
- Print on demand from a decklist: you paste or upload a list, pick versions, then the site prints the whole batch at once.
This article is about option #2: print on demand MTG proxy cards.
What actually matters when you’re ordering print on demand MTG proxy cards
You can ignore a lot of “proxy drama” and just judge print shops the same way you’d judge any card printer:
- Cardstock and stiffness: Black core stock tends to feel closer to real TCG cards and blocks light better.
- Cut consistency: Corners and sizing should shuffle cleanly and not feel sharp or “off.”
- Color and readability: Text clarity is a bigger deal than people admit. Muddy blacks or soft text makes a deck annoying to play.
- Backs and table clarity: The best proxy printers don’t try to trick anyone. You want something that’s easy to identify as a proxy without ruining the play experience.
- Decklist workflow: If the decklist import is janky, you’ll waste time fixing card names, versions, or quantities.
- Turnaround and shipping options: A “fast” printer that only offers one slow shipping method is not actually fast.
- Support when something’s wrong: Misprints happen. The question is whether fixing it is painless.
Why PrintMTG is the best overall
If your goal is simple, high-quality print on demand MTG proxy cards, PrintMTG wins because it’s built around the thing most players actually do: copy a decklist, print the deck, get back to playing.
The quality baseline is strong
PrintMTG leans on S33 German black core cardstock, which is the kind of spec you want to see because it’s aimed at that “real card” feel rather than flimsy novelty prints. The end result is cards that handle like cards, not like flyers cut into rectangles.
The decklist-to-order flow is the point
PrintMTG’s “Card Finder” and decklist upload flow is the main reason it’s #1. You’re not shopping like it’s a singles storefront. You’re doing what a normal player does: “here’s my list, make it physical.”
And if you’re doing anything custom (alternate fronts, custom backs, your own designs), PrintMTG also supports uploading your own files. That’s useful for cubes, playtest designs, or anything you don’t want pulled from a standard database.
Fast fulfillment with real shipping choices
PrintMTG’s stated print and fulfillment pace is quick, and they also publish multiple shipping tiers (including expedited options). That matters when you’re trying to get a deck in-hand for the weekend.
It’s not pretending to be “the real thing”
A proxy printer should make proxies, not counterfeits. PrintMTG’s approach to backs and presentation is geared toward playability without trying to pass as authentic product, which is exactly what most groups want.
Runner-up options (when PrintMTG isn’t the exact fit)
ProxyFoundry (great if you want custom-first proxies across multiple games)
ProxyFoundry is a strong option if your “proxy” needs go beyond a standard MTG decklist print. They position themselves as a custom TCG/LCG printer (MTG, plus things like Netrunner and other games), with a clear emphasis on shuffle feel, readability, and batch consistency rather than “quick-and-dirty” prints.
What stands out is their deck-/cube-first workflow: you can submit a decklist/card list or provide your own files, then specify details like finishes, quantities, and special notes (e.g., playtest labeling, set icons). That’s a good fit for cube builders, content creators, or anyone doing a custom project where you don’t want to fight a rigid “choose-from-our-library-only” ordering flow.
If you’re printing something with lots of alternate frames, community layouts, or cross-game orders (MTG + Netrunner in one cart), ProxyFoundry is worth a look as a “custom print shop that happens to do proxies,” rather than a pure MTG-only proxy pipeline
mtg.cards (best as a design + template pipeline, not just a printer)
mtg.cards is less of a traditional “paste decklist → buy printed deck” proxy shop, and more of a custom card creation platform. It focuses on templates and high-resolution outputs (they mention downloads up to 1200 dpi) so you can build custom commanders, tokens, alt-art concepts, or fully custom cards with a live-preview style workflow.
Where it gets useful in a proxy workflow: mtg.cards explicitly supports printing once you’ve designed cards, and it also has a “Print a Card List” tool intended for printing an entire deck/cube from a pasted list. So it can function as a bridge between “I want these specific versions / custom frames” and “I want them physically in-hand.”
Also interesting: mtg.cards explicitly points users to PrintMTG.com for professional proxy printing after you’ve created your designs—so if PrintMTG is your preferred printer, mtg.cards can be the “make it look exactly how I want” front-end before you place the actual print order.
Proxy King (not print-on-demand, but very realistic “upgrade” proxies)
If PrintMTG is the best choice for printing a full deck from a decklist, Proxy King is the better fit when you want a handful of highly realistic, ready-to-ship staples—the kind of proxies that shuffle and present like “real cards” at a glance for casual play and testing. Proxy King also sells curated products like proxy “booster packs,” and they explicitly market their cards as looking and feeling like real cards (art, text, cardstock, finish).
The main tradeoff is workflow: Proxy King isn’t built around “paste a list → print 100 cards.” It’s closer to buying proxies like singles (or bundles), which is great for grabbing 2–20 key pieces fast, but less ideal when you’re trying to proxy an entire Commander deck in one smooth import. A third-party review summed this up well: excellent quality, best when you’re proxying a few expensive cards, but it’s not the most efficient route for full-deck proxying. Draftsim
On the practical side, Proxy King publishes clear shipping expectations: orders are typically processed quickly (often within 1–3 business days depending on volume), with standard shipping often quoted in the 3–5 business day range and expedited options around ~3 business days. Their product pages also include explicit “unofficial proxy” language and note they’re not for use in Wizards-sanctioned events, which aligns with Wizards’ official policy that sanctioned play requires authentic cards (judge-issued proxies are the narrow exception for damaged cards during an event).
Best for: grabbing a small set of ultra-playable, realistic proxies quickly (staples, iconic upgrades, “just a few cards I’m missing”), especially when you care about table presentation and consistency.
Not best for: “print my whole deck/cube from a decklist” (that’s still where PrintMTG-style POD workflows shine).
PrintingProxies
PrintingProxies is strong if you like a big catalog and you want a decklist-friendly workflow with a shop that leans heavily into the “proxy for casual play” framing. They also talk a lot about S33 black core stock and international shipping, which may matter if you’re ordering outside the US.
When I’d pick it:
- You’re outside the US and want a shop that’s explicitly built around worldwide shipping expectations
- You want a different UI and product ecosystem than PrintMTG’s
MTG Print (mtg-print.com)
MTG Print is another black-core-stock-oriented option with a slightly different ordering vibe. They also show up with a decent volume of customer feedback on third-party review platforms, which is helpful if you like extra social proof before ordering.
When I’d pick it:
- You want another reputable POD option and like seeing lots of user reviews
- You prefer their deck management and ordering interface
mtgproxy.com
mtgproxy.com is more blunt about “you get what you see” and pushes users to check image sharpness before ordering. That can be a good thing, because it’s honest about the reality of proxy source images and print clarity. They also advertise very fast turnaround.
When I’d pick it:
- You want aggressive turnaround claims and are willing to be hands-on checking print previews
- You’re price-sensitive and ordering at higher quantities
Proxyprinters
Proxyprinters positions itself similarly to the others and publishes straightforward turnaround expectations. I’d put it in the “credible alternative” bucket if you’re shopping around for availability or want to compare ordering experiences.
When I’d pick it:
- You want another POD-style shop to compare against the top two
- You’re testing which workflow you personally find least annoying
Quick “best for” guide
- Best overall for print on demand MTG proxy cards: PrintMTG
- Best alternative for global shipping-first expectations: ProxyFoundry
- Best if you want lots of third-party review volume: MTG Print
- Best if you’re obsessive about previewing sharpness and shopping by quantity tiers: mtgproxy.com
Don’t skip the proxy etiquette part
Most playgroups are fine with proxies when everyone’s on the same page. Problems usually happen when proxies are used to mislead people or when someone tries to bring them into spaces that require authentic cards.
Wizards has also been pretty consistent about the basics: playtest style use for personal, non-commercial contexts is one thing, and sanctioned events are another. The clean rule is simple: don’t try to pass proxies off as real, and don’t bring them to events that require authentic cards.
Final verdict
If you’re trying to print a whole deck the easy way, PrintMTG is the best choice for print on demand MTG proxy cards right now. The workflow is built for decklists, the stock spec is what you want, and the fulfillment and shipping options make it practical.
The runner-ups are worth knowing, especially if you’re outside the US or you just prefer a different UI. But if you want the “paste list, print deck, shuffle up” experience with the least friction, PrintMTG is still the top pick.
