A custom tarot deck is a large illustration project: 78 cards that have to read as one system, printed on card stock, in a box, in your hands. This guide explains how the studio structures that work, what each tier includes, and what to have ready before you start the conversation.
The three tiers and their prices
Prices below are the live Etsy prices at the time of writing. The listings are the source of truth.
One custom card, $59
The single-card listing is the entry point. You describe the theme, aesthetic, mood, and personal elements in the personalization box; the studio designs one card front around it and delivers a high-resolution, print-ready file through Etsy Messages within three days. It is meant as a test drive for a larger deck, but it also works on its own for a gift or a single meaningful card.
The same listing publishes two add-ons: five more cards of your choice for $175, and an upgrade to the complete 22-card Major Arcana for $400, which includes a custom card-back design.
Major Arcana, 22 cards
A Major Arcana is a full visual system without the Minor suits: consistent borders, numerals, titles, palette, and a card back. It is the right scope for a deck that will be used for readings built on the Majors, or as the first half of a deck that grows later. Message before purchasing so the timeline and revision allowance are agreed.
Complete 78-card deck, $2,500
The full-deck listing covers 78 custom illustrated card fronts based on the approved concept and card list, one card-back design, a consistent border system with titles and Major Arcana numerals, print-ready formatting and production setup, and one professionally printed physical deck shipped within the United States. The listing asks you to message before purchasing so scope, complexity, rights, schedule, shipping destination, and delivery date can be confirmed.
What is not included unless quoted
Box artwork, a guidebook or instruction booklet, additional printed copies, commercial reproduction rights, resale rights, and source or editable files are separate scope items. International shipping is confirmed before purchase. If you want any of these, say so in the first message so they can be quoted together.
How the process runs
- Message with the idea. Theme, card concepts, visual references, deadline, and shipping location. The inquiry builder on this site writes that message.
- Agree the scope. Schedule, artistic direction, rights, and revision allowance are confirmed in Etsy Messages before purchase.
- Representative cards first. A few cards establish the border, typography, palette, and card back as one system.
- Complete the set. The remaining cards are created in the approved direction, prepared for print, and proofed as a complete deck.
- Print and ship. One finished deck is professionally printed and shipped to you.
How long it takes
There is no fixed lead time for a full deck. It depends on visual complexity, the revision plan, the printer's schedule, and your deadline, which is why the listing asks for a conversation first. A single card is delivered within three days of the order. If the deck is a gift with a date attached, put the date in the first message.
What to prepare before you message
- The concept in a paragraph. Who the deck is for, what world or story it lives in, what feeling it should carry.
- The card list. One card, the 22 Majors, or all 78. If you want renamed suits or court cards, list them.
- References. Decks, artists, palettes, and film or book imagery you like, and things to avoid. Links are fine.
- Rights. Confirm that any names, characters, or photographs you supply are yours to use. The commission does not license third-party intellectual property.
- Format. Digital files only, or a printed deck; whether you also want a box or booklet quoted.
- Deadline and destination.
A note on AI assistance
Artwork may be created with assistance from AI image-generation tools. Every deck is art-directed, selected, edited, composed, formatted, and prepared for production by the studio, and that disclosure appears on the listings. If you want to know how a specific piece was made, ask.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a custom tarot deck cost?
At Silver Designs, one custom card is $59, the 22-card Major Arcana is offered as a $400 upgrade on the single-card listing, and a complete 78-card deck with one professionally printed copy is $2,500. Boxes, guidebooks, extra copies, and commercial rights are quoted separately.
Can I see examples before I commit?
The full-deck listing shows several art directions from previous work: a black-and-cream cat deck, rose-and-gold portraits, and retro horror movie posters. They are examples, not decks for sale, and your deck is designed for your concept.
Can I start with one card and upgrade later?
Yes. The single-card listing is built for that, and it publishes the five-card and Major Arcana add-ons. A full deck is quoted in Etsy Messages.
What happens if I want changes?
Revision limits and milestone approvals are agreed before purchase. Because each commission is made to order, cancellations, returns, and exchanges are not accepted after work begins, and single cards are delivered as-is.
Do I get to sell the deck?
Not by default. Personal use is standard. Commercial reproduction and resale rights are separate scope items and are only granted when agreed in writing.