DIY Tarot cards are a great way to get started with Tarot card reading. Furthermore, these cards are an excellent way to get in touch with your intuition and understand yourself better.
On the plus side, making your own Tarot Cards can also be a fun and creative way to connect with friends or use them even as a business tool.
However, the best part is that you can make Tarot cards yourself, using just a few simple supplies.
Stay with us, and this guide will show you how to do it.
How to make your own Tarot cards (step by step guide)
Making your own tarot deck is a process that can be both fun and rewarding. Here are five detailed steps on how to make your tarot cards:
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Set an intention and concept.
The first step is always the hardest. So, to make it easier, start asking yourself some questions like What do you hope to achieve with this deck? Do you want it to be purely functional or also aesthetically pleasing? These questions will straighten your concept, and you’ll know exactly where to start when making them.
Once you have the answers to these and similar questions, it’s the right time to start sketching out ideas for each card.
Tip: Remember to include the traditional symbolism (the Fool, the Tower) and your personal interpretations.
For example, our concept is to make a tarot deck inspired by the traditional Rider-Waite deck but with our own modern spin. In other words, we’d like to include symbolism that is meaningful to us and our current life situation.
2. Design Your Own Personalized Tarot Cards
If you want to get really creative with your Tarot cards, the only way to get this is to make custom Tarot cards. This is an excellent option for those with specific ideas about what their Tarot cards should look like.
Additionally, you can use whatever medium you feel most comfortable with – pencil and paper, digital art, photography, the choice is yours. As soon as your sketches are complete, it’s time to bring them to life!
Tip: If you choose to go down the traditional route, you’ll need to find a printer specializing in printing Tarot cards. Make sure to get quotes from various printers before making your final decision.
Understanding the meaning of Tarot cards
The meanings of Tarot cards fall into two categories: Major Arcana and Minor Arcana. There are 22 Major Arcana cards, which represent significant life events, and 56 Minor Arcana cards, which represent everyday issues.
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Upright and Reversed positions
Each Tarot card has an upright meaning and a reversed one. The upright meaning usually represents the positive interpretation of the card, while the reversed meaning is usually more negative.
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Creating your own Tarot card meanings
As soon as you grasp the basics of Tarot card meanings, you can start creating your interpretations for each card. Keep in mind that there is no right or wrong way to do this – just go with whatever feels right to you.
One of the ways to do this is to think about what each card means in your life. For example, the Fool card might represent a new beginning or a time of change, while the Death card can represent an ending or transition period.
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Picking art style or personalize the design
The next step is to decide on the art style or design you want for your ‘designer Tarot cards.’ There are many different art designs to choose from, so take your time finding the one that best suits you. Some of the widely chosen designs include the following:
- Gaudi Tarot cards
- Modern Tarot cards
- Vintage Tarot Cards
- Art nouveau Tarot cards
- Gothic Tarot cards, etc.
In simple words, here’s where you can truly let your imagination go wild!
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Add your hobbies into your illustrations to personalize your Tarot cards
Creating your Tarot cards allows you to add your own personal symbolism into the mix. For example, if you’re a nature lover, you might want to include flowers or animals in your illustrations.
If you’re uncertain where to start, there are plenty of online resources that can help you get started with more simple Tarot card designs.
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Customize for reading style
Some people prefer to read Tarot cards differently, as simple as that. And the good thing about them is that you can alter how you read your tarot deck based on your personal preferences.
Beginners might want to start with a simple three-card reading. To do this, simply choose three cards from your deck and lay them out in front of you. The past will be represented by the first card, the present by the second card, and the future by the third card.
If you’re feeling more confident, you can try a seven-card reading. This is a bit more complex, but it can give you a greater in-depth look at your current situation.
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Adding your personal brand elements
Now that you’ve designed your Tarot cards, it’s time to add your personal touch. This could be anything from your name and contact information to a simple logo or symbol.
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Picking the card material
Now that you have the design and logo for your Tarot cards, it’s time to decide what material you want to use. The most common option is cardstock — a thick paper easy to print on.
But, if the primary purpose of these cards is for your homemade Tarot cards readings, you might also want to consider getting them laminated. Getting them laminated will make them more durable and prevent them from getting damaged over time.
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Picking Lamination material
For those that aren’t familiar, lamination is the process of covering your Tarot cards with a thin layer of plastic. Additionally, there are two main types of lamination: glossy and matte.
Glossy lamination will give your cards a shiny finish, while matte lamination will give them a muted look.
Tip: Prices vary depending on the printer you choose and the type of lamination you use.
3. What size are Tarot cards
Tarot card size depends on the deck you use. Though the most common size is 2.75 inches wide by 4.75 inches tall, you can also find decks that are 3.5 inches wide by 5 inches tall.
Tip: The size of your tarot cards also affects how you read them. Therefore, smaller cards are easier to shuffle.
Packaging is the last step. And this finishing touch is essential, especially if you want to sell them or give them as gifts.
There are different ways you can package your Tarot cards. The usual option is to put them in a box, but you can also wrap them in cellophane or put them in a small decorative bag.
But, still, if you want to sell your Tarot cards, you might want to include a booklet or brochure that explains the cards’ meanings. You can also include a card with your contact information so people can reach you if they have any questions or want to recommend you to someone.
4. Do a test run.
Doing a test run will help you fine-tune your Tarot cards and make sure they’re giving you the answers you’re looking for.
There are different methods you can try to test the accuracy of your Tarot cards. Here are some ideas:
- Try Tarot card reading software or websites. These tools can help you evaluate your readings and determine whether your cards are working correctly. Additionally, you can ask other Tarot readers for their opinions on your Tarot readings.
- Keep a tarot journal to track your progress and accuracy over time.
- Use your Tarot cards regularly. The more you use your Tarot cards, the more familiar you will become with their meanings.
Finally, as you become more familiar with the Tarot, you will be able to fine-tune your Tarot card readings to be more accurate and profound.
5. Tarot card templates for instant starting
There are a few different places you can find Tarot card templates. One of the options is to search for them online. This is pretty easy to do since many websites offer free and paid tarot card templates.
Another option is to purchase a Tarot card template book. These books usually come with a set of blank Tarot cards that you can design however you want.
To design your Tarot cards, you can use a software program like Photoshop or Illustrator. Knowing how to use any of these two programs will be pretty handy, and it will give you a lot of control over the look of your cards.
Or, you can find someone who does custom Tarot card designs and have them made for you for a price. However, you’d better be prepared to pay since this can be costly.
Pro Tip: Make sure to scan and save digital copies of your Tarot cards. By doing this, you can reprint them if they get damaged or lost.
Final Words
Making your own Tarot cards is a great way to add a personal touch to your readings. You need to keep a few things in mind when you’re making your own cards, such as the thickness of the cardstock and the design of the cards. You can also have custom Tarot cards made if you want something unique.
We hope this guide is a solid starting point for how you can make your own Tarot cards and enjoy a true and accurate Tarot reading with friends, family, or outside people.
FAQs
1. How many cards are in a tarot deck?
A tarot deck typically consists of 78 cards.
22 of these cards are called the Major Arcana, and they represent significant life events or transitions. The other 56 cards are divided into four suits, each representing a different aspect of life.
2. How much does a deck of Tarot cards cost?
The cost of making a tarot deck varies depending on several factors, such as the type of cardstock you use and whether you laminate your cards.
3. The importance of design for Tarot card reading.
The design of your Tarot cards can have a significant impact on the readings you give. So, if you’re not happy with the way your cards look, it’s worth taking the time to redesign them.
