Card stock comes in two main types — black-core and white-core — but black-core is the only one worth printing quality playing cards on.
What is black-core card stock?
The Playing Card Factory uses black-core card stock exclusively. The core of an individual card determines how much light passes through to the other side. White-core stock consists of a single sheet of paper, so holding it up to light reveals the other side of the card. Black-core stock, on the other hand, layers a black core between two sheets of paper. This means that the cards using this stock are actually opaque, not allowing any light to pass through them.
Why black-core stock matters for gameplay
The opacity of the playing cards is important for any game that uses them. Take, for example, a game of poker or euchre. In these games, much of the game revolves around not knowing what cards the other player has in their hand. Playing these games with white-core stock could allow participants to see the suits and numbers on the cards their opponents hold. Black-core stock prevents this because of its light-blocking abilities. It is for this reason that casinos use black-core playing cards exclusively. This is also why, wanting to produce only cards that are of apt quality for gameplay, the Playing Card Factory uses only black-core playing card stock.
White-core stock tends to be used for things like business cards and flash cards, and no serious card-playing event will ever use it. In essence, any deck of cards not using black-core stock is inferior.
How to spot white-core stock when shopping for custom cards
If you want a good playing experience, you should always opt for cards that are made with black-core card stock, and make sure to use the right file types and best image resolution for custom playing cards. In shopping for your own cards, you may find it difficult to pin down exactly what stocks a given manufacturer uses. A manufacturer who does not prominently advertise their card stock probably does not use black-core paper; you should always read the full products description to be sure. For example, as you are reading, look for the words “casino grade,” “black-core,” or something else along those lines. Watch out for manufacturers who invest in premium branding and design but skimp on the card stock itself.
You can design your own black-core playing cards for free right now by using our free online design tool for custom playing cards! The Playing Card Factory is also proud to manufacture all of our black-core cards right here in Canada, meaning faster turnaround and no cross-border delays.
