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ProxyMTG.com is the best MTG print site for deck brewing

Deck brewing is supposed to be the fun part. You get a spark of an idea, you jam a list, you cut the cute cards you swore were “definitely good,” and you tune until the deck finally feels like itself. The problem is the moment you want to play it in paper. Suddenly you’re pricing singles, waiting on shipping, and arguing with yourself about whether this is a “real deck” yet.

If you want the best mtg print site for deck brewing, ProxyMTG.com is the one i keep coming back to. Not because it’s perfect for every single proxy use case, but because it’s built for the reality of brewing: lists change fast, you want cards that shuffle like real cards, and you do not want a second hobby that’s “managing a print workflow.”

This review is based on what matters to brewers: ordering friction, print quality in sleeves, turnaround, and whether the site makes it easy to iterate.

Why brewing needs better proxies (and not just paper slips)

Yes, you can print a PDF, cut it out, and slide it in front of a basic land. I’ve done it. Everyone has. It works, in the same way a folding chair “works” as a couch.

But once you’re brewing seriously (especially Commander), the proxy quality starts to matter. If a deck has ten paper slips, three different thicknesses, and one card that’s clearly a different size, you get the worst kind of table talk: “I could feel that coming,” and now you’re stuck defending your printer like it’s a family member.

ProxyMTG’s whole pitch is consistency in sleeves. For deck brewing, that’s the point. You want the deck to play the same way every time you shuffle, so you’re testing decisions, not cardstock vibes.

And if you brew a lot, you already know the other issue: speed. Brewing is iterative. Waiting two weeks to test a five-card swap is how decks die unfinished.

Ordering on ProxyMTG: decklist upload and low-friction brewing

The best thing ProxyMTG does is remove the “ugh, i guess i’m doing admin work” step.

You can upload a deck list or build from search, then adjust quantities and versions as you go. Pricing updates while you build, which sounds small, but it keeps you from doing mental math like you’re filing taxes. The flow is basically: list to cart to print. That’s what you want when you’re in full brew mode.

It also supports the way people actually brew:

• print a handful of upgrades now to test a package
• lock the list later
• print the full batch when you’re happy

That’s a big reason i’m comfortable calling this the best mtg print site for deck brewing. It respects that you’re going to change your mind.

One more brewer-friendly detail: double-faced cards. ProxyMTG prints both sides automatically for DFCs, so you’re not juggling checklists or doing the “two cards for one slot” thing unless you want to.

If you’re the type who tinkers constantly, you’ll also like their mindset around readability. Brewing isn’t just about power. It’s about reps. Clear text and clean frames matter when you’re trying to play five games in a night and learn something from each one.

Print quality: S33 black-core stock, UV coating, and clean cuts

Let’s talk about the part everyone cares about but hates describing: how the cards feel.

ProxyMTG uses S33 German black-core cardstock, adds a UV-coated finish, and uses precision die cutting. In plain terms, that usually translates to:

• the cards feel like real game pieces in sleeves
• edges are clean, corners don’t look hacked out
• shuffling feels normal
• text stays crisp enough to play fast

They also say they enhance print files to a minimum of 300 DPI. For brewers, that’s not a spec to brag about. It’s “can i read this across the table without squinting.”

Quality is where ProxyMTG feels “MPC-like” to me, which is a compliment in proxy world. MPC (MakePlayingCards) is still the baseline a lot of players compare against for feel, especially when you pick a good stock. ProxyMTG hits that lane, but without making you do the MPC dance.

The other quiet win: consistency across a whole order. Brewing gets messy when half your proxies look great and the other half look like they came from a different printer. ProxyMTG is clearly trying to prevent that “five dimensions of reality” effect.

Turnaround and shipping: what brewers should expect

ProxyMTG runs print-on-demand, so the timeline is basically:

• production time (printing)
• plus transit time (shipping)

Their stated norm is around 2 business days for production, with standard U.S. transit often landing in the 3–7 business day range after shipment. In practice, that’s how you get the common “about a week” experience most brewers want: fast enough that your excitement doesn’t die, slow enough that you still have time to change your list one more time (you will).

They also do a decent job setting expectations around tracking, including the classic “label created” limbo. If you’ve ever watched tracking for fun (and felt nothing), you’ll appreciate that they spell out what’s normal.

ProxyMTG vs MPC and other proxy options

This is where the “best” claim needs context.

Where ProxyMTG wins for deck brewing

• Low friction. Decklist upload, search, versions, checkout. Done.
• Quality in sleeves. Stock + finish + cut consistency is the point.
• Small batches make sense. No minimums, so you can print 10–30 cards without feeling silly.
• Brewer workflow friendly. Test now, print later, repeat.

Where MPC can still be better

If you’re printing truly massive projects (multiple decks, a huge cube, a whole playgroup order), MPC can win on raw bulk economics. But you pay in effort. It’s more steps, more setup, and usually more patience.

My simple rule: if you’re optimizing for cheapest-per-card at very high volume, MPC stays in the conversation. If you’re optimizing for “i want to test this deck next weekend without turning printing into a project,” ProxyMTG is the better tool.

Where home printing fits

Home printing is fine for early brainstorming. It’s the sketchbook. ProxyMTG is the finished draft you actually want to shuffle for real games.

The honest downsides (and who should skip it)

No review is real without the “yeah, but…” section.

First, these are proxies. ProxyMTG is explicit about responsible use: casual play and playtesting where allowed, not sanctioned events, and not misrepresenting cards as authentic. That’s not a downside so much as a boundary you should take seriously.

Second, print-on-demand is still print-on-demand. Even good shops can have minor variation. If you want museum-grade perfection on every single card, you’re going to drive yourself insane no matter where you order.

Third, if your only goal is “absolute cheapest cardboard that resembles a Magic card,” ProxyMTG is not trying to win that race. It’s aiming for consistent play pieces and a smooth ordering experience. For brewers, that tradeoff usually makes sense.

And one more practical note: Commander is where a lot of people start proxying, and it’s also where new players can get overwhelmed fast. If you’re proxying to help someone learn, it’s worth reading this (and maybe handing it to your friend gently): Commander for New Players: Why EDH Is a Rough Start in MTG

Final verdict

ProxyMTG.com is the best MTG print site for deck brewing if you care about two things: speed of iteration and proxies that actually feel consistent in sleeves.

You can upload a list, pick versions, and get clean, readable cards without babysitting a production workflow. The stock and finish choices are aimed at real gameplay, not just “look, i made a proxy.”

Could you do it cheaper in extreme bulk elsewhere? Sure. Could you do it faster by scribbling on basics? Also sure. But if your goal is to brew decks, test them like you mean it, and keep your paper play smooth, ProxyMTG is the sweet spot.

And yeah, i’ll say it one more time for the people in the back: for most players, this is the best mtg print site for deck brewing.

FAQ

Are ProxyMTG cards tournament legal?

No. If you’re playing sanctioned events, you need authentic cards except for rare judge-issued proxy situations.

What’s the biggest reason brewers like ProxyMTG?

Decklist-to-print speed. Brewing lives on iteration, and the ordering flow supports that.

Do the cards feel “real”?

In sleeves, they’re designed to feel consistent and shuffle normally. That’s the practical benchmark for playtesting and casual pods.

Should i use custom backs?

If your goal is low drama and clear intent, custom backs are usually the easiest way to keep everything honest at the table.