Chloe Zhang
Playing cards are typically made by gluing two layers of paper together, with the binding agent often being a graphite laminate core. The thickness of a playing card depends on the type of card and its intended use. For example, the common 3.5 x 2.25 playing card will have a thickness range of 0.17mm–0.24mm, while tarot or oversized cards are usually thicker. The thickness of a full deck of 52 playing cards is between 8.5mm–12.48mm or 0.33–0.49 inches without the box. The thickness of playing cards can also be measured in points, which are measured in thousandths of an inch, or grams per square meter (gsm). Most card stock falls between 250–400 gsm, with a higher gsm potentially resulting in a stiffer card.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Thickness range of a common 3.5" x 2.25" playing card | 0.17mm – 0.24mm |
| Thickness of a full deck of 52 playing cards | 8.5mm – 12.48mm or 0.33 – 0.49 inches without the box |
| Thickness of a single card in inches | 0.0115” |
| Thickness of a single card in mm | 0.3mm |
| Thickness of 52 cards in cm | 1.5cm |
| Grams per square meter (gsm) | 250-400 gsm |
| Thickness of oversized cards | More than 350 gsm |
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What You'll Learn
Tarot cards are thicker
Tarot cards are larger than average playing cards, with a standard size of 2.75" by 4.75". The bigger size allows for more detailed artwork, but this needs to be balanced with comfort when handling the cards. Tarot cards are also thicker because they are made from art paper, which is designed first for display, rather than coverstock/cardstock, which is designed to be shuffled and played with.
Art paper is thicker and heavier, and every 400gsm card deck is made from art paper. However, cardstock is more durable, so if you intend to use your tarot cards frequently, this may be a better option. The finish of the card will also affect the thickness, with laminate finishes adding to rigidity.
A 78-card tarot deck is about 7/8ths of an inch when pressed together, and most tarot card boxes have a depth of around 2". Some tarot decks use thicker cardstock and might need at least 1.75" of space.
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GSM and finish determine stiffness
The weight of playing cards is measured in GSM (grams per square meter). The GSM of a card, along with its finish, will determine its stiffness. The higher the GSM, the stiffer the card. For example, a 350 GSM card is thick for playing card stock, while 400 GSM is very rare. The most common cardstocks are 300gsm, 310gsm, 330gsm, and 350gsm.
The finish of a card will also affect its stiffness and shuffle feel. For example, a laminate finish will add to the rigidity of a card. A linen finish is a type of finish that creates pockets of air, which make shuffling easier, but it may lead to a reduction in print quality for complex images. A UV varnish finish is stiffer than other types of varnish and may be more prone to cracking.
The stiffness of a card gives it "spring" and "snap," which is important for cardists and magicians who need to perform flourishes and fans. For the average card player, stiffness ensures a smooth, consistent feel during shuffling and better durability.
The thickness of a card is also related to its opacity. Thicker cards prevent light from passing through easily, which is important for magicians who do not want their audience to see through the cards.
The weight of the cardstock is also related to its quality. Generally, the heavier the cardstock, the higher the quality. However, thicker cards are harder to shuffle, so there is a trade-off between quality and functionality.
Some other factors that affect the stiffness of a card include the sheet formation process, printing method, coating formula, and core material. The core of the cardstock determines its flexibility and recovery. Different core materials allow for better bend and snapback recovery.
In summary, the GSM and finish of a card are important factors that determine its stiffness. The weight of the card in GSM affects its stiffness, with higher GSM resulting in stiffer cards. The finish of the card can also add to its rigidity, with certain finishes like laminate and UV varnish resulting in stiffer cards. Other factors such as the core material and sheet formation process also play a role in determining the overall stiffness of a playing card.
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Card stock is made by gluing paper
Plastic playing cards are typically made of card stock, which is thicker and more durable than standard printing or writing paper. Card stock is made by gluing together two layers of paper, with a binding agent that is often graphite laminate. This core is what gives cards their resilience to bending, improved shuffle-ability, and durability. The thickness of card stock is typically measured in grams per square meter (GSM), with most card stock falling between 250 and 400 GSM. Thickness can also be measured in points, which are measured in thousandths of an inch. For example, 18-point stock is 18/1000ths of an inch thick.
The process of making card stock begins with wood pulp paper, which is made from a blend of hardwood and softwood fibres and fillers. Hardwood provides proper paper formation, while softwood adds strength, and fillers contribute to the opacity, brightness, and overall appearance of the card stock. The fibre blend is about 99% water before being formed into card stock. The blend is dispersed from an opening at the bottom of a headbox, a storage container at the start of the paper-making machine. The blend then flows onto a wire, a wide, flat, porous moving screen.
The sheet is then guided through a series of roller presses and heat dryers until it becomes a flat, uniform, dry sheet of card stock. The thickness of the paper is determined by the amount of fibre dispersed onto the wire at the start of the process. The opening at the bottom of the headbox is adjustable, allowing for different amounts of fibre to be used. In some cases, thick card stock is made by adhering two thinner sheets together, rather than placing twice the amount of fibre on the wire.
After the card stock is formed, it receives a coating and is calendered (run through a bunch of rollers) to achieve the desired surface texture. Card stock can have a variety of finishes, including smooth, vellum, linen, and metallic. It can also be coated on one or both sides to create a glossy finish, which is often used for business cards and book covers. The final step in the process is to apply a finishing layer as a sealant to protect the cards and add to their durability and aesthetic appeal.
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Thickness varies by card type
The thickness of plastic playing cards varies depending on the type of card and its intended use. While there is no standard size for a piece of paper, the thickness of a typical playing card can range from 0.17mm to 0.24mm, or 0.0066 inches to 0.0094 inches. A full deck of 52 cards can range in thickness from 8.5mm to 12.48mm, or approximately 0.33 to 0.49 inches.
The thickness of a playing card is influenced by the weight and density of the paper used, as well as the number of layers of paper and adhesive. Most card stock is created by gluing together two layers of paper with a binding agent, often referred to as plastic or graphite laminate. This laminate gives the cards their resilience and durability. The thickness of the laminate itself can vary, resulting in different thicknesses of playing cards.
Additionally, the finish of a playing card can impact its overall thickness. Liquid finishes, such as a varnish, or laminate finishes can add rigidity and thickness to the card. Tarot or oversized cards, for example, are typically thicker to accommodate their larger size. On the other hand, a high GSM (grams per square meter) on poker-sized cards might result in an unnaturally stiff feel.
The thickness of a playing card is also influenced by the number of cards in a deck. A single card is thinner than a deck of cards, and the thickness increases as more cards are added. For example, a deck of 52 cards will be thicker than a deck of 36 cards.
It's important to note that while there are standard measurements for playing card thickness, the actual thickness can vary slightly due to factors such as manufacturing processes and paper density. Additionally, the thickness of a playing card is not always equivalent to its millimeter measurement, as cards may not fill the space precisely or may expand after being rolled.
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A full deck's thickness
The thickness of a deck of cards varies depending on the type of cards and the number of cards in the deck. A standard deck of 52 playing cards typically measures between 8.5mm and 12.48mm, or 0.33–0.49 inches, in thickness. This measurement does not include the thickness of the box, which typically adds an additional 3/4 inch to the overall thickness.
The thickness of individual playing cards can vary depending on the manufacturer and the materials used. Common playing cards typically have a thickness ranging from 0.17mm to 0.24mm. However, the thickness of a single card can vary depending on its intended use, with tarot or oversized cards typically being thicker than standard playing cards.
The thickness of a deck of cards can also depend on the number of cards in the deck. While a standard deck contains 52 cards, some decks may include additional cards, such as jokers or promotional cards, which can increase the overall thickness. Additionally, the thickness of the card stock and any coatings or finishes applied to the cards can impact the overall thickness of the deck.
The thickness of a deck of cards is an important consideration for card games, as it can impact the feel and playability of the cards. Thicker cards may have a more substantial feel and may be less prone to bending or creasing, while thinner cards may be more flexible and easier to shuffle. Ultimately, the preferred thickness of a deck of cards may vary depending on personal preference and the specific requirements of the card game being played.
Overall, the thickness of a full deck of plastic playing cards can vary depending on several factors, including the size and number of cards, the thickness of the card stock, and any additional coatings or finishes. A standard deck of 52 plastic playing cards typically falls within the range of 8.5mm to 12.48mm in thickness, but this can vary depending on the specific characteristics of the cards.
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Frequently asked questions
The thickness of a playing card depends on the type of card and its composition. The common 3.5" x 2.25" playing card will have a thickness range of 0.17mm–0.24mm. The thickness of a full deck of 52 playing cards is between 8.5mm–12.48mm or 0.33–0.49 inches without the box.
The thickness of a playing card is determined by the paper's GSM (grams per square meter) and finish. Most card stock will be between 250-400 GSM. A higher GSM will result in a thicker card. The finish will also affect the thickness, with laminate finishes adding to the rigidity of the card.
Thicker playing cards are often desired because they are more durable and less likely to crease. They also have improved shuffle feel and are less likely to bend.
You can use a caliper to measure the thickness of a single playing card. To measure the thickness of a deck of cards, you can use a ruler or a stack of cards as a guide.
Yes, there is a Pasta Machine Thickness Guide created by Maggie Maggio and Sage Bray based on an international survey. This guide provides standard thickness settings for pasta machines to avoid confusion when taking classes or following instructional materials. However, it's important to note that the actual thickness of playing cards may not exactly match the millimeter equivalent on the guide.
