Create Your Own Oracle Cards: Your DIY Ultimate Guide | QPMN
Hi everyone! I’m Jenny, the graphic designer behind QPMN and a passionate oracle card enthusiast.
I’m SO excited to talk about something truly magical: creating your own oracle deck! ✨
For years, I searched high and low for a deck that truly spoke to my soul.
Well, I finally realized… why not create my own?
And let me tell you, it was SO much easier (and more fun!) than I ever imagined.
We’ll dive deep into every step, from brainstorming themes and crafting messages to designing stunning visuals and even selling your finished deck.
I will guide you with tips and inspiration from my own ocean-themed deck! 🌊💖✨
Now, I want to share that magic with YOU! 🌟
Table of Contents
Ready to unleash your inner oracle? Let’s do this!
Step 1: Find Your Spark ✨
What makes your heart sing? Self-love, career dreams, spiritual adventures… let your passions be your guide!
Who are you connecting with? Think about the amazing people who will use your deck – what are their hopes and dreams?
What energy do you want to share? Clarity, joy, strength… infuse your deck with your own unique magic!
Here’s My Example for Your Reference:
What makes your heart sing?
Navigating Life’s Journey.
Each card embodies a specific energy, emotion, or life lesson, like intuition, hope, transformation, or resilience.
Who are you connecting with?
This deck is for anyone who loves connecting with their intuition, exploring their inner world, and finding peace and inspiration in, well, themselves!
It’s for the seekers, the dreamers, the ones who are ready to embrace all the magic that life has to offer. ✨
What energy do you want to share?
This deck is like a loving guide, offering clarity, inspiration, and a gentle nudge in the right direction.
It’s all about tapping into your intuition, overcoming obstacles, and embracing all the beautiful growth that comes with life’s journey.
Plus, the artwork itself is like a mini-vacation for your mind! 🌴✨
Step 2: Weave Your Story ✍️
Titles & Messages: Brainstorm titles that resonate with your theme, then let your intuition flow as you write heartfelt messages for each card.
Number of Cards: There’s no right or wrong answer here! Go with what feels right for your vision.
Here’s My Example for Your Reference:
The Seashell (Guidance): Listen to your inner voice. Intuition is guiding you.
The Lighthouse (Hope): Even in darkness, there is always hope. You have the strength to navigate challenges.
The Starfish (Resilience): You have the power to heal and rebuild. Don’t give up on yourself.
Step 3: Design Time!
Card Size:
First things first, choose the perfect size for your cards.
It’s crucial to decide on the card size before designing the artwork to ensure that your artwork fits perfectly on the cards.
(Psst… you can find tons of card size options on our website )
2.48" x 3.46"
Standard Size
- Perfect for traditional gameplay
- Easily portable and familiar feel
3.5" x 3.5"
Square Size
- Unique, eye-catching design
- Ideal for creative games and photo highlights.
1.75" x 3.5"
Domino Size
- Allows for creative layouts and designs, maximizing visual impact despite the smaller size
- Stands out from traditional cards
Here’s My Example for Your Reference:
I’ve opted for a larger card size, 3.5″ x 5.75″ (89 x 146 mm).
This allows for more intricate artwork and creates a more immersive experience for the user.
The larger size also enhances the tactile experience of shuffling and holding the cards.
Any Questions?
Visual Elements:
Colors, imagery, symbols… create a world that reflects your theme and draws people in.
Here’s My Example for Your Reference:
The ocean, with its boundless depths and captivating inhabitants, will be my muse!
Think:
- Creatures of the Deep: Dolphins, starfish, seahorses, turtles… all the magical creatures, gliding through the cards!
- Nature’s Wonders: Waves crashing, storms brewing, rainbows shimmering… so dreamy and inspiring!
- Hidden Treasures: Seashells, lighthouses, treasure chests… because everyone loves a little mystery and a touch of sparkle! ✨
- Underwater Worlds: Coral reefs, kelp forests… like stepping into a secret garden beneath the waves!
Color Palette:
I envision a palette that evokes both tranquility and vibrancy:
- Oceanic Dreams: Deep blues, mysterious teals, vibrant aquamarines… all the prettiest shades of the sea!
- Sandy Shores: Warm tans, soft creams… like walking barefoot on the beach at sunset!
- Coral & Shell Pinks: Touches of warmth and beauty… like finding a perfect seashell hidden in the sand!
- Sunset/Sunrise Magic: Golden shimmers, soft oranges, and pretty pinks… like new beginnings and magical moments!
Shapes & Patterns:
- Flowing Lines & Curves: Like the ocean’s gentle embrace, or a seashell’s graceful spiral.
- Circles & Spirals: Representing life’s beautiful cycles and the interconnectedness of everything.
- Sunbursts & Starbursts: Hope, guidance, and pure magic radiating from the cards!
Mood:
Playful? Mystical? Serene? Let your deck’s personality shine!
Here’s My Example for Your Reference:
Imagine diving deep beneath the waves into a silent, magical world.
That’s the feeling we’re going for! Serene, mystical, and totally peaceful. 😌✨
Artwork:
We’ve got our theme, our good vibes, and our prettiest design ideas… now let’s bring those oracle cards to life!✨
Remember all those cool colors, symbols, and textures we talked about?
Now we get to mix them all together with your card titles and messages, like a dream coming true right in front of you! ✨
Picture this…
Imagine a gorgeous seashell whispering secrets to the ocean.
Use shimmery orange and pink to make it feel super serene and peaceful, like you’re connecting with your intuition.
Maybe even write the message, “Listen to your inner voice,” right inside the shell! So pretty!
✨ Design Tips ✨
Can’t draw a straight line?
- Consider collaborate with a talented artist or explore user-friendly design tools like Canva.
2. Embrace the Power of AI:
AI art generators are all the rage right now, and for good reason!
Such like: MidJourney, Stable Diffusion, DALL-E 2, Adobe Firefly .
They can help you create stunning visuals even if you don’t have mad art skills.
Check out this exciting YouTube video that shows you how to create stunning card deck artwork using AI! 🎨✨
Pinterest is Your Inspiration Board:
Get lost in a world of oracle deck designs and gather inspiration for your own masterpiece.
To guidebook or not to guidebook... that is the question!
You can totally put the whole message right on your card, like a little nugget of wisdom!
But sometimes, you want to dive a little deeper, right?
That’s where a guidebook comes in! 📖
Think of it like a love letter to your readers, explaining each card in detail.
You can share:
- The deeper meaning behind the symbols and imagery
- How to interpret the card in a reading
- Journal prompts or rituals to connect with the card’s energy
It’s like giving your readers a backstage pass to your creative process!
Plus, it makes your deck even more special and unique. 💖
Step 4: Printing
Find Your Printing Soulmate:
Choosing the right printer is crucial!
You want someone reliable, affordable, and dedicated to bringing your vision to life.
(May I humbly suggest QPMN? 😉)
Select your specifications of your deck
Card Stock:
From luxurious smooth finishes to durable, waterproof options, we’ve got the perfect card stock to make your deck shine.
(I’m partial to the Deluxe Smooth, the one of the best – it feels amazing!)
**Learn More Card Stock
Printing:
Add a touch of magic with holographic, gold, or silver foil.
Or, keep it classic and cost-effective with full-colour printing.
**Learn More About Our Printing
Finish:
Matte or gloss?
It’s all about personal preference!
I love the soft, elegant look of a matte finish.
Packaging:
Shrink-wrapped, velvet bags, or custom tuck box.
Choose the packaging that best reflects your brand and budget.
Custom tuck box are perfect for adding that extra special touch and allow you to design your own card box, making it ideal for retail or giving your cards a unique personality.
Tip: Before you design your dreamy tuck box, make sure you’ve finalized ALL your card details!
✨ Card stock, quantity, printing… all those little things affect the tuck box size!
Get those set in stone first, then let your inner artist run wild! 🎨💖
Here are the specifications for the oracle deck I selected from QPMN
Card Stock: Deluxe Smooth (DS33)
Deck Quantity: 42
Printing: Full colour both side
Packaging: Custom tuck box
Packaging printed: Outside
Packaging Finish: T30 Aqueous (matte)
Packaging effect: Full color print
Packaging seals: None
Wrapping: Shrink-wrapped
Add-on: None
The Final Product
Here’s my oracle card deck design! 🌊✨
For this oracle deck, I wanted to create something truly universal and evocative.
Something that speaks to the depths of our experiences and helps us navigate the ebb and flow of life’s journey.
Last Step: Test, Test, Test!
Testing and Refining Your Oracle Deck:
Use your deck regularly and ask for feedback from trusted friends or beta testers.
Share your designs on social media to get feedback.
Ready to take your idea to the next level?
Print a prototype!
(With QPMN’s no minimum order quantities, you can dive in and test the waters without emptying your wallet.)
Let’s bring your vision to life!
Make adjustments based on feedback:
This ensures your deck is intuitive and resonates with users.
Ready to Share Your Magic with the World?
Online Marketplaces: Shopify, Etsy, Amazon, and even Kickstarter are fantastic platforms for selling your oracle decks.
Partner with QPMN: We offer print-on-demand services, which means you only pay for what you sell! Plus, our bulk discounts and competitive pricing make it easy to maximize your profits.
So, what are you waiting for?
Unleash your inner oracle, create something magical, and let’s share it with the world! ✨
P.S. Want to learn more about starting your own oracle card business? Contact us! We’re here to help you every step of the way. 💕
Need Support?
Contact us and we’ll support you every step of the way!
Start your deck business with us!