The World of Playing Cards Logo

The Art & Design of Playing Cards

Playing Card Design

The playing card calls for artistic treatment and although the constrained size imposes some limitations there is an almost bewildering wealth and variety of designs in playing cards and their tuck boxes. The serious player requires design to be unobtrusive so that aesthetic considerations remain in the background. However, with modern manufacturing technology more eye-catching designs are becoming popular as gifts, collectibles and for their attractive appearance.

Displaying 289 articles

Sort by: Publication Date Alphabetical Year of Production

Filter by Year of Production

Prime Arts 2004

Prime Arts

Prime Arts Playing Cards were published in 2004 featuring the work of contemporary artists, illustrators and photographers.

Production Methods for Small Scale Editions

Production Methods for Small Scale Editions

Some alternative approaches to producing small, hand-made editions of playing cards

Prof. Franciszek Bunsch

Prof. Franciszek Bunsch

Prof. Franciszek Bunsch, Polish playing-card designer.

Punch Studio: ‘Geisha Girls’ 2013

Punch Studio: ‘Geisha Girls’

‘Geisha Girls’ playing cards published by Punch Studio, Culver City, CA., 2013

Queen of Hearts

Queen of Hearts

“Queen of Hearts” by Josie Callipari, winner of the Brian Tucker Accounting Desert Fantasia Award 2005

Regarding the designs of playing cards

Regarding the designs of playing cards

The quality of playing card designs often deteriorates with time…

Relief of Vienna 1983

Relief of Vienna

“Relief of Vienna” tri-centenary pack, 1983

Renée Sturbelle 1947

Renée Sturbelle

Artistic playing cards with abstract designs by Renée Sturbelle, first published by Brepols S.A., Turnhout, 1947.

Richard Wagner 1968

Richard Wagner

Richard Wagner playing cards designed by Melchior Annen.

Ritter & Cie, 1933 1933

Ritter & Cie, 1933

A colourful re-working of the standard Anglo-American pattern in Art Deco style.

Roaring Twenties 1980

Roaring Twenties

Roaring Twenties playing cards by Angel Playing Cards Co Ltd, Japan. 1980.

Rococco 1920

Rococco

Designed by Josef Maria Melchior Annen (1868-1954) who also designed several other packs for Müller & Cie.

Rococo No.2130 1975

Rococo No.2130

Piatnik: Rococo No.2130 playing cards designed by Prof. Kuno Hock, c.1975

Rococo Playing Cards 1914

Rococo Playing Cards

Piatnik’s Rococo style playing cards issued as “Rococo Patience”, “Luxus-Patience”, “Empire Patience”, “White Horse Patience”, “Patience-Whist No.140” and “Mini Patience”

Roman Empire 2011

Roman Empire

Roman Empire playing cards designed by G. Wyatt for Green Board Game Co Ltd.,

Romance Español 1961

Romance Español

“Romance Español” designed by Carlos Sáenz de Tejada and published by Heraclio Fournier in various editions since 1951.

Romanian playing cards by Alf Cooke 1930

Romanian playing cards by Alf Cooke

Romanian playing cards, manufactured and exported by the Universal Playing Card Co., Leeds, in the 1930s.

Russian Four Seasons 1971

Russian Four Seasons

“Seasons” playing cards designed by U. P. Ivanov and published by The Colour Printing Plant in St Petersburg.

Russian Opera Scenes 1974

Russian Opera Scenes

Russian Opera & Theatre Scenes playing cards first published by the Colour Printing Plant (USSR, Russian Federation) in 1974

Salon-Karte No.66 1970

Salon-Karte No.66

Salon-Karte No.66 designed by Walter Krauss, 1970