Custom printing metal gift game playing card tin box bulk sale

A card deck is only as practical as the packaging that protects it. This custom playing card tin box provides a rigid, reusable alternative to a conventional paper tuck box, helping brands protect printed cards while creating a more substantial retail presentation.

The 100 × 70 × 20 mm rectangular format is suitable for standard playing cards, poker decks, promotional card sets and compact tabletop games, subject to the final card dimensions and deck thickness. The lid, base and side panels can be customised with brand artwork, product instructions, colour graphics or collector-edition finishes.

Itinbox manufactures these tins for card game publishers, toy companies, promotional product distributors, importers and private-label brands. We support projects from size selection and artwork preparation through sampling, production, inspection and export packing.

Custom Playing Card Tin Box Specifications

Important: The stated dimensions are the external dimensions of the tin. Internal usable space is slightly smaller because of the rolled edges, lid fit and formed corners. Final card compatibility should be confirmed using the actual card size, deck thickness, wrapping method and any booklet or insert included in the pack.

Built Around the Actual Card Deck

A suitable playing card tin box cannot be selected from the card length and width alone. The total pack thickness also depends on the number of cards, paper weight, surface coating, corner radius, cellophane wrapping and whether the product includes a rule booklet.

Before confirming production, we recommend providing the following information:

• Finished length and width of each card
• Total thickness of the complete deck
• Number of cards per set
• Whether the deck will be cellophane wrapped
• Thickness of any instruction booklet or promotional insert
• Required clearance around the card deck
• Whether the tin needs an internal tray, divider or paper band

Our team can check these details against an existing mould and arrange a fitting test. This avoids a tin that is too tight after the cards are wrapped or unnecessarily large once the final deck is packed.

Suitable for More Than a Standard Poker Deck

This rectangular format can be adapted for several card-based product programmes without turning the page into a generic storage solution. Typical applications include:

• Standard playing card and poker decks
• Bridge cards and promotional card sets
• Children’s educational flash cards
• Compact tabletop and travel card games
• Brand campaign and event giveaway cards
• Collector-edition card decks
• Hotel, airline and entertainment merchandise
• Private-label card products for retail chains

Projects involving business cards, retail gift cards or large tarot decks normally require different dimensions and should be evaluated separately. This allows the structure to be designed around the intended product rather than forcing unrelated card formats into the same tin.

Why Use Metal Packaging for Playing Cards?

A paper tuck box is economical and lightweight, but it can crease, tear or lose shape after repeated use. A metal tin provides stronger edge protection and gives the finished card set a more durable, gift-ready appearance.

This tin is protective but is not described as airtight or waterproof. Where additional moisture protection is required, the cards can be wrapped before being placed inside the tin.

Custom Printing That Covers the Whole Pack

The lid is the main branding area, but a well-planned custom printed card tin box should use the entire structure. Artwork can continue across the lid, side wall and base to create a coordinated retail presentation.

Available printing and decoration options include:

• Full-colour CMYK artwork for illustrations and photographic designs
• Pantone spot colours for controlled brand colour matching
• CMYK and Pantone combinations for complex artwork
• Transparent ink over natural metal for a metallic tinplate effect
• Matte or glossy protective varnish
• Selective spot gloss to highlight logos or card symbols
• Embossed or debossed logos on the lid
• Printed instructions, branding or graphics inside the lid
• Textured, crackle or other project-specific surface treatments

Metallic appearance can often be created by allowing selected areas of the tinplate to remain visible beneath transparent inks. This can provide a premium effect without adding a separate metallic foil layer.

Artwork and Colour Preparation

For production artwork, editable vector files are preferred. AI, editable PDF or CDR files allow text, logos, bleed and colour separations to be checked against the tin dieline.

The artwork should include:

• Outlined fonts or supplied font files
• Embedded high-resolution images
• Clearly identified Pantone references
• Bleed extending beyond cutting and forming areas
• Important text kept away from corners, rolled edges and seams
• Separate layers for embossing, debossing or spot varnish

We can provide the correct dieline after the tin size and structure are confirmed. A digital mock-up can then be prepared before physical sampling or production approval.

Insert and Internal Packing Choices

Not every card deck needs an insert. A compact deck that closely matches the internal dimensions may only require wrapping or a paper band. Sets containing fewer cards, accessories or a booklet may benefit from an insert that controls movement inside the tin.

Retail and Export Packaging Options

The appropriate outer packing depends on how the product will be sold and transported. A basic wholesale order may use an individual protective bag and master carton, while a retail programme may require additional branding, tamper evidence or barcode space.

• Individual protective polybag
• Paper belly band with branding and product information
• Printed paper sleeve
• Shrink wrapping for a sealed retail presentation
• Individual colour box
• Counter display carton
• Carton dividers for surface protection
• Export master cartons and pallet packing

Carton quantity and gross weight are calculated after the final tin size, insert and individual packing method are confirmed.

Existing Mould or New Tin Size?

Using an existing mould is normally the most practical route when the available internal dimensions fit the card deck. It reduces tooling cost and allows the project to move into artwork preparation and sampling sooner.

A new mould may be considered when:

• The deck has a non-standard card size
• The pack includes two decks or several accessories
• A rule booklet increases the required depth
• The brand requires a distinctive outline or corner profile
• No existing mould provides suitable internal clearance

Itinbox has more than 3,000 existing tin moulds covering multiple rectangular, square and shaped formats. We will first check suitable existing options before recommending new tooling.

Custom Production Process

1. Project review: confirm card size, deck thickness, quantity, target market and required packaging.
2. Size selection: compare the product against available moulds or evaluate a new structure.
3. Dieline preparation: provide the artwork template for the selected tin.
4. Artwork check: review bleed, colours, text position and special decoration layers.
5. Sampling: prepare a digital mock-up, plain fitting sample or printed sample as required.
6. Approval: confirm structure, fit, colour expectations and packing details.
7. Tinplate printing: print and coat the metal sheets before forming.
8. Forming and assembly: stamp, trim, roll and assemble the lid and base.
9. Inspection: check dimensions, lid fit, printing, surface condition and packing.
10. Export packing: pack the finished tins according to the approved specification.

The production schedule is confirmed after the artwork, sample requirements, order quantity and packing method have been approved.

Quality Checks for Playing Card Tins

A tin can look acceptable when closed but still create problems during card packing. Our inspection process therefore covers both appearance and practical fit.

• External and internal dimension checks
• Lid-and-base fitting inspection
• Sharp-edge and rolled-edge inspection
• Artwork position and print registration checks
• Colour comparison against the approved standard
• Embossing and special-finish inspection
• Scratch, dent and contamination checks
• Insert placement and deck fitting tests when samples are supplied
• Individual packing and export carton inspection

For the most reliable result, buyers should provide a complete production card deck rather than only a single loose card. The full deck allows us to verify thickness, wrapping allowance and removal clearance.

Why Work with Itinbox?

Itinbox is a direct metal packaging manufacturer supporting custom tin projects for international brands, importers, distributors and private-label buyers. Production capabilities include in-house tinplate printing, mould development, automated forming, surface decoration, assembly and export packing.

• More than 3,000 existing moulds for faster size selection
• In-house printing support for CMYK and Pantone artwork
• Custom embossing, debossing and surface-finish development
• Insert and retail packing coordination
• Automated production lines for consistent bulk orders
• Quality control from printed sheet inspection to final packing
• BSCI, SEDEX, ISO 9001 and SGS-supported manufacturing systems
• Experience supplying custom metal packaging to overseas markets

Our role is not simply to produce an empty tin. We help match the tin structure, card deck, artwork and outer packing so that the complete product is practical to assemble and ready for its intended sales channel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What card size fits this playing card tin?
The external size is 100 × 70 × 20 mm, but the usable internal space is smaller. Final suitability depends on the finished card size, deck thickness, corner radius, wrapping and any included booklet. Send us your actual card dimensions or sample deck for confirmation.

How many playing cards can the tin hold?
Capacity cannot be determined from the number of cards alone because card stock thickness and coating vary. We confirm capacity using the total finished deck thickness rather than quoting an unsupported card count.

Can the tin hold a wrapped deck?
Yes, provided the selected size includes enough allowance for cellophane, shrink film or a paper band. The wrapped deck dimensions should be used when checking the fit.

Can you make a tin for two playing card decks?
Yes. We can check deeper or wider existing moulds for double-deck packaging. A divider or insert can also be added to keep the decks organised.

Can the inside of the lid be printed?
Yes. The inside lid can carry instructions, game rules, brand information or decorative artwork. The exact printing arrangement should be confirmed during artwork preparation.

Can you add an embossed logo?
Yes. Logos, card symbols and selected artwork areas can be embossed or debossed. A separate tooling layer should be included in the artwork file.

Is this playing card tin airtight?
No. A standard lid-and-base card tin is protective but is not designed as an airtight or waterproof container. Cards requiring additional moisture protection should be wrapped before packing.

What is the MOQ for custom printing?
The standard MOQ is 5,000 pieces. The requirement is linked to tinplate printing quantities, material preparation and automated production efficiency. Splitting one order across several designs is reviewed according to artwork layout and quantity per design.

Can I order a sample before mass production?
Yes. Depending on the project stage, we can arrange an existing sample, a plain fitting sample, a digital mock-up or a printed pre-production sample.

What information is required for a quotation?
Please provide the card dimensions, complete deck thickness, order quantity, number of designs, artwork requirements, insert preference, individual packing method and delivery country or port.

Request a Custom Playing Card Tin Quote

Explore additional shapes and sizes in our rectangular metal tin box range, or contact our team for a custom structure based on your card deck.