Q. What resolution artwork is required?
A. The Minimum suggested resolution is 300 DPI (dots per inch)
Q. How many cards are there in a deck?
A. For the regular cards it will be 52 cards + 2 jokers. However for other Card games it could vary from 8 to 600 or more cards per game.
Q. What format do I need to send the artwork in?
A. Artworks and Creatives are preferred in Adobe Illustrator open files or PDF’s as per your designing platform.
Q. How long does it take for you to complete my order?
A. Production time to 100 to 100000 decks is 2 weeks after approval of digital proofs and receipt of financials as suggested.
Q. What is the minimum quantity?
A. Minimum quantities are 1 deck however since they are also classified as production samples they are more expensive.
Q. How will I receive my orders?
A. Orders can be received either by trucking for domestic purchases or by air or sea shipping.
Q. What are the lead times, and shipping time?
A. Lead times are between 2 to 4 weeks for air shipping and 6-8 weeks for sea shipping globally.
Q. What are the payment terms?
A. Payment terms are upfront since they are customized however large shipments of over US$15000.00 can be a 50 % advance and Balance before it is shipped.
Q.How do I upload artwork?
A. Creatives and Artworks can be uploaded via www.wetransfer.com and sent to sales@tmcards.com.
Q. Can playing cards be used as a promotional product or for promotional campaign?
A. Playing cards are an ideal promotional and marketing tool.
Q. What size can the cards be?
A. Cards can be of variable sizes please check with us for special sizes maybe we might have the closest dimension dies for your order.
General Playing Card Queries
Q. Where are the cards made?
A. The Cards are made completely in house in the TMCARDS facilities in Mumbai the financial capital of India.
Q. What is the size of playing cards in inches?
A.Regular Bridge Size - 2.25" x 3.5" (57.15mm x 88.9mm)Poker Size - 2.5" x 3.5" (63.5mm x 88.9mm)Large Size - 4.44" x 2.79" (113mm x 71mm)Round Cards - 2.91" Diameter (74mm)
Q. What side should I call each card, number side or suite side?
A. The suites or the pips are the back side of your cards and the common design are the fronts of the cards.
Q. What are the paper qualities and there properties?
A. Paper Qualities differ in Caliper and Grammage not to be mistaken for each other. Usually high quality is made on 300 gsm + playing card stock and it varies in Caliper from 26 microns to 32 microns close to what their grammage might be.
Q. Where is the paper made?
A. Paper is sourced from all over the globe depending on the clients preference usually India Japan and Germany.
Q.Which paper is better, and why?
A. Playing card stock are special paper stocks have special qualities durability, Usability and stiffness and the best stocks are manufactured in Germany and India.
Q. What is meant by one side coated? Not the other?
A. One side coated as it is often called is card stock that has one side smooth and glossy and the other a lil rough.
Q. What is meant by black centered paper?
A. Black centered paper is predominantly used in Casinos or professional playing cards that have high opacity and stiffness.
Q. What is better to send files as, jpg or tiff?
A. Preferred files are high resolution PDFs for enhanced print quality.
Artwork Questions
Q. When I send you a pantone number can you work with that?
A. Pantone shades are fine.
Q. Should I leave the files in Photoshop type?
A. Please convert the files to Adobe Illustrator files or PDFs.
Q. Can you read qxp files?
A. Please convert the files to Adobe Illustrator files or PDFs.
Q. How many images can I have on a deck?
A. You can have one or multiple images on the face cards and back restricting the same to the number of cards per deck one requires.
Q. What kind of artworks does one need and the media?
A. Please convert the files to Adobe Illustrator files or PDFs.
Generating Quotes
Q. I had trouble with the automated quote site. And I didn’t want to give so much information.
A. Please send a mail to sales@tmcards.com and we will walk you thru the process.
Q. I used the automated quote site but I couldn’t understand how to…?
A. We are equipped to handle your queries and rest assured you will hear back from us asap.
Q. How do I go about getting an estimate from you?
A. You can either fill in your requirements on the www.tmcards.com site or send us a mail to sales@tmcards.com and we will send you a precise quote for the same.
Q. Now that I am all set, what about prices?
A. Prices are variable depending on the number of units/Size of your deck/packaging/special coatings /foil stamping/ number of cards per deck/shipping and logistics to your destination.
Q. How many cards can I have made 52 or 54, for the same price?
A. Yes.
Q. When I reorder more cards do you save the plates? Will I save setup charges?
A. No setup charges when you reorder.
Payments
Q. When I place my order on the Internet, how will I know whether an item is in stock?
A. One will be pre informed on the availability of the brand.
Q. What forms of payment do you accept?
A. Payments are accepted by domestic checks or wire transfer.
Q. Is online ordering secure?
A. We have been in the business for over 53 years and once you are done with the approvals of the digitals then you can safely wire the proceeds to the given account.
Q. Do you charge sales tax?
A. We have a 12% GST charge for Indian sales.
Q. Do you offer any discounts?
A. The discounts are inbuilt however we will match any quote worldwide from any known playing card manufacturer for the specifications. All one has to do is send us the proforma invoice or offer from the manufacturers and we will match or beat the same.
Customised Queries
Q. Can I have artwork and text on each side of the card of my own design?
A. Yes you can fully customize your deck.
Q. Can you manufacture game boards and if so do you have samples?
A. Yes we do manufacture game boards and samples are free only the logistics have to be paid for.
Q. Is the linen you use built into the paper or into the coating or can it be done both ways?
A. Linen finish can be either side as per your specifications.
Q. Why would you choose to use a white core over a grey core over a black core over a purple core etc?For a particular job given the choice?
A. If it is for the professional casino then black core card stock is used. However standard quality cards are white core making them more reasonable and affordable.
Q. Which colors are the most difficult for you to work with or keep consistent throughout a run?
A. Now with the newer machines installed all colors are consistent.
Q. 280 - 300 and the different coatings - What are what you consider to be your highest quality card coating and stock options - or combinations?
A. UV coatings either matt or glossy are the most expensive.
Q. C Design wise - black borders - what stock of yours do you suggest for cards with black borders (if any) and why?Or do you suggest - rather than a particular card stock - a particular coating for black borders?
A. UV coatings can best handle black border cards due to the high scuff proofing and reliability.
Q. What can be done to minimize differences in card back color throughout a deck?
A. Lighter colors have a tendency not to have variations on the card backs.
Q. How many cards can have I have to a deck?
A. One can have as many cards to a deck as the requirement stands.
Process Queries
Q. What is meant by five colors? Some printers say five colors are better.
A. CMYK which is a 4 color process and a special pantone color makes the images come to life.
Q. Are the plates made of metal or are they transfers?
A. Plates are made of Aluminum.
Q. Can you retrieve my large files from a server? So I don’t need to send a CD.
A. Yes we can download the same from your servers as instructed.
Q. What is a "proof"?
A. Proof is a digital or a physical one. Digital proofs are emailed to you and the physical ones are pre presentation for larger orders.
Q. Why do I need to look at a proof if I've already given you everything I need to have done?
A. Proofs are a second check as sometimes while setting layouts on the computers the files may have a parsing situation and once the file is ready a proof approval is always required from the client that nothing is omitted.
Q. How many colors can be printed on each side?
A. The usual printing procedure is a 4 color print which is having 4 primary colors that makes up any image. However there are special colors that need a 5 or 6th color to enhance the image either Gold Silver or a logo color.
Q. What thickness stock is available?
A. Playing Card stock from 260 GSM to 330 gsm is usually available with us.
Q. What stock finishing is available?
A.You could have Matt, Glossy, 1 side coated, and Linen finish.
Q. What overcoat finishing are available?
A. High Slip Matt and High Slip Glossy
Q. What kind of packing?
A. Packing is as per specification.
Q. Can you provide references?
A. We can provide you sample images and references if available in your location.
Q. What if I require samples?
A. We will be happy to provide you samples of quality similar to your specified parameters. Please give us your DHL or FEDEX no. Shipping will be paid by you and if the orders are above USD 5000 then the same would be deducted when the invoices are made.
Q. What if I don't have a DHL or FEDEX no?
A. We can include the cost.
Q. How is my order shipped?
A. Trucking for domestic Air and Sea for International.
Q. Can you ship outside the United States?
A: Globally
Q. Is my purchase guaranteed?
A: We make sure that all goods pass a stringent quality control test however if a defect is found in your game we will replace the same at our cost only the logistics will have to be handled at your end.
Q. Do you accept advertising on your site?
A. No
Q. How do I check the status of my order?
A. You will be given a client id if there are queries.
Q. How do I place an order over the phone?
A: We prefer the mail since there are designs and approvals required.
Q. How do I email Customer Service
A: To reach out to our customer service executives you can either email us at sales@tmcards.com
Q. How long have you been in business?
A. We have been in the business since 1969.
Q. What do I do if I want to cancel my order?
A. Orders once placed and confirmed cannot be cancelled.
Q. Do you deliver to international locations?
A. By air or sea depending on the location
Q. How can I contact you?
A. Please visit www.tmcards.com and send us a mail.
Q. Can playing cards be ordered in sizes other than those listed?
A. Yes custom sizes can be ordered wherein a die cost would apply.
