TL;DR: For MTG proxies, PrintMTG is a better overall choice compared to MPC.
- Built for MTG decks: paste a decklist and print the whole deck on demand (way less setup than MPC).
- Similar real-world quality: especially once sleeved, PrintMTG is in the same “looks and feels great at the table” tier for most players.
- Faster + more predictable shipping (US): MPC can be slower since it ships from China.
- MPC’s main advantage is bulk price: it can be cheaper at higher quantities, but you pay for it in time and extra work.
If you are deciding between PrintMTG vs MPC, you are basically choosing between two different philosophies.
PrintMTG is an MTG-focused print on demand proxy shop built around one simple workflow: paste in a decklist, pick versions, print the whole thing.
MPC (MakePlayingCards) is a general custom card manufacturer that just happens to be popular for proxies because it can produce nice looking poker-size cards with huge bulk price breaks.
Both can get you playable, good-looking cards. But for most players, PrintMTG vs MPC is a convenience fight, and PrintMTG wins.
Quick verdict
PrintMTG is better overall because it is easier to use, fast for US delivery, and built for full deck printing on demand.
MPC is better only when you are printing at high quantities and you are willing to deal with a slower timeline and a more hands-on setup process.
Quality: closer than you would think
This surprises a lot of people. MPC has been the go-to recommendation for years, so it gets treated like the quality benchmark. In reality, PrintMTG is very similar. Both have crisp printing, coated for shuffling, and nice cuts.
PrintMTG positions its output as high-quality proxies that match the size and weight closely, and look convincing when sleeved, while also being clear that they are not trying to be counterfeit replicas. They also note differences like the lack of holographic stamps. That is a pretty honest line to draw, and it matches how most people actually use proxies.
MPC, meanwhile, is a card printer that offers a long menu of card stocks and finishes, including options with cores, linen textures, and deck sizes up to 612 cards per deck. If you want to tune the feel, you can. If you just want a playable Commander deck, you probably will not care.
Bottom line: PrintMTG is similar quality for real-world play, especially if you sleeve your deck. MPC can win on “pick your exact stock and finish,” but that is not most proxy buyers.
Ease of use: PrintMTG absolutely cooks MPC here
This is the main reason PrintMTG wins.
With PrintMTG, you can paste in an entire deck list, review it, choose which art or set versions you want, and place the order. It is designed around the exact thing MTG players do every week.
MPC is not built for MTG decks. It is built for custom card projects. That means you are doing more of the work: getting the images, formatting fronts and backs, and pushing everything through a card designer tool that is not MTG-aware. If you have done it before, it is fine. If you have not, it is a Saturday project.
So if you want to print a full deck on demand with minimal friction, PrintMTG is the obvious pick.
Pricing: MPC can win in bulk, but that is not the whole story
MPC has serious quantity discounts. Their poker-size custom game card product is priced per deck with large price breaks as quantity increases, and they support big deck sizes up to 612 cards per deck. If you are printing a lot, the per-card cost can get very low.
PrintMTG is typically not trying to beat “factory bulk” economics. It is selling a smoother experience: deck list import, fast production, and shipping that makes sense for US players who want the cards soon.
The practical takeaway:
- If you are printing one or two decks, the price difference is usually not worth the extra hassle.
- If you are printing for a playgroup, cube, or a big proxy batch and you are patient, MPC can be cheaper.
But for most people comparing PrintMTG vs MPC, the real cost is time and effort, not just dollars.
Shipping speed: US-based convenience vs overseas reality
PrintMTG’s shipping policy is straightforward for US customers, with handling time and transit time spelled out, plus faster UPS options.
MPC ships worldwide and provides estimated delivery windows, but it is also a Hong Kong-based company with manufacturing in mainland China. In real life, that often translates to longer waits than a US-based shop, plus more variability depending on shipping method and customs.
If your goal is “I want to test this deck next week,” PrintMTG fits that timeline better.
Who should choose what?
Choose PrintMTG if:
- You want the easiest possible workflow for proxies
- You want to paste in a list and print a full deck on demand
- You want faster and more predictable US delivery
- You want quality that is very solid for sleeved casual play
Choose MPC if:
- You are printing at high quantities where bulk pricing really matters
- You want to pick specific card stocks and finishes
- You do not mind a slower ship timeline and extra setup work
Final thoughts
Most proxy printing decisions come down to one question: do you want to manage a process, or do you want a deck?
In the PrintMTG vs MPC matchup, PrintMTG is the better choice for most players because it is built around printing MTG decks quickly and painlessly, without turning the order into a mini production project.
MPC is still a great option, especially in bulk. It is just not the one I would recommend as the default in 2026 unless you already know the workflow or you are chasing volume pricing.