There’s a quote you hear a lot in Magic: “Play the player, not the wallet.”
Then you look up the price of a single staple land and suddenly you’re playing the wallet anyway.
That’s where MTG proxies come in. They’re one of the most argued-about “normal things” in the game. Some players see proxies as a practical tool for testing and accessibility. Others see them as a threat to the value and authenticity of the hobby. And both sides have a point… depending on where and how you play.
Today we’re sharing our video on the easiest (and, in our opinion, best) way to print high-quality MTG proxy cards. We recommend PrintMTG for quality print on demand proxy cards. After the video, I’ll break down the debate, Wizards of the Coast’s stance, and what “responsible proxying” actually looks like at real tables.
If you’re reading this on Kraken Opus, the video should be embedded above this section.
The short version: PrintMTG makes it simple to upload a deck list, pick printings, and order a full stack of proxies that shuffle and handle like normal cards. It’s the closest thing to “proxying without it feeling like a craft project.”
Now, let’s talk about what proxies are and why the topic gets spicy.
What are MTG proxies?
MTG proxies are unofficial replacements for official Magic cards. The simplest proxy is a basic land with “Underground Sea” written on it in marker. The most useful proxies are clear, readable, and consistent in a sleeved deck.
People proxy for a few common reasons:
Playtesting: try a deck before spending real money
Casual accessibility: play higher-powered games without requiring a second mortgage
Out-of-print or scarce cards: some formats and archetypes lean on cards that just aren’t easy to get
Deck variety: more decks, more often, without dismantling binders every week
Proxies aren’t about “cheating” in casual play. They’re about getting games to happen.
But sanctioned play is a different world.
Wizards of the Coast’s position on proxies
Wizards of the Coast (WotC) is very clear on one thing: sanctioned events require authentic Magic cards. Proxies are not allowed as a substitute in normal tournament play.
There’s one narrow exception: if a card becomes damaged during the event, a judge can issue a proxy for that tournament so the player can keep playing. Outside of that, players can’t just show up with proxy cards and call it good.
WotC also draws a hard line between playtest-style proxies and counterfeits. A playtest card is meant to stand in for a card while you test ideas. A counterfeit is intended to look real and be passed off as real. WotC cares a lot about stopping counterfeits.
That distinction matters because it leads to the real question most players are asking:
“Is this for fun and testing… or is someone trying to fool people?”
The community debate: accessibility vs authenticity
The MTG community is split, and the split is understandable.
Why players support proxies
They lower the barrier to entry for Commander, Cubes, and high-powered metas.
They let people test decks before buying into them.
They keep tables focused on gameplay instead of budgets.
Why players dislike proxies
They feel like it undermines collecting and trading.
They worry proxies blur the line and make counterfeits more common.
They’ve seen proxy decks used to pubstomp casual pods (“it’s just paper” turns into “it’s turn three and you’re dead”).
So the proxy debate usually isn’t about the paper. It’s about trust, expectations, and how people behave when deckbuilding constraints disappear.
Which leads to the most important practical point:
Proxies are a Rule 0 conversation (especially in Commander)
Commander is a social format. That’s not fluff. It’s the operating system.
Most proxy problems vanish if you do one simple thing: tell the table what you’re doing before the game starts. In Commander, that’s the Rule 0 talk: everyone gets on the same page about power level, expectations, and what’s allowed.
Some groups are 100% proxy-friendly. Some allow proxies only for cards you own. Some limit proxies to a few slots. Some don’t want proxies at all. None of these are “wrong.” The only wrong move is showing up with surprises and hoping nobody notices.
Why we recommend PrintMTG for print on demand proxy cards
If you’re going to proxy, quality matters more than people want to admit. Not because you’re trying to fake anyone out, but because bad proxies create real gameplay issues:
cards that are hard to read slow the game down
different thickness can create marked cards
miscuts and blurry text make board states messy
PrintMTG is our recommendation because it solves the boring-but-important parts. You can upload a deck list, choose versions, and get consistent, clean prints that shuffle like a normal deck. They also offer tools for custom designs and proxy creation, which is great for cubes, custom commanders, or “I want my Krenko deck to be all goblin meme art” energy.
A good proxy service should also avoid encouraging fraud. One thing we like seeing (and want more of across the whole proxy space) is clear differentiation from real cards—different backs, markings, or other cues that keep proxies from being confused with authentic cards.
In other words: proxies should be playable, not passable.
How to proxy responsibly (and avoid being “that guy”)
Here’s the proxy code that keeps games fun and keeps the community healthy:
Never use proxies in sanctioned events. If it’s a tournament, assume “authentic cards only.”
Be upfront. Tell people you’re running proxies before the first shuffle.
Keep it readable. Full card text (or at least the key text) matters.
Keep it consistent. Same sleeves, same thickness, no weird “marked” cards.
Don’t sell, trade, or represent proxies as real. Ever.
Avoid 1:1 replication vibes. If your proxy looks like you’re trying to fool someone, you’re already off the rails.
That last point is big. Even if your intent is innocent, the closer you get to “indistinguishable,” the more you’re inviting suspicion and problems—and the more you’re feeding the counterfeit ecosystem that hurts players and stores.
DIY proxies: what actually works (without turning this into arts and crafts night)
If you don’t want to order proxies, the simplest DIY method is still the best:
Print clearly → sleeve it in front of a bulk card → shuffle and play.
That’s it. It’s cheap, fast, and it looks like what it is: a playtest card.
Yes, there are more “premium” DIY methods floating around the internet. Some of them start drifting into “how to make something that looks real,” and that’s exactly the territory you should avoid. If you’re proxying for casual play, you don’t need realism. You need legibility and consistency.
Proxies beyond MTG (Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and friends)
This isn’t a Magic-only issue. Most trading card games run into the same problem: the cost of specific cards can be prohibitive, and players still want to test decks or play kitchen-table formats without gatekeeping.
The rules are usually similar across games:
sanctioned play = follow official rules
casual play = group agreement
selling fakes = don’t
Magic just happens to have the biggest, loudest version of the argument… because Magic players can argue about anything. It’s our brand.
Final thoughts
Proxies aren’t the end of Magic. They also aren’t automatically “good for the game.” They’re a tool.
Used well, proxies make Commander more accessible, make testing easier, and let people explore decks they’d never otherwise touch. Used badly, proxies become an excuse to ignore social balance, blur ethical lines, or enable counterfeiting.
If you want the easiest path to high-quality print on demand proxy cards, we recommend PrintMTG. Just do it the right way: be honest, keep it casual, and keep it clearly in proxy territory.
If you’re at a table where everyone agrees, shuffle up and have fun.