TLDR
- ProxyMTG’s new print-on-demand cards are a real step up: cleaner text, better consistency, and an in-sleeve feel that doesn’t scream “home printer.”
- The website is the big win. It’s fast, slick, and built around how people actually order proxies (decklist first, tweaking later).
- Tiered pricing is straightforward and rewards the normal use case: printing a deck, a cube update, or a big playtest batch.
- The main “watch out” is shipping method variance for small orders (untracked options can be less reassuring than your average Commander player’s threat assessment).
Proxy MTG review time. If you remember ProxyMTG as “convenient, but the quality was… a choice,” you’re not imagining things. The current version is meaningfully different. The site is modern and genuinely intuitive, and the print-on-demand output has improved to the point where the cards feel like proper play pieces instead of “temporary arts-and-crafts that got promoted to ‘deck’ by accident.”
And yes, that matters, because nobody wants their proxy deck to feel like it was assembled from five different dimensions of cardstock.
What ProxyMTG is (and what it refuses to be)
ProxyMTG is a print-on-demand MTG proxy service aimed at casual play and playtesting. The company is very explicit about a few lines it will not cross: sanctioned events are out, deception is out, and anything that looks like “I want to fool someone” is the kind of order they say is off the table.
If your goal is to play Commander, cube, or kitchen-table Magic without shuffling your rent payment, ProxyMTG’s stance is aligned with how most normal humans use proxies. If your goal is to create confusion, the correct next step is closing the tab and going for a walk.
The website experience: finally built for how people actually order proxies
The best thing ProxyMTG has done is treat the ordering flow like the main product, not an afterthought.
Instead of forcing you into a scavenger hunt across categories, the “Print Proxies” path is built around two real behaviors:
- “I have a decklist. Make it cards.”
- “I’m filling gaps. Let me search fast.”
The Order Builder model is what makes it work. You can load cards, adjust quantities, and see pricing tiers as you go. That “see pricing as you build” detail sounds small, but it’s a big deal for proxy printing because orders swing wildly. One minute you’re printing a few staples, the next you’ve decided you’re also building a second deck “for testing,” which is how every proxy order becomes a lifestyle.
Order tracking is also handled in a refreshingly practical way. There’s a dedicated tracking page meant to work even when email receipts vanish into promotions or spam. If you have ever lost an order confirmation because Gmail decided it was “marketing,” you already understand why this is a feature and not a luxury.
Print quality: the cards finally feel like cards
ProxyMTG’s current print-on-demand positioning centers on a familiar “premium proxy” spec stack: black-core stock, UV-style finish, and precision cutting. They specifically call out S33 German black-core cardstock, UV coating, and print file handling that targets at least 300 DPI for clarity.
That combination is the difference between:
- “Sure, I can test this deck,” and
- “Yeah, I’ll actually keep this sleeved and play it for months.”
Where the improvements show most:
- Text readability: rules text and small symbols are the first place proxy printing falls apart. The newer output holds up better where it counts.
- Cut consistency: a deck should not contain one card that feels like it was trimmed by a raccoon with scissors. ProxyMTG’s “precision die cut” approach is aimed at preventing that.
- Finish: UV-coated or TCG-style coatings help proxies shuffle and handle like a real product. It also reduces that “paper flashcard” vibe.
A note on expectations, because this matters: ProxyMTG is also clear that you should not expect “indistinguishable from authentic” perfection. That’s good. Even if you ignore the ethics, chasing “perfect matching” is how people end up disappointed, no matter which printer they pick. ProxyMTG’s promise is “clean, readable, consistent in sleeves,” not “museum replica.”
And honestly, for casual play, that’s the correct target.
Pricing: tiered, transparent, and aimed at real orders
ProxyMTG puts tiered pricing front and center, and the tiers are built around the reality that proxy buyers rarely order exactly 7 cards and call it a day.
They list pricing that starts high for true singles, then drops steadily as your order grows into “deck” and “cube update” territory. The important part is not the exact math. It’s that the site makes it obvious what you’re paying before you commit.
This is a good fit for:
- printing a full Commander deck,
- doing a 20 to 60 card cube patch,
- bulk playtesting (especially if you iterate a lot).
Where you might hesitate:
- If you only want a couple cards and you’re extremely price-sensitive, any print-on-demand service is going to feel expensive compared to “print it at home and slide it in front of a basic land.” Convenience costs money. Annoying, but true.
Shipping and packaging: fast production, but know what “untracked” means
ProxyMTG’s published shipping model is simple and, importantly, explained in plain language:
- Delivery time = production time + transit time.
- Production is often around a couple business days, and transit varies.
They also describe different shipping methods depending on order size, including untracked “plain white envelope” style shipping for smaller orders, and tracked shipping for larger orders. This is common in small-item fulfillment, but it’s still the biggest emotional downside for some buyers.
If you are the kind of person who refreshes tracking five times a day, untracked shipping will test you. Not spiritually, just psychologically.
My practical advice: if tracking and peace of mind matter to you, place orders that qualify for tracked shipping, or select a tracked option when available. If you do place a small untracked order, set expectations accordingly and don’t treat “no scans” as proof of a conspiracy.
Policies and trust: boring, in a good way
One of the quieter upgrades here is that ProxyMTG has built out the “boring stuff” that reduces drama:
- a shipping policy that explains what statuses mean,
- a returns and refunds policy that’s realistic for print-on-demand,
- a proxy use policy that draws a bright line against deception.
Print-on-demand also changes what “returns” means. You generally do not get to return custom-printed goods because you changed your mind. ProxyMTG’s policy reflects that, while still covering genuine issues like damage, wrong items, or missing items. That’s the correct balance.
This matters more than people think. Most proxy site arguments online aren’t really about cardstock. They’re about uncertainty. Clear policies reduce uncertainty.
Who ProxyMTG is best for
ProxyMTG is best for the player who wants fast, low-friction ordering and finished, consistent proxies without turning the process into a side quest.
Buy from ProxyMTG if…
- You want to paste a decklist, tweak versions, and check out without learning a separate toolchain.
- You care about in-sleeve consistency and readable text.
- You print whole decks, big batches, or regular cube updates.
- You want a service that is explicitly anti-deception and built for casual play.
Consider another route if…
- You only need ultra-temporary testing pieces and you truly do not care how they feel (paper slips work).
- You are optimizing purely for lowest possible cost per card and you’re happy doing extra setup work.
- You require tracked shipping for every order, even tiny ones, and you don’t want method variance.
Bottom line
ProxyMTG’s big story in 2026 is competence. The cards are better, and the website feels like it was designed by someone who has actually ordered proxies before. If you want print-on-demand MTG proxies that arrive as a coherent product and not a “project,” ProxyMTG is now firmly in the “easy recommendation” tier, with the usual caveats about shipping method and the basic reality that proxies are for casual play, not sanctioned tournaments.
FAQs
Are ProxyMTG cards tournament legal?
No. For sanctioned events, authentic cards are required, with very limited judge-issued proxy exceptions (typically for damage during the event). ProxyMTG positions its product for casual play and playtesting.
How fast is ProxyMTG shipping, really?
Their model separates production time from transit time. Many orders are produced quickly, then shipping time depends on carrier and service level.
Can I upload a decklist to ProxyMTG?
Yes. The site is built around decklist-to-order behavior, with an order builder that lets you adjust quantities and versions before checkout.
What’s the print quality like compared to “paper in a sleeve” proxies?
It’s a different category. ProxyMTG is aiming for consistent cardstock, clean cuts, and a finish that feels like a real card product in sleeves, not a placeholder.
Does ProxyMTG try to make “indistinguishable” counterfeits?
No. Their policies are explicit about avoiding deceptive use, and they describe guardrails around customization.