Editing Playing card (section)

== Manufacturing ==
[[File:Druckhalle.jpg|thumb|The [[Spielkartenfabrik Altenburg]] playing card factory in [[Altenburg|Altenburg, Germany]], June 2013]]
[[File:comparison_playing_card_size.svg|thumb|upright|Comparison of dimensions of common playing card sizes]]
Today the process of making playing cards is highly automated. Large sheets of [[paper]] are glued together to create a sheet of [[pasteboard]]; the glue may be black or dyed another dark color to increase the card stock's [[Opacity (optics)|opacity]]. In the industry, this black compound is sometimes known as "gick".{{citation needed|date=February 2020}} Some card manufacturers may purchase pasteboard from various suppliers; large companies such as [[USPCC]] create their own proprietary pasteboard. After the desired imagery is etched into [[printing plate]]s, the art is printed onto each side of the pasteboard sheet, which is coated with a textured or smooth finish, sometimes called a varnish or paint coating. These coatings can be water- or solvent-based, and different textures and visual effects can be achieved by adding certain dyes or foils, or using multiple varnish processes.<ref name="cartamundi-special-techniques">{{cite web |title=Special Techniques |url=https://cartamundi.com/en/cases/specialtechniques/ |website=Cartamundi |access-date=29 July 2019 |archive-date=25 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025073954/https://cartamundi.com/en/cases/specialtechniques/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The pasteboard is then split into individual uncut sheets, which are cut into single cards and sorted into decks.<ref name="ga-curcio">{{cite web |last1=Curcio |first1=Tony |title=Rollem installs new Slipstream Automatic Card-Cutting System at Napco |url=https://graphicartsmag.com/news/2017/08/rollem-installs-new-slipstream-automatic-card-cutting-system-napco/ |publisher=Graphic Arts |access-date=6 August 2019 |date=August 7, 2017 |quote=Upon learning that this specialized slitting, collating, and round-cornering machine is used by the world's top playing card manufacturers, and after seeing demonstrations of full press sheets trimmed, cut, collated and round-cornered at speeds up to 2,000 sheets per hour with 100% accuracy, we knew we had found our solution. |archive-date=29 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429165152/https://graphicartsmag.com/news/2017/08/rollem-installs-new-slipstream-automatic-card-cutting-system-napco/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The corners are then rounded, after which the decks are packaged, commonly in [[wikt:tuck box|tuck boxes]] wrapped in [[cellophane]]. The tuck box may have a [[Seal (emblem)|seal]] applied.<ref name="matthews-how-made">{{cite web |last1=Matthews |first1=Andy |title=How Playing Cards Are Made |url=https://www.meeplemountain.com/articles/how-playing-cards-are-made/ |website=Meeple Mountain |access-date=28 July 2019 |date=July 27, 2017}}</ref><ref name="patent-4779">{{cite patent |country=US |number=4779401 |status= |title= Arrangement for manufacturing and packaging cards, especially playing cards |pubdate=1988-10-25 |gdate= |fdate=1987-05-22 |pridate=1986-05-31 |inventor=Thomas Pedersen |invent1= |invent2= |assign1= |assign2= |class= |url=}}</ref>

Card manufacturers must pay special attention to the [[Printing registration|registration]] of the cards, as non-[[symmetrical]] cards can be used to cheat.<ref name="courier-post-2015">{{cite web |agency=Associated Press |title=Casino: Cards destroyed before knowing of scheme |url=https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/local/south-jersey/2015/08/15/casino-cards-destroyed-knowing-scheme/31774767/ |publisher=Courier Post |access-date=6 August 2019 |date=August 15, 2015}}</ref><ref name="kaplan-nyt-2016">{{cite web |last1=Kaplan |first1=Michael |title=How 'Advantage Players' Game the Casinos |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/03/magazine/how-advantage-players-game-the-casinos.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=6 August 2019 |date=June 29, 2016}}</ref>