How to Get Proxies MTG: The Ultimate 2026 Guide to Printing, Making, and Buying
How to Get Proxies MTG: The Definitive Guide
In the complex economy of Magic: The Gathering, the term "proxy" refers to a substitute card used in place of an authentic card. Whether you are a playtester on a budget, a Cube owner wanting to preserve expensive cards, or a collector looking to deck out a Commander deck without spending thousands, understanding how to source and create MTG proxies is a critical skill in 2025.
> Ethical Note: This guide focuses on creating proxies for personal play, cube drafting, and playtesting. We strictly advise against passing counterfeits off as real cards in sales or trade.
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1. Understanding the MTG Proxy Landscape
Before acquiring proxies, it is essential to distinguish between the different types available and their use cases:
- Sharpie/Write-in Proxies: The lowest tier. Writing "Black Lotus" on a basic land. Functional, but lacks aesthetic appeal.
- Sticker/Decal Proxies: High-quality stickers printed on vinyl and applied to the front of a bulk card. These offer near-authentic texture.
- Printed & Slotted Proxies: The standard for high-quality playtesting. High-res art printed on cardstock, cut, and sleeved.
- Etched/Glossy "Alternatives": High-end counterfeits (often from China) that replicate the card stock and holofoil. These are technically illegal counterfeits but are widely used in casual Vintage/Legacy circles.
- The "Retro" Hack: Historically, players used the "Retro" card style to upload custom fronts to achieve texture. In 2025, MPC is stricter, but many still use their "Braille" or standard custom card options for playtesting.
- Quality: The card stock is decent but lacks the blue core of genuine MTG cards (the "ripple test" will reveal them).
- How to buy: Search for specific card names + "proxy" or "playtest".
- Quality Control: These are usually printed on Canon or HP laser printers using 300gsm cardstock, which provides a snap very similar to real cards.
- Printer: A Color Laser Printer is mandatory (e.g., Brother HL-L3270CDW). Do not use Inkjet. Inkjet bleeds when sleeved and does not bond well to cardstock. The toner in laser printers fuses to the paper, making it water-resistant.
- Paper: 32lb / 120gsm Cover Stock (or slightly heavier). Standard printer paper is too thin; heavy cardstock is too thick for double-sleeving.
- Software: MSE (Magic Set Editor), Python (PIL/Pillow), or Canva.
2. How to Get Proxies via Professional Services
For players lacking a high-end printer, third-party services are the most reliable way to get durable proxies.
MakePlayingCards (MPC)
MPC is the industry standard for custom cards. They allow you to upload custom fronts and backs.
Etsy and Print-on-Demand
Numerous sellers on Etsy offer "Proxy Singles" or "Alter Singles".
3. DIY: How to Print and Make Your Own Proxies
This is the most cost-effective method for getting a large number of cards (e.g., a 360-card Cube). Here is the technical workflow for creating professional-grade proxies at home.
Required Hardware and Software
The Print-and-Cut Method
1. Source Assets: Scryfall is the best source. Use the !border crop parameter to get high-resolution images without the black rounded border, allowing you to print full-bleed. * URL pattern: https://api.scryfall.com/cards/named?fuzzy=[cardname]&format=image&version=border_crop 2. Setup the Layout: Arrange 9 cards on a single US Letter (8.5x11) or A4 page. 3. Print Settings: Set your printer to "Highest Quality" and ensure paper thickness settings match your stock. Print a test page on standard paper first to check alignment. 4. Integration: The easiest way to play with these is the "Front-Facing" method. * Put a basic land (or a bulk card you don't care about) in a Perfect Fit sleeve. * Put your printed card on top of it, facing *outward*. * Put this whole unit into a matte KMC or Dragon Shield sleeve. * *Result:* A card with the correct thickness and opacity. You cannot see the back of the printed card through the basic land behind it.
4. Advanced: Automated Proxy Creation with Python
As a senior web scraping expert, I recommend automating the asset gathering phase if you are building a large Cube or a specific deck list. You can use Python to scrape Scryfall and format images for printing.
> Warning: Ensure you comply with Scryfall's API Terms of Service. They are generally permissive of personal use but heavy scraping will get your IP banned.
Python Script for Batch Downloading
This script takes a list of card names and downloads high-resolution art, ready for MPC or home printing.
import requests
import os from urllib.parse import quote
List of cards you want to proxy
deck_list = [ "Black Lotus", "Ancestral Recall", "Time Walk", "Mox Sapphire", "Sol Ring" ]
def get_scryfall_image(card_name): # Search for the card search_url = f"https://api.scryfall.com/cards/named?fuzzy={quote(card_name)}"
try: response = requests.get(search_url) if response.status_code == 200: data = response.json()
# Prioritize high-res art_crop (good for alters) or border_crop (good for full fronts) image_uri = data.get('image_uris', {}).get('large')
if not image_uri: # Handle double-faced cards or complex layouts if necessary card_faces = data.get('card_faces') if card_faces: image_uri = card_faces[0].get('image_uris', {}).get('large')
if image_uri: download_image(image_uri, card_name) else: print(f"Could not find image for {card_name}") else: print(f"Failed to fetch {card_name}: {response.status_code}") except Exception as e: print(f"Error processing {card_name}: {e}")
def download_image(url, filename): img_response = requests.get(url) if img_response.status_code == 200: clean_name = filename.replace("/", "-").replace(" ", "_") with open(f"proxy_assets/{clean_name}.jpg", "wb") as f: f.write(img_response.content) print(f"Downloaded: {clean_name}")
Create directory if it doesn't exist
if not os.path.exists('proxy_assets'): os.makedirs('proxy_assets')
Run the scraper
for card in deck_list: get_scryfall_image(card)
5. Where to Buy "High-End" Proxies
While professional printers like MPC are safe and easy, some players seek the exact "feel" of a real card (the blue core, the embossed foil).
The "Proxy" Marketplaces: As of 2025, the primary hubs for high-end proxies have shifted away from mainstream sites due to Wizards of the Coast's (WotC) aggressive IP protection.
Risks involved: 1. Legality: Owning high-end fakes for personal use is generally tolerated, but selling them as real is a crime. 2. Scams: The high-end market is rife with scams. Always use secure payment methods. 3. Quality Variance: Even the best Chinese "Chinas" have slight errors in font spacing or color hue that experts can spot instantly.
6. Summary: Which Method Should You Choose?
| Method | Cost | Difficulty | Authenticity (Feel) | Best For | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Sticker Proxies | Low ($1/card) | Medium | High (Real card underneath) | EDH Decks, upgrading bulk cards | | MPC / Custom Print | Medium ($15-20/deck) | Low | Medium (Thick stock, smooth) | Cubes, Playtesting, Playsets | | Home Laser Print | Very Low (Paper/Toner) | High | Medium-High (If sleeved well) | Bulk replacements, Prototyping | | Sharpie | Negligible | None | Low | Testing a combo immediately | | High-End Counterfeit | High (50-80% of real) | Medium | Near Perfect | Vintage/Legacy tournaments (unsanctioned) |
Final Recommendations
If you are just starting, buy a canon pixma or a brother laser printer and invest in **KMC Perfect Size" sleeves. This combination allows you to produce a playable proxy in under 2 minutes for pennies. If you lack the hardware, use MakePlayingCards for the highest durability in printed formats. Always respect your local game store's policy regarding proxy usage before bringing these decks to events.
7. Common Questions (FAQ)
Why can't you use proxies in MTG?
In officially sanctioned tournaments (like those run by Wizards of the Coast), you cannot use proxies because the format relies on the physical ownership of the cards to ensure the integrity of the game and the secondary market. However, many stores allow up to 10 proxies for "Playtest" nights, and Commander (EDH) groups are famously lenient with "99-card proxies" if they are of high quality.
How do people get proxies MTG?
Most people simply print the art at home on cardstock and sleeve them over basic lands. A smaller subset buys them from specialized online vendors who use professional offset printing presses.