What Paper to Print MTG Proxies: The Definitive Guide
Printing your own Magic: The Gathering proxies is a cost-effective way to play-test expensive decks or cube drafts without damaging your valuable collection. However, the difference between a convincing proxy and a disappointing slip of paper comes down to material science and print technology.
In this guide, we analyze the technical specifications of paper stocks to help you achieve professional results.
Understanding GSM: The Weight of the Game
The most critical metric in paper selection is GSM (Grams per Square Meter). Standard printer paper is typically 80gsm (20lb). This is too light for MTG cards. When shuffled, 80gsm paper feels flimsy, creases easily, and is see-through when held up to a light source—a major tell that the card is a proxy.
Recommended Specifications:
- Standard Play-Test Quality: 100gsm - 120gsm (24lb - 32lb Bond)
- Premium/High-End Quality: 270gsm - 300gsm (100lb - 110lb Cover/Index)
- Pros: Flawless feed reliability in printers; high opacity; very white surface.
- Cons: Still feels like paper, not a card.
- Best Use: Proxies intended to be sleeved immediately in perfect-fit + outer sleeves.
- Pros: Mimics the rigidity of a real card; feels expensive.
- Cons: difficult to cut with scissors; may jam in printers with curved paper paths; requires a straight-edge and X-Acto knife for cutting.
- Best Use: Commander decks and Cube sets where tactile feedback matters.
- Pros: Superior color reproduction due to specialized coating.
- Best Use: Art-heavy proxies and alters.
For most players printing at home, 120gsm (32lb) paper is the "Goldilocks" zone. It is heavy enough to feel substantial in your hand and opaque enough to hide the text behind it, yet thin enough to feed reliably through standard home printers without causing jams.
The Importance of Opacity and Brightness
Two other technical factors you must consider are Opacity and Brightness.
Opacity
MTG cards utilize a black core in the center of their cardstock to prevent light from passing through. Standard paper lacks this. To simulate this using paper, you need high opacity. Look for paper rated at 94% to 100% opacity. If you use standard paper, the back of the card (the cryptic symbol or the card art) will be visible through the front, ruining the illusion.
Brightness
Measured on a scale of 1 to 100 (GE), brightness indicates how much blue light reflects off the paper. Genuine MTG cards are printed on very bright, slightly bluish-white stock. If you print on yellowish "office" paper (brightness 84-90), your colors will appear muddy. Aim for 96-98 Brightness paper to make the art pop and the text crisp.
Top Paper Recommendations for 2025
Based on community testing and print standards, here are the three best options available.
1. The Budget Choice: HP Premium32 Laser Paper (32lb / 120gsm)
This is the standard recommendation for the "double-sleeve" method. It is significantly stiffer than 20lb paper.
2. The "Real Feel" Choice: Hammermill Color Copy Digital Cover (100lb / 270gsm)
This moves into the realm of cardstock. It is thick, stiff, and has a subtle snap.
3. The Professional Choice: Canon Red Label Supreme (110lb / 199gsm)
A lighter cover stock that bridges the gap. It is thick enough to feel like a card but thin enough that some high-end printers can handle it.
Print Technology: Laser vs. Inkjet
Choosing the right paper is irrelevant if you use the wrong ink.
Why Laser is Superior
You must use a Laser Printer for MTG proxies.
1. Water Resistance: Toner is plastic powder melted onto the paper. It does not run when wet. Magic cards get beer spilled on them; they get played in humid basements. Inkjet ink will blur and streak at the slightest touch of moisture. 2. Text Crispness: Laser printers produce sharp, vector-quality text. Inkjet can bleed slightly into the paper fibers, making small rules text look blurry. 3. Durability: Toner adheres to the paper fibers physically. It resists rubbing off better than liquid ink.
If you only have an inkjet, you must print on specialty coated inkjet paper designed to handle high ink volume without bleeding, or seal your cards with a clear coat (like Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic) immediately after printing.
Sizing and Formatting: The Technical Specs
A standard Magic card is 63mm x 88mm. In imperial units, this is approximately 2.5" x 3.5".
When setting up your print file (PDF), ensure you are printing at 300 DPI (Dots Per Inch). Anything lower will result in pixelation.
The "Double-Sleeve" Method Workflow
This is the most popular method for home printing, utilizing the 32lb paper recommendation.
1. The Card Front: Print your high-res image on the 32lb paper. 2. The Card Back: This is the pro tip. Print a real card back (the MTG expansion symbol or generic MTG back) on the *reverse* side of the paper. This prevents the "see-through" problem mentioned in the opacity section. 3. Cutting: Use a paper cutter (guillotine style) for straight edges. 4. Sleeving: Place the paper proxy inside a Perfect Fit (inner sleeve). Then, place a *real*, cheap common Magic card behind it inside the inner sleeve to add rigidity. Finally, slide this into a Dragon Shield or Ultra Pro outer sleeve.
The result is a proxy that feels indistinguishable from a real card when shuffled inside the sleeve.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
While this is a technical guide, we must address the legality. Printing proxies for personal use, play-testing, or cube drafting is widely tolerated within the community. However, selling proxies or attempting to pass them off as real cards in a trade is fraud and violates Wizards of the Coast's intellectual property rights. Always use proxies responsibly and ensure they are clearly marked or intended for personal play only.
Conclusion
For 95% of players, HP Premium32 (or equivalent 32lb/120gsm Laser Paper) is the correct answer. It strikes the perfect balance of opacity, brightness, and printability. Remember to use a Laser Printer to ensure your creations survive the rigors of Friday Night Magic. If you demand the highest fidelity, graduate to 110lb Cover stock, but be prepared to do some manual cutting.
By matching the technical specs of your paper to the environment of your gameplay, you ensure your proxies look great and last longer.