In Indonesia, playing cards are not only a popular family entertainment product but also a powerful marketing tool for wholesalers and retailers. Whether you are building your own private label brand or creating promotional items for stores and events, custom playing cards offer both affordability and high visibility.
With Indonesia’s humid climate, price-sensitive consumers, and diverse distribution channels, it’s important to choose the right material, printing method, and packaging. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know before customizing your playing cards in Indonesia.
1. Why Customize Playing Cards in Indonesia?
- Private Label for Wholesalers – Build your own brand, control supply chains, and increase profit margins.
- Retail & Store Promotions – Perfect for giveaways, membership gifts, grand openings, and festive promotions. Adding a logo, QR code, or discount coupon on cards ensures long-term brand exposure.
- Corporate & Educational Gifts – Great for schools, community activities, company events, and non-gambling entertainment purposes.
- Market Insights – Indonesia is a humid country where traditional paper cards can easily get soft, so material and packaging selection is crucial. At the same time, customers are very price-sensitive, meaning you should balance quality with affordability.
2. Key Terms to Know
- Materials: Grey core paper / Blue core paper / Black core paper / 100% Plastic (PVC/PET)
- Printing Methods: Flexo (Flexographic) vs. Offset (Lithographic)
- Standard Sizes: Poker (62×87mm), 54/56 cards per deck
- Finishing Options: Varnish, UV coating, glossy/matte lamination, linen or smooth texture
- Packaging: Shrink wrap, tear strip, paper box/plastic box, barcode, silica gel
These are essential terms to understand when working with a manufacturer or supplier.
3. Material Choices and Price Positioning
3.1 Grey Core (Entry-level / Budget-friendly)
- Lowest cost, but lower opacity—edges may show through.
- Best for mass-market giveaways and price-sensitive promotions.
- Durability: average; softens easily in humidity.
- Price level: Low
3.2 Blue Core (Balanced / Mainstream Choice)
- Added blue layer improves opacity and handling.
- Ideal for wholesalers’ own brands and standard retail.
- Excellent cost-performance ratio.
- Price level: Medium
3.3 Black Core (Premium / Professional)
- Superior opacity, stiffness, and premium feel.
- Recommended for high-end retail, gift sets, and collectors.
- Sharp print quality, consistent colors.
- Price level: Medium-High to High
3.4 100% Plastic (PVC/PET)
- Waterproof, highly durable, washable.
- Perfect for humid climates, restaurants, outdoor use.
- Different handling compared to paper, but lasts much longer.
- Price level: Medium-High (but lowest total cost of ownership)
👉 Quick Tip:
- High volume + promotions → Grey/Blue core
- Retail branding + repeat purchase → Blue/Black core
- Humid/outdoor/restaurant use → Plastic
4. Printing Methods: Offset vs. Flexo
- Offset Printing (Lithographic)
- High precision, sharp details, consistent colors.
- Suitable for paper cards.
- Lower minimum order quantity (MOQ).
- Costs about Rp 460 per deck more than flexo printing.
- Flexo Printing (Flexographic)
- High efficiency, cost-effective for mass production.
- Works for both plastic and paper cards, but less detail compared to offset.
- Higher MOQ (around 115,200 decks, one full day’s production).
👉 Conclusion: Small batches → Offset. Large volumes → Flexo.
6. Specifications and Packaging (For Wholesalers & Retailers)
- Size: 62×87mm, round corners (R=3mm standard)
- Card count: 54 or 56 cards; optional advertising or coupon card
- Inner pack: 12 decks per box
- Master carton: 144 or 288 decks per carton
- Box styles: Paper tuck box, sliding box, plastic box, gift box; barcodes and batch codes available
7. Cost Structure: How to Keep Prices Competitive Without Sacrificing Quality
Key cost factors include:
- Material (paper/plastic)
- Printing method (offset/flexo)
- Finishing (varnish, lamination, texture)
- Die-cutting & embossing
- Packaging
- Labor and wastage
- Design and plate-making
- Shipping & customs clearance
Cost-saving strategies:
- Choose blue core instead of black core
- Optimize thickness for plastic cards
- Standardize color usage (reduce spot colors)
- Use shrink wrap + paper tuck box as standard
- Combine multiple designs in one printing batch to spread setup costs
8. Recommended Configurations by Customer Scenario
- Good (Wholesalers, mass volume): Grey/Blue core + Flexo (Offset costs Rp 460 more) + Varnish + Shrink wrap + Standard tuck box
- Better (Retail brands): Black core + Offset + Linen texture + Matte/UV coating + Premium design
- Best (Humid/Restaurant/Outdoor use): PVC plastic + Flexo + Anti-scratch coating + Textured finish + Moisture-proof packaging
- Store Promotions: Add your logo, QR code, or coupon on jokers, instruction cards, or an extra advertising card
For inspiration and professional solutions, you can explore more options at Good Playing Cards.
9. Customization Process and Timeline
- Confirm requirements (material, printing, quantity, packaging, delivery port)
- Sampling (digital or small batch), confirm feel and color accuracy
- Mass production (QC for color, cutting, packaging)
- Packaging & labeling (carton details, destination port, quantity)
- Shipping (mostly by sea freight), delivery, and after-sales service
10. Localization Tips for Indonesia
- Language: Use both Bahasa Indonesia and English on packaging
- Culture & Compliance: Avoid gambling-oriented designs; focus on family, education, or promotional use
- Climate: Prioritize moisture-proof materials and packaging
- Channels: Wholesale distribution, stationery shops, department stores, corporate gifting, e-commerce platforms
- Labels: EAN/UPC barcodes, batch codes, WhatsApp contact info
11. Logistics & Customs Clearance
- Trade Terms: FOB / CIF / DDP available
- Main Ports: Jakarta, Surabaya, Semarang, Belawan
- Cartons: Use trilingual labeling (Chinese/English/Indonesian) for smooth customs clearance
12. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What affects MOQ? → Printing method, material choice, and shared print runs
- How to avoid “soft edges” in humid climates? → Use blue/black core or plastic + moisture-proof packaging
- How to control color consistency? → Use samples, ICC standards, and professional QC
- Can promotional decks include QR codes/discount coupons? → Yes, via joker or additional advertising card
- Should I choose plastic or black core? → Depends on usage, durability needs, handling preference, and budget
13. Checklist Before Starting Customization
- Target customer segment & price range
- Estimated quantity & delivery timeline
- Material choice (Grey/Blue/Black/Plastic)
- Printing method (Offset/Flexo/Digital sampling)
- Finishing (Varnish/UV/Lamination/Embossing)
- Specifications & packaging (size, card count, box type, barcode)
- Design file requirements (bleed area, CMYK color, font licensing)
Final Thoughts
Custom playing cards in Indonesia are not just about entertainment—they are a powerful branding and promotional tool. By carefully selecting the right material, printing method, and packaging, wholesalers and retailers can strike the perfect balance between cost and quality.
If you’re looking to start your own brand or need custom promotional playing cards, visit Good Playing Cards for professional solutions tailored to the Indonesian market.