Make a card
How to make a TCG card of your own
To make your own TCG card, pick a subject and a strong image, then add a name, HP, an element, a type line, two abilities, and a line of flavor text. In the Cardbop creator you choose the TCG style, upload the image, fill in each field, and preview the front, back, and case before ordering it printed.
Last reviewed
Owner artwork · Permission-approved image shown as a TCG render.
Step by step
- 1
Pick who or what the card is about
A pet, a person, yourself, or a creature or character you drew. The best cards are about someone the recipient knows.
- 2
Get a strong image
A sharp, well-lit photo, or a flat, evenly lit scan of your art. The art window is wider than it is tall, so landscape images or ones with room around the subject frame best.
- 3
Open the creator and choose the TCG style
Upload the image, then zoom and position it inside the art window.
- 4
Choose a card color and element
The card color suggests an element symbol. You can keep it, pick any of the 9 symbols, or show none.
- 5
Write the name, HP, and type line
The name runs across the top. HP holds up to 4 digits and is optional. The type line (36 characters) is a short class: "Couch guardian," "Playgroup legend."
- 6
Write two abilities
Each one gets a name (30 characters), a one-line description (110), and a damage number. Use one, both, or neither.
- 7
Add flavor text and a back message
Flavor text (90 characters) is the personal line at the bottom. The back carries your own message and a QR code to the card's Living Card page.
- 8
Preview and order
Check the front, back, and case, then order a Display Card ($29.99) or a 10-card Card Pack ($49.99).
Ideas for each field: attack names · flavor text · choosing HP · photo help in photo tips.
Choosing an element
Choose one of 9 element symbols (Fire, Water, Plant, Lightning, Wind, Magic, Neutral, Metal, and Earth), let the card color pick one, or show no icon. The symbol always takes the card's accent color.
| Element | Good for |
|---|---|
| Fire | The competitor, the hothead, the one who never lets a game end on a loss |
| Water | Lake dogs, swimmers, surfers, and anyone happiest near water |
| Plant | Gardeners, hikers, the plant parent with forty houseplants |
| Lightning | The fastest one in the house: zoomies, sprinters, toddlers |
| Wind | Travelers, runners, the friend who is always on the move |
| Magic | Cats, mysterious types, artists, and the one nobody can predict |
| Neutral | The steady one everybody counts on |
| Metal | The tough one: lifters, builders, the tank of the group |
| Earth | Grounded and loyal: big dogs, grandparents, the heart of the team |
A worked example
The card above started as a painted image of a dog on a paddleboard. It became Captain Sasha: a Water card with HP 90, the type line "Adventure Pup · Lake Captain," a 40-damage Helm Command ("Directs every vessel from the front of the board"), a 70-damage Shake Off, and the flavor text "Diablo Lake, Summer 2025. It was a windy one." Everything on it came from one real day.
Making one card, not a whole game
This guide is about a personal card: one Display Card or a 10-card Card Pack. It is a personal collectible, not a playable game card: there are no rules, energy costs, or deck building, and it is not made for tournament play. If you want a card of someone you love in the style of the games you grew up with, start here.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make my own TCG card?+
Choose a subject and a strong image, open the Cardbop creator, pick the TCG style, and fill in the name, HP, element, type line, two abilities, and flavor text. Preview it, then order it printed. $29.99 for one Display Card and $49.99 for a 10-card Card Pack. Designing is free, and you can personalize one in minutes.
Can I make a TCG card for free?+
Designing and previewing is free. You only pay if you order the printed card.
Can I use a drawing instead of a photo?+
Bring your own image: a photo, a drawing, or art you made or commissioned. We print it on the card as you upload it. We don't animate it or turn photos into anime.
Can I copy a card from a real game?+
No. Upload a photo or art you made, commissioned, or have permission to use. We can't print characters from shows, games, or movies you don't own the rights to. The Cardbop TCG frame is an original design, so your card is your own.
Can I design a whole card game this way?+
This is for personal cards: one card, or a pack of 10. It is a personal collectible, not a playable game card: there are no rules, energy costs, or deck building, and it is not made for tournament play.
What size is the card?+
The standard trading card size, 2.5 × 3.5 inches.
How much does it cost?+
$29.99 for one Display Card and $49.99 for a 10-card Card Pack. Designing is free, and you can personalize one in minutes.