Create a tarot deck in six steps: settle your concept, design a consistent set of cards (78 for a traditional tarot deck), write a guidebook, order printed proofs, fund the print run, and sell through a home you own. Most creators plan the art and printing carefully and leave the website for last, which is why many decks lose momentum when the campaign ends.
Start with a concept
Before you draw anything, decide what makes this deck different and who it is for. A strong concept can be said in a sentence: a theme, a point of view, an art style, or a community it speaks to.
- Tarot or oracle? A tarot deck follows the traditional 78-card structure (22 major and 56 minor arcana). An oracle deck has no required structure, so you choose the number of cards and their meanings.
- Who is it for? Beginners need clear imagery and a good guidebook. Experienced readers often care more about symbolism and artistic originality.
- What will you keep and what will you change? Readers expect familiar signposts. Know which traditions you are following and which you are breaking on purpose.
Design the cards
Consistency matters more than speed. Pick your medium, palette and card layout first, then create the full set so every card feels like it belongs.
- Design the card back early. It is the first thing buyers see and the part that appears on every unboxing.
- Create a few cards from different parts of the deck (a major arcana, a numbered card, a court card) to test that your style holds up.
- Check that symbols, numbers and titles stay readable at actual card size.
- Keep print specifications in mind: printers publish template sizes, bleed margins and colour requirements, and the card's final size affects your design.
Write the guidebook
The guidebook is part of the product. Buyers often judge a deck on whether it helps them read with it, and a good guidebook is also content you can reuse on a website: card meanings, sample spreads and your own approach to reading.
- Give each card a short meaning, upright and reversed if you use reversals.
- Include one or two spreads designed for your deck's theme.
- Write in your own voice. It is what separates your deck from the thousands of others.
Print and proof
You generally have three routes: a print-on-demand service, a specialist card printer for a short or larger run, or a publisher who handles production. Whichever you choose, order a physical proof before committing.
- Check colours, card stock, cut accuracy and how the cards shuffle.
- Confirm minimum order quantities and lead times before you promise delivery dates.
- Price in shipping, packaging and fulfilment, which can cost as much as printing.
Fund it
Many independent creators fund a first print run through crowdfunding on platforms such as Kickstarter or BackerKit. A campaign also builds a launch audience, but it needs preparation.
- Build your list before you launch. Campaigns do best when a group of people is ready to back on day one. A pre-launch page with email capture is the simplest way to gather them.
- Show real cards. Reveal artwork gradually and let people see the deck's style.
- Plan fulfilment. Know your shipping costs and timelines before you set reward prices.
A launch page that matches your deck
We're building websites for tarot authors and deck creators: pre-launch capture, card reveals, and a permanent store for what comes next.
Where to sell your deck
Most creators use a mix. Each channel has trade-offs:
| Channel | Good for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Crowdfunding page | Funding and first audience | Temporary; ends with the campaign |
| Marketplaces (Etsy, Amazon) | Reach and built-in search | Fees, and you do not own the customer relationship |
| Independent shops and distributors | Wholesale and retail presence | Lower margin, minimum quantities |
| Your own website | Permanent store, full margin, your list | You drive the traffic yourself |
After the campaign: give the deck a home
When a campaign ends, late pledgers, retail buyers and fans of your next deck need somewhere to go. A website you own can hold:
- Product pages for the deck, guidebook and bundles, with a card gallery that shows your art properly
- A late-pledge or pre-order store, so interest after the campaign still converts
- An email list for your next deck and other launches
- A card-meaning library that helps readers find you on Google
- Readings, courses or events, if you offer them
If you take payments for readings or other spiritual services, check that your payment processor allows it in your country before you build, since processors treat these services differently. For the same reason, it helps to keep physical product sales and paid readings on setups that suit each. A related guide: should you send readers to your website or Amazon? covers how to point promotion traffic.
Frequently asked questions
How do I create a tarot deck?
Decide your concept and audience, design the card back and a consistent style, create the full set of cards (a standard tarot deck has 78: 22 major and 56 minor arcana), write a guidebook, order printed proofs, then choose how you'll fund and sell it.
How many cards are in a tarot deck?
A standard tarot deck has 78 cards: 22 major arcana and 56 minor arcana. Oracle decks have no fixed number, so you can choose the size that suits your concept.
How do I publish a tarot deck?
You can self-publish through crowdfunding, a print-on-demand service or a short print run you pay for yourself, or you can pitch a publisher. Self-publishing gives you control and a larger share of each sale, but you handle printing, shipping and marketing.
Do I need a website to sell my tarot deck?
You can start on a marketplace or crowdfunding page, but a website you own gives you a permanent store for late pledges and retail, a list of fans for your next deck, and a place that isn't tied to one platform's rules.
What is the difference between a tarot deck and an oracle deck?
A tarot deck follows the traditional 78-card structure of major and minor arcana. An oracle deck has no required structure, so creators choose their own number of cards, themes and meanings.