How To Make a Tarot Deck (10 Simple & Creative Steps)

Are you looking for a thoughtful way to tap into your intuition? Do you want to create something beautiful and unique?

An excellent way to do this is by creating your own tarot deck. Whether you’re new to tarot readings or a veteran of this centuries-old practice, creating a tarot deck can be immensely rewarding.

A symbolically powerful pack of cards helps you explore the world of divination. Each card brings a valuable lesson and provides insights into situations you encounter in your life.

Plus, you get a lifelong keepsake to pass down for generations! After all, the power of tarot lies in its ability to bridge disparate life experiences through storytelling.

Hence the question is, how to make a tarot deck?

Start by purchasing some white flashcards from a crafts store. Next, decide which tarot deck works best for you—Rider-Waite, Thoth, or Marseille. Research the symbolism associated with your favorite deck. Draw the artwork on blank cards. You can use sharpies and paintbrushes to create a vibrant design.

If you want to give a creative touch to your readings by making a DIY tarot deck, this article is for you. You will learn a step-by-step guide to creating a tarot deck. Let’s dive in!

10 Steps To Make a Tarot Deck

If you are interested in tarot, don’t wait to be gifted a deck. There is a lot of lore around tarot that you have to be gifted tarot cards to begin reading. But this is simply not true.

If you are in a position to buy a tarot deck, just buy it! However, if you want to make one yourself, here are the steps:

Step 1: Get Inspired

The first step is to get inspired. Consider what types of imagery speak to you and how you want to represent a tarot deck. Do some research on tarot decks and their card meanings. This will help you select a perfect design.

You can choose from the following tarot deck types.

• Rider-Waite Tarot Deck
• Thoth Tarot Deck
• Marseille Tarot Deck

Step 2: Gather Necessary Supplies

Once you have decided on a design, it’s time to gather the necessary material. To create a tarot deck, you need blank cards, sharpies, or paintbrushes for drawing.

Keep in mind that you’re going to make 78 cards – 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. So, the number of white flashcards should be enough to make 78 cards. Always go for at least double the number of cards to cover for any mistakes.

Step 3: Start Drawing Major Arcana Images

The next step is to begin drawing. Start by making images for Major Arcana first. You will get a good grasp of the symbolism associated with each card. Some of the most common Major Arcana cards include the Lovers, the Fool, Death, and the Tower.

Step 4: Move to Minor Arcana Imagery

Once you’re done with the Major Arcana cards, use your skills to draw Minor Arcana images. Minor Arcana consists of four suits.

• Wands
• Cups
• Swords
• Pentacles

Each suit consists of 14 cards, ranging from Ace to King. One particular thing about Minor Arcana cards is that they represent everyday life. They are often associated with thoughts, words, and actions in our daily life.

Step 5: Enrich Tarot Cards With Meanings

For each card in the tarot deck, assign meanings related to the symbols on them.

For example, the Magician card from the Rider-Waite tarot represents creativity and the manifestation of your vision into reality. You can write these meanings down underneath their respective cards.

Step 6: Choose Your Card Back Design

After completing the artwork, decide what type of card back design you want to use.

You can create a simple yet beautiful symmetrical back design with flowers, animals, or geometric patterns. The idea is to make it meaningful and appealing.

Step 7: Color the Cards

Coloring the cards is a great way to make them look beautiful and eye-catching. Make sure you select vibrant colors for each card imagery.

For example, on the Lovers card, use a combination of pink and red to represent the feeling of love.

Step 8: Make a Storage Box for Tarot Cards

Creating a box to store tarot cards is essential. It’s helpful to organize the cards in an orderly way and ensure they are safe from damage. You can use cardboard to make a storage box for your tarot deck.

Step 9: Write a Guidebook

The last step is to write a guidebook explaining each card’s meaning.

• Start with a brief introduction to tarot.
• Explain the symbolism and meanings associated with each card.
• Include some additional tips and advice on using the tarot cards.

After you have completed all the steps, the tarot deck is ready for use.

Step 10: Give It a Final Touch

Once you have all your cards made, the last step is to apply a few finishing touches to make them unique. Look over each card to make sure they all look perfect.

This includes adding any text or symbols and applying protective coatings or laminating. Consider getting creative with embossing and applying glitter to make tarot cards genuinely amazing.

Scan the Cards and Edit Them: Optional

If you want to take this a step further, go with Photoshop or other image editing software to scan and edit the cards.

This allows you to make small corrections, adjust colors and add texture effects. You can also create an accompanying guidebook in Adobe InDesign or any other layout software.

Once done, print out the guidebook and the tarot cards for a professional-looking package!

Wrapping It Up

Crafting a tarot deck is a great way to express your creativity and spiritual journey. It is a fantastic gift for family members or friends.

You now have your very own tarot deck that captures your personal style and speaks to your intuition. So go ahead, shuffle those cards, and start reading! Who knows what insights and revelations await you?

Frequently Asked Questions