Craft Guide

Educational content teaching users how to create high-quality MTG proxies.

Overview

The Craft Guide is a static content library providing:

Equipment recommendations (printers, cardstock, cutters)
Step-by-step tutorials (printing, cutting, sleeving)
Print quality tips (color calibration, bleed handling)
Community reviews (user-submitted equipment feedback)

Goal: Empower users to produce professional-grade proxies at home.

Features

Equipment Guide

Recommended Printers:

Epson EcoTank ET-2800 ($250)
- Pros: Cheap ink (tank system), high quality, borderless printing
- Cons: Slower than laser, ink smudging if not careful
- Ideal for: Budget-conscious home users
Canon PIXMA iX6820 ($200)
- Pros: Wide format (13×19"), excellent color accuracy
- Cons: No duplex (double-sided), high ink cost
- Ideal for: Large batches, color-critical work
HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw ($400)
- Pros: Fast, crisp text, waterproof prints
- Cons: Expensive upfront, toner is pricey
- Ideal for: High-volume printing, durability

Cardstock Recommendations:

330gsm Black Core ($20/50 sheets, 11×17")
- Industry standard, passes light test when sleeved
- Thickness: ~0.3mm (matches real MTG cards)
- Source: Print shops, specialty retailers
310gsm German Black Core ($30/50 sheets)
- Premium option, slightly thinner but better snap
- Harder to source, higher quality feel

Cutting Tools:

Guillotine Paper Cutter ($50-150)
- Pros: Straight cuts, fast, handles stacks
- Cons: Less precise for fine details
- Recommended: Fiskars SureCut (12", $80)
Rotary Trimmer ($30-100)
- Pros: Very precise, clean edges, safe
- Cons: Slower, one card at a time
- Recommended: Dahle 508 (18", $90)
Corner Rounder Punch ($15)
- Rounds card corners (2mm radius)
- Makes proxies feel more authentic

Sleeves:

Dragon Shield Matte (100 ct, $10)
- Standard for proxies, hides imperfections
- Opaque backs, shuffle well
KMC Perfect Fit (100 ct, $5)
- Inner sleeves, protect from dust
- Use with outer sleeve (double-sleeving)

Step-by-Step Tutorials

Tutorial 1: "How to Print High-Quality Proxies"

Steps:

Prepare PDF:
- Export from Decksmith (300 DPI, A4, 3×3 grid)
- Ensure cut lines enabled, bleed area included
Printer Settings:
- Paper: 330gsm cardstock (manual feed)
- Quality: Best / Maximum DPI
- Color Management: Disable (use PDF's embedded profile)
- Borderless: OFF (use margins from PDF)
Test Print:
- Print single page first
- Check alignment, color accuracy
- Adjust printer settings if needed
Full Print:
- Load cardstock carefully (grain direction: long edge feed)
- Print all pages
- Let dry for 30 minutes (inkjet) or cool (laser)
Inspect:
- Check for smudging, color errors, alignment
- If issues: Re-calibrate printer, clean print heads

Tutorial 2: "Precision Cutting Techniques"

Steps:

Mark Cut Lines:
- Use ruler + pencil to extend cut lines (if faint)
- Align with cutting mat grid
Guillotine Method:
- Cut rows first (horizontal cuts)
- Then cut columns (vertical cuts)
- Use cutting mat underneath to protect blade
Rotary Trimmer Method:
- Cut one card at a time
- Align card edge with ruler
- Slow, steady cuts (avoid jagged edges)
Corner Rounding:
- Use corner punch on all 4 corners
- Match radius to real MTG cards (2mm)
Final Check:
- Compare proxy to real card (size, corners)
- Sand edges lightly if rough (220 grit sandpaper)

Tutorial 3: "Color Calibration for Accurate Prints"

Issue: Printed cards look too dark/light/saturated.

Solution:

Printer Color Profiles:
- Download Scryfall's color profile (if available)
- Install in OS: macOS (ColorSync), Windows (Color Management)
Test Print:
- Print color chart (RGB swatches)
- Compare to on-screen preview
Adjust Settings:
- Increase brightness: +10-20% (if too dark)
- Reduce saturation: -5-10% (if too vibrant)
- Tweak individual colors (R/G/B sliders)
Save Preset:
- Save custom color profile
- Reuse for future prints

FAQ (Common Issues)

Q: My cards are curling after printing. How do I fix this? A: Ink absorbed unevenly. Solutions:

Let cards dry fully (24h) under weight (heavy book)
Use hairdryer on low heat to speed drying
Store in humidity-controlled environment (50-60% RH)

Q: Colors don't match Scryfall images. Why? A: Monitor ≠ printer color space. Solutions:

Calibrate monitor (use colorimeter)
Use printer color profiles
Adjust printer settings (see Tutorial 3)

Q: Cut lines are misaligned. What went wrong? A: Printer scaling or paper shift. Solutions:

Disable "Fit to Page" in print dialog (use Actual Size)
Check paper alignment in manual feed tray
Re-run PDF generation with adjusted margins

Q: Can I use regular printer paper? A: No. Regular paper (80gsm) is too thin, cards feel fake. Use:

330gsm cardstock (opaque, feels like real cards)
Minimum 250gsm if cardstock unavailable

Q: How do I make foil proxies? A: Advanced technique:

Print on transparency film
Apply holographic foil laminate
Layer with cardstock backing
(Not recommended for beginners)

Content Structure

Category	Description	Example Articles
Equipment	Printer/cardstock reviews	"Best Printers for MTG Proxies (2026)"
Tutorials	Step-by-step guides	"How to Print High-Quality Proxies"
Tips & Tricks	Quick fixes, hacks	"Fixing Color Mismatch Issues"
Community Reviews	User-submitted equipment feedback	"Review: Epson EcoTank ET-2800"

Article Schema

Database:

sql

CREATE TABLE craft_guide_articles (
  id UUID PRIMARY KEY,
  slug TEXT UNIQUE NOT NULL,
  title TEXT NOT NULL,
  content TEXT NOT NULL,  -- Markdown
  category TEXT NOT NULL,  -- enum: equipment, tutorial, tips, review
  thumbnail_url TEXT,
  published_at TIMESTAMP,  -- NULL = draft
  created_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT NOW(),
  updated_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT NOW()
);

Example Article (Markdown)

markdown

# Best Printers for MTG Proxies (2026)

Choosing the right printer is crucial for high-quality proxies. Here are our top picks.

## 1. Epson EcoTank ET-2800 ($250)

**Pros:**

- Cheap ink (tank system, not cartridges)
- High quality (4800×1200 DPI)
- Borderless printing (A4, Letter)

**Cons:**

- Slower than laser (6 pages/min color)
- Ink smudging if not careful

**Verdict:** Best for budget-conscious users. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

---

## 2. Canon PIXMA iX6820 ($200)

**Pros:**

- Wide format (13×19")
- Excellent color accuracy
- Affordable

**Cons:**

- No duplex (double-sided)
- High ink cost

**Verdict:** Great for large batches. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

---

## Comparison Table

| Printer       | Price | DPI       | Speed  | Ink Cost |
| ------------- | ----- | --------- | ------ | -------- |
| Epson ET-2800 | $250  | 4800×1200 | 6 ppm  | Low      |
| Canon iX6820  | $200  | 4800×1200 | 10 ppm | High     |
| HP M454dw     | $400  | 600×600   | 28 ppm | Medium   |

## Buying Guide

- **Budget:** Epson EcoTank ET-2800
- **Volume:** HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw
- **Quality:** Canon PIXMA iX6820

API Endpoints

`GET /api/craft-guide/articles`

Description: List all published articles.

Query Params:

category: Filter by category
search: Keyword search (title + content)

Response:

json

{
  "data": [
    {
      "id": "uuid",
      "slug": "best-printers-2026",
      "title": "Best Printers for MTG Proxies (2026)",
      "category": "equipment",
      "thumbnail_url": "https://...",
      "excerpt": "Choosing the right printer is crucial...",
      "published_at": "2024-01-15T10:00:00Z"
    }
  ]
}

`GET /api/craft-guide/articles/:slug`

Description: Get article by slug.

Response:

json

{
  "id": "uuid",
  "slug": "best-printers-2026",
  "title": "Best Printers for MTG Proxies (2026)",
  "content": "# Best Printers...",
  "category": "equipment",
  "thumbnail_url": "https://...",
  "published_at": "2024-01-15T10:00:00Z",
  "related_articles": [
    {
      "slug": "how-to-print-high-quality-proxies",
      "title": "How to Print High-Quality Proxies"
    }
  ]
}

Business Rules

Articles are public (no auth required)
Admin-only create/edit (MVP) via admin panel
Future: User-submitted content with moderation
Markdown rendering with syntax highlighting (Prism.js)
SEO-friendly slugs (e.g., /craft/best-printers-2026)
Images stored in Supabase Storage

UI Patterns

Browse Page

┌──────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Craft Guide                              │
│ ──────────────────────────────────────── │
│ [Equipment] [Tutorials] [Tips] [Reviews] │
│ ──────────────────────────────────────── │
│ ┌─────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────┐ │
│ │ [Thumbnail]     │ │ [Thumbnail]     │ │
│ │ Best Printers   │ │ How to Print... │ │
│ │ Equipment       │ │ Tutorial        │ │
│ └─────────────────┘ └─────────────────┘ │
│ ┌─────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────┐ │
│ │ [Thumbnail]     │ │ [Thumbnail]     │ │
│ │ Color Calib...  │ │ Epson Review    │ │
│ │ Tips & Tricks   │ │ Review          │ │
│ └─────────────────┘ └─────────────────┘ │
└──────────────────────────────────────────┘

Article View

┌──────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [< Back to Craft Guide]                  │
│                                          │
│ Best Printers for MTG Proxies (2026)    │
│ Equipment  •  Jan 15, 2024               │
│ ──────────────────────────────────────── │
│                                          │
│ [Markdown content rendered here]         │
│                                          │
│ ──────────────────────────────────────── │
│ Related Articles:                        │
│ • How to Print High-Quality Proxies      │
│ • Color Calibration Guide                │
└──────────────────────────────────────────┘

Sidebar (Sticky TOC):

Auto-generated from ## headers in markdown
Jump to section on click

Mobile Considerations

Mobile Web (320-767px)

Article Layout:

Scrollable content: Full-screen article (no sidebar TOC)
Collapsible TOC: Tap "Table of Contents" button → Bottom sheet with sections
Jump to section: Tap section in TOC → Scrolls to section, closes sheet
Sticky header: Article title remains at top while scrolling

Images:

Full-width: Article images expand to 320px
Tap to zoom: Tap image → Full-screen lightbox with pinch-zoom
Lazy loading: Images load as user scrolls

Code Blocks:

Horizontal scroll: For wide code snippets (don't wrap)
Copy button: 44px touch target

Touch Interactions:

All buttons: 44px minimum
Swipe down from top: Show TOC sheet
Pull to refresh: Reload article (check for updates)

Performance Targets:

Article load: < 500ms (markdown rendered client-side)
Image loading: Progressive (thumbnails → full)
TOC generation: < 100ms (parse markdown headings)

Offline Behavior:

Requires internet (articles fetched from API)
Error if offline: "No internet. Craft guides require connection."
Future: Cache recently viewed articles (IndexedDB)

Tablet (768-1023px)

Sidebar TOC: Sticky table of contents in left sidebar (like desktop)

Future Native Mobile

Platform Features:

Offline articles: Download guides for offline reading
Bookmarks: Save favorite guides
Share via system sheet: Share guide link

ADR-0008: Mobile-First Web Design Principles — Touch targets, image loading
ADR-0009: Responsive Feature Strategy — Collapsible TOC pattern

Data Model — CraftGuideArticle schema
PDF Generation — Print settings reference

Craft Guide ​

Overview ​

Features ​

Equipment Guide ​

Step-by-Step Tutorials ​

Tutorial 1: "How to Print High-Quality Proxies" ​

Tutorial 2: "Precision Cutting Techniques" ​

Tutorial 3: "Color Calibration for Accurate Prints" ​

FAQ (Common Issues) ​

Content Structure ​

Categories ​

Article Schema ​

Example Article (Markdown) ​

API Endpoints ​

GET /api/craft-guide/articles ​

GET /api/craft-guide/articles/:slug ​

Business Rules ​

UI Patterns ​

Browse Page ​

Article View ​

Mobile Considerations ​

Mobile Web (320-767px) ​

Tablet (768-1023px) ​

Future Native Mobile ​

Related ADRs ​

Related Specs ​