TLDR
If you want the best all-around MTG proxy card printing, PrintMTG wins on most metrics in our comparison, especially bulk value, ordering flexibility, and shipping options. PrintingProxies is still a strong pick if your top priority is on-demand foil upgrades and a super simple pricing model.
Quick note: we are talking about proxies for casual play. Do not buy or sell proxies as authentic cards.
Who these companies are
PrintMTG is a proxy printing site built around fast ordering, a big card database, deck list pasting, and optional custom design tools.
PrintingProxies is a proxy printer that focuses on straightforward per-card pricing, deck import, art selection, and upgrades like foil effects.
Overall winner: PrintMTG (by most metrics)
PrintMTG takes this one because it is simply the better balanced service for most people. It checks more boxes at once: competitive bulk pricing, fast production targets, clearer shipping choices, and a broader set of creation tools.
PrintingProxies has a couple of real advantages (foil is the big one), but across the full scorecard PrintMTG comes out ahead more often.
Quality and “feel” in sleeve
Both companies claim “real-card-like” results, and both get generally positive feedback from customers and reviewers.
PrintMTG positions their cards as matching real card dimensions and weight, with high resolution printing and strong color accuracy.
PrintingProxies highlights S33-style black core cardstock and gloss, and they also emphasize that sleeved cards should feel close to real cards.
Our takeaway: if you are sleeving your deck (which you probably are), either service can work. PrintMTG edges ahead on consistency and overall polish, while PrintingProxies feels more “upgrade-driven” (especially if you go foil).
Pricing and value
This is one of the clearest wins for PrintMTG.
PrintMTG’s published price breaks go lower at higher quantities (down to about $0.60 per card at 500+ in their price chart). They also advertise free shipping above a spend threshold.
PrintingProxies has a very simple ladder that bottoms out at $0.75 per card at 200+, and they state there is no further discount beyond that.
If you mostly print full decks, cubes, or big batches, PrintMTG’s bulk math is hard to ignore. PrintingProxies can still be competitive, but they stop discounting sooner.
Ordering experience and tools
This is another category where PrintMTG typically wins for most users.
PrintMTG supports pasting a deck list for printing and offers a “card maker” style tool for custom designs.
PrintingProxies also supports deck importing and walking through cards to choose art, and they have a detailed ordering guide. A common friction point noted in at least one review is that their deck import expects just card name and quantity, and adding extra info like set codes can cause mismatches.[9]
One nuance: third-party reviewers have noted PrintMTG’s flow is easy, but that some unusual card layouts (like split cards and double-faced cards) can be tricky depending on how the site handles them.
So the real story is this:
- PrintMTG is better if you want a smooth “type list, pick versions, checkout” workflow plus custom-building tools.
- PrintingProxies is better if you want a guided import flow and you are fine keeping your deck list input very plain.
Foils and upgrades
This is the biggest place where PrintingProxies wins.
PrintingProxies advertises foil proxy options (including holographic style effects) and states you can make any card foil on demand (with surcharges and minimums).
PrintMTG says foil is available, but also notes it is being rolled out more broadly, and that custom foil can be arranged by reaching out.
If your main goal is foil proxies with a straightforward “add foil” path, PrintingProxies is the easier choice right now.
Turnaround time and shipping
Both brands talk about being fast, but PrintMTG’s shipping menu looks more flexible.
PrintMTG states a goal of printing and shipping within 2 business days (with peak-time caveats), and describes multiple shipping speeds including economy, standard, and expedited options.
PrintingProxies says they print and process orders the next day (no weekend production), with US shipping quoted at 2 to 5 working days and international at 8 to 15 working days, and they advertise flat-rate shipping pricing with tracking.
If you are in the US and just want “fast enough,” either can work. If you have a deadline and want more shipping-speed choices (or you want to coordinate a specific arrival date), PrintMTG’s approach is a bit more accommodating.
Customer service and trust signals
Both have public-facing support paths and strong customer sentiment in the wild.
PrintMTG publishes contact hours, a physical address, and a phone number, which is a trust signal a lot of proxy buyers care about.
PrintingProxies has public reviews and community touchpoints, and their Trustpilot feedback is ok (as with any reviews site, you should read a handful, not just the star rating).
A reasonable rule of thumb:
- If you want the most “traditional business” transparency, PrintMTG feels stronger.
- If you care more about community vibe and upgrades, PrintingProxies feels stronger.
Best for
Best for most people: PrintMTG
Best for foil proxies: PrintingProxies
Best for bulk decks and cubes: PrintMTG
Best for simple flat-rate shipping expectations: PrintingProxies
Best for custom card creation tools: PrintMTG
Final verdict
PrintMTG wins this comparison by most metrics. It tends to offer better bulk value, more flexible ordering and creation tools, and clearer shipping options, while still being fast.
PrintingProxies is not a bad option at all. It just wins fewer categories in a head-to-head. If foil is your must-have, or you love their art-selection flow and pricing simplicity, you can absolutely justify picking them. But for the typical “print a deck, print a cube, repeat” customer, PrintMTG is the better default.
