How to Bring Your Oracle Deck to Life

A Step-by-Step Guide from Concept to Creation

Everything you need to know before illustrating, printing, and selling your own oracle deck.

Tarot and oracle decks have gained popularity as more people move beyond traditional frameworks of self-development and spiritual growth. While tarot or oracle cards should never replace professional guidance, these decks can serve as intuitive tools for self-reflection; Revealing patterns, limiting beliefs, and hidden influences that help cultivate deeper awareness.

I’ve been reading tarot and oracle cards for a number of years—both personally and professionally—and have also created my own decks, with more currently in the works. Having experienced both sides of the process, I’m here to walk you through everything you need to consider before hiring an illustrator or editor, printing, and selling your oracle deck.

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This guide isn’t meant to be followed in a strict sequence, though following the suggested order can help minimize rework. Start wherever feels right, but take your time and give each step the attention it deserves to create the best deck possible.

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Clarifying Your Concept

What’s the theme or intention of your oracle deck?

Before drawing inspiration from existing decks, take time to refine your own vision.

• What’s inspiring you to create a deck?

• What do you want people to gain from using it?

• Will the theme explore shadow work with darker imagery, or be light and uplifting with celestial or angelic tones?

• How will users interact with it? Will cards be drawn randomly, or will they follow a structured path to create a journey?

• How many cards? While 36–44 is common, it depends on your deck’s purpose. Personally, I find decks with fewer than 30 cards limiting, while those with over 50 can feel cumbersome—though cardstock can balance this.

Lastly, research other decks for inspiration, but stay true to your unique vision.

Refining the Card Meanings & Structure

How will the cards be organized, and what messages will they offer?

Once you’ve defined your theme, it’s time to shape the deck’s structure and messages.

• Will your cards be numbered to reflect a journey or numerology? Or will they be more fluid, without numbers, serving as standalone inspirations?

• Once you have a draft writeup of the decks concepts and cards, step back and assess it as a whole. Are there repetitive themes? Are there gaps that need filling?

• Gather feedback from trusted readers, friends, or your community. Different perspectives can help refine and strengthen your deck.

Edit as needed—messages should be clear, concise, and able to stand alone without extensive explanation.

Envisioning the Artwork

What kind of artwork will bring your oracle deck to life?

Before hiring an illustrator (or creating your own artwork), you need a clear vision of your deck’s aesthetic.

• What’s the visual style? Minimalist, detailed, photo collage, digital painting? The artwork should support your deck’s theme. A bright, airy concept may not pair well with dark, moody illustrations—unless that contrast is intentional.

• Will your deck include text, keywords, or just imagery? Some users prefer full quotes to avoid consulting a guidebook, while others like minimal keywords. Few decks rely solely on imagery, as this requires highly intuitive reading.

• Who is your target audience, and how will they use the deck? This will influence design decisions, from font choices to card layouts.

• Will you illustrate the deck yourself or hire an artist? Doing it yourself creates a personal touch but requires knowledge of print specs to ensure proper formatting. Working with an illustrator allows you to focus on writing, concept development, and/or marketing.

• Consider the size and shape of the cards and align your artwork to those specs to ensure highest quality output and presentation.

Preparing for Illustration & Production

What’s your timeline, budget, and approach to printing?

Before beginning illustrations, your deck should be at least 99% finalized. Some fine-tuning is expected, but major changes should be avoided to prevent unnecessary rework on the illustrations.

⏰ Timeline: Creating an oracle deck can take anywhere from 3–12+ months, depending on complexity, revisions, and production timelines. Rushing the process can lead to overlooked details or an underdeveloped final product.

💰 Budget: Hiring an illustrator to design the cards, card backs, packaging, and formatting a guidebook can cost anywhere from $8,000 to $18,000, payable in installments over several months. This cost will also depend on the artist’s experience and the project’s scope.

🃏 Test Printing: Before committing to a full print run, order samples. This helps assess cardstock quality, color accuracy, and overall feel while allowing you to make any necessary adjustments. Many printers offer sample runs, so take advantage of this step.

🖨️ Choosing a Printer: Print-on-demand services or bulk printing? Your choice will impact cost, quality, and fulfillment. Research your options to find the best fit for your needs.

Selling & Marketing Your Deck

How will you launch and sell your oracle deck?

Take time to plan your funding and sales strategy. If upfront costs are a concern, crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter can help bring your deck to life while building an audience in the process.

🪙 Pricing: Indie decks typically range from $60–$100 CAD, depending on card count, cardstock quality, and guidebook inclusion. Consider printing and shipping costs, plus a 30–50% profit margin. If you plan to wholesale, factor that into pricing as well.

🎟️ Limited vs. Open Editions: Limited editions can justify higher pricing but often require a strong existing audience. Open runs allow for ongoing sales but may require different marketing strategies.

📻 Sales Channels: Will you sell through your website, Etsy, local metaphysical shops, markets, or wholesale? Consider what’s feasible based on your setup.

👥 Building an Audience: Start marketing before your deck is ready. Social media, email lists, and influencer collaborations can help generate interest.

⏱️Pre-Orders: Offering pre-orders can help fund production costs. Consider adding a bonus (like a discount or extra item) to incentivize early buyers.

Final Thoughts

Creating an oracle deck is a deeply personal and rewarding process, but it takes time, planning, and investment. Whether you’re in the early concept stages or preparing for production, each step requires thoughtful consideration.

With a clear vision, the right resources, and a solid plan, you can bring your oracle deck to life in a way that fully honors your concept and resonates with your audience.

Need guidance on refining your deck’s concept? I offer consultations to help you bring your vision to life—whether or not you end up hiring me as an illustrator. Feel free to reach out!

Or consider joining the deck creator community I’m a part of to get a wide range of support to help bring your oracle deck to life!

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