You know this person. They have a deck box inside another deck box. They own card sleeves in every color, and they keep a binder for each set. There is a whole shelf of Commander precons that they say they will play someday. It can feel hard to buy a gift for a serious card player. This is because they have almost anything you can get at a store.
The trick is to stop shopping for more things and start picking out items for them. A unique item will always be better than regular things. There is nothing better for this than Custom Print Playmats. A playmat is under every game they play, so they see it every time they get ready to play.
Quick answer: The best gift for an MTG or TCG player who has everything is something special that they can’t get in a store. Good picks are a custom-made playmat, a card drawn on request, a top binder or a fun day at an event.
Why a Personalized Playmat Tops the List
Custom Print Playmats let you put any photo or design on a full-size play area. This could be your favorite commander, your pet dressed up, or a joke from last Friday’s game night. The mats you buy in stores all have the same look that everyone else has. A custom mat is made just for you and will be like no other.
A normal mat is about 24 by 14 inches in size. It has a cloth top and a rubber bottom that keeps it from sliding on the table. You should check for stitched edges. These help stop the mat from coming apart after you use it for many years. Nerd gear prints mats just like this. The art stays clear, and the edges last through many games.
Tips for getting the design right:
- Upload a high-resolution image. A target of 300 DPI is good.
- Leave open space for where their deck, graveyard, and exile zones will be.
- Put their name or play group’s name along one edge.
- Ask a friend in their group which commander or card they like most.
More Gift Ideas They Probably Don’t Own Yet
| Gift | Best For | Why It Works |
| Card alter commission | Commander players | An artist hand-paints or extends the art on their favorite card |
| Premium side-loading binder | Collectors | Protects valuable cards better than cheap top-loading pages |
| Leather or magnetic deck box | Competitive players | Sturdier and more stylish than plastic boxes |
| Card grading submission | Investors and collectors | Turns a prized card into a sealed, graded keepsake |
| Prerelease or event entry | Social players | An experience instead of another object |
| Playmat tube or travel bag | Players who travel to events | Keeps their mat clean and crease-free |
If you do not know where to start, Wizards of the Coast puts out an official gift guide for Magic players. It has sets and things for all types of players.
How to Pick the Right Gift in 3 Steps
- Watch how they play. Do they like to go to tournaments, invite friends for Commander nights, or do they just collect cards? Each of these people care about different things.
- See what’s worn out. A faded play mat, a deck box with cracks, or a binder that is sinking tells you what you should get for them next.
- Pick something meaningful, not just expensive. A $40 gift that shows you know them is better than a $150 booster box they might buy themselves.
Don’t Overlook the Experience Gift
Some players really do have every extra item they want. For these people, spending time at the table is the best gift. You can pay for a draft night at their local game store, or plan a Commander-themed weekend with friends. If you want more ideas for the tabletop gamer in your life, the Wirecutter guide to board games is a good place to look for board games that aren’t trading cards.
Still, if you want to give a gift that shows who you are, can be used every day, and gives a bit of surprise, a custom playmat is a good choice. It is the one item they will set out for every game for a long time.
FAQ
What size playmat should I order for an MTG player?
The standard 24 x 14 inch mat will fit most tables and is good for tournaments. Two-player or “Commander” mats are larger, so you should find out what they like to use.
Can I use any image on a custom playmat?
You should use art that you own, that you got a license for, or that you have the OK to use. Your own photos and art you paid someone to make for you are the best and safest choices.
Conclusion
When someone has all the sleeves, boxes, and binders out there, the best gift is something no one else has given them. Custom Print Playmats let you turn the art they love, their favorite photos, or an inside joke into a gift they can use every time they play. You can add a small extra, like a travel tube or even an event ticket, to make it feel even more special. Place your order from Nerd gear a couple of weeks before you need it so it will show up in time. You’ll get to see them grab your gift first when it’s time to play. Each collection is unique, and Nerd gear lets you make a mat that matches theirs.
