How Much Do Custom Scratch Off Cards Cost?
Custom scratch off cards cost from $0.08 to $2.89 per card. See what drives price: size, quantity, reveal style, and back printing, plus real per-card tiers.
What is the minimum order for custom scratch off cards?
The minimum is 250 cards for every scratch off size we print, and 50 calendars for custom advent calendars. Below 250, a custom press run stops being efficient: plate setup, latex application, and press makeready cost the same whether you run 100 cards or 1,000, so the per-card number climbs to the point where nobody is happy. At 250 you get a real press run, real ink, and a price that still makes sense for a single office or one event.
What drives the price of a scratch off card?
Four variables, in order of impact:
- Quantity. This is the biggest lever by far. Per-card cost drops steeply as the run grows because setup is amortized across more pieces.
- Trim size. A mini classic card at 2" x 3.5" uses a fraction of the sheet a large card at 6" x 9" needs.
- Reveal style. A Classic silver or gold reveal is the value option. A full-color reveal prints artwork under the scratch layer and runs roughly 20% to 30% more.
- Back printing. A blank or single-color back (4/1) prints for less than a full-color back (4/4).
What do the size tiers actually cost?
Here are published starting points at the 250-card minimum, all Classic reveal:
| Size | Trim | Starting price at 250 | Per card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Classic | 2" x 3.5" | $365 | $1.46 |
| Small Classic | 2.75" x 4" | $425 | $1.70 |
| Medium Classic | 4" x 6" | $468 | $1.87 |
| Large Classic | 6" x 9" | quoted by run | varies |
At volume the math changes completely. Mini classic drops to about $0.08 each at 25,000 cards, and small classic reaches roughly $0.09 each at the same quantity. If you are weighing 250 versus 1,000, ask for both numbers on the same quote: the second tier is usually far cheaper per piece than people expect.
How much more does a full-color reveal cost?
Plan on 20% to 30% over the equivalent Classic card. Small full-color, for example, starts at $540 for 250 cards, about $2.16 each, versus $425 for the same trim in Classic silver. You are paying for a printed graphic underneath the scratch layer instead of a plain metallic reveal, which matters when the reveal itself is the moment: a gender reveal card, a product launch, a photo, a logo lockup.
Are there setup fees or design charges?
No setup fees on standard orders. Our in-house team lays out your card at no charge when you send copy, logos, and brand direction. Two exceptions worth budgeting for:
- Custom design work beyond layout is $125 per hour.
- A custom die-cut shape carries a one-time die charge, quoted separately. Standard rectangular trims have no die charge.
Digital proofs are free, and we return them the same day in most cases so nothing sits waiting.
How much does postage add for a mailed card?
If you are mailing, the 4" x 6" medium size is the one to look at first: it is the standard USPS First-Class postcard trim, so it mails at the postcard rate rather than the letter rate. Budget postage separately from print, and remember that a card with a reveal is one of the few mail pieces people finish reading before they decide whether to keep it.
How does quantity change the per-card number?
Advent calendars show the curve most clearly, since the full rate sheet is public. Complete 8.5" x 11" calendars run:
| Quantity | Price each |
|---|---|
| 50 | $7.99 |
| 100 | $5.89 |
| 250 | $4.89 |
| 500 | $3.49 |
| 1,000 | $2.69 |
| 2,500 | $1.49 |
Above 2,500 calendars we quote individually. Scratch off cards follow the same shape of curve: each tier you climb takes a meaningful bite out of the per-piece cost, which is why we always quote at least two quantities.
How long does production take, and does rush cost more?
Standard production is 7 to 10 business days after proof approval. Rush production runs 3 to 5 business days when the schedule allows, and we confirm rush availability at quote time rather than promising it blind. Quotes themselves come back within one business day.
How do I get an exact number for my job?
Use the instant quote tool. It asks for size, quantity, reveal style, and back printing, which are the same four variables above, and it returns pricing without a sales call. If your job has a wrinkle, a die-cut shape, a variable-data prize distribution, a mailing component, call 844-287-2855 and we will work through it.
Is a scratch off card worth it compared to a plain coupon?
That is a spend question, not a print question. A coupon asks someone to remember a discount. A scratch off card asks them to do something with their hands first, then read. If you want the side-by-side, we published scratch off cards versus coupon postcards with the tradeoffs laid out plainly. For a broader look at where these cards get used, our guide to creative ways to use custom scratch off tickets in your business covers the campaigns clients run most.
Frequently asked questions
How much do custom scratch off cards cost per card?
From $0.08 per card on high-volume mini runs up to $2.89 per card on low-quantity 6" x 9" full-color jobs. Size, quantity, reveal style, and back printing set the number.
What is the smallest order you will print?
250 cards for scratch off cards, 50 for advent calendars. That is the point where a custom press run stays efficient.
Do you charge for artwork?
No charge for standard layout when you supply copy and logos. Custom design work is $125 per hour, and custom die shapes carry a one-time die charge.
How much more is a full-color reveal than a silver reveal?
Roughly 20% to 30% more than the same size in Classic silver or gold.
How fast can I get a quote?
Within one business day through the quote tool, and same-day digital proofs once the job is placed.
Related guides
Share your artwork or use our Design-It-Yourself tools. We proof every job before printing. Orders ship in 7-10 business days.