I’m not one to try and sell unnecessary, expensive accessories just to make a buck. My views on consumption capitalism are far from supportive, and I believe that just as folk singers only need “3 chords and the truth to get by“, a card reader needs one deck, a good book (and/or intuition), and perhaps some life experience, to read Oracle cards (reminder: Tarot is just one sub-set of Oracle cards).
On the other hand, having a few decks with different artwork and books with various thoughts on the cards may help. Pulling cards ‘at random’ works for some folks while others prefer using a Spread- a diagram with meanings or subjects for cards pulled in specific order.
I tend to use a Spread (whether an ‘old standard’ or custom-designed on the spot) with the option to pull additional ‘clarifier’ cards. I don’t use a ‘spread cloth’ as the ones I’ve tried seem to catch on things or breezes. Having a diagram to lay Cards out, printed on good cardstock, can help keep cards where they belong, but diagramming for standard Tarot-size (2.75″x4.75″) cards can be unwieldy above a few cards.
Our Print on Demand partner TheGamecrafter has offered custom decks designed to fit a metal ‘mint tin’ container (maximum 55 cards) since 2019. Last year they added a Tall Mint Tin container that can hold up to 90 cards- enough for a full Tarot deck, plus extra cards or literature.
I’ve yet to find more than a couple of complete Tarot decks in a Tall Metal Tin in the Gamecrafter’s website but I’m hopeful more will be published. While the amount of detail visible on a Mint Tin card is less than the standard card size, I know from my own Mint Tin Oracle decks the size is still quite useful. And the metal tin in lieu of a cardboard tuck or hook box is much better for decks that are well-used. Having larger diameter die-cut corners hasn’t impaired my ability to shuffle them.
So, all of that is to explain why I’ve designed and published the Digital Gryphon Tarot/ Oracle Spread Mats (for Mint Tin decks):
A pair of 11″x17″ durable card stock mats. Placed together the fronts create a 6×7 grid to lay out Tarot/ Oracle card readings. Place vertical or horizontal, as matches the deck you use. And there’s enough room to do a leNormand Grand Tableau (6×6).
The reverse sides illustrate a number of spread patterns used in the accompanying 15 page collection (a free .pdf download after purchase).
These are designed specifically for decks of ‘Mint Tin cards’ with the larger diameter die-cut corners. Those cards are 2.05″x3.43″. You might find ‘Domino cards’ (1.75″x3.5″) or ‘Business cards’ (2″x3.5″) work as well (not a guarantee). The mats are produced on the 310gsm black-core stock used for decks; with UV coating for durability and they fold for easy storage or portability.
I have created a similar set for Poker size (2.5″x3.5″) cards. With slightly wider cards, the set of Poker mats has a 6×6 configuration.
TheGameCrafter also does thicker custom game boards similar to you’ll find in mass-produced games.They have 2 sizes of interest- and I’m doing artwork for both. But ordering samples will be about US$50 so that’s a future budget item.
Additional Images (will open in a new window/tab):
See this post for my 2025 Year End discount which applies to these mats, if you place your order before January 1, 2026.
List of TheGamecrafter.com Smaller Card Tarot/ Oracle Decks:
The following decks were found by browsing the Tarot category of TheGameCrafter website. I picked a small number of decks at random- this is far from exhaustive.
None of the links are Affiliate links- I do earn my royalty on Digital Gryphon Decks (pictured below). I’ve not yet ordered any of the other decks; this list is not a recommendation or endorsement of anyone else’s deck. Of course any deck designer who wishes to send me a review copy for 2026, please contact me for my delivery address.
‘Mint Tin Card’ Decks:
Tarot Decks
11:11 Tarot Mini Deck;
Hearth and Home Tarot;
Frog Fae Major Arcana (Majors Only);
Sideways Tarot Mint Tin (Majors Only);
The Tiny Traveler’s Tarot (Majors Only);
a Latinha Do Tarot (Majors Only).
leNormand Decks (there seems to be many potential AI decks in this category)
leNormand Seer Oracle;
leNormand of the Haunted Path;
Arctic leNormand;
Kawaii leNormand Mint Tin;
Atercolour leNormand Mint Tin.
Other Oracle Decks
Digital Gryphon Kaleidoscope Oracle;
Spilling Some Tea;
Sister Flirt’s Morning Meditations;
Higher Love Oracle Mint Tin;
Road Trip Oracle Mint Tin;
Oracle for the Oblivious;
Dream Symbols Oracle;
The Flamerose Oracle;
Foolish Fish’s Folk Fairy Tale Cards;
Shadow and Light Mint Tin
Poker or Bridge Size Decks:
Tarot Decks
Bronze Edition Poker Sized Pearls of Wisdom Tarot;
Glowing Tarot poker size;
Skyclad Tarot POKER sized;
Chalice Tarot Deck, Poker Size;
The Fox Tarot 78 Card POKER Sized Deck w/Box & Booklet;
The Mathematics Tarot.
leNormand Decks (there seems to be many potential AI decks in this category)
Emblemata Lenormand Poker Sized;
Chakra Lenormand 54 card poker size;
Merlin’s Purrfect Lenormand;
Halloween Lenormand;
Graven Fortunes Lenormand Bridge-Sized;
Fauvulous Lenormand Bridge-Sized Deck.
Other Oracle Decks
Folk Animal Oracle Classic Edition;
From the Heart Oracle;
Craft & decadence Oracle;
The Kallaste Oracle (NEW Second Edition);
Inner Landscape Oracle.
