The 4 Absolute Best Places to Get Custom MTG Deck Boxes [Examples]

Last updated on January 11, 2024

Citanul Flute | Illustration by Greg Hildebrandt

While Magic cards are the heart of the game, players need accessories to go with the cards. These are primarily useful to help protect those precious cards; you don’t want your pimped-out EDH deck loose in your bag as you run to your LGS.

They’re also an excellent way to show off your style as a player. There’s nothing wrong with going for something simple to keep your cards in one place and safe, but some players want to take it a step further. An excellent accessory to get custom-made are deck boxes. They’re a vital protective piece that’s more durable than sleeves, so they’ll stay whole longer.

Let’s look at the best places to buy custom MTG deck boxes!

Best Overall

Wyrmwood Gaming Deckbox

Wyrmwood Gaming comes out on top as the best option for your custom MTG deck box. They offer a range of wood types that range in price based on the rarity of the selected wood, with the lower end costing around $50 and the most expensive pushing $180. $50 is an excellent mid-range price point for a special occasion without breaking the bank, but there’s plenty of room to splurge should the moment call for it.

Each deck box holds up to 100 double-sleeved cards, making it perfect for holding a Commander deck or a deck for a 60-card format with plenty of space for extra sleeves, tokens, and other helper cards. This box's size makes it applicable to any Constructed format.

In addition to the wood, Wrymwood’s boxes have a leather strap with a button that holds the deck shut, unlike the magnets used by many brands like Ultimate Guard or Gamegenic. The shut does an excellent job keeping your cards in place, but it also adds a lovely contrast to the wood for added depth to the piece.

The only downside to the Wrymwood line is that the customization begins and ends with the wood choice; the site doesn’t offer engraving or even different straps. That said, this is a well-constructed product that’s set at an affordable price and that offers upgrades for anybody looking for a sleek, stylish way to protect their cards.

Buyer’s Guide

Sorcerer's Strongbox | Illustration by Chuck Lukacs

The most important thing to consider when picking out a custom deck box is form versus function. A deck box could be the most gorgeous piece of art ever constructed, but if it fails in function, it’s a hard sell.

A deck box’s function is to protect your deck. You need something sturdy that won't break from being jostled or even dropped, at least from a reasonable distance. On a similar note, it needs to stay securely shut. If it pops open in your bag because you knocked it into a person or wall, your cards aren’t secure. They’ll end up loose in your bag and start bending or tearing.

Any custom deck box worth its price performs its function well before getting to form. This is why we’re paying good money for a custom deck box instead of grabbing a $10 case off the shelf. While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, there are a few good things to look for regarding form.

You don’t want cheap material. This falls in line with the function: cheap material won’t protect the cards. And it also looks, well, cheap. The material doesn’t need gold filigree but should have some heft to it.

The kind of material is also important. Wood is a personal preference. It immediately stands out among the boxes covered in plastic or felt as a vividly different material. Assuming it’s made from real wood, there’s often a unique quality to it because no two trees have the same grain patterns, so a wooden box is often very one-of-a-kind.

You also need to consider what you want from the customization process. Do you just want a simple box of a choice material that stands out among the Boulders and Sidewinders? Do you want to flaunt your love of your favorite decks with pricy materials, or something simple, like an engraving? Or do you want to go all-out to find the most unique deck box on your side of the Mississippi? This is a personal question only you can sort out, but the following options will help narrow down your options.

The “Cadillac” of Custom Deck Boxes

Aaron Cain Custom Deck Box

While Aaron Cain Custom Deck Boxes has pricing similar to Wyrmwood at first, it’s absolutely one of the best shops to buy from. They offer a wider variety, both wood and deck boxes. You can get domestic woods cheaply but have far more exotic options, like walnut burl and African teak at the upper end. The range of deck boxes has something for everyone, from single-deck top loaders and side loaders to boxes that hold multiple decks and a dice tray. You can even specify if you need to hold 75 or 100 cards, single-sleeved or double-sleeved.

The customization extends well past your choice of wood. Plenty of upgrade options let you customize even basic woods into something special. From simple choices like interior flocking and token dividers, you can get the box engraved, have a little window cut in the front to display the art of your commander or otherwise marquee card, or even go for a marble effect that weaves another wood color within your box.

Unlike some other options, these deck boxes aren’t locked shut. Their lid is built into the box. It slides in and out and is nearly invisible when you close it. Even though there’s no locking mechanism, the top is still plenty secure and keeps the deck inside safe.

Best Budget Custom Deck Box

White Heron Forge Deck Box

For the best budget custom deck boxes, The White Heron Forge’s Etsy page offers a variety of lovely products. They lack the range of wood choices that other stores offer, but these deck boxes aren’t flat. The checkered pattern along the edge adds depth to the boxes, as does the interior black trim.

These deck boxes stay shut with a simple metal clasp that securely locks the lid in place. The customization for these boxes comes down to engravings. The shop offers a selection of boxes with symbols for each of Ravinca’s guilds, but they also offer a customizable engraving box. They’re willing to put text and symbols on any face of the box, even on the inside – which could make for a particularly nice gift since you could engrave a message for somebody to see whenever they open the box.

Most Elaborate Custom Deck Box

Leifkicker Deck Box

We’ve seen a couple of great options, though they stick pretty closely to the form you’d expect a deck box to take. If you want something more eccentric, Leifkicker is a fantastic option. These deck boxes leave the traditional form of a deck box behind in favor of acrylic constructions that are sure to stand out.

These hefty boxes are made from acrylic and are quite durable. They’re kept shut with strong magnets that keep everything in place, so you don’t need to worry about losing cards in the depths of your bag. They have a great enough grasp of the deck box’s function to get away with some brilliant expressions in form.

Leif’s deck boxes come in a stunning array of shapes. From Magic references like Chaos Orb and Mana Vault to plenty of other nerdy shapes, like a box inspired by the Millennium Items or a replica of the TARDIS.

The selection of deck boxes also rotates, as the molds are only good for so many uses. Lief has a section for available boxes, molds that could be recrafted with enough customer interest, and a gallery showcasing retired designs. The only downside to these fantastic deck boxes is that some may be a little awkward in shape, so you may have trouble chucking them into a bag. But these are surely the best deck boxes for anybody looking for a high-quality, interesting deck box that’s as much a conversation starter as a protective accessory.

Wrap Up

Vexing Puzzlebox | Illustration by Zezhou Chen

Good accessories are nearly as important for playing Magic as the cards, at least if you want to preserve their quality. They’re also a fantastic space to express yourself as a player. You can always use the art of the cards, especially in this era of Universes Beyond and Secret Lairs, but a custom accessory is a great way to go.

Custom deck boxes are an especially nice touch because they’re a study accessory you’ll often keep for quite some time. Sleeves tear, playmats fray, and while deck boxes can break, a good one is worth the investment, especially when you make it uniquely your own.

What’s your favorite Magic Accessory? Do you own a custom deck box or anything else customized? Let me know in the comments or on the Draftsim Discord!

Stay safe, and keep your cards safe too!