• How do I submit a card for the contest?

If you’re on desktop, follow this link (X). If you’re on mobile, go to the main blog, then click the mail icon and submit through there.

• When are new contests announced?

Each Sunday, a new contest will be posted to this blog and to the #announcements channel on the Inventor’s Fair Discord. Here’s a link to the Discord server! (X)

• How do I make cards? Do they have to be submitted as pictures?

On desktop, we highly recommend downloading the program Magic Set Editor (X) and creating cards through there. Other card creation websites are available through searching, such as MTG Cardsmith and MTG.design, but they are not recommended. If you have no access to any image creation, you may submit through text, but all your text will be copied verbatim.

• I don’t know how to design a card at all! What do I do?

Don’t panic! Making cards can often be a daunting task. Mark Rosewater, head of MTG R&D, wrote an article in 2003 called “Design 101″ (X) that helps identify basic design errors and what edges a card back towards a good center. Mant things have changed from that article’s printing, but many things stay the same. Additionally, the #workshop portion of the Discord is where you can ask questions about your designs for the week and get community support. The subreddit r/custommagic (X) is another place to ask for feedback.

To get yourself off the ground, though, is all up to you. Start with a base. What name? What cost? What do you want the card to do? Look into other cards from Magic’s rich history. This game is dense and full of support from the past. There’s no shame in being inspired by older cards, other custom cards, etc. As long as it’s from the heart.

• Do my cards need art?

No. In fact, art can often detract from a card’s mechanical value. If you DO want to use art for your cards, there’s no issue with that — as long as the cards have proper artist credit. If your cards lack artist credit, you will be contacted by a moderator and asked to revise or resubmit. Failure to do so will result in your submission being deleted and a possible ban. There is no excuse for uncredited art.

• How do you judge which cards are the winners?

That’s a great question! Based on the judge, there are various criteria. Does the card utilize proper design philosophy? Does it fit the contest? How does it push boundaries? Does it match the formats in which it wants to be played? In short, we have to keep open minds for judging, but we try our best to pick cards which most properly reflect both what Magic is and what Magic could be.

• I don’t like the card I submitted. Can I submit another one?

Yes, up until the deadline, as much as you’d like. The most recent submission will take precedent.

• When are winners announced? When’s the last opportunity to submit?

On Thursday, there will be a “Last Call” post reblogged to signify that there are approximately 24 hours until winners will be announced. After the winners are posted on Friday, no more submissions will be taken into consideration for commentary.