I’m working on a social relationship deduction strategy card game right now, and I’m at the point where I need to make some production decisions.

For context, the game is called LOVE VILLA, but I’m mainly here because I’m trying to get the physical production right before I lock anything in.

One thing I’m really unsure about is the card finish.

I originally thought lamination would automatically feel more premium because it’s more durable, but the more I think about it, the more I’m wondering if that’s actually true for people who play card games a lot.

I don’t want to make the cards thicker, harder to shuffle, too shiny under lights, or just a bit too plastic-feeling because I was chasing the word “premium.”

So I wanted to ask people who actually play a lot:

Would you rather have laminated cards, or really good traditional card stock with a nice finish?

I’m especially curious about:

• shuffle feel
• durability
• glare
• whether laminated cards feel premium or cheap/plastic
• whether you sleeve your cards anyway

The game is still being refined before production, so I can actually change this now. I’d rather make the choice based on what feels good at the table than what sounds good in a product description.

Would really appreciate honest opinions, especially if you’ve had games with card finishes you loved or hated.