Sleeving 100 cards sounds tedious, but with the right method it takes about 20–30 minutes. Sleeves protect your cards from shuffling wear, spills and dirty tables, and they make a Commander deck far easier to shuffle.
The short answer: buy one pack of 100 standard sleeves (plus a few spares), sleeve every card including tokens you play with often, and single-sleeve if you want the deck to fit a standard 100+ box.
Single vs double sleeving
| Single sleeving | Double sleeving | |
|---|---|---|
| Sleeves needed | 100 standard | 100 inner + 100 standard |
| Protection | Good | Better against spills and dust |
| Deck thickness | Fits 100+ boxes | Needs a much bigger box |
| Time to sleeve | About 20–30 min | About 45–60 min |
| Best for | Most Commander decks | Very valuable decks |
How many sleeves do I need for a Commander deck?
100 for the deck, plus a few spares for splits and any tokens you want sleeved. Most packs contain 100, so buy a pack with a few extra or keep a spare pack. Spare sleeves are on our game night packing list.
What size sleeves do MTG cards need?
Standard-size sleeves, around 66 × 91 mm, for standard 63 × 88 mm cards. Inner sleeves for double sleeving are a snug "perfect fit" size. See card and sleeve sizes explained.
What's the fastest way to sleeve a deck?
Fan out a stack of sleeves with the openings facing you, then slide each card in with your thumb in one smooth motion. Work in piles of ten so you can count as you go.
How do I double-sleeve a card?
Put the card into an inner sleeve, then slide it into the outer sleeve with the inner sleeve's open end going in first. That seals the card on all sides against spills.
Will a sleeved Commander deck fit my deck box?
Single-sleeved, yes, in any box rated 100+. SquadPod Slim holds 100 single-sleeved cards plus 10 tokens. Double-sleeved Commander decks need a larger box. See deck box sizes explained.
Should I sleeve my commander too?
Yes, in the same sleeves as the deck. Between games it can go in a toploader on the front of your box; see what a toploader deck box is.
How often should I replace sleeves?
When they start to split, cloud or feel sticky, usually after several months of regular play. Replacing all 100 at once keeps the deck uniform.
Sleeved and ready? SquadPod Slim – £19.99
100 single-sleeved cards + 10 tokens · commander window · hinged click lid · only 50 mm deep
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