You can print perfect cards and still end up with a deck that feels bad. Not because the list is bad. Because the deck is physically weird. It clumps. It slides. You can tell when you’ve drawn “a paper one.” That’s not strategy. That’s arts and crafts karma.
This post is about opaque sleeves Netrunner setups that actually shuffle well, especially if you’re mixing print-and-play, older card backs, and professionally printed cards.
If you’re building a pool from scratch, this is still the best starting point: Best Way to Build a Beginner Netrunner Card Pool Without Buying Singles. And if your goal is consistent decks without DIY chaos, here’s the main hub: Print Your Netrunner Decks & Sets.
Why opaque sleeves matter (even if you think they don’t)
Different sources can mean different backs. Even within modern Netrunner releases, card backs have changed over time. If the backs are visible through the sleeve, the game can become unintentionally “marked.”
That’s why opaque sleeves Netrunner is the default advice.
Opaque sleeves help with:
- fairness (no identifying cards by back)
- consistency (everything looks the same in hand)
- comfort (you stop thinking about it)
If you’ve ever played a game and realized you could identify a card because the back looked different, you know how quickly that breaks the vibe.
Backing cards: what they are and why they fix “paper deck” problems
Backing cards are simple:
- print-and-play card front in the sleeve
- a real card behind it as a spacer and stiffener
This solves two problems:
- it makes the proxy feel like a normal card
- it reduces the chance that one proxy is “detectable” by touch
If you’re using paper proxies, backing cards are not optional if you care about shuffle feel.
How to pick backing cards without making it worse
Here are rules that keep you sane:
- Use one consistent backing card type for the whole deck
- Avoid mixing different thicknesses
- Avoid warped cards (they will betray you)
- Don’t use backing cards with raised foiling or texture differences if you can help it
Most people use bulk cards from another standard-size card game because they’re easy to find and consistent.
The goal is not “perfect.” The goal is “all cards feel the same.”
The sleeve checklist that prevents most problems
If you want consistent shuffle feel, do this:
- Pick one brand and stick to it
- Use the same sleeve finish for the whole deck
- Replace damaged sleeves (nicks and bends matter)
- Don’t mix matte and glossy in the same deck (it feels awful)
Matte sleeves tend to shuffle smoother and show fewer fingerprints. Glossy sleeves can feel sticky. Some people love them anyway. Just don’t mix.
If you’re trying to tune opaque sleeves Netrunner for the first time, start with opaque matte. It’s the boring reliable choice.
“Shuffle feel” is mostly about thickness consistency
When a deck feels off, it’s usually thickness mismatch:
- paper proxies with no backing feel thin
- proxies with thick backing feel chunky
- professionally printed cards feel like normal cards
- old worn sleeves feel different than new sleeves
If you want the deck to feel normal:
- every sleeve needs the same thickness inside it
- every sleeve needs the same physical condition outside it
That’s it. That’s the secret.
Common problems (and quick fixes)
Problem: “My proxies slide around in the sleeve”
Fix:
- use a backing card
- cut proxies so they fit cleanly inside the sleeve
Problem: “My deck clumps and won’t shuffle”
Fix:
- replace sticky sleeves
- consider matte sleeves
- shuffle in smaller chunks, then combine
Problem: “I can tell where the proxies are by touch”
Fix:
- consistent backing cards
- consistent cutting
- replace warped backing cards
Problem: “Some sleeves are shinier than others”
Fix:
- stop mixing sleeve batches if you can
- if you must mix, mix across the deck evenly, not in a block
A simple setup that works for mixed sources
If you’re mixing print-and-play and printed cards, here’s a setup that keeps things playable:
- opaque sleeves (same brand, same color)
- backing cards behind all paper proxies
- a small “maintenance pile” of extra sleeves
That’s it. You don’t need a perfect system. You need consistency.
Wrap-up
If you want a deck that shuffles like a real deck, the physical setup matters. Opaque sleeves Netrunner plus backing cards is the simplest combo that solves most problems, especially if your collection comes from mixed sources.
And once the deck feels right, you stop thinking about the cards and start thinking about the game. Which is the whole point.