Decklab vs Component Studio
Component Studio is The Game Crafter’s own tool, and its strength is sending components straight to their print service. It’s a subscription with a short trial. Decklab is free, with every export, and isn’t tied to one printer.
At a glance
| Feature | Decklab | Component Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Runs on | Your browser on desktop (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari 17+). Works offline once signed in. | Your browser. |
| Price | Free forever. Pro is $9 a month or $99 a year, for AI credits and more cloud space. | $9.99 a month, after a 3-day free trial. |
| Free plan | The full editor and every export, with unlimited local projects and 3 cloud projects. | None beyond the trial. |
| How you design | A visual editor measured in millimetres, with text styles, inline icons, variables and rules. | A visual designer that applies one change to every component. |
| Card data | A built-in data grid. Import and export CSV and Excel, or paste from a spreadsheet. | CSV import, or edited live in the tool. |
| Print-and-play PDF | Free. Letter, A4 or A3, with cut marks, bleed, and double-sided or fold-and-glue backs. | Yes. |
| Images | Free. PNG per card up to 600 DPI, with bleed and sprite sheets. | Raw images. |
| Tabletop Simulator | Free. Deck sheets and a saved object, with import notes. | Hosted sprite sheets, according to a competitor’s comparison. |
| Playtesting | A free solo table that deals your real cards. | None built in. |
| AI | Optional. Each step is a proposal you accept or discard, paid with credits. | None listed. |
The main differences
Price
Component Studio is $9.99 a month after a 3-day trial, and its FAQ says you lose access at the end of a cancelled billing period, with files kept for 90 days. Decklab is free for the editor and every export, and your projects stay yours whatever your plan.
One printer, or any
Component Studio sends components directly into The Game Crafter at its sizes. Decklab exports standard PDF and PNG files with bleed, so you can print at home or with any service.
More than layout
Decklab adds a deck checker, a solo playtest table, a rulebook in the same project and optional AI, all in the browser and working offline.
Choose Component Studio if
- You’re printing with The Game Crafter and want the shortest path there
- You work in their component sizes already
Choose Decklab if
- You want a free tool, not a subscription
- You want files for any printer, or for home printing
- You want playtesting and deck checks in the same place
Questions
How much does Component Studio cost?
Its FAQ lists $9.99 a month, with a 3-day free trial that isn’t charged if you cancel before it ends.
Sources
- Component Studio: FAQ
- The Game Crafter: Component Studio
- Dextrous: feature table naming Component Studio
Facts about other products were checked against their own sites in November 2026. Prices and features change, so check before you decide.
Other comparisons
Try it with your own game
It’s free, every export included, and your first deck is about an evening away.
Free forever. No card needed.