Downloading your high-resolution archive (ZIP)

What the high-resolution archive is, why it takes about 5 minutes to prepare, why a computer on Wi-Fi is the right place to download it, where the file lands, how long the download stays available, how to open it and what to do if a download stops.

Every digital deck includes a high-resolution archive: one ZIP file with every card at full resolution, plus your chosen card back. It is the file to keep, back up, or hand to a print shop. Because every card is upscaled to full size, the archive is large — often one to two gigabytes — so a little preparation makes the download painless.

The last file, made-with-tails.png, is a thank-you card the same size as your cards. Its QR code opens your deck's page, where you can open your deck in the Tails app. It isn't one of your deck's cards, so print it with your deck or leave it out — your card numbering and card count stay exactly the same.

1. Request the archive from your deck page

Open your deck page, go to Your downloads, and choose Download all cards under Card images. We upscale every card and pack them into a single ZIP. This takes about 5 minutes; you don't need to wait on the page. The moment it's ready we email you a download link, and the deck page shows a download button too.

Sharing has its own Share your deck section. The available options there let you show someone your cards, share a discount, or let them order a printed copy. Your own card files and purchased downloads stay together in Your downloads.

2. Download it on a computer, over Wi-Fi or a cable

The link opens a download page that shows the file size, how long it should take, and a Start download button. For a file this large we strongly recommend:

  • a computer (Mac or Windows) rather than a phone — phones are slow to download and unpack large archives, and it is easy to lose track of where the file went;
  • a fast, reliable connection: home Wi-Fi or a network cable, not mobile data;
  • enough free space — at least the size shown on the page, and twice that to unpack the ZIP;
  • keeping the tab open and the computer awake until the download finishes.

If you opened the email on your phone, use Copy link or Send link to yourself on the download page and open it on your computer later. The download stays available for 7 days, so there is no need to do it on the spot. Prefer to save a few cards to your phone? Open your deck page and save cards one at a time from the grid instead.

3. Where the file goes and how to open it

  • Mac or Windows: your browser saves it to the Downloads folder. Double-click the ZIP to unpack it — no extra software needed.
  • iPhone or iPad: Safari saves it to the Files app, under Downloads. Tap the ZIP there to unpack it.
  • Android: it lands in your Downloads folder. Open it with the Files app to extract the cards.

Can't find it? Open your browser's downloads list (usually the arrow icon at the top right) — it shows exactly where the file was saved.

The download stopped or the file won't open

Go back to the download page and press Start download again: modern browsers resume where they left off. A file that "won't open" or "is damaged" is almost always an incomplete download — check that its size matches the size on the page; if it's smaller, delete it and download again. Still stuck? The download page offers an alternative download route under Trouble downloading?, and you can always write to us.

How long is the download available?

Each archive stays available for 7 days after it is packed. After that the link shows that it has expired, and you can request a fresh copy from your deck page at any time — it is free, takes about 5 minutes, and always contains your latest cards. Your cards themselves never expire: they stay on your deck page, where you can view, edit and save them individually for as long as you like.

I edited my cards after downloading

The archive contains the cards as they were when it was packed. After editing or regenerating cards, request the archive again from your deck page — we rebuild it with your latest versions (only the changed cards are re-processed, so it's quick). If you open an older link afterwards, the download page automatically offers the newest version.

Prefer a print-ready file?

The Print-Ready Kit adds a PDF that lays every card out with cut marks for home or print-shop printing — see How to print your deck locally. And if you'd rather we print it, look for the printed edition upgrade on your deck page.

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