How did French stenciling change the design and cost of playing cards?

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euchre — playing cards Euchre hand with the five highest cards if spades are trump.

In the 1480s, the introduction of stenciling in France significantly reduced the production costs of playing cards, making them more accessible to a broader audience beyond the upper classes.1

This manufacturing technique necessitated a shift toward a more simplified aesthetic, resulting in the creation of the distinct suit symbols now known internationally as spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs. By moving away from the labor-intensive hand-painting methods used for early luxury decks, French makers were able to streamline production, which in turn expanded the social appeal of card games across Europe.1