Why were the first European playing cards luxury goods?

When playing cards first appeared in Europe during the 1370s, they were considered luxury goods primarily because they were hand-painted. This labor-intensive production method made them expensive items reserved for the wealthy, such as royalty and the upper classes. For instance, records from the court of King Charles VI of France document a significant payment made to an artist for painting a custom deck of cards for the king's amusement.1

The status of playing cards as luxury items only began to change in the early 15th century with the invention of wood-block printing, which significantly lowered production costs. This shift was furthered in the 1480s by the use of stencils to apply designs, making cards more accessible to a broader segment of society. Before these technological advancements, the high cost of individual artistry ensured that card playing remained an exclusive pastime for the elite.1