Find your perfect design

January 19, 2024

Boho Tarot Card Style

Boho Tarot Card Style

Design your boho tarot card inspired merch with Kittl

Ever wondered how a tarot design goes from an idea to a beautifully crafted product? Whether it’s a fully illustrated deck, a stunning art print, or even a tarot-inspired tote bag or t-shirt, this mystical aesthetic is more popular than ever. 

Tarot card designs don’t always have to end up as actual tarot decks—the art itself has taken off in merch, print-on-demand shops, and even home decor.

Boho tarot designs have this earthy, free-spirited energy that makes them stand out. Think soft, muted colors, intricate line art, celestial symbols, and organic, nature-inspired details. 

If you love the blend of vintage mysticism and modern, handcrafted vibes, this style is for you.

In this article, we’ll be focusing entirely on bohemian (boho) tarot design—what makes it unique, its key characteristics, and how you can create your own stunning tarot-inspired artwork.

Let’s get started!

PS: If you’re looking for a step-by-step guide, we’ve got you covered! Keep scrolling for a video tutorial that walks through the tarot card design process from start to finish.

Essential elements of Boho aesthetics in tarot cards

Bohemian tarot cards or lovingly known as “boho” tarot cards have this effortless, mystical vibe that makes them feel almost magical. They’re not as structured or bold as traditional tarot decks—think soft, dreamy, and free-spirited with lots of organic elements.

1. Color palette: Earthy, muted, and vintage tones

One of the biggest things that set boho tarot cards apart is the color palette. Instead of bright, high-contrast colors, the vibe is much more earthy and faded, like something you’d find in an old bookshop or a sun-bleached tapestry.

  • Earthy tones – Think warm terracotta, dusty browns, sage greens, and deep ochres
  • Muted pastels – Soft blush, faded lavender, and dusky blues add a delicate, almost ethereal touch
  • Vintage hues – Colors that look slightly aged or desaturated

Pro tip: Want to make your designs feel even more vintage? Try adding a subtle textured overlay or a grain effect to give them that hand-painted, earthy, slightly worn-in look.

2. Illustration features: Hand-drawn, celestial, and nature-inspired

Boho or Bohemian tarot cards have evolved. It’s not just about the “hippie” look anymore—it’s now this sophisticated mix of earthy, organic textures with high-end design elements. 

Today’s boho aesthetic is softer, more refined, and effortlessly stylish, which is exactly what makes it so interesting for tarot.

Here’s how you can bring that modern touch into your deck:

  • Fine, delicate line art rather than heavy, bold illustrations.
  • Textures that feel organic and lived-in—soft gradients, subtle grain overlays, or natural paper effects.
  • Minimalist but meaningful symbols that replace traditional tarot iconography with something more abstract and interpretive.

It’s about capturing energy rather than perfect precision, so don’t be afraid to let your lines flow naturally!

3. Typography: Free-spirited and artisanal fonts

Now, let’s talk about fonts. A boho tarot card design needs typography that feels just as magical and organic as the illustrations. Nothing too stiff or corporate-looking—keep it soft, vintage, and a little artsy.

Some great font styles for this look:

  • Elegant serif fonts – Something with a classic, old-world feel (think vintage book covers).
  • Handwritten scripts – Loosely structured cursive or calligraphy fonts that feel naturally imperfect.
  • Decorative or boho-inspired fonts – Subtle embellishments like swashes, dots, or textured strokes to add personality.

Or, if you decide that you’d like your style to be like Duda’s, you could incorporate some retro fonts as your card text.

The key is to keep it balanced—you want your text to enhance the design, not overpower it. Since boho tarot cards tend to have a lot of illustration work, a clean but slightly quirky font is usually the best bet.

Finding inspiration for your Boho tarot card designs

Duda’s design is boho with a preppy-retro twist, but the techniques she uses can be easily adapted to a more traditional boho style.

As demonstrated in the video, you can tell that designing a boho tarot deck isn’t just about making something look pretty—it’s about blending traditional tarot symbolism with a free-spirited, artistic touch. 

Whether it’s for yourself, a client, or a shop, finding the right inspiration will help your designs feel intentional and meaningful.Let’s jump into some creative ways to spark ideas for your deck!

1. Exploring traditional tarot decks and their symbolism

Imagine a client comes to you asking for a custom tarot card design, maybe for a personal deck or a print-on-demand project. They say they want it to have a boho feel—soft, organic, a little mystical. You’re pumped. 

But then they throw in, “Oh, and can you make sure the symbolism is accurate?”

That’s where knowing your classic tarot decks comes in. Before you even think about sketching your first card, you need to understand how tarot works, how symbolism plays a role, and why certain imagery has been used for centuries. 

You wouldn’t design a wedding invitation without knowing the couple’s names, right? The same goes for tarot—the meaning is everything.

Why classic tarot matters for designers

If you want your deck to feel authentic (even if you’re putting a boho spin on it), you need to study the greats. 

The Rider-Waite-Smith deck, created in 1909 by Arthur Edward Waite and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith, is basically the blueprint for modern tarot. Most interpretations today are based on this deck, so it’s a solid foundation.

When studying classic decks, pay attention to:

  • Character postures & expressions – How figures are posed and where their gaze is directed can change the entire feel of a card. The Fool, for example, is always looking upward, symbolizing optimism and trust in the unknown.
  • Common symbolic elements – Swords, cups, pentacles, wands—these suits carry deep meaning. A sword isn’t just a sword; it represents intellect and conflict. The same goes for celestial elements like the sun (positivity, clarity) and the moon (mystery, intuition).
  • Color meanings – Even colors aren’t just decorative. In classic tarot, yellow often represents enlightenment (think The Sun card), while blue is linked to wisdom and spirituality (like The High Priestess). When designing, your color choices should be intentional.
  • The Fool’s journey – This isn’t just a fun story arc—it’s the structure of tarot. The Major Arcana cards (like The Magician, The Lovers, and The Tower) tell a universal story of growth, challenge, and transformation. If you’re designing a tarot deck from scratch, you’ll want to think about how your designs visually reflect this journey.

Bottom line? If you want your tarot designs to have soul, start with the classics. Then, once you know the rules—break them beautifully.

2. Incorporating Bohemian art influences and contemporary trends

One of the best things about bohemian design is its fearless mix of patterns, textures, and cultural influences. It’s not about rigid structure or perfect symmetry—it’s about flow, movement, and personality.

Think mandalas, paisley designs, and tribal patterns layered into your tarot card backgrounds or frames. You could weave in hand-drawn celestial elements, vintage botanicals, or even ornamental motifs inspired by different artistic traditions. The best boho tarot decks feel like they’ve been crafted by a wandering mystic, collecting inspiration from around the world.

According to Modern Boho Decor, bohemian aesthetics thrive on intentional mismatching—a blend of old and new, structured and freeform, ornate and minimal. 

This concept applies beautifully to tarot design, where you can play with contrast—maybe pairing intricate, vintage linework with dreamy, watercolor washes or modern minimalism with hand-drawn textures.

And if you are having trouble to start your design, we have some templates (including some sassy ones!) to get you started:

If you're designing a tarot deck and want it to feel both deeply mystical and artistically unique, blending traditional tarot symbolism with boho aesthetics is the way to go. 

A lot of tarot decks stick to their historic roots—and while there’s nothing wrong with that, adding a bohemian flair can breathe new life into your designs. 

Boho is all about free-spirited creativity, so why not infuse that same energy into your tarot cards?

Selling your Boho tarot card designs

So, you’ve created a stunning boho tarot-inspired designs—now what? Whether you’re looking to sell physical decks, digital versions, or tarot-inspired merch, there are plenty of ways to turn your art into a business. 

1. Selling physical tarot decks

If you want to print and sell your tarot cards, platforms like Etsy, Shopify, and print-on-demand (POD) services make it easy to get your designs in front of buyers.

  • Etsy is perfect for reaching a niche audience of tarot enthusiasts looking for indie decks.
  • Shopify allows you to create your own online storefront and have full control over branding.
  • POD services like MakePlayingCards.com or TheGameCrafter.com let you print decks on demand, so you don’t have to manage inventory.

Before listing your deck, consider how it will be printed. Will you go for a matte or glossy finish? Rounded or sharp edges? Will your deck include a guidebook? These little details matter and can elevate your product.

2. Offering digital tarot decks for instant downloads

Selling digital tarot cards is another great way to reach customers who prefer printable or mobile-friendly versions. You can sell downloadable high-resolution files for people to print at home or use in digital tarot readings.

  • Etsy and Gumroad are great platforms for selling digital downloads.
  • Include high-quality PNGs or PDFs formatted for standard tarot card dimensions.
  • Offer bonus design assets like tarot card backs, spread layouts, or themed printable journals.

3. Collaborating with indie tarot readers and spiritual influencers

One of the best ways to get your deck noticed is through collaborations. Tarot readers, spiritual influencers, and content creators love sharing unique decks with their followers—and that could be yours!

  • Reach out to tarot readers on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube who showcase indie decks.
  • Offer to send a free deck in exchange for a review or an unboxing video.
  • Partner with readers who do personal tarot readings and offer them a commission for using and promoting your deck.

4. Branding and packaging for a handcrafted, boutique look

Boho tarot decks thrive on aesthetics—so don’t stop at the cards.

Your branding and packaging can make a huge difference in how people perceive your deck.

  • Use eco-friendly packaging like recycled kraft boxes, linen pouches, or wax-sealed envelopes for that artisan feel.
  • Create a mini-guidebook or booklet with tarot meanings and your design inspiration.
  • Add personal touches like handwritten thank-you notes or small freebies (like stickers or an art print).

Boho tarot card-inspired design tips for success

Before you hit publish on your shop, here are some last-minute tips to make sure your boho tarot deck is ready for the world.

1. Avoid common design mistakes

Nothing ruins a tarot deck faster than overcrowded elements or poor readability.

When designing your cards, ask yourself:

  • Is the imagery clear? Tarot card designs are meant to be read quickly, so avoid overwhelming details.
  • Is the text legible? Choose fonts that match the boho aesthetic but are still easy to read.
  • Does the design flow well across the deck? If you create a group of merch from the same "deck," keep a consistent style so every merch feels like part of a cohesive set.

2. Test your designs with mockups and sample prints

Don’t just assume your tarot-inspired design will print perfectly—test it out! Order a sample print to see how your colors, textures, and details translate to physical form.

And if you’re thinking of expanding your designs beyond tarot cards, Kittl has built-in mockups for tote bags, t-shirts, and more. Imagine your tarot art on a boho-inspired tote or a mystical tee—perfect for creating an entire collection of spiritual, aesthetic products.

3. Engage with the tarot and art community

Your tarot-inspired merch won’t sell itself—so get involved in the community!

  • Join Facebook groups or Reddit threads for indie tarot creators.
  • Post your work-in-progress designs on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok to build hype.
  • Run giveaways or pre-orders to generate excitement before your launch.

Tarot lovers appreciate thoughtfully designed decks and merch. When you connect with the community, you create a loyal audience that’s excited to support your work.

Bringing your Boho tarot card style to life

Designing boho tarot cards is more than just creating beautiful art—it’s about blending symbolism, spirituality, and free-spirited creativity into a design that resonates. 

You can create a full tarot deck, sell digital downloads, or use your tarot-inspired designs for merch - it's totally up to you, and the possibilities are endless.

By exploring traditional tarot symbolism, embracing bohemian influences, and using modern tools like Kittl’s tarot card templates, you can bring your vision to life with ease. 

And if you're looking for a seamless way to create professional tarot designs, Kittl has everything you need—from ready-to-edit templates to mockups for stickers, posters, and more.

So why wait? Get our best price and start designing your boho tarot card in Kittl today!