Tips from El Mercado

Everything for a card that comes out beautifully — the photo, the name, the print, and the party.

📸 The photo is everything

The photo you upload guides the result. Mi Lotería works with what appears in the frame, so give it a clear view:

One clear star. Your dog, your abuela, your taco truck — one subject per card beats a distant crowd.
Fill the frame. Get close: when the star takes up most of the photo, the card captures their personality. Waist-up portraits come out beautifully.
Good light. Natural daylight is ideal. Skip dark, blurry, or heavily filtered shots.
Groups: everyone visible. If several people or pets appear, leave enough room for every face to be seen clearly.
The details that make you you. Glasses, a mustache, a lucky cap — if it's part of the character, make sure it shows.

Want to see what to expect? Browse example cards made from real photos.

Classic cards have short names full of character: El Gallo, La Dama, El Valiente. Follow the tradition:

Try El or La. “El Firulais” can give your card a classic feel, but the name is always yours.
Short and punchy. One or two words letter best inside the card frame.
Nicknames win. The family nickname always beats the birth-certificate name.

Download in high resolution. Every card downloads print-ready with its artwork, frame, and name.
Heavy paper. 250–300 gsm cardstock with a matte finish feels like the real cards and survives many game nights.
Traditional size. Classic cards measure roughly 2.4 × 4 inches — though postcard size looks amazing on a wall.
Full game. Select 27, 46, or 54 cards and Mi Lotería will generate 10 randomized 4×4 playing boards plus printable copies of your selected cards.

For a Lotería game night, all you need is someone to announce the cards, the playing boards, and a handful of markers.

Appoint a cantor. The best caller never says the name — they sing a riddle ("The one who sang for San Pedro!") and let players guess.
Charming markers. Pinto beans, bottle caps, or corn kernels — tradition always wins.
Small prizes, big laughs. Candy, a ridiculous trophy, or bragging rights until the next round.
With your own people on the cards, the game becomes something else — nobody forgets shouting ¡Lotería! on top of tía's card.