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And hey Lotrek, have a fantastic year
Thanks, PurpleIce!
I'm glad you mentioned the Vanity Fair deck because that was the one vintage deck I was referring to that I could not remember for some reason.
Also, to add to the list, here are some of my favorite fully customized decks. They have custom courts and different pips in addition to a custom back and tuck, but unlike the ones I've previously listed, they don't have 54 unique illustrations (I hope that makes sense to you).
Aurum by Encarded (Paul Carpenter)
- Intricate, detailed, continuous, and symmetrical line work on both the backs and faces of each card.
- custom die cut on tuck box
- gold foil and embossing
- redrawn perfectly imperfect courts
Deco by Encarded
- detailed Deco pattern on face cards
- metallic inks on both cards and tuck box
- foil on inside of tuck box
Federal 52 series by Jackson Robinson
- custom courts inspired by U.S. currency
- intricate line work on faces of non court cards
- foil and embossing on tuck box
- print on inside of tuck box
Couple more to check out:
- Tendril by Encarded
- Sherlock Holmes series by Jackson Robinson
- Bohemia by Uusi
- Royal Optik by Uusi
- Pagan by Uusi
- White Rabbit by Albino Dragon
- Call of the Cthulhu by Albino Dragon
- Synthesis by Albino Dragon
- Call of the Cthulhu: The Writhing Dark by Shane Tyree
- Steampunk Cthulhu by Nat Iwata
- Elves and Orcs by Nat Iwata
- Steampunk Pirates by Nat Iwata
- Grid by 4PM Designs
- Grid 2.0 by 4PM Designs
- The Black Book of Cards by Uncommon Beat
All of the above were Kickstarter projects. At the moment it's difficult for me to think of any from Dan & Dave, The Blue Crown, Theory 11, Ellusionist, or CARC that are fully custom. I think maybe Animal Kingdom by Theory11?
Funding would be an issue if it was just a "Discourse deck." A joint venture seems more appropriate, perhaps with 52+ fans, PCF fans and fans of Lee Asher's magic, it could get done.
The last forum deck here was a failure because of, like Don said, too many cooks in the kitchen. It was a member's collab effort, and went down the drain as a result of every member having vastly different artistic skill.
The last forum deck to get funded wasn't even really funded, it got about half way before receiving the other half of its funding in one lump pledge. Maybe it was self-funded or maybe there was just one guy who wanted thousands of decks, but either way we can't rely on that kind of luck.
Decks that don't go "viral" (and this one certainly won't, since it would be by the members, for the members) must rely on proper marketing. I hate to say it, but it would be easier to get a shitty deck made with great marketing, than an amazing deck made with poor marketing.
So before all else, I think we should have a discussion about exactly how we will find the numbers needed to accomplish this.
A 2500 deck run seems most appropriate, and I love the idea of mixing vintage with modern. However, could we get a unique feel for the cards? The best thing about vintage decks from the 60s-80s is their handling.
I agree with all of your points. As far as marketing and making things viral, I think we could get a blank deck funded on Kickstarter tomorrow with some of the potential names that could be attached to the project. Not to mention the word-of-mouth factor would be exceptional. If we look at playing cards on kickstarter, I would be shocked to see any deck started by the group of people on this forum and 52+ Joker not be successful, even if it was a run of 5000 decks.
I haven't done it before, true, but I would be happy to take the reigns on the marketing effort.
I think the more groups you bring into the "collaboration" the more "cooks" you have so I think it would be best just to pick one group. But honestly it doesn't matter what group is doing as long as it is well designed deck all collectors would want it.
Unfortunately your not going to get a 60s-80s feel as those days are dead and gone. You will either get a USPC deck or non USPC deck and even with the USPC decks its all but a crap shoot. Theres tons of talk about "i like the handling of this, I don't of this deck" when theres really no difference in the production, or what you have control of. So much of what people "like" about the handling is a random factor of who ever is running the presses the day your cards are printed and if they are in a good mood or not.
I disagree about having to have marketing. If you make well designed deck and keep the run low you will get it funded. 9 out of the 10 decks I see fail not because they didn't have a marketing plan but fail because they are just flat out crappy decks.
Also if yo design a great deck it will reach past just the members of the group and be wanted by all card collectors because it is a great deck.
Can't stop fiddling around with these cards. I received about a brick and half of cards from different places today and these are my favorites. The only downside was that one of my decks had a crashed corner. And I've absolutely fallen in love with the Queen of Hearts. Stunning artwork!
You wouldn't happen to have any uncuts available still would you, Lotrek?
).
Very good and useful post, Jackson!
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Although I know that packaging etc can be hell, I wish I could do that myself... But then I should charge each deck $30. Either to cover the cost of importing the decks to Greece and resending them, or to cover the cost of me and my wife traveling to the States in order to prepare the packages there!
Actually, a trip to the US isn't as crazy as it sounds, assuming you and your wife can get the time off from work... I'm guessing that the math could work out in your favor, especially if you arranged shipping to a nice, inexpensive locale. You could work out of the hotel, maybe arrange for the use of a small meeting room for a few days... Just figure out the cost of the trip versus the cost of importing the decks into Greece and exporting them back out a piece at a time by mail...
Then, sir, I present you with a CHALLENGE. Create a steampunk (or gearpunk, dieselpunk, pick-your-alternate-history-variant-punk, etc.) deck design that:
a) doesn't say the name of the genre ANYWHERE on the cards or the tuckbox (nor in the KS campaign, should you actually decide to produce it),
b) does NOT use gears in the design unless they're presented as working parts of an actual machine rather than ornaments, clothing accessories, wall hangings, etc., and
c) is absolutely gorgeous, a pleasure to look at and to use, a fantastic blend of form and function.
Okay then! AGREED!
But in the end of the day I can substitute these three words with two other words: "bad design"
p.s. On the other hand it could be interesting to see steampunk playing cards from Lotrek
Steampunk is a style that I love and normally I'd like to do a Steampunk deck. It's just so worn out...
Well this is awkward...
