UnitedCardists.com - The forum for Cardistry, Magic, Custom Decks and All Things Playing Cards.

Hi all,

I've been collecting playing cards since I first stumbled across the Theory 11 website about 15 years ago. Only about 100 decks so far, but I try to be selective.

I see that many of you are designers or vendors that I'm familiar with, or fellow collectors, so I feel lucky to have found this site!

I'm also a code-based generative artist, and have been using software code to create artwork for a couple decades now. (This is hand-coded stuff, not AI!) I've released a number of collections with Art Blocks and other digital art platforms.

A couple years ago I designed two decks of cards using these same techniques and I'm finally working to get them published as premium decks. So I plan to lurk and ask questions and learn everything I can about playing card publishing! And also to keep up with the best new designs and decks to collect.

Cheers,
Rob
Radix Art

Hello and welcome Rob.

Not too shabby

Thanks! When I designed them I wanted to make sure that even the number cards would be unique. In fact every pip on every number card is different, for example:



Now the challenge is figuring out the best printer, card stock, finish, and so on to make these into really top quality card decks.

Cheers!

radix wrote: ↑Sun Sep 15, 2024 2:49 am ... In fact every pip on every number card is different ...

That is an interesting concept! And dare I say, an original approach to playing card design that I haven't seen yet. It's different from the "every pip is unique because they are hand drawn..." or transformation-type pips. Kudos!

Very interested in seeing the courts!

And oh yeah, welcome to UC!

I love the concept. Hopefully I have a chance to buy a deck someday.

Cartamundi has left the game, and USPCC right now will only do custom orders of eleventy billion or more decks. Your best bet for manufacturers would be MPC or the like for a very small run (but go with their top-of-the-line card stock and finish, or you'll lose a lot of interest), WJPCC (details about them posted elsewhere on this site), or using a broker like Conjuring Arts' Elite Playing Card Company or Lawrence Sullivan's Legends Playing Card Company. I think EndersGame has posted an exhaustive exploration of the different manufacturers, but that information is always changing, and last year's best is this year's out-of-business, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled as new opinions are offered.

Welcome to the UC!

Thanks for the warm welcome!

I might try MPC for some prototype decks first and see how those turn out. Then I'm considering a Kickstarter campaign to see if there's enough interest to justify a WJPCC order, since their minimum is 300 and their reputation seems great.

By the way, I got a response the other day from Cartamundi/USPCC and it seems that they recently got back into the custom playing card business. They provided info about a new Small Press Program where custom deck quantities from 100 - 999 will be printed on a digital press, and quantities 1,000+ will be printed offset. They were not specific about card stock or finish though, so they might not have many options. I don't think a digital press is the best option for a premium playing card project so I haven't followed up for more details.

Maybe to avoid duplication, all posts about the Eccentrics deck should now be in the drafting board thread

viewtopic.php?t=23763

Welcome to the community radix. Very impressive to have the will power/restraint to only go for 100 decks in 15 years. Looking forward to see more from your design.

Honeybee wrote: ↑Wed Sep 18, 2024 7:46 am Maybe to avoid duplication, all posts about the Eccentrics deck should now be in the drafting board thread

viewtopic.php?t=23763

Thanks Honeybee. Good idea!

Harvonsgard wrote: ↑Wed Sep 18, 2024 8:40 am Very impressive to have the will power/retraint to only go for 100 decks in 15 years. Looking forward to see more from your design.

I usually rein myself in because otherwise I know I will binge on decks. But now that I'm planning to make my own, I can tell myself it's all about research, so I've picked up a lot of new decks lately!

I think most people click on the Quick Link - New Posts whenever they open the forum, so covering more than one base is generally just 'work' for the poster

Hey, welcome. I like your deck concept and you seem to have a good eye for colour combinations. Are you planning on having symmetrical card backs? I'm curious which 100 decks caught your fancy over the last 15 years, do you have a Portfolio52 account?

Hi shunterino,

Currently the card backs are one-way, but I'm considering redoing them to add some symmetry and make for a better fan. I'll post in the other thread about it.

And yes, Portfolio52 is great! I have most of my collection listed in my profile now. Still a few to add.

Your proflle link didn't work for me - got a 404 error.

Thanks -- fixed it!