Deck View: Amethyst JAQK (Limited Edition) Playing Cards

Winery. Quality. Breathtaking.

The Amethyst Edition of the timeless JAQK Playing Cards is truly breathtaking! The deck is based on artwork created by an award-winning winery in Napa Valley and produced by theory11. With no surprise, the first four editions of JAQK Cellars (red, blue, black and metallic blue) were sold out quickly!

The Amethyst JAQK features a gorgeous custom tuck case with imported French paper, metallic foil and blind-embossed accents across the surface. With 52 custom faces and 12 stunning, custom court cards, they combine distinctive design with the peerless quality of the United States Playing Card Company.

The deep purple design comes with ultra-thin borders, with a flawless feel and durable finish. A deck that is as beautiful as it is functional, JAQK Cellars Playing Cards are a true work of art. Available at JP Games.

Theory11 Releases JAQK Rosé Edition Playing Cards!

It's been a while! Theory11 last released the timeless JAQK's was 3 years ago with the Amethyst JAQK Playing Cards. Today, Theory11 released the beautiful Rose JAQKs for $12.95 on theory11.com. The JAQKs are one of my favorite playing card series, and the pink metallic pink foil resembles a sparkling glass of rosé and is truly classy!

Like the previous five editions, the deck features a gorgeous custom tuck case with blind-embossed accents across the surface create a 3D texture around the box that feels just as luxurious as it looks, along with chic silver foil detailing. Fully custom, the court cards are designed from scratch, with regal, elegant and intricate illustrations.

 

The eye-catching pink design comes with ultra-thin borders, with a flawless feel and durable finish. A deck that is as beautiful as it is functional, JAQK Cellars Playing Cards are a true work of art!

This intoxicating edition of JAQK Cellars Playing Cards is only available for purchase for 24 hours - or while supplies last! These are Limited Edition, and won’t ever be printed again. The last edition sold out in record time! Available now on theory11.com.

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JAQK Red Edition Playing Cards

The JAQK Signature Deck combines the distinctive JAQK design with the peerless quality of one of the world's most respected playing card manufacturers—the same one that makes the cards used in casinos and poker tournaments around the world - The United States Playing Card Company.

JAQK Cellars Red Edition features a gorgeous custom tuck case with metallic foils and imported French paper. All 54 cards are original art. Both jokers, which are different colors, and all the card faces including court cards are unique to this deck. These cards are unique and gorgeous. For example, the court cards feature a different grape-related theme for each. The suit pips are printed in a classy two-tone red for the hearts and diamonds and black/charcoal for the spades and clubs. Elegantly designed and easy on the eyes.

The surprising thing about this deck is the handling. It handles really well! Shuffling, dribbles and fans are done with ease. The smoothness adds to the quality finish of this deck which makes this deck really versatile for magic, card flourishing, or even just a game of poker.

This deck is sure to draw compliments every time the cards are dealt.

Pros: 
- Elegantly designed without sacrificing aesthetics
- Unique custom court cards
- Gorgeous eye-catching box
- Versatile deck

Cons: 
- Expensive

Overall: 
- 5/5

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News: Of Blue JAQK and Blood KINGS

Two new releases from the big guys this week, the JAQK Blue Edition Playing Cards by Theory11 and Blood KINGS Playing Cards by Ellusionist.

Image from Theory11.com

The JAQK Playing Cards are one of my favourite playing card series. It features a gorgeous custom tuck case with imported French paper and metallic foil, custom face cards and 12 stunning custom court cards. The new edition features striking metallic cobalt blue and silver foil, detailed embossing & crisp design and ultra-thin borders, with a flawless feel and durable finish. A deck that is as beautiful as it is functional, JAQK Cellars Playing Cards are a true work of art. Available from theory11.com

Image from @ellusionist

Not yet released by Ellusionist, JP Playing Cards leaked some images of Blood KINGS last week. The popular KINGS series is a collaboration between Daniel Madison and Peter McKinnon. Like it's predecessors, the blood KINGS is embellished with the iconic KINGS crossed-weapons gold foiled on the striking minimalistic tuck. Available as pre-order from JP Playing Cards.

Deck View: Black JAQK (Limited Edition) Playing Cards

Winery. Quality. Breathtaking. 

This beautiful, one-of-a-kind deck is based on artwork created by an award winning winery in Napa Valley and produced by the wizards at theory11. With no surprise, the first two editions of JAQK Cellars (red and blue) were sold out in less than 72 hours! The Black will be the third edition but unlike its predecessors, it features a brand new stock, feel and finish.

The Black JAQK features a gorgeous custom tuck case with imported French paper and metallic black foil. With 52 custom faces and 12 stunning, custom court cards, they combine distinctive design with the peerless quality of the United States Playing Card Company.

Beautiful as it is functional, the JAQK playing cards are a collector's item that will draw compliments every time the cards are cut. Available at JP Games.

Deck View: JAQK (Rosé Edition) Playing Cards

Classy. Limited. Sweet.

The JAQK Rosé Edition Playing Cards by Theory11 features pink metallic pink foil resembles a sparkling glass of rosé. This is the fifth deck in the series and comes with a gorgeous custom tuck case with blind-embossed accents across the surface to create a 3D texture around the box, along with chic silver foil detailing.

Inside, the cards are fully custom, and the court cards are designed from scratch, with regal, elegant and intricate illustrations. The eye-catching pink card back design comes with ultra-thin borders. A deck that is as beautiful as it is functional, JAQK Cellars Playing Cards are a true work of art!

News: Theory11 Releases JAQK Amethyst Edition Playing Cards

THREE new releases from Theory11 last week and this one is the one that got me most excited! The Amethyst Edition of the timeless JAQK Playing Cards. The JAQKs is one of my favorite playing card series, and the striking purple is truly breathtaking.

Like the last four editions, the deck features a gorgeous custom tuck case with imported French paper, metallic foil and blind-embossed accents across the surface. Fully custom, the court cards are designed from scratch, with regal, elegant and intricate illustration.

The deep purple design comes with ultra-thin borders, with a flawless feel and durable finish. A deck that is as beautiful as it is functional, JAQK Cellars Playing Cards are a true work of art.

Kardify Magazine issue 64 NOW on Patreon!

Kardify Magazine issue 64 is NOW on Patreon! Patrons who pledged $3 or more will be able to download the latest issue from our Patreon page. This issue compiles selected articles published from mid-August to mid-September. Deck images, articles, and news to keep you informed and up-to-date with the latest playing card news, releases, and previews. If you love playing cards, you will love Kardify Magazine!

Also, don’t forget to check out our other cool reward tiers on Patreon! The tiers include monthly desktop and smartphone wallpapers, a mystery deck shipped to you every 4 months of ongoing contribution, social media shout-outs, and multiple sponsorship tiers! Check it out!

Funds received from the magazine will help us keep the site running and growing, and bring new quality content to you. Our aim is to support designers by backing crowdfunded projects and supporting magic and playing cards retailers with their new releases. If you want to support us, please head over to our Patreon page. If you have an idea for an article you would like us to pursue, do get in contact with us. We hope you enjoy the read. In this issue:   

+ Black Requiem Counterspell: Have a look at the special edition of the Requiem deck by Lorenzo Gaggiotti with fully custom artwork and features darkness and pain as a theme.

+ The Secret Tale of Robin Hood: A fully custom luxury playing cards with unique art design and stories about legends that have never been told before… this time featuring Robin Hood.

+ Wizard of Oz: Kings Wild‘s Wonderful Wizard of Oz playing cards brings the enchanting story to life, updated with a more classical look and redesigned tuck box.

+ Piracy: Check out Peter McKinnon X Theory11 collab deck with fully custom fonts, suits, Jokers, Court Cards, and Aces dripped in gold and silver foil.

+ CardCon: Be a part of history at Bicycle Cards’ first-ever CardCon this October! Find out more about this exclusive experience dedicated to celebrating a collective love of cards.

+ Bicycle Apocalypse: Two years in the making, this intriguing 3-deck series by TCC features the dark art style of Sam Hayles, known for his popular Karnival series. Find out more!

+ Coco Palms: An exciting new deck concept from Organic Playing Cards featuring calming sky blue/brown colorway with recognizable semi-custom court cards!

+ JAQK Rose: Check out the fifth deck in the highly sought-after JAQK playing cards series that comes with a gorgeous custom tuck case and beautiful artwork within.

… and more! 48 pages of articles and deck images. Enjoy!

Top 12: Playing Card Decks to Start Your Collection

Where do you start? The custom playing cards market has boomed over the past year, investment in crowd-funded decks has surged and new playing card designs and concepts are pushing the boundaries of the simple constraints of one tuck x four suits x thirteen cards.

No doubt, there are an incredible number of amazing decks out there and each deck is unique In its own way! So, how do you start your collection?  How do you know which decks to use for your stylish cardistry video? How do you impress your poker buddies at the weekly meet-up?

In the first of the Top 12 series, we’ve collated 12 of our favorite custom decks to start you off on this new adventure. The playing cards featured below are readily available and reasonably affordable. As this series progresses, we will cover decks that are slightly harder to get and a little more expensive.

Enjoy the selection below. Difficulty scale from easy (1) to difficult (5). If you have one that we haven't discovered. Do feel free to share.

12. Republic #2

Republic #2 is the second release in the Republic brand from The Ellusionist Playing Card Co. The clean and simplistic theme & layout draws the eye and makes fan and colour changes stand-out! Everything about Republic #2 has been distilled to deliver a pure experience.

Difficulty: 1
Price: $6.99

11. Bicycle Pluma

Designed and printed by the United States Playing Card Co, the Pluma Deck features a blend of tribal and avian imagery, and is an updated version of a historic plate in the Bicycle archives. Available in blue and brown which plays off each other in an allusion to earth and sky. Original artwork on the tuck, card back and the Ace of Spades.

Difficulty: 1
Price: $3.99

10. Artifice

Another fascinating deck from Ellusionist Playing Card Co, the Artifice deck was developed with the relentless fascination of deception, dexterity and the dark psychology of the word Artifice itself. The  Artifice radiates quality with classy design and commands attention.

Difficulty: 1
Price: $6.99

 9. Fulton's Clip Joint

From the classy guys at Dan and Dave, the Fulton's Clip Joint Playing Cards celebrate our fascination with cinema, history, and the art of the grift. Inspired by vintage Los Angeles and Film Noir, Fulton's captures a time and place where men were men, women were dames, and the next deal could be your last. The playing cards are beautifully encased in a linen box with embossed ornaments and foil stamping.

Difficulty: 1
Price: $6.95

8. Seven Seas

Stunning deck by Brainvessel! This 54 Card deck is about the dichotomy of a life at sea, featuring famous ships, sailors, explorers, pirates, privateers, ghost ships and the dangers and monstrous creatures!

Difficulty: 1
Price: $20.00

7. Black JAQK

A breathtaking masterpiece from Theory11, the JAQK Cellars Black Edition features a gorgeous custom tuck case with imported French paper and metallic black foil. With 52 custom faces and 12 stunning, custom court cards, combining distinctive design with the peerless quality of the USPCC.

Difficulty: 2
Price: $6.95

 6. Virtuoso Spring/Summer 2014

Nothing pushes a deck of playing cards to its limits like card flourishing. That's why the Virts created the Virtuoso deck — the only deck designed for the art of card flourishing. The Virtuoso deck's back design visually amplifies the art from swirling, strobing and connecting according to each individual's movements and displays.

Difficulty: 1
Price: $9.95

5. Artisans

Illustrated by hand in South Africa, Artisans are in a league of their own. A breathtaking mix of elegance, style, and sophistication. Produced by Theory11, these premium, luxury playing cards feature elegant gold foil hot stamped onto ultra-lux black paper derived from sustainable forests.

Difficulty: 1
Price: $6.95

4. Curator

Talented artist Emmanuel Jose has created every element of the Curator Deck entirely by hand. One card a week. No digital software, or pen and ink. Every design was painstakingly crafted out of paper. Known as a "transformation" deck, this style of art has been around for years. The entire deck has a black, white, and red theme, which extends to the striking minimalist tuck box.

Difficulty: 2
Price: $11.95

3. Misc. Goods Co. 3rd Edition

Created and designed byTyler Deeb the 3rd edition deck features new typography, icons and artwork details. Completely custom designed from front to back to be familiar but still completely new.

Difficulty: 1
Price: $15.00

2. Silver Split Spades

A beautiful instalment of the widely collected Split Spade series. The tuck features embossing and silver foil stamping. The cards themselves feature perfectly balanced metallic inks on both sides. Designed uncompromisingly for performance and style, these are one of the best and the most practical deck in the market.

Difficulty: 1
Price: $20.00 (for minimum qty of 2)

1. Silver Certificate 

The Silver Certificate deck is the third deck released in the popular Federal 52 series. Inspired by US Silver Certificate Bank notes of the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Silver Certificate deck features new, hand-drawn renditions of the presidents and other key figures found on US currency. Comes with an individually number holographic seal on the outside of the cellophane wrapper.

Difficulty: 2
Price: $30.00

News: Theory11 Announced BLACK JAQK for Black Friday

Theory11 (@theory11) just announced on social media yet another recolored a Limited Edition BLACK JAQK for Black Friday. This is one of the four 'new' releases scheduled for 11/29 at 11:00am EST.

I personally don't mind another iteration of the JAQKs. There's something elegant about this deck; the gorgeous tuck case with the metallic foils, the unique court cards with different grape-related theme for each suits and the eye-catching designed pips!

Can't wait!

Limited Edition JAQK Rosé Playing Cards

This Shorts spotlight episode features Theory11's limited edition JAQK Rosé Playing Cards. This elegant deck features striking pink colorway, and blind-embossed accents across the front of the luxurious tuck box. Find out more in the video below and don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE (YouTube: kardify)! 

 

News: The Best Black Friday Deals 2017

Black Friday 2017 is now only a few sleeps away – and deals for savvy collectors, cardists and magicians have already started appearing – including from Bicycle Cards, Thirdway Industries... to name just a few.

We're working hard to bring you the best Black Friday deals around the globe, from the most reputable retailers, as soon as they’re announced. So bookmark this page for selected deals or head to our new site tuckcase.com, where we collate all the deals in one easy to browse site, to help you find bargains and save. Happy bargain hunting!

Here's our handpicked range of standout Black Friday deals that have caught our eye:

+ Bicycle Cards: 20% discount with coupon code: FRIDAY2017
+ Thirdway Industries: Free shipping and discounts on EVERYTHING with coupon code: BLACKFRIDAY17
+ House of Playing Cards: 50% discount for the popular GREEN and PINK NOC Sports- now $4.00 per deck.
+ David Blaine: 25% off all items on David Blaine's store on Black Friday.
+ Stockholm17: Free Items with selected purchase. Free worldwide shipping (with tracking).
+ Joker & the Thief: 25% off storewide.
+ Origins Playing Cards: 15% discount on every purchase with coupon code: BLACK18
+ Theory11: Spend $50+ and get a FREE deck of Rarebit Gold. Spend $75+ and get a deck of Blue JAQK. Spend $100+ subtotal and get a deck of GOLD MONARCHS.
+ Art of Play: 20% Off Storewide.
+ Dan and Dave: Save up to 30% off. Spend $75 and get a FREE Collector’s Pin. Spend $150 and get a FREE Private Reserve.
+ PlayingCardDecks.com: 30% Off Storewide!
+ Ellusionist: FREE worldwide shipping, new products, and the wristband game is back!
+ The Blue Crown: NOCs 9 Pack for $35!

News: Theory11 In Partnership With (Red) Releases The (PRODUCT)RED Playing Cards

Theory11 in partnership with (RED) in the fight to end AIDS, has released the (PRODUCT)RED Playing Cards on Black Friday, their third and final release after the Amethyst JAQK and SNL Playing Cards.

As the name suggests, the deck spots a striking deep red colorway and features a simplistic tuck hot-stamped with a layer of white foil, blind embossed and sealed with a black stamp.

The face cards are standard and the card backs are minimalistic, which is exclusively licensed by The Blue Crown's Alex Pandrea. The Ace of Spades and Jokers are custom.

According to Theory11's product page, each deck of (PRODUCT)RED Playing Cards can provide up to three days of life-saving HIV medication. This medication not only keeps someone living with HIV healthy but also prevents moms from passing the virus to their unborn babies. For every purchase of (PRODUCT)RED Playing Cards, $1 will go to (RED)’s fight against AIDS.

Available now from Theory11.com for $9.95.

News: Black Friday New Releases

As the dust settles from the mad rush of Black Friday, here's a quick look at the new releases by the big boys:

The Blue Crown 

Black NOC Deck - I am not a big fan of minimalist card design but this deck looks attractive in a subtle way. Very elegant, simple and very bold. The NOC tuck box yet has been rendered in pure Black & White. The Ace of Spades and Jokers carries a minimalistic design. The faces and court cards are standard.

The Conjuring Arts Research Center

Exquisite Decks - Two editions were released, the  Ultra Rare Red edition which back design is the reversal of the original 1895 artwork and printed in a deep, rich metallic red. The unique sideways tuck is foil stamped on all sides. This deck comes in a custom Pack Jacket made only for this deck and release and not for sale separately.  The second is the worker edition of this deck is made of the original back design (not reversed), printed in metallic blue and it also has a sideways tuck completely done in a beautiful blue foil. Bought this without thinking twice.

Legend v2 Deck - The very popular Legend v2 decks were sold out in less that 3 hours of release. Printed in an exclusive metallic black, only 800 were available for sale.

DnD 
Bruce Lee Playing Cards - Been following the teaser that DnD posted over the past week. For me, another disappointing release by the twins. The tuck looks promising... but that was it. The backs are one way replica of Fultons Chinatown and courts + aces are... non-existent.

Ellusionist None - Surprisingly no new releases from the big E.

Theory11 
Black JAQK - Love the JAQKs and the strong social media marketing made this a winner. No brainer for me... grabbed a few of these babies!

Medallions Playing Cards - Teased by Theory11 just a few days before the release. Beautiful and detailed tuck with a very elegant Victorian era feel. Was a little let down but the average looking courts... but that didn't stop me from adding them to my cart.

Designers: Encarded's Paul Carpenter

Name: Paul Carpenter
Age: 36
Location: Sarasota, FL
Career title: Creative Director at an internet development firm, Founder of Encarded
Company: Encarded Custom Playing Cards
Years In Design: 20+
Years Designing Playing Cards: 2
Playing Card Decks Created: Tendril, Aurum
Upcoming Project: Deco (printing July 2013)
Favorite Playing Card Decks: I have a lot, but a few that come to mind are Seasons, JAQK, Curator, Artisans, and Bohemia
Website: www.encarded.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/encarded
Twitter: www.twitter.com/encarded

In just 2 years, Paul Carpenter has carved out a nice section for himself in the playing card industry with his company Encarded. Paul has designed and brought to market not only custom playing card decks with unmatched design but collector's items and playing card accessories of the same caliber. In March 2012 on Kickstarter, Paul raised over $40K or 200% of the original goal when he launched his company's first deck, Tendril. Tendril eventually paved the way for Encarded's second and most luxurious deck yet, the mystical "Aurum." The success of Encarded's first two playing card decks lead to the upcoming Deco playing cards, which are set to be released this summer. Deco pays homage to casino-style decks of the past, such as the highly in-demand Jerry's Nugget. Along with playing cards, Paul is also at the forefront of technology, marketing and overall branding strategy when it comes to companies in the industry with Encarded's fully branded e-commerce website and involvement in social media and industry forums.

"I like to pursue new ideas, trying things that other designers might not have thought of. Holding a deck of custom cards in your hands is a wonderfully tactile experience, and I want to bring a little sense of wonder to each deck I make." - Paul Carpenter on playing card design.

Upcoming Project Photos: Deco

2021's Best Black Friday Deals

Black Friday 2021 is just a few days away! Deals for savvy collectors, cardists and magicians have already started appearing – including from Art of Play and Thirdway Industries to Vanishing Inc, King's Wild Project and Cardvo... to name just a few.

We're working hard to bring you the best Black Friday deals from the most reputable retailers around the globe, as soon as they’re announced. So bookmark this page for selected deals or head to tuckcase.com, where we collate all the deals in one easy to browse site, to help you find bargains and save. Happy bargain hunting!

Here's a list of our handpicked range of standout deals that have caught our attention so far:

+ RarePlayingCards: On Sale! 40% off selected decks. Discount automatically applied at check out.

+ 52Kards: 20% Storewide! FREE Mint Deck with orders above $52!

+ Vanishing Inc: Amazing deals, and discounts up to 80% off. Also, Free gifts with every order.

+ Ellusionist: Cash prize, 20% Off, FREE Gifts automatically added to your cart when you spend over $50 and FREE Worldwide Shipping when you spend over $100.

+ Thirdway Industries: Huge discounts and bundles from the Thirdway store. Also use discount code BF2021EARLY for further 5% off.

+ Kovaleski & Co: 20% off available items. Use KANDCO20 at checkout for 20% off.

+ DeckIdea: 15% discount on selected items.

+ 52Wonders: 20% off with coupon code: B20.

+ Official Bicycle Cards: Black Friday 2021 Collector Bundle- Aviary, Dark Mode, Fyrebird, and Sea King for $22.96.

+ Penguin Magic: Pick 5 for $99, Free shipping WORLDWIDE on ALL orders and $600 in free gifts!

+ MPC: Black Friday Week Sale with coupon code: FRIDAY2021

+ Kings Wild: Kings Wild Assorted Brick: $220, Half brick: $120 and Federal 52 set: $75.

+ Wondercraft: Everything is 25% this weekend! Discount taken automatically on lowest listed price. Some discounts up to 50% off!

+ CardCutz: Storewide sale of 25%.

+ MISC Goods Co: 25% Off 12-Pack Sandstone and Cacti Misc Goods Deck.

+ Elletra Deganello Store: Up to 30% off bundles and 10% off selected items.

+ HOPC: ENTIRE HOPC shop is on sale along with 6 NEW decks of cards in 15 different variations.

+ Global Magic Shop: Over 900+ on SALE! Free worldwide shipping over $100.

+ Joker and the Thief: 25% off storewide, Use coupon code: BLACKFRIDAY

+ Card Mafia: 25% Off with coupon code BF25OFF at checkout

+ CollectablePlayingCards: 20% Off Entire Store! Use coupon code BF20 at checkout.

+ Vanda Cards: 50% Off Storewide with coupon code VANDA50.

+ Riffle Shuffle: Up to 35% Off storewide including new Black Friday releases!

+ Cardvo: Up to 60% off selected decks. Also, spend $100 or more and receive a random deck for free!!!

+ BigBearPlayingCards: 30% off selected decks with coupon code: BLACKFRIDAY2021.

+ Decemberboys: Up to 30% off selected items.

+ ElephantPlayingCards: Enjoy 20% off with code: EPCSPECIAL

+ Runitdecks: 700 items on sale at an average discount rate of 35%. Also, 24 special items will be discounted at 90% off, released in random intervals for 24 hours.

+ Socal Playing Cards: 20% off site-wide with discount code: THISSALESSUCKS at checkout.

+ PlayingCardDecks.com: 25% Off Site-Wide with coupon code: BLACK.

+ Fultons: 20% off with coupon code: NOIRFRIDAY.

+ TCC Playing Cards: Free shipping worldwide for orders over $49 and free gift with every order. Coupon code: BF20 for 20% off.

+ Fontaine Cards: 3 Vault Sale: Christmas Miracle, Surprise Restock, and Uncut Sheets.

+ Isolated Thunderstorm: Discounts on selected decks. Also, random free Brick Box for orders of 6 decks or more.

+ Butterfly Playing Cards: 40% OFF Second Edition Butterfly Playing Cards 35% OFF Black Series Unmarked decks 30% OFF Trick decks.

+ Theory11: Free decks when you spend $75 (Gold Artisan), $100 (JAQK Rose) and $150 (Tavern on the Green). 

+ Art of Play: Free gifts when you spend $150, $200 and $250. 

+ ORBIT: 50% off entire site. Discount automatically applied at checkout.

+ X-Decks: Discount with coupon code: GiveBack2021 

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Bebemos Casino Playing Cards by Theory11

Bebemos Casino Playing Cards are a celebration of sun, leisure, and late-’70s California cool. Produced by theory11 in collaboration with San Diego–based tequila brand Bebemos, this beautiful limited edition deck captures the spirit of an era defined by beach culture, golden hours, and effortless freedom.

Born in San Diego and inspired by the laid-back indulgence of the 1970s, the deck blends vintage charm with an upscale, refined finish. Gold, red, and champagne foil accents give the cards a warm, luxurious glow, evoking coastal sunsets and the pursuit of leisure that Bebemos embodies.

Inside the tuck box, the design continues to impress! Each card back features elegant gold foil detailing, paired with fully custom court cards inspired by Bebemos’ visual identity. 

Co-founder Patrick Tracy personally requested the use of the classic JAQK Cellars court style, subtly reworked with new colors and refinements to align with the Bebemos aesthetic. The result is a look that feels both familiar and refreshed, balancing heritage with modern polish.

The card back marks a notable departure from theory11’s usual visual language, leaning into a more timeless, lifestyle-driven design. It also reflects a return to theory11’s roots, answering longtime requests for more original, non–pop culture decks. 

Available NOW on Theory11 for $14.95.

Kickstarter: 7 Questions with David Traina of Borderline Playing Cards

Borderline is a deck of custom playing cards that celebrate the vibrant culture on both sides of the southern border. Created by Traina Design, this lovingly crafted deck showcases bilingual designs that depict the unique culture and colorful characters seen in and around the US/Mexican border.

The face cards of Borderline features 26 unique characters that capture the rich personalities from both sides of the border. Instead of the typical kings, queens and jacks, there are bikers, luchadores, Hollywood starlets, Mexican señoritas, small town sheriffs and federalise.

We caught up with David Traina, President and Creative Director at Traina Design to talk about his company, the inspiration behind the Borderline Playing Cards, the evolution of design of the deck and Kickstarter.

Can you tell us about Traina Design and your design background?
Traina Design is a brand communications firm located in San Diego. We work with visionary companies to emphasize their strengths, establish their voice and build their business. Our clients hail from a variety of different industries and our capabilities span all aspects of customer engagement, from print to video, interactive to advertising, and social to event creative. We thrive on variety. We abhor mediocrity.

I personally started working in advertising at age 15, working summers at a large ad agency in Atlanta. After graduating from BYU, I spent a couple of years working for a small design firm in Provo. Then I moved to Seattle where I spent two years at a renowned annual report firm and three more at a full-service agency. In 2012, I moved to San Diego and not long after launched the business from my home office. Today, Traina consists of 11 full-timers and an army of contractors and partner vendors.

This is your first Kickstarter Project. Why Kickstarter?
There are two reasons why we chose to crowd fund - finances and curiosity. First, producing a deck of this quality through USPC, with its elaborate, copper foil embossed box and custom-illustrated face cards, isn’t cheap. We need the support of fellow designers and playing card enthusiasts to make this dream a reality. The second reason is pure curiosity. We've had friends launch Kickstarter campaigns, but have never been through the process ourselves. We felt that Borderline was a perfect match for Kickstarter's format, and it has been a labor of love from the beginning.

What is your inspiration behind Borderline Playing Cards? How did you come up with the idea?
For years we've wanted to design a deck of playing cards. Late last year we saw our opportunity. We tossed around dozens of ideas over the course of several weeks and finally, as we stood around our ping-pong table brainstorming one day, the idea sprouted. We decided to create a deck that features the amazing cultural heritage right in our backyard. The "mirror-image" nature of playing cards was the perfect way to contrast both the characters and the languages on either side of the U.S./Mexico border.

How much time did you spend working on the deck?
We spent three months on the design and custom illustrations. Once completed, we spent hundreds of hours producing our Kickstarter video, our image library, outreach, etc.

Can you briefly go through the design evolution of one of your unique card design?
First we spent days determining what characters to feature, and who their natural parallels should be. We considered every conceivable personality, but ultimately landed on the 14 that you see in the deck. Once we agreed on a pairing (for example, the biker vs. the luchador), rough sketches were drawn up and routed through the entire team for feedback and suggestions. It was truly a team effort, and everyone's input had equal weight. The illustrations would then go through at least half a dozen refinements before they were finally polished and ready to go.

What are your thoughts about the continuous strong growth of playing card projects on Kickstarter?
The bottom line is that designing a deck of playing cards is a pipe dream of every conscious designer, and before Kickstarter there was simply no way to get it done. There are scores of players worldwide who never knew playing cards could have so much artistic life, and Kickstarter is the ideal distribution channel to bring these two groups together. As more people discover this movement, from both a designer and player point-of-view, it's going to continue to explode.

Finally, what are your favorite playing card decks? 
Since we began this process nearly one year ago, I've been blown away by dozens of amazing decks that I've seen on Kickstarter. I love the Edgy Brothers’ Dia de los Muertos deck and I’ve always drooled over the JAQK decks. Also, as a designer, I'm a big fan of anything with typographic elegance, or anything along the lines of Hundred Million's CMYK deck.

Thank you David for your time and sharing with us your Kickstarter project! All the best!


Pledge starts from $12 and Borderline Playing Cards will be printed by the USPCC. Also, add-ons such as shirt and uncut sheet are available.