Just Launched on Kickstarter, Aoi Koi Playing Cards!

A beautiful fusion of Japanese art, traditional symbolism, and contemporary playing-card design, Aoi Koi Playing Cards by Stacey Jay Kelly invites collectors beneath the surface of tranquil Japanese temple ponds. Inspired by the elegant blue koi known as Asagi and the traditional indigo-dyeing technique Aizome, the deck embraces a rich palette of blues, delicate detailing, and shimmering foil effects.

The tuck box immediately establishes the deck’s luxurious character, featuring a continuous koi pattern that flows around every corner, complemented by holographic foil, glittering fish scales, and a textured red seal. 

Inside, deep navy coloring provides the backdrop for blue temple-style stamps with a subtle iridescent glow. The card backs continue the theme with a mirrored koi design, where layers of blue ink interact with holographic foil to create shifting highlights across the fish’s fins and scales.

The custom faces bring Japanese cultural influences to life throughout the deck. The ace cards feature blue koi swimming through their central pip designs, surrounded by shimmering water and the traditional Seigaiha wave pattern. 

The Kings portray Japanese warriors in intricately patterned robes before traditional Shoji screens, while the Queens depict Geishas beneath Wagasa umbrellas. The Jacks represent younger Kabuki actors, accompanied by flowering water lilies. 

Two differently colored Jokers showcase mirrored koi designs, while every pip card features a Goshuin-inspired composition referencing the sacred stamps and calligraphy found at Japanese shrines and Buddhist temples.

Backers have several editions to consider. Alongside the main holographic deck, a Slim Edition offers a format half the width of a standard poker-sized deck. The limited Furoshiki Edition combines both the holographic and slim decks with a 100% cotton Furoshiki scarf and a small signed art print. The set is presented in an embossed display box crafted from fibrous navy card and finished with a red band.

Printed by Legends Playing Cards Co. on Classic Finish. Pledge starts at $20 on Kickstarter.

Butterfly (Wedding Edition) Playing Cards

Butterfly Playing Cards has marked a special occasion with the release of the Butterfly Wedding Deck, created to celebrate the wedding of founder Ondrej and his partner, Hanka last month.

The deck is a borderless, unmarked edition featuring a gold-foiled back design and completely custom faces. The Jokers portray Ondrej and Hanka, while the couple also appears at the center of the Ace of Hearts. The Two of Hearts features their daughters, Josefina and Rozalie.

Printed by Room One on 270gsm Sleight Stock with a traditional cut. Only 200 decks are available for individual purchase, with a maximum of 12 decks per customer. Ondrej originally printed 500 decks, with more than 100 given as gifts to wedding guests and the remainder held for personal use and occasional promotions.

The decks can also be signed by Ondrej, with up to two signed decks available per order. Available now on the Buttefly Magic Store fot $28.

The Hobbit Playing Cards Bring Tolkien’s Adventure to Life

Continuing the successful Lord of the Rings playing cards series by Kings Wild Project, the new The Hobbit Playing Card Deck brings J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved fantasy adventure to the table through hand-illustrated artwork by Jackson Robinson. The project was reportedly funded in just 4 minutes!

The release consists of two distinct decks. The Expanded Edition features 54 traditional cards plus 12 additional Dwarven court cards, bringing the total to 66 cards.

The Companion Edition is a traditional 54-card deck with its own character artwork, designed to complement the Expanded Edition.

Every court card was traditionally hand-inked and painted with watercolor, giving the artwork an organic, handcrafted character. Both editions are available with standard or gold-gilded edges.

Collectors can also opt for a two-deck Collector’s Set, bringing both editions together in a custom presentation box. A Gilded Collector’s Set is also available for those looking for the more premium finish.

With its beautiful hand-painted artwork, expanded Dwarven courts and multiple collector options, The Hobbit Playing Cards offer a detailed tribute to Tolkien’s world while maintaining the functionality of a traditional playing-card deck.

Pledge starts at $14 on Kickstarter.

Deck View: Lucky Draw Playing Cards

Modern. Geometric. Luxurious.

The Lucky Draw Playing Cards, released by Art of Play in collaboration with Sideshow Press, combine a clean modern aesthetic with subtle luxury and geometric detailing.

The deck features a minimalist card back complemented by contemporary faces. The custom court cards use abstract geometric artwork, while the pips incorporate distinctive maze-like patterns that continue across the Jokers and Ace of Spades. When put together, these elements give the deck a cohesive and sophisticated visual identity without overwhelming the clean design.

The cards are housed in a striking letterpress-printed tuck box, adding a tactile and premium element to the presentation. Printed by the United States Playing Card Company on premium crushed stock.