Deck View: MailChimp (Summer Edition) Playing Cards

Bright. Rare. Neon.

The MailChimp Summer Edition Playing Cards by Theory11 are an ultra-rare collector’s item, with only 100 decks released to the public. This deck is a true gem for enthusiasts.

Designed by Fuzzco, the deck blends classic playing card aesthetics with playful primate-themed elements, a nod to the MailChimp brand. The bright orange tuck case, accented with gold foil, houses cards printed with neon inks, making it one of Theory11’s flashiest decks ever. Hidden monkeys and bananas are scattered throughout the intricate design, adding a whimsical touch.

Originally available exclusively to Elite Members in July 2015, this deck remains one of the most sought-after releases from Theory11, coveted by collectors and aficionados alike.

On Kickstarter, Aqua Black Invisible Playing Cards by MPC

MPC's Aqua Black Invisible Playing Cards are a fusion of sleek design, cutting-edge technology, and durability. This limited-edition deck funding now on Kickstarter takes playing cards up a notch with its transparent black aesthetic, featuring clear raised ink for a mesmerizing embossed effect.

Crafted from premium transparent plastic, Aqua Black is 100% waterproof, including the box... making it perfect for any environment, from a card table to the poolside.

The deck is engineered for smooth handling, allowing for seamless shuffling, fanning, and cardistry without the usual clumping seen in plastic cards.

The matching black transparent tuck box adds to its futuristic appeal, complementing the deck’s striking, see-through design.

Whether you're a collector, a magician looking for innovative tricks, or simply someone who appreciates a stunning deck, Aqua Black is built to impress. Printed by MPC and limited to just 5,000 decks, Aqua Black is available on Kickstarter for $20.

Chris Ramsay's 1st Playing Cards Feather Deck

Chris Ramsay released the 1st Playing Cards Feather Deck, a new addition to the series that embodies elegance and sophistication.

Like previous editions, the Feather Deck features stunning MetalLuxe foiling on the backs and some faces of the cards, ensuring a luxurious feel and striking visual appeal. 

This deck introduces a refined feather motif throughout, from the intricate card backs and Ace of Spades to the tuck box and court cards. The traditional court card designs have been enhanced with a soft, flowing aesthetic, replacing weapons with delicate feathers for a seamless, cohesive look. Both jokers are foil stamped and identical.

The deck comes in Mnemonica stack with a duplicate 4 of Spades and a blank card, making it an excellent choice for magicians and collectors alike. The tuck case comes with embossed feather details and is elegantly adorned with the iconic 1ST logo. 

Printed by the USPCC and available now from 1st Shop for $20.

Anyone's "‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎" Playing Cards: Minimalist Genius or Money-Grab?

In a world where playing cards are often adorned with intricate artwork, holographic foils, and custom face cards, a new product stands out by doing... well, nothing. Cardstry group Anyone has launched a deck with no design whatsoever... just the standard card faces and a blank back. 

The question is: is this a bold artistic statement, a clever marketing strategy, or simply an overpriced cash grab?

The Case for Minimalism

The brand’s description suggests that by stripping away all decorative elements, these cards emphasize the core aspects of a quality deck: the way they feel, handle, and perform. This no-frills approach seems to align with a minimalist philosophy, where function takes precedence over form. For cardists and magicians, handling is everything, and a well-made deck without visual distractions could, in theory, be a valuable tool.

Additionally, the product is marketed as a foundation for custom hand-made decks. If these blanks are truly high-quality and serve as a reliable canvas for artistic customization, they could justify their existence. Artists, designers, and collectors may appreciate a durable, blank slate for their own creativity.

The Price Problem

However, at $18 per deck, skepticism is warranted. Standard custom playing cards from renowned card manufacturers— many with beautiful design work, often retail for less than this. The price point raises a critical question: what exactly is the collectors and cardists paying for? A deck that has been intentionally left blank? A perceived sense of exclusivity, given the limited edition run? Or is this a case of “artistic branding” being used to justify a product that, by definition, offers less than its competitors?

One could argue that true minimalism should extend to pricing as well. If the goal is to provide an unembellished, functional deck, shouldn’t the cost reflect the lack of added value in terms of design? Instead, the high price suggests that the brand is banking on the perceived sophistication of minimalism itself—a trend that has seen everything from luxury fashion to high-end home goods sell for exorbitant prices despite (or perhaps because of) their simplicity.

A Collector’s Gimmick?

The limited-edition nature (1100 with 100 made available the first drop) of these cards adds another layer to the discussion. Are they meant to be used, or are they designed to be collected? The answer could influence how one perceives the product’s value. If these decks are primarily being bought as novelties rather than tools for play or performance, their practical function becomes secondary.

Final Verdict: Smart Concept, Questionable Value

While the idea behind blank playing cards is interesting, the execution raises concerns about whether consumers are truly getting their money’s worth. If the quality is exceptional and the target audience values handling above aesthetics, there may be a niche market for them. However, for the average buyer, spending nearly $20 on a deck that deliberately lacks artistic effort feels like a stretch.

Minimalism can be a powerful design philosophy, but when it comes with a hefty price tag, one must ask: is this about function, or just another way to sell less for more? Let us know thoughts in the comments section below.

Travel the World Playing Cards by Midnight Cards

Designed by Randy Butterfield of Midnight Cards, Travel the World Playing Cards are a celebration of global adventure.  The deck features 108 breathtaking destinations illustrated in a classic travel poster style. Designed for explorers and dreamers alike, this pair of decks takes you on a journey across continents, bringing iconic landmarks and natural wonders to life.

Each deck is meticulously structured, with the suits dedicated to different regions of the world. North America and Europe are highlighted in both volumes, while Volume 1 features Asia and South America, and Volume 2 showcases Africa and Oceania.

The four Jokers capture the icy beauty of Antarctica, making this a truly worldwide collection. Every face card not only presents a stunning illustration but also includes the name of the destination, its location, key highlights, and a unique "Visited" checkbox for tracking personal travels.

The back designs reflect the awe-inspiring contrasts of nature, with Volume 1 featuring the ethereal Aurora Borealis and Volume 2 depicting the dramatic phenomenon of Volcanic Lightning. Together, they create a striking "Fire & Ice" aesthetic.

The tuck boxes are crafted with matte paper and enhanced with spot UV ink, giving the vibrant illustrations a bold and polished look. Complementing the decks is a 116-page Travel the World Companion Book, which expands on each destination with detailed descriptions and travel insights, making it a perfect standalone keepsake.

Printed by Legends Playing Card Co. with their Classic Finish, these decks offer a smooth and vintage feel, ensuring an exceptional playing experience. Pledge starts at $16 on Kickstarter.

Deck View: Vitreous Playing Cards

Tribute. Beautiful. Love.

Produced by R.E Handcrafted, Vitreous Playing Cards pay tribute to the breathtaking stained-glass windows of Cathedral Saint-Peter-and-Saint-Paul in Nantes, France. Named after the word “Vitreous”—meaning glass-like in appearance and properties—this deck embodies elegance and craftsmanship.

Featuring a custom back design, Ace of Spades, and Jokers. The Jokers depict angels, one holding a book, the other holding the 10 of Spades. With a traditional cut, the cards handle beautifully for table faros and riffle shuffles, making them ideal for magicians, cardists, and gamblers alike.

Beyond design, Vitreous is a deeply personal project. Created by Jeremy Griffith in memory of his father, the deck reflects love, loss, and legacy. His father’s face appears on the King of Hearts, holding a wrench instead of a sword, symbolizing his role as a builder, not a destroyer. The phrase beneath the Spade—"Cui Servire Est Regnare"—translates to "Who Serves is Who Rules," a reflection of his father’s selfless strength.

Printed on Classic Stock by Expert Playing Card Company. Available for $10 on Vanishing Inc Magic.

Playing Arts Future Edition Chapter 1

This spotlight episode features Digital Abstracts' Playing Arts Future Edition Chapter 1. This deck draws inspiration from the future, featuring international artists and designers who use playing cards to depict their vision of the world 100 years ahead. Find out more in the video below and don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE (YouTube: kardify)! 

 

Kardify Magazine Issue 94 is Here!

 

Kardify Magazine Issue 94 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-February to mid-March. 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 contributions, 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:   

+ Robin Hood Nottingham Edition: Kings Wild’s latest crowdfunded deck brings the legendary outlaw to life through stunning artwork inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry. Find out more!

+ Pied Piper: This beautifully-crafted deck brings the haunting legend of Hamelin to life illustrated by Russ Gray and produced by Chris Hage. 

+ ShanHai V2: Inspired by ancient Chinese legends, this sequel by ARK enhances the artistry, interactivity, and collector’s appeal of the original series. Check it out!

+ Sirens of the Sea: Have a look at the latest deck from Black Ink Branded where mermaids and cunning pirates wage an unending battle over hidden treasures beneath the ocean’s depths. 

+ Pi: From Penguin Magic, this intriguing deck is a fusion of mathematics and art, celebrating the endless beauty of Pi with a striking green and gold design.

+ The Tribute Deck: Celebrating 30 years of dedication to the deceptive arts with this versatile deck that  pays homage to the key inspirations and supporters of magician Daniel Madison. Find out more!

+ How to play Bullshit: Learn to play Bullshit, a card game that can be played by two or more players. A simple and fun game that is perfect for a casual game night with friends or family

… and more! 46 pages of articles and deck images. Enjoy!

Don’t Mess With Texas Playing Cards

Celebrate the legendary environmental campaign with these officially licensed playing cards by Fulton's Playing Cards, designed to honor Texas pride and the fight to "Keep Texas Beautiful."

Featuring an iconic back design, this deck embodies the spirit of the Don’t Mess With Texas™ movement. With the exception of the Ace of Spades and Jokers, the face cards are pretty much standard and recolored to match the theme of the deck.

Each deck comes in a premium embossed tuck case and includes 56 Texas Hold ’Em-sized cards. Printed on Cardistry thin stock for a smooth, high-performance feel. 

Available now for $19 on Fulton's Playing Cards.

PHENEX REBORN: Heat-Sensitive Playing Cards

PHENEX REBORN: Heat-Sensitive Playing Cards by Charmie bring the legend of the Phoenix to life, capturing its essence of rebirth, resilience, and immortality. Inspired by Phenex, the fallen angel and commander of the 37th demon army who seeks redemption, this deck embodies transformation and renewal.

Two editions are on offer during the Kickstarter campaign, REBITH and ASHES. The REBIRTH deck celebrates the Phoenix’s resurgence with a 3D-embossed copper plate adorned with holographic red foil. The heat-sensitive Phenex plate reacts to warmth, revealing the reborn king before your eyes. Its double-sided tuck box illustrates ancestors honoring the Phoenix, while the full foiled Phenex Codex and burning-foiled gilding enhance its elegance.

Inside, each face card is decorated with 12 legendary creatures—Unicorns, Harpies, Chimeras, Hydras, and more—finished in full cold foil. The card back, designed with fiery symmetry, ensures a smooth shuffling experience for cardists. Number cards hide a secret Codex of Phenex that is unlocked by heat, revealing a hidden rebirth message.

Meanwhile, the ASHES deck rises from the embers with an intricately carbon-carved tuck featuring 3D-embossed Phoenix flames, alchemical symbols, and the Philosopher's Stone. The lenticular fire effect makes the flames flicker as you move the box, while the cracked-lava interior and ruby flame-foiled gilding add a dramatic touch.

Face cards are finished in cold-foiled silver, showcasing dark mythical creatures in a classic engraving art style. The card back is detailed with a charcoal-engraved Phenex ornament, black foils, and an embossed Philosopher's Stone. Number cards conceal 36 Elemental Circles, revealed through heat, making every game an alchemical experience.

Encased in a 3D-embossed golden relic, the ELEMENTAL CHEST collector’s box holds both Rebirth and Ashes decks, along with a Ruby Translucent Phenex’s Circle Necklace. Heat-sensitive element icons on the box unlock the secret of immortality, while a floating display stand transforms it into a mystical artifact. Blending fire, alchemy, and magic, the Phenex Reborn Playing Cards are a stunning tribute to transformation and legend.

Printed on premium black-core card with linen texture and Cardistry-graded coating varnished. Pledge starts at $24 on Kickstarter.

Deck View: The Different Deck White Edition

Creative. Art. Symbolism.

The Different Deck is a reinvention of traditional playing cards, where each card is inverted—a club of 3s instead of a 3 of clubs, a diamond of 5s instead of a 5 of diamonds. Crowdfunded by Teach By Magic in 2014, the deck is a fusion of art, symbolism, and hidden elements, featuring over 100 languages and numeric systems, along with references to science, math, history, and mythology.

Inside, the deck is fully custom. Every dot, swirl, and hidden item was placed with intention. The Queen of Spades, for example, features “queen” in multiple languages, a queen chess piece, and Queen Elizabeth’s signature.

More than just a deck, Different Deck blends creativity, cultural exploration, and the love of magic into a truly one-of-a-kind collectible. Printed by the USPCC.

Obsession Playing Cards by Thirdway Industries

Obsession Playing Cards are an artistic exploration of desire, dreams, and the fine line between fantasy and nightmare. Designed by Giovanni Meroni of Thirdway Industries, this series delves into the theme of obsession, crafting a collection that blends elegance, passion, and mystery.

Two decks are on offer during the Kickstarter campaign, Obsession Yearn and Obsession Rapture. The Yearn edition is the foundation of the series, embodying refinement with a striking color palette and a luxurious tuckbox. 

The design balances classic playing card elements with the distinctive Thirdway Industries aesthetic, ensuring a deck that is both functional and captivating.

Obsession Rapture edition elevates the theme with a more opulent approach. This exclusive edition features hot foil on both the faces and back of the cards, with pink and magenta foil for Hearts and Diamonds, and green foil for Clubs and Spades.

The deck is further enhanced with green metallic gilding, adding a layer of sophistication. Limited to just 777 copies, Rapture is a rare collector’s piece, housed in a luxury Italian paper tuckbox with shimmering green hot foil accents.

Inside, both decks feature fully custom elements, including aces, pips, and backs, while maintaining a familiar structure for ease of play. The four unique jokers combine the pink and green foil elements, creating a visually stunning addition to the set.

The decks are printed by Kingstar PCC and pledge starts at $15 on Kickstarter.

Jack the Ripper & Sherlock Holmes Playing Cards

Step into the fog-laden streets of Victorian London with Anti-Faro's Jack the Ripper & Sherlock Holmes Playing Cards, a fusion of mystery, history, and puzzle-solving intrigue. Merging the terror of Jack the Ripper’s crimes with the brilliance of Sherlock Holmes’ deductive mind, this deck is more than just a deck of playing cards—it’s an immersive puzzle game where players must analyze hidden clues, follow trails, and uncover the truth before the next crime unfolds.

Each card is intricately designed to reflect the eerie atmosphere of 19th-century London, featuring gas-lit alleys, cryptic symbols, and a vintage aesthetic that transports players into a world of suspense. The deck contains concealed evidence, challenging players to solve the case. Only those with sharp observation skills and logical reasoning can crack the mystery before Jack the Ripper disappears into the night once again.

Four editions are available during the Kickstarter campaign- Checkmate, Castling, Stalemate, and Skewer. Each version offers a unique perspective on the suspects, with subtle differences that enhance the narrative.

In the Castling and Skewer Editions, characters appear unassuming, blending into the shadows of London’s criminal underworld. In the Stalemate and Checkmate Editions, their expressions reveal guilt, capturing them in the act of their crimes. The Castling and Checkmate Editions also feature luxurious cold foil, elevating the haunting elegance of the deck.

The card backs mirror the eerie door of the Shadow Vanishing Tuck Box, with intricate designs enhancing the deck’s vintage appeal.  The number cards form a fragmented old London map, and when assembled, they reveal secret locations, adding an interactive puzzle element.

 

The Shadow Vanishing Tuck Box adds an extra layer of mystery; when closed, Jack the Ripper’s ominous silhouette looms, but upon opening, it vanishes, leaving behind only a chilling symbol. The Detective’s Tuck Box, sealed with a wax emblem, unfolds to reveal intricate details, evoking the thrill of a detective’s pursuit.

Each edition offers stunning edge printing and fine detailing, making them a must-have for collectors. The complete Collector’s Set and Half Brick Set provide the full experience, including exclusive additions for those eager to immerse themselves in the mystery.

Designed for those who appreciate the art of storytelling through playing cards, this deck invites you to unravel secrets, decipher hidden messages, and step into a thrilling game of intellect and intrigue. Pledge starts at $14 on Kickstarter.

Final Days on Kickstarter, Damascus Playing Cards

Damascus Playing Cards by EmilySleights52 are crafted for magicians, cardists, and collectors, embodying the themes of resilience, strength, and perseverance. Inspired by the phrase, "The finest steel has to go through the hottest fire," this deck represents the journey of refinement and endurance, while staying true to Emily's signature theme of happiness.

Inside, the mirrored, borderless back design mimics the flowing patterns of Damascus steel, enhanced by metallic ink on both backs and faces. 

Pips and indices are outlined in silver metallic ink, while recolored standard courts feature swords designed to resemble Damascus steel. The deck includes identical jokers, a 7 of Diamonds reveal joker, a custom Ace of Spades, and a double backer for magic routines.

The deck is packaged in an elegant tuck case is crafted from thick white cardboard and features silver hot foil detailing. The back of the tuck proudly displays the deck’s central quote, "The finest steel has to go through the hottest fire," reinforcing the theme of resilience in both design and philosophy.

Printed by KingStar Playing Card Company and pledge starts at $13 on Kickstarter.