Thousand Mile Scroll Playing Cards

This exquisite deck of playing cards by TCC Fashion draws inspiration from A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains, one of China's most revered artistic treasures. Painted during the Northern Song Dynasty by the prodigious 18-year-old Wang Ximeng, the original scroll spans over 11 meters and stands as a pinnacle of classical Chinese landscape painting. It captures mist-draped peaks, distant ink-washed mountains, and water veiled in delicate haze—timeless symbols of Eastern beauty.

Now reimagined as a deck of playing card, each suit's card backs form a seamless panoramic landscape when arranged in order. 

The design preserves the essence of the ancient masterpiece, down to subtle textures and aging marks that echo the scroll’s historic journey. 

The Gilded Edition elevates this tribute further, featuring shimmering edges that mimic flowing rivers and streams. Available now from TCC Playing Card for $11.95.

The Secret Tale Cleopatra Playing Cards by the Dutch Card House Company

The Secret Tale Cleopatra playing cards is the fourth chapter in the Dutch Card House Company's storytelling deck series. Now seeking funds on Kickstarter, this release also introduces a strategic solo and duo game: Sesheta’s Gambit, set against a richly imagined tale of power, deception, and myth.

Inspired by a mysterious papyrus sealed with Cleopatra’s mark, the narrative follows a young queen who strikes a dangerous bargain with Sesheta, a mythical, whispering serpent. Each deception gives Cleopatra power but comes at the cost of her memories. When her reign crumbles, the serpent demands her final secret, leading to her disappearance into the Labyrinth of Fangs. This haunting story forms the foundation of both the card artwork and the gameplay.

The decks feature fully custom illustrations, with courts representing key characters from Cleopatra’s tale. The design merges ancient Egyptian motifs with the refined aesthetics of previous Secret Tale entries. Each card in the deck, right down to the pips and font has been meticulously designed. 

Deck editions include the White Serpent and Black Serpent, both featuring intricate foil accents, with gilded versions in gold and purple—each marked with a numbered seal. The ultra-luxurious Mini Gilded Serpent also makes its debut, echoing the finishes of its full-size counterpart.

Sesheta’s Gambit brings the story to life as a fast-paced card game for one or two players, where players build suit-based foundations, dodge strategic pitfalls, and wield powers through symbolic Jokers and Jacks. 

Special abilities, sabotage mechanics, and unique character roles deliver an immersive and replayable experience. The game booklet includes full rules and deep lore, and will be available in multiple languages.

Pledge starts at $20 on Kickstarter.

Font Awesome Card Sharp Playing Cards

Symbols. Icons. Creative.

Font Awesome’s iconic design language takes a playful new form with the Card Sharp playing cards, a Kickstarter-exclusive deck designed by Noah Jacobus as part of their campaign to launch a new components library in 2024. 

What began as an internal swag idea grew from the realization that their emoji-style icons... especially expressive faces were perfect for court cards. With suits and symbols already in the Font Awesome library, expanding into a deck was a natural step. This fully custom deck features crisp, modern Font Awesome Sharp icons, plus two witty jokers and a bonus card meant to spark creativity. 

The tuck box is embossed for a premium feel, echoing the bold visual style Font Awesome is known for. From clever layouts to playful character interpretations, the Card Sharp deck brings sharp style and designer wit to your next game night.

Holo Sepal Bouquet Playing Cards by Dealersgrip

For the first time in Dealersgrip's Sepal series, the entire bouquet comes to life in stunning holographic foil. This edition transforms light into color, revealing shifting gradients with even the slightest movement.

Each glance offers a new perspective, making it a deck that must be seen in hand to be fully appreciated. The design features holographic foil across the card backs, court cards, and selected face cards. 

A soft matte tuck case showcases both holographic and white foils, with crisp floral illustrations set against a tonal backdrop. A petal-shaped window... the first in the series, offers a glimpse inside the bouquet.

Printed on poker-size cards with a linen finish and quad pips, this edition is limited to just 700 decks. Available now for $24 from Dealersgrip. Use code "bouquet" to enter online kiosk.

Reign of Kings Playing Cards on Kickstarter

Reign of Kings Playing Cards designed by Jody Eklund immerse you in a world of medieval intrigue, where power shifts like the wind but legacy remains. Illustrated with regal detail and crafted with luxurious finishes, each card tells a story of ambition, betrayal, and ancient oaths. 

Now seeking funds on Kickstarter, two striking editions bring opposing paths to power: The Shadow Reign deck operates in secrecy, favoring manipulation and cunning over brute force. Cloaked in matte black with gold hot foil and 3D embossing, the tuck case sets the tone. The card backs shimmer with gold accents, and the original court illustrations echo the strategies of a silent, calculated rule.

Meanwhile, Crimson Reign bursts with passion and power. With a red matte tuck and radiant gold foil, it channels the energy of conquest and courage. Cold foil gleams across the back and face designs, while each custom illustration embodies a kingdom forged in fire and ambition.

The deck’s suits are divided into four medieval houses, each representing a facet of courtly life—from the brutal battlefield tactics of the House of Shadows to the wise, spiritual Order of the Thorn. Kings, queens, and jacks each bear unique, story-driven artwork, while the jokers—The Crimson Fool and The Teal Trickster—add flair and unpredictability.

Both editions feature fully custom cards printed on casino-grade stock with an air-cushion finish. Gilded variants enhance the tactile luxury, with gold or red foil edging that adds a royal touch.

Printed by WJPC and tuck boxes by Boschiero & Newton. Add-ons include the antique-finished Dealer Coin, stamped with royal crests and jester motifs, and a sticker pack featuring die-cut jesters and branding from Black Ink Branded. Pledge starts at $17 on Kickstarter.

The ICEE Bear Official Playing Cards

The ICEE Bear Official Playing Cards by Fulton's Playing Cards are a vibrant tribute to one of America’s most iconic frozen treats. Officially licensed and infused with nostalgia, this deck captures the spirit of summer with the beloved ICEE Bear cruising through custom illustrations in the brand's unmistakable red and blue palette.

Every card is fully customized, from the unique court cards to the eye-catching tuck box, which features embossing and spot gloss that pop just like a cold ICEE on a hot day. Designed as a love letter to a classic American brand, the deck brings playful energy and visual punch.

Printed in China on premium cardistry stock and available now from Fulton's Playing Cards for $20.

Kardify Magazine Issue 98 is Now on Patreon!

Kardify Magazine Issue 98 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-June to mid-July. 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:   

+ Celestial: A beautiful new deck series by Thirdway Industries inspired by angels and Heaven’s divine choirs. Check it out!

+ New Decks from Cardtopia 2025: Cardtopia 2025 was held at Factory 52, honoring USPCC’s storied legacy. Explore the unique decks showcased during the event.

+ The Dapper Menagerie: Jack Brutus Penny returns with a whimsical deck that brings his imaginative characters to life through rich storytelling and art. Find out more!

+ Captain America: Step into the world of Marvel’s most patriotic hero with Theory11’s latest release that captures the strength, honor, and legacy of the Star-Spangled Avenger.

+ Fragmenta: A fascinating deck by Oath Playing Cards, their boldest and most eccentric creation yet! Have a look at the fully custom deck designed to look like a factory miscut.

+ Mechanimals: Created by Celsius Pictor in collaboration with Max Playing Cards, the fully custom deck fuses Renaissance elegance with the mechanical imagination of the Industrial Age.

+ ALL the Decks Spotted in F1 the Movie: The high-speed action in Brad Pitt's blockbuster movie isn’t the only thing catching viewers’ attention, sharp-eyed playing card Aficionado and fans of magic might recognize the playing cards used throughout the film. 

… and more! 44-pages of articles and deck images. Enjoy!

Deck View: Incubo Mezzanotte Playing Cards

Intricate. Visual. Midnight.

Incubo Mezzanotte Playing Cards by Giovanni Meroni of Thirdway Industries brings nightmares to life with intricate, hauntingly beautiful design. This art-focused deck prioritizes storytelling and visual impact over traditional playability.

The Mezzanotte edition features a luxurious tuck crafted from Italian black paper, adorned with two layers of matte foil and embossing. Yellow and white matte foil form the artwork, while the interior reveals a hidden design in black metallic foil.

The card backs display a striking two-way illustration: a raven trapped in a birdcage holding a key, framed by vivid yellow borders. Inside, each face card presents a unique one-way, full-length character illustration—16 in total, including 12 courts and 4 jokers—all drawn in Meroni's signature style.

Printed by USPCC and limited to around 1,600 decks. Available NOW on Thirdway Industries for $29.

Card Flash: A. Haines (Year Two) Playing Cards

Following the success of their debut year and the well-received Albatross Nautical on Kickstarter, A. Haines Playing Cards released the Patreon: Year Two reward deck for collectors who appreciate craftsmanship, history, and originality.

Known for their hand-drawn, vintage-inspired decks, A. Haines handles every detail in-house... from concept sketches to final artwork. Have a look at the Patreon exclusive reward deck this year in both standard and luxury editions. Have a closer look:

Inspired by Magic, The Orange Tree Deck

The Orange Tree Deck by Hau Jiun, produced by TCC and designed by MT Yang, is a tribute to the legendary magician Robert-Houdin and his iconic mechanical illusion. This elegant deck captures the essence of Houdin’s famed orange tree illusion, where a mechanical tree would blossom and bear fruit live on stage. With intricate illustrations and cutting-edge light-reactive printing, the deck brings that same sense of theatrical wonder into your hands.

Crafted from premium black cardstock, the tuck box glows with gold and silver foiling, styled after 19th-century theatrical posters. Its design includes symbolic nods to Houdin’s routine: a “medieval pistol” on the inner lid, an orange blossom on the dust flap, and a ring on the inner tab—all elements of the original act that help tell a story through design.

  

The card backs are filled with ornate detailing, featuring butterflies lifting a handkerchief around a flourishing orange tree. This flowing design is carried across the full back, surrounded by lush decorative motifs. 

Each suit on the card faces has been fully reimagined, with custom pips that reflect tree-like forms and indices set in the elegant Minion Pro typeface. Aces incorporate orange tree illustrations, and the court cards present traditional characters with botanical enhancements like entwined branches and oranges. 

The Jokers unfold the story of the orange tree in three visual stages: a bare tree, a fruiting tree, and one with an open orange. When exposed to light, these cards reveal hidden imagery, and the final Joker shows a butterfly flying off with a handkerchief holding a ring—echoing the illusion’s dramatic climax.

Available for a limited time at a special price of $27.90 through TCC, this deck is a celebration of wonder, crafted for those who appreciate elegance, magic, and mystery.

Metallic Mortalis Machina Playing Cards

Step into a world where gothic design collides with paper engineering. Designed by The Paper Gear Company, Mortalis Machina, each edition arrives housed in the world’s first fully functional, mechanical gear tuck box made entirely of paper—foiled, kinetic, and astonishingly compact.

Inspired by steampunk elegance and dark fantasy, the Iron (bronze) and Cobalt (blue) editions push the boundaries of traditional playing card presentation. Bronze and silver foil cascade across the cards and the box, which opens through a gear-driven system unlike anything else in the market.

Inside the deck, every element has been reimagined. Court cards and jokers come alive with gothic storytelling. Kings represent mythic reapers—Anubis, Yama, Hades. Queens embody death goddesses and underworld figures like Santa Muerte and Mengpo. Jacks become harbingers: ravens, black cats, and apocalyptic horses. The jokers strike a poetic contrast—one clutching a heart, the other riches—questioning what truly drives us.

Each detail, from the foil-stamped tuck to the gear-enhanced artwork within the cards, is laced with baroque curves, Victorian machinery, and occult symbolism. Even the box itself is a mechanical marvel—crafted entirely of paper, yet functioning with the grace and precision of real gears.

Both editions are available in standard and gilded formats. The Iron Edition features bronze gilding, while the Cobalt Edition shines with silver. No matter which version you choose, you’ll be holding a deck that redefines what paper can do.

Pledge starts at $29 on Kickstarter.

Ace Fulton's (Cancelled Edition) Playing Cards

A rare find has surfaced from the archives of Las Vegas lore: the Ace Fulton's Cancelled Edition playing cards. Discovered in the original Ace Fulton's Casino, these decks carry a piece of history with every card. 

Once sold in the casino’s gift shop, the decks were “cancelled” with a single hole drilled straight through the center—an old-school move to prevent players from reusing them in the legendary games that defined the Fulton's mystique.

What makes this release especially notable is that, for the first time ever, the classic Ace Fulton's court cards have been rendered in traditional red, blue, and yellow. Standard court colors that bring a fresh yet nostalgic twist to the familiar faces. A subtle change, but one that transforms the deck, highlighting the timeless charm of the design.

Less than 500 of these decks were made available. Also available is an extremely rare batch of 50 Gilded Editions in both Silver and Gold. Available now for $12 on Fulton's Playing Cards.

The Gentleman Thief (Scion Edition) Playing Cards

Charm. Elegant. Rich.

The Gentleman Thief (Scion Edition) playing cards  is the first chapter in Thirdway Industries’ trilogy inspired by the legendary Arsène Lupin. This edition represents the refined, charismatic side of the protagonist—prestige, power, and social influence. It’s the most elegant and optimistic deck in the series, capturing the gentleman in the thief.

Inside, the cards feature metallic inks that highlight the artwork with subtle shimmer and sophistication. Each unique character, from the Kings, Queens and Jokers unfold an enigmatic narrative, adding layers of mystery to the experience.

Scion is housed in a luxurious tuck box printed in Italy by Boschiero & Newton, featuring premium Italian paper and adorned with white and metallic copper foils on the front, with an additional metallic copper foil inside.

An Elegant, elusive, and richly detailed deck that invites you into the world where charm and deception go hand in hand. Available NOW from Thirdway Industries for $25.

Butterfly Playing Cards by TCC Fashion

Inspired by the timeless allure of butterflies, TCC Fashion’s Butterfly Playing Cards blend natural beauty with refined artistry. Drawing from centuries of artistic reverence for these delicate creatures, the decks evoke transformation, freedom, and elegance through cold foil and meticulously crafted design.

Each deck celebrates one of four iconic butterfly species: Blue Morpho, Monarch, Green-banded Swallowtail, and the Purple Emperor. Each translating their vibrant wings and iridescent textures into shimmering cold foil backs and custom tuck boxes. 

The tuck boxes are masterpieces themselves, with die-cut windows, color-matched foils, embossed details, and a glimmering finish that mimics light catching on a butterfly's wings.

The Blue Morpho, featured in the Prism Deck, is brought to life through blue foil and a light-reactive shimmer that captures the butterfly’s structural iridescence. 

The Amber Deck pays tribute to the migrating Monarch with rich amber-orange tones and elegant black and white contrasts. 

The Green Deck highlights the jade-toned Green-banded Swallowtail with tactile embossing and pale green foiling. Each card design maintains a visual harmony across the decks while expressing the unique essence of its namesake butterfly.

For collectors, the Collection Boxset elevates the experience with a luxurious 3D pop-up box that opens to reveal a magical butterfly garden. Inside are four gilded decks, including the exclusive Somnium Deck inspired by the rare Purple Emperor. Its deep purple and silver tones, accented with gold edges, make it a dreamlike tribute to night flight and quiet majesty.

Each card face is adorned with translucent floral and butterfly motifs, creating a soft, ethereal atmosphere. Courts and pips alike blend natural elements into a cohesive, immersive world where nature and design meet. The cards offer not just gameplay, but an artful experience—visual, tactile, and deeply collectible.

With only 500 to 1500 decks produced per edition and multiple tiers including bundles and a full Allin Set, these decks are more than cards; they’re preserved moments of beauty in motion. Pledge starts at $9 on Kickstarter.