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.

Tails of Mischief 2 Turns Four Playing Card Decks into a Tabletop Adventure

Tails of Mischief 2 by Jack Brutus Penny takes playing cards beyond traditional deck design, combining four hand-illustrated decks into an interconnected artwork, puzzle and tabletop game.

Within, every card face features holo foiling integrated directly into the illustrations. 

The foil reveals hidden pips, numbers and symbols as the light catches the cards, creating a striking effect where the artwork appears to conceal the playing-card information.

The four decks also connect visually. For example, cards in Decks A and B form continuous compositions, while Decks C and D add additional scenes and pathways. When combined, the four decks create a larger tabletop landscape filled with mice, fields, farms and hidden details.

The collection also introduces three ways to play, inspired by Japanese sugoroku. The Journey focuses on racing along the path, The Adventure adds strategic route choices, while The Hidden Garden incorporates creatures hidden within the artwork as gameplay elements.

With its combination of illustration, holographic production, puzzles and gameplay, Tails of Mischief 2 offers a distinctive take on the modern playing-card deck... one designed to be collected, explored and played. Pledge starts at $21 on Kickstarter.

Tiger vs. Snake Vintage Playing Cards

Tiger vs. Snake Vintage Playing Cards bring a colorful dose of vintage-inspired artwork to the playing-card market, drawing on the look and character of classic matchbox packaging.

Hand-illustrated by Alex Haines, the deck uses a vibrant orange and green palette, with the central artwork depicting a dramatic battle between a tiger and a snake. 

The nostalgic presentation continues onto the luxury paper tuck box, giving the deck a distinctive retro character.

The cards feature a full-color, hand-illustrated one-way back design. The faces use bold artwork and four-corner indices, making the deck suitable for both right- and left-handed players.

Printed on 300gsm linen stock and available now on A.Haines Playing Cards for $20.

Final Hours on Kickstarter! Pantheon Playing Cards by TCC

TCC Playing Cards is bringing four ancient mythological traditions together in THE PANTHEON on Kickstarter, an ambitious playing-card series inspired by the gods, symbols and legends of Norse, Celtic, Greek and Egyptian mythology.

The project takes a classical visual approach, drawing on Palace Oil Painting, Neoclassical decoration and symmetrical compositions to give the decks a unified historical aesthetic. Each mythology retains its own colour palette, characters and symbolism while contributing to the larger Pantheon concept.

Inside, the four suits represent Norse, Celtic, Greek and Egyptian mythology, while the court cards feature figures from each tradition. The design is built around a deep crimson and gold palette, with ornate borders and mythological symbols woven throughout.

Also, TCC has also produced four individual editions dedicated to each mythology. The Norse, Celtic, Greek and Egyptian decks feature their own tuck-box artwork, court cards and themed details while sharing a consistent design language across the series.

For collectors, the Black Collection Deck offers a darker interpretation of the Pantheon design, shifting the artwork into a black-and-gold palette. It is available exclusively through the Gilded Collection, which is limited to 500 sets worldwide and includes six decks with gilded edges.

Available NOW on Kickstarter from $12.50.

Top 5 Coolest Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Cards

A design-focused look at five standout cards from the Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration expansion! For my first Pokémon TCG feature, I wanted to focus on something that feels right at home here... great card design.

The Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration expansion is one of the most visually diverse collections in the game’s history, bringing together everything from brand-new rarities and pearlescent finishes to nostalgic reprints of some of the franchise’s most recognizable cards.

Rather than ranking these cards by playability or market value, I’m looking at them through a collector’s lens: artwork, composition, originality, finishes, and overall visual impact.

Here are my five personal favorites:

5. Meowth- 144/128

The first card features the familiar Kanto region with Meowth enjoying the ultimate catnap beneath a warm, sun-drenched sky. Desginer OKUBO takes a more urban approach, with another Illustration Rare depicting Meowth fully committed to its purr-fect slumber. Both cards use relaxed compositions and playful characterisation to make everyday moments feel wonderfully charming.

4. Sylveon ex- 153/128

Artist You Iribi delivers an effortlessly sleek take on Sylveon ex, with flowing ribbons framing the composition and subtle pastel shifts creating a soft, luminous palette. The linework and elegant colour balance give the card a polished, almost fashion-editorial feel.

3. Mew ex- 152/128

This Special Illustration Rare by Kuroimori is one of the collection’s standout chase cards. Mew rests peacefully in a lush, sun-dappled forest, with soft ambient lighting filtering through the foliage and delicate honeysuckle framing the scene. The natural palette and layered greenery give the artwork a beautifully serene, storybook quality.

2. Pikachu ex- 150/128

While the two Pikachu ex cards form a clever day-and-night pairing, the nighttime version by Kantaro edges it for me. Pikachu leads a lively celebration beneath a star-filled sky, surrounded by nighttime and Ghost-type companions including Gengar and Chandelure. The contrast between the glowing characters, deep nighttime palette and festive parade atmosphere gives the artwork a wonderfully cinematic quality. It’s also one of those instantly recognisable pieces that has come to define the visual identity of the 30th Celebration set... a particularly fitting choice for an anniversary collection.

1. Jirachi ex- 155/128

A stunning card! Legendary TCG illustrator Akira Egawa may have delivered a genuine masterpiece with this SIR. The artwork combines cosmic, star-filled lighting with delicate, ethereal brushwork to create an incredible sense of depth and scale. Jirachi feels almost suspended within a vast galactic landscape, giving the card an atmosphere and visual richness that goes far beyond the typical trading card.

Deck View: Jetsetter Jet Black (Premier Edition) Private Reserve Playing Cards

Vintage. Sleek. Sophisticated.

The Jetsetter Premier Edition in Jet Black (Private Reserve) continues Paul Ruccio’s vintage-inspired series, drawing on the classic design language of vintage casino and airline playing cards. The deck combines a clean, understated aesthetic with modern touches, making it especially appealing to aviation, travel, and playing-card enthusiasts.

The Jet Black edition features recolored standard faces inspired by traditional airline and aviation color schemes, paired with a classic casino-style card back. The black colorway is carried through the card backs, Ace of Spades, and court cards, giving this edition a darker and more sophisticated appearance than earlier Jetsetter releases.

Like all Jetsetters, the deck is housed in a durable synthetic tuck box accented with silver foil and clear UV spot varnish. Printed by the Expert Playing Card Co.

Fulton's White Owl Playing Cards

Fulton’s White Owl Playing Cards offers a Halloween-themed companion to the previously released Black Cat deck, celebrating the popular White Owl candy with a playful twist on the brand’s cryptic fall aesthetic.

Designed with illustrations by Ethan Kowaleski, the deck features completely custom artwork and a carefully controlled Pantone color palette throughout the cards.

The deck is housed in an embossed tuck box with strategically placed spot UV gloss, adding contrast and texture to the packaging while reinforcing its candy-inspired theme.

As the inverse counterpart to Black Cat, White Owl continues Fulton’s seasonal playing card series with a lighter, sweeter take on Halloween.

Now on Fultons Playing Cards for $20.

Kovadrin Playing Cards by Kevin Cantrell

 

From the Cantrell Brothers, the Kovadrin Chronicles on Kickstarter campaign expands beyond its graphic novel with a custom deck of playing cards created by Kevin Cantrell in collaboration with theory11, inspired by the endless night of the fantasy world of Kovadrah.

The Kovadrin Playing Cards feature the story’s nocturnal atmosphere with an entirely black design and cold-foil printing across every card. The tuck box continues the premium treatment with multi-level embossing, three foil colors, and black ink printed on premium card stock.

Two editions of the deck are on offer during the campaign. The Standard Edition is the ongoing version, featuring the black-and-cold-foil design and available through most campaign tiers and as an add-on.

The Limited Gold Edition is restricted to just 1,000 decks worldwide and adds gilded black edges and a distinctive red seal. Only 200 of these decks are available during the campaiagn in select reward tiers, rather than as an add-on, with each featuring an exclusive numbered seal.

Designed as an artifact from the world of The Mourning Tower, the Kovadrin deck translates the series’ themes of starlight, darkness, and ancient mythology into a highly specialized collector’s playing card release.

Pledge starts at $20 on Kickstarter.

First Look: Moonbound Nocturna Playing Cards

Thirdway Industries returns to lunar themes with Moonbound Nocturna, a new playing card project inspired by the Moon and its many incarnations. Continuing from the 52 Plus Joker Club 2025 Deck, the collection will be available in four different versions, each built around an elaborate combination of metallic finishes and intricate packaging.

All four decks feature cold foil on both the front and back of the cards. Gold and holographic foil create a highly reflective surface, while red and blue inks are printed over the foil to produce shifting, luminous effects as the cards move.

The presentation continues with luxurious two-piece boxes produced in Italy by Boschiero & Newton. Multiple layers of precisely applied foil appear across both the exterior and interior of the boxes, giving the packaging the same elaborate treatment as the cards themselves.

Moonbound Nocturna will be printed by KingStar in fewer than 500 decks per version, making it one of Thirdway Industries’ smallest print runs. The decks will be offered exclusively through Kickstarter, continuing the collector-focused approach of the original Moonbound series. printed by Kingstar. 

Kings Wild Project Set to Launch The Hobbit Playing Cards on Kickstarter!

A new The Hobbit Playing Card Deck by Kings Wild Project is set to launch on Kickstarter on October 6, bringing Bilbo Baggins’ legendary journey to the table through a collection of hand-illustrated playing cards.

The project features two unique decks containing more than 30 original illustrations. Every character is hand-drawn and painted in watercolor by the artist, giving the cards a distinctly traditional, illustrated look while continue to capture the characters and world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit.

 

The decks are designed as a visual journey through Bilbo’s adventure, with the custom artwork forming the centerpiece of the project. The combination of watercolor illustration and playing card design gives the collection a handcrafted feel suited to both gameplay and display.

The Kickstarter campaign launches October 6, with a pre-launch page already available for those who want to follow the project and receive a launch notification.

Deck View: Jetsetter Limited (Premier Edition) Playing Cards

Rare. Sophisticated. Exclusive. 

The Jetsetter Limited Premier Edition Playing Cards were released as a secret add-on exclusively for backers of the Jetsetter Kickstarter campaign almost 10 year ago by Paul Ruccio! With only 500 decks produced, this edition is one of the rarest releases in the Jetsetter series.

The deck features a sleek black colorway that sets it apart from the standard Premier Edition. The black treatment extends across the card backs, Ace of Spades, and custom court cards, creating a sophisticated and understated appearance while retaining the vintage travel aesthetic that defines the Jetsetter brand.

The minimalist tuck box is finished with precise spot UV detailing and sealed with a numbered Jetsetter stamp bearing the words “Authorised Personnel Only.” This limited presentation gives the deck a distinctive collectible character while reinforcing its exclusive, travel-inspired theme.

Printed in Taiwan by the Expert Playing Card Company on Classic Finish card stock, the Limited Premier Edition combines elegant vintage styling with smooth handling and durable construction.

Issue 112 of Kardify Magazine is now on Patreon!

Issue 112 of Kardify Magazine 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 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:   

+ Vanir: Designed and illustrated by Nicolai Aaroe, Vanir offers an abstract and artistic interpretation of Vanaheimr and the Vanir from Norse mythology. Check it out!

+ New Smoke & Mirrors: Room One and D&D have teamed up for this two-deck set inspired by the connection between illusion and the Chinese phrase “Mirror Flower Water Moon”.

+ ERROR (Laser Edition): Dealersgrip’s striking new addition to the ERROR playing cards series that pushes beyond its traditional black-and-white aesthetic. Have a look!

+ Fontaine Royal Fever: A playful and experimental decks designed by Arius Ziaee in White and Colored Editions, bringing the distinctive visual style of the Fontaines to a vibrant take on the traditional playing card.

+ World Heritage: A premium collection by 52 Musee inspired by iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites from around the globe through richly illustrated anthropomorphic artwork.

+ Republic: After more than five years since their OG REPUBLIC playing card release, the team behind UUSI continues the story with a newly released Second Edition. Find out more!

+ Golden Spike: Designed by Jody Eklund, this exquisite deck pays tribute to the completion of the first Transcontinental Railroad.

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

On Kickstarter, Secret Tale Blackbeard Playing Cards

Dutch Card House Company returns to Kickstarter with the fifth chapter of its Secret Tale playing card series, this time turning to the legend of Blackbeard and a fictional mystery surrounding Edward Teach, Anne Bonny, and the Bermuda Triangle.

The story begins with a supposedly recovered parchment attributed to Anne Bonny, revealing an alternate history in which Blackbeard’s fearsome reputation was deliberately created to protect a mysterious portal hidden within the Bermuda Triangle. At the center of the legend is Nerovare, a colossal sea creature said to guard the portal and drive intruders away.

The project features three main editions. Black Guardian represents the legendary Blackbeard persona, with a dark oceanic design accented by gold, hidden anchors, compass roses, and Nerovare’s tentacles. White Guardian, a Kickstarter-exclusive edition with a minimum production of 150 decks, reverses the palette with a white background and numbered closure seals. Green Nerovare features a deep emerald-green tuck and is reserved for special Guardian Trio sets and the Triangle Wooden Display Box.

All three editions share fully custom artwork, including 12 court cards portraying figures from the story, custom Aces, geometric number cards, and Jokers contrasting an idyllic maritime “Mirage” with the supernatural reality beneath the Bermuda Triangle. The decks feature premium foil-stamped and embossed tuck boxes, with cold, nautical-inspired artwork throughout.

Also, during the campaign, updates and comments contain clues and puzzles that backers can solve together, culminating in a final challenge. A collector’s Booklet expands the lore, while gilded editions of the Black and White Guardian decks add metallic gold and emerald-green edges respectively.

With its combination of historical figures, pirate folklore, fictional mythology, and interactive storytelling, Secret Tale Blackbeard continues Dutch Card House Company’s approach of making the deck part of a much larger narrative.

Pledge starts from $23 on Kickstarter.