Smoke and Mirrors (Mirror Flower and Water Moon) Playing Cards

Room One and Dan & Dave have teamed up for Smoke and Mirrors, a two-deck set inspired by the intriguing connection between illusion and the Chinese phrase 鏡花水月 (Mirror Flower Water Moon).

“Smoke and mirrors” describes the obscuring or embellishment of truth, while Mirror Flower Water Moon refers to something beautiful yet intangible and impossible to grasp. The two ideas come together in a collection that explores illusion, reflection, and beauty across cultures.

First released at the Asia Card Convention (ACC) 2026 in Guangzhou, the decks combine Room One's contemporary aesthetic with Dan & Dave's signature playing card design.

The set features Mirror Flower and Water Moon, each with shimmering cold-foil card backs, semi-custom courts, custom Ace of Spades and Jokers. The decks are housed in a distinctive light-up Infinity Mirror tuck box, adding another layer of illusion to the presentation.

Printed on Room One's premium 270g Sleight Stock. Available for $30 on Room One Cards.

The Crowns (Standard Edition) Playing Cards

Room One Cards and CKB Studios have teamed up for The Crowns, a playing card deck inspired by the enduring symbols of royalty, power, and legacy. The deck debuted at the 2026 Asia Card Convention (ACC) in Guangzhou, alongside an exclusive Gilded Edition available only to select convention attendees. 

Each court card portrays a monarch or ruler from history, with their distinctive crowns drawing from the visual traditions of different cultures and empires.

Rather than focusing on royalty as an abstract concept, the deck explores the diverse traditions and iconography that have shaped civilizations throughout history.

The design uses a restrained palette of beige, rustic bronze, and muted traditional playing-card colours, giving the deck an aged, archival character reminiscent of historical artefacts and forgotten manuscripts. The tuck box features hot foil and embossing for an elevated finish.

The deck was printed by Room One on 270g Sleight Stock. Available on Room One Store for $16.

Deck View: Spiral Holo Fontaine Playing Cards

Holographic. Hypnotic. Iconic.

The Fontaine Spiral Holo Playing Cards are a limited-edition deck featuring a hypnotic rainbow holographic spiral built around the iconic Fontaine “f” logo.

The standard faces and courts are retained, while the Ace of Spades incorporates the spiral artwork and the two Jokers feature holographic “Center of Cardistry” designs.  Each tuck case and card back has a slightly different holographic spiral placement, giving every deck a subtly unique appearance. 

Limited to 6,000 decks worldwide. Printed by Legends Playing Card Company with a traditional cut, the deck combines Fontaine’s minimalist aesthetic with an eye-catching holographic finish.

Error (Laser Edition) Playing Cards by Dealersgrip

The second new release from Dealersgrip. Error playing cards returns with Laser, a striking new edition that pushes the series beyond its traditional black-and-white aesthetic.

Built around the idea that “a laser is light that agreed on a direction,” the deck features razor-sharp blade imagery rendered in striking blue holographic foil. Under changing light, the seemingly blue finish shifts across the holographic spectrum, creating a dynamic effect across the card backs and tuck box.

The deck introduces a warm grey foundation, replacing the stark monochrome palette of previous Error editions while maintaining its organic minimalist character. The court cards use a single colour matched to their respective suits, adding subtle variation without compromising the clean design.

Printed on soft-feel stock for smooth handling straight out of the box, Error Laser comes housed in a matte grey tuck case with an extended flap and holographic foil detailing.

Error Laser is priced at $24 on Dealersgrip.

The NEW Sepal Orchid Playing Cards

 

First of 2 new releases from Dealersgrip! The popular Sepal deck returns with Orchid, the latest addition to its floral playing card series, featuring a single orchid captured in vibrant close-up photography.

After six years of keeping its flowers within the familiar Sepal frame, this edition breaks the boundary. The orchid's petals extend beyond the traditional border and spill through the card's notch, creating a striking sense of movement and growth.

The deck features vibrant floral photography, detailed photographic court cards, and a colourful gradient backdrop that gives each card a fresh, contemporary feel. The cards are printed on a soft-touch stock designed to handle smoothly straight out of the box.

The deck is housed in a full-colour wraparound tuck box with an extended flap, continuing Sepal's distinctive minimalist approach while giving the orchid room to flourish.

Sepal Orchid is priced at $24 on DealersGrip.

Vanir Playing Cards Bring Norse Mythology to Life

Vanir Playing Cards, designed and illustrated by Nicolai Aaroe, offer an abstract and artistic interpretation of Vanaheimr and the Vanir from Norse mythology. Rather than pursuing historical Viking authenticity, the project embraces fantasy, imagination, and the mystical power of Sejdr magic.

Inspired by Norse mythology, fantasy fiction, and the visual world of The Lord of the Rings, this playing card series explores the Vanir as a race connected to nature, magic, wisdom, and the hidden forces of the Earth.

The series features three distinct editions: Blót (Ritual), Sejdr (Magic), and Vanadis (Goddess). Each edition features a unique colour palette, tuck box, card back, Aces, and metallic edge gilding. Blót combines earthy brown with teal energy and gold gilding, Sejdr focuses on vibrant teal with matching teal gilding, while Vanadis uses a dark, nocturnal palette accented by copper and magical energy.

Fully custom, the 12 Vanir deities appear throughout the court cards, while the Aces offer additional storytelling elements, particularly in the Blót edition, where they depict Vanir ritual scenes.

The tuck boxes feature matte lamination, metallic foil, embossing, seals, and illustrated interiors, with the iconic Stag of Vanaheim appearing on the backs. The card backs depict flowing energy veins representing Sejdr magic, creating a chaotic yet symmetrical visual system unique to each edition.

For collectors, the project also includes a 32-page illustrated lore booklet exploring the mythology, characters, culture, and artistic interpretation behind the Vanir, alongside a 50mm antique-gold-plated metal coin featuring embossed tribal artwork.

Printed by WJPC on premium linen-finish stock, each edition is limited to a maximum of 1,200 copies. Pledge starts at $25 on Kickstarter.

Final Week on Kickstarter! Warriors of the Moon Playing Cards

Blue Moon Co. returns on Kickstarter with Warriors of the Moon, a spirit-animal themed playing card collection inspired by Selene, the Greek Goddess of the Moon.

The collection reimagines 12 spirit animals as powerful warriors, with each represented through the court cards. The Spades feature the Lion, Rabbit, and Deer; Diamonds showcase the Panther, Peacock, and Butterfly; Clubs feature the Wolf, Unicorn, and Crab; while Hearts bring together the Whale, Swan, and Owl. Selene herself serves as the inspiration for the Jokers.

The Kickstarter project includes three editions: Signature, Morning Night, and Shadow Blue. The Signature Edition features an innovative book-style tuck box with a magnetic closure, a removable 40mm embossed collector coin, and a sleeve housing the cards. The deck itself features holographic foiling and holographic gilded edges for an eye-catching finish.

The Morning Night and Shadow Blue editions feature their own custom tuck boxes, card backs, Aces, Jokers, courts, and number cards, continuing the celestial and mystical aesthetic throughout.

Collectors can also choose a limited Collector Box Set, containing all three editions plus gilded versions of the Morning Night and Shadow Blue decks. Both gilded editions are limited to just 100 copies each.

Pledge starts at $17 on Kickstarter.

Gold Certificate (Standard Edition) Playing Cards

Vintage. Ornate. Luxurious.

Federal 52 Gold Certificate by Kings Wild Project is the second deck in the original Federal 52 series, inspired by the design language of American banknotes and currency.

The fully custom deck builds on the original Federal 52 artwork, with gold foil added throughout the cards to highlight the intricate illustrations. The custom courts, aces, jokers, and detailed card back all incorporate the metallic treatment, giving the vintage-inspired artwork added depth.

The deck is housed in a minimalist orange tuck box finished with matching orange foil. Printed by the Expert Playing Card Company, Gold Certificate combines classic currency-inspired design with a refined, contemporary presentation.

UUSI Releases the Second Edition of REPUBLIC Playing Cards

I was browsing UUSI's store page and stumbled on this deck! After more than five years since their OG playing card release, the team behind UUSI continues the story of REPUBLIC Playing Cards with a newly released Second Edition.

Named after Republic, Michigan... the home of the UUSI studio and a community with strong Finnish roots, the deck celebrates the Finnish and Nordic folk art traditions that have long influenced UUSI's design work.

The original REPUBLIC deck features a restrained beige and black colour palette, with a seamless card back inspired by traditional Finnish patterns. Custom court cards, Jokers, and the Ace of Spades reinterpret familiar playing card imagery while maintaining the deck's distinctly Nordic character.

The Second Edition is limited to 1,000 decks and retains the minimalist aesthetic and craftsmanship of the original release. Each deck contains 52 playing cards and two Jokers, printed on premium linen-finish playing card stock and housed in a luxurious heavy-paper tuck box featuring an embossed design and custom seal.

Available now for $30 on Uusi.

FULTON Relesases Steamboat Willie Playing Cards

Fulton's Playing Cards has introduced the Steamboat Willie Playing Cards, a nostalgic deck inspired by the iconic 1928 animated short that recently entered the American public domain.

The deck features a striking holographic foil back design housed in a matching holographic foil-embossed tuck box. 

Every court card showcases a different character image drawn from the original Steamboat Willie archives, giving the classic animation a fresh playing card treatment.

The tuck box is crafted from handmade Castle Grey paper produced in England, with naturally pressed textures that give each deck its own unique appearance and tactile feel.

Available for $20 on Fulton's Playing Cards.

Issue 111 of Kardify Magazine is now on Patreon!

Yay! Issue 111 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-July to mid-August. 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:   

+ Royales Revieras: From Kings & Crooks, expanding the vintage casino-inspired Royales playing card series celebrating the elegance of the French Riviera and Monte Carlo. Have a look!

+ Smoke & Mirrors Brutalist: This new limited edition reimagines the iconic series by Dan & Dave with inspiration drawn from brutalist architecture, featuring bold geometric patterns.

+ Rajputs: A celebration of Rajasthan’s royal heritage, bringing centuries of valour, beauty, and honour to life through a meticulously illustrated deck.

+ The Door Gods: A new collection by Bloom Playing Cards inspired by the traditional Menshen (Door Gods) of Chinese folklore. Check it out!

+ SHOP52: TCC and artist Lunzi have unveiled a fully illustrated deck that transforms an everyday shopping street into a miniature world of shops, characters, and stories. Find out more!

+ Imperial Silver: Have a look at the luxurious new edition by Kings Wild Project featuring an elegant blue and silver color palette. 

+ Mastermind: A stunning custom deck by Keymaster Games inspired by the board game Caper: Europe. The artwork follows the game’s stylish heist theme, with custom card backs and court cards depicting master thieves planning and executing daring robberies across some of Europe’s most famous cities. 

… and more! 50-pages of articles and deck images. Enjoy!

Good Pals Unveils Logo V2 Playing Cards

The Card Inn's Good Pals returns to Kickstarter with Logo V2, introducing two new decks: the Purple Logo and Gold King Logo Playing Cards... alongside their limited gilded collector's editions.

The latest releases celebrate the brand's 10th Kickstarter campaign with premium foiling, custom artwork, and collectible finishes.

The Gold King edition showcases radiant gold foil throughout the card backs and face cards, highlighted by the most intricate Ace of Spades design Good Pals has created to date. Meanwhile, the Purple Logo edition pairs a purple matte tuck with gold foil detailing and striking purple foil card backs, complemented by custom purple-accented courts and pips.

Both decks feature fully custom artwork while maintaining a classic layout suitable for card games, magic, and cardistry. 

The gilded editions elevate the presentation further with unique patterned edges, including a wave-effect gilding for the Gold King deck and a crystallised purple gilding for the Purple Logo edition.

The Gold King Logo deck is limited to 375 copies, with a gilded edition restricted to just 125 decks. The Purple Logo deck is accompanied by a gilded variant limited to 150 copies. Every limited edition deck features an individually numbered seal for collectors.

Printed by WJPC, pledge start at $16 on Kickstarter.

Deck View: Golden Spike (Limited Edition) Playing Cards

Historic. Engraved. Collectible.

The Golden Spike Limited Edition, designed by Jody Eklund, pays tribute to the completion of the first Transcontinental Railroad, a landmark event that connected the American East and West and transformed transportation and commerce.

Inspired by the ceremonial Golden Spike driven at Promontory Point, Utah, the deck features meticulously researched artwork rendered in a cross-hatch engraving style inspired by 19th-century lithographs. The custom court cards depict key figures involved in the railroad’s construction, turning the deck into a miniature history lesson. Every card was carefully researched and illustrated, with the vintage aesthetic carried throughout the deck.

Printed by the United States Playing Card Company, the Limited Edition combines historical storytelling with detailed engraved artwork, making it a standout for collectors and railroad enthusiasts.

Owl Mystic Playing Cards

Owl Mystic Playing Cards is an illustrated Kickstarter. project by aboutcardistry celebrating traditional pen-and-ink craftsmanship. Created in collaboration with illustrator Xiaohongshu, every card has been meticulously hand-drawn, with intricate linework and detailed owl-inspired characters that embrace the warmth and personality of handmade art.

The deck is available in two editions: a regal Purple Edition with a classic aesthetic, and a nature-inspired Green Special Edition featuring a brighter colour palette. Both editions are presented in premium tuck boxes made from specialty coloured paper and finished with embossed foil, metallic inks, and UV printing.

The cards feature holographic finishes and metallic inks on both the faces and backs, highlighting the intricate illustrations while maintaining a vintage-inspired look.

During the campaign, backers can also opt for a limited Four-Deck Gift Box, limited to 300 sets worldwide. The premium pull-out box includes four decks: two with gilded edges... along with a signed art booklet showcasing the original black-and-white artwork.

Printed on 280gsm imported Japanese paper stock, each 56-card poker deck is limited to 1,888 standard editions and 888 special editions. Pledge starts at $10 on Kickstarter.