New Year 52 Playing Cards by Smooth Writing

Now on Kickstarter, New Year 52 Playing Cards by Lunzi & TCC transform the the Lunar New Year into a collectible experience built around one powerful idea: the door. In Chinese tradition, the door is where blessings arrive... and New Year 52 uses it as both a visual motif and a functional design element.

Inside the deck, storytelling unfolds across the cards. Firecrackers evolve through the number cards, shifting from full strings to drifting smoke as values increase, while koi fish and gold ingots carved into the door motifs symbolize smooth journeys and prosperity. 

Court cards replace spoken greetings with visual exchanges of couplets, quietly expressing New Year blessings. 

The deck’s standout feature is its magnetic tuck box, which includes removable New Year couplets that can be arranged directly on the box, inviting hands-on participation in the ritual of welcoming good fortune. 

A magnetic “Fu (福)” character can be placed upright or upside down, symbolizing happiness arriving when inverted—a familiar cultural gesture turned tactile and playful. The tuck is finished with embossing and paired with Spring Festival–themed, hand-drawn illustrations.

For collectors, the New Year 52 Collector’s Set expands the concept into a complete festive narrative. Limited to 1,000 numbered sets, it includes a special cold-foil deck, red envelope accessories, a full set of magnetic components, and an exquisite gift box. 

Printed by TCC on black-core paper with a linen finish, the deck balances elegant handling with durability. Pledge starts at $18 on Kickstarter.

Check Out Smooth Writing's Debut Deck, Room52

Lunzi, known for his impressive performances in cardistry competitions and as the lead illustrator at ARK, introduces his latest venture- Smooth Writing. The brand’s inception owes much to the stalwart support and collaboration from TCC.

Lunzi expressed enthusiasm about leveraging cards as a tangible canvas to articulate thoughts and visions. Now funding on Kickstarter, Room52 is the debut deck by Smooth Writing with two distinct versions – Red and Silver (limited to 300).

Themed around “Room & Space,” Lunzi’s designs cleverly encapsulate the essence of “room” through the symbolic portrayal of “doors.” The Red edition, inspired by motifs from motels and road movie key cards, echoes the hues of Lunzi’s initial deck.

Lunzi’s illustrations pay homage to vintage designs, using early water-based pens for an authentic classical touch, rather than mere emulation. The series aims to share narratives from playing card history, drawing inspiration from classic forms such as the Dexter indexes, known for combining spatial feeling with efficiency.

Crafted specifically for cardistry, the cards boast large color blocks that stabilize visual effects during manipulation. Each door dynamically moves in tandem with motion, adding an immersive dynamism to the cardistry experience. They feature an embossed tuck case, deluxe specialty paper, gold foil interiors, and a linen finish, ensuring a tactile and premium feel.

The decks are manufactured by TCC in China and available now for $9.5 on Kickstarter.