First Look at The Carbon Deck(s)

[Update] The Carbon Decks are now LIVE on Kickstarter!

Elemental Playing Cards are back with the 3rd installment of the popular series and this time around in collaboration with Luke Wadey for the Carbon Deck(s). The deck is scheduled to launch on in a few hours on Kickstarter (23rd June). The Carbon Deck campaign will be the first element in the line to feature 2 editions- Carbon Diamond Edition and Carbon Graphite Edition.

Diamond and Graphite are both are well-known minerals. Both are made of carbon atoms arranged in a crystalline structure. However, that is where their similarities end and in fact could not be any more different from one another. It is because of these differences that Nick Nisco decided to make both these decks as different from one another as possible



Carbon Diamond Edition has a 2-way back design with an included marking system geared more towards magicians, whilst Carbon Graphite Edition has a 1-way full bleed back design geared more towards cardists.

Carbon Diamond Edition was designed with magicians in mind. The two way back design features a familiar central circle design element that is inspired by the Tally-Ho Circle Backs. The design is meant to represent a round-cut diamond using a mosaic of various shapes and shades of black and white. The darker background coupled with this mosaic gives off an optical illusion of a diamond shimmering in the light. Around the perimeter of the diamond, you will also see the words "Diamond Edition."

Carbon Graphite Edition features a one-way design and semi-border/full bleed aiming to create unique and interchangeable fans. The focal feature is a large hexagon, it's textured and asymmetric gradients establishing a point of reference in your flourishes. Large pencil strokes run off the upper left side corner - the effect of scribbling in one place as if you were roughening up a freshly sharpened pencil helping to create dark areas during fans and spreads.



The face cards are completely standard except for the court cards and the ace of spades. Each of the court cards is done in black and white and has the diamond mosaic weaved throughout the garment each court card. The fading and smudging effect is prominently featured on the Graphite Edition. The designs also inhabit modified eyes, with the lower eyelid lines being removed for a cleaner finish, and overall result in a sense of familiarity whilst remaining distinctly individual.

The ace of spades follows a similar motif as the previous decks in the Elemental Playing Card line. It features an enlarged spade pip and in the center of the pip is Bohr's atomic model for carbon. The model includes carbon's atomic number, symbol, and the number of valence electrons.

Both editions of the deck will feature 3 jokers that were hand-drawn. The first shows an open hand holding piece of graphite. The second a closed fist around that piece of graphite with the words "pressure" underneath. And finally, the third joker shows the hand opened up once more, now with a piece of diamond.

The tuck design continues to follow the same motif as previous editions which a large circle on the front of the tuck that wraps around the sides. The element symbol "C" for carbon found in the center with the word "carbon" written underneath. "Diamond Edition" is written above the "C". The graphite tuck uses a deep grey to replicate that of pencil lead, contrasting with the white of the diamond edition.

[Update] The Carbon Decks are now LIVE on Kickstarter!

Printed by the USPCC and pledge starts at $12. Don't miss out!

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Here is Issue 37 of Kardify Magazine

Wow! We just released Issue #37 of Kardify Magazine on Patreon in EPUB format! Patrons who pledged $3 or more on will be able to download the latest issue from our Patreon page. This issue compiles selected articles published from mid-May to mid-June. 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, mystery deck shipped to you every 4 months of ongoing contribution, 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 bringing new quality content to you. Our aim is to support designers by backing on crowd-funded 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:

+ Abandoned Room: A look at the stunning deck by Rick Davidson created for world-renowned magician Dynamo’s Abandoned Room show in the UK.

+ The End of an Era: Ellusionist announced that 3 of their deck designs have been forcibly discontinued and they have no stock to sell. Find out more!

+ Paisley Royals: Have a look at the two stunning new decks by the team at Dutch Card House Company designed for the magician and collector.

+ Postage Paid: Check out the unique deck by King’s Wild inspired by playing card “postcards” featuring stamps and postal address.

+ Orange Offset Concept: A fresh, unique, and intriguing deck by Cardistry Touch that will surely turn heads.

+ Rise: The inaugural deck by the team at Rise- intricate details and beautiful artwork. Check it out...

+ Jerry's Nugget: The popular Jerry's Nugget Playing Cards are back with four NEW colorway... Steel, Yellow, Black, and Rose Pink!

+ SE Braindead Fontaines: Zach Muller teamed up with BrainDead to make a Special Edition deck for BLM to raise as much as they can in deck pre-orders.

… and more! 55 pages of articles and deck images. Enjoy!

Deck View: Pinball Playing Cards

Nostalgic. Geometric. Energy.

Released in 2018, BOCOPO Playing Card Co.'s Pinball Playing Cards is a nostalgic tribute to the best game included with the Windows OS. The virtual pinball table with blinking lights and arcade sounds, 3D Pinball seemed like magic back in the 90s and this deck is designed to bring the magic back into your hands. The deck sports a contrasting blue, white, and beige colorway, which makes the design pop!

The card backs feature a borderless geometric design inspired by the game. The face cards are fully custom and the geometric design from the backs have been applied throughout. The courts and Ace of Spades, in particular, are very well done! The color palette adds energy and fun to the deck. The pips have been redesigned and work well with the overall theme of the deck. However, at first glance, the pips have the same color scheme and style, making it hard to distinguish each suit. However, once you get used to it, there are no problems.

The designer did a good job of bringing back the excitement of the retro game. Printed by the U.S Playing Card Co. and available NOW from bococpo.com for $11.95.

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Deal of the Week: 15% Off Kings Wild Father's Day Collection

The team at Kings Wild is celebrating Father's Day this weekend with a 15% EVERY SINGLE DECK in the collection (pictured above). Some of our favorites include Crayons, Maduro, and VHS 1982 Holo. Don't miss out!

Valid until 21st June on kingswildproject.com. oh... and Happy Father's Day to all Dads! :D

Find more deals, offers, and sales on tuckcase.com

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