Kardify Magazine Issue 80 Now on Patreon!

We’ve just released Kardify Magazine Issue 80 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-December to mid-January. 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:   

+ The Cross Admiral Angels: Designed by Peter Voth, The Cross Playing Cards tells the story and influences of Christianity through cards. Find out more!

+ Deck of the Year 2023: After concluding our annual review and reflecting on the industry’s events of the past year, find out who won our biggest recognition for 2023.

+ Room52: Themed around “Room & Space”, Room52 is the debut deck by cardist Lunzi’s Smooth Writing with two distinct versions. Check it out!

+ Wonka: The latest deck by Theory11 unveils a world of bespoke illustrations of beloved characters from the film, elegantly adorned within a luxurious matte-purple box accented with shimmering gold foil.

+ Paisley Poker Series: Responding to popular requests, the Dutch Card House Co. introduced a borderless Paisley Poker deck with a white decor accentuating vivid colors for a visually stunning edition.

+ The Fez: Kings Wild Vintage Reimagined deck draws inspiration from the classic Shriner’s deck. Check it out!

 + Secrets of the Sea: In an eagerly anticipated follow-up to their previous successful deck, “The Elves Deck” FRIS Cards launched their latest Kickstarter project about pirates and the ocean. Have a look!

+ Craps: Mechanical Industries expands its casino-themed collection with their latest deck featuring an innovative 3D flip-book animation of dice rolling along a Craps table and serving as a marked deck!

… and more! 48 pages of articles and deck images. Enjoy!

Braniff Playing Cards: A Tribute to Aviation's Iconic Era

From Art of Play, Braniff playing cards pay homage to the 1960s jet-set era, commemorating Braniff’s lasting influence on art, fashion, design, and the world of travel.

In 1927, Braniff Airways took flight as a pioneering force, evolving into a global airline that connected 89 destinations. In 1965, the airline launched a groundbreaking campaign, “The End of the Plain Plane,” revolutionizing the industry.

Alexander Girard, a design luminary, redefined air travel aesthetics for Braniff, infusing vibrant colors and mid-century modern design into 17,542 touchpoints. Braniff became a trendsetter in art, fashion, and travel.

Printed by the USPCC and available now from Art of Play for $18.

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.

Modern Idols (Hope Edition) Playing Cards

Neon. Custom. Worship.

Modern Idols Hope Edition is a part of the Modern Idols series of playing cards by Thirdway Industries, based on the beliefs of the modern age. Designed by the Italian designer Giovanni Meroni, the Hope deck is inspired by a TV Series about American Gods – the story is about the new Idols that replaced the Old Gods. 

Modern Idols Hope deck incorporate Giovanni’s recognizable artwork, and vibrant neon color palettes with a new mythology. The artwork is fully custom with the card backs featuring Pure Silver Metallic ink combined with Neon inks. Meanwhile, the faces use 5 different colors: 3 neon inks that go fluorescent under blacklight!

Printed by the USPCC and available now from Thirdway Industries for $25.