Now on Kickstarter! Beetle Backs Playing Cards

Now on Kickstarter, Beetle Backs Playing Cards are the latest deck produced by the Gentleman Wake in collaboration with Widakk Design. The Beetle Backs are designed as a luxurious deck of cards intended for game night, magicians, as well as card collectors. The theme explores the Kafkaesque tale of Theodore. G. Willford, an entomologist who is obsessed in his study of the rhinoceros beetle.

There are a total of 6 editions: 4 editions (Crimson Red – Cobalt Blue – Prestige Black – Dynastinae Green) are currently available, with the other 2 (Prism Purple and Legacy Gold) locked behind stretch goals. The tuck box for Crimson – Cobalt – Prestige – Legacy features a typographic work saying the title of the series, along with an intricate framework with TGW initials and the illustration of a rhinoceros beetle. As for the tuck box for Dynastinae – Prism, it features the portrait of the entomologist as an anthropomorphic beetle. Studio Pression in France will produce all tuck boxes.

There are two different designs for the backs of the Beetle Backs. For Crimson – Cobalt – Prestige – Legacy, the back design features a two-way illustration of the beetle entomologist sitting in his vintage study within the intricate border. For Dynastinae – Prism, the back design features a symmetrical mirrored illustration of the entomologist standing with a cane complete with the initials of TGW.

The artworks will be printed on ivory background: CMYK with Metallic Pantone inks for Crimson and Cobalt – beautiful gold cold foiling for Prestige, Legacy, and Dynastinae – divine holographic cold foil for Prism. The cards for Legacy, Dynastinae, and Prism will be gilded.

The faces of the cards are designed in a way that is suitable for gameplay and magic, yet luxurious with custom artworks. The pips are all standard, with a single pip on each Number Cards will have the TGW initials. The court cards feature Widakk’s iteration of the classic courts, with hidden details of rhinoceros beetle – a homage to Widakk’s “The Devils in the Details”.

All of the Aces feature customized enlarged pips – Ace of Spades features an elaborate artwork of a flying entomologist within the floral framework and a glimpse of his gentleman study; the other Aces depict the multiple stages of metamorphosis of Theodore G. Willford – from man to beetle. Both Jokers feature identical illustrations of the beetle riding a penny-farthing, a homage to the vintage Bicycle jokers. The extra cards feature the portrait of the entomologist and the TGW placard.

All of the cards will be printed with Cartamundi on B9 Slimline stock with Linen Finish. Pledge starts at $20 for either Crimson or Cobalt Edition OR $26 for the Prestige Edition on Kickstarter.

First Look: STORIES by Vanda Playing Cards

Produced by Vanda Playing Cards, STORIES is the latest project in the Vanda Artists Series exploring the inherent duality that any tale possesses. Vanda Artists Series features incredibly talented artists who have a passion for creating playing cards.

STORIES is the 3rd product in the series featuring the artwork of Serbian graphic designer, Srdjan Vidakovic better known as Widakk. The deck is fully custom and showcase the Widakk's retro designs.

Fully custom, each court card tells a story with original artwork featuring an artistic representation of a unique dual-sided story and has been meticulously illustrated. With its soft subtle pastel-shaded colors, each card exudes fun and charm, while maintaining the traditional function of a playing card deck. Every story has two sides and isn't complete until you've heard both views.

STORIES will come in 4 editions named in different book volumes. They are packaged to resemble a collection of books, neatly ordered on a library shelf. Each volume is slightly from each other.

Volume 1 features gold on red colorway tuck with Monochomae court cards. Volume 2 features gold on blue colorway tuck with full-color court. Both Volume 1 and 2 will be embossed and comes with interior print. The two decks will be printed by the USPCC.

Meanwhile volume 3 sports a gold and green colorway tuck. The face cards come with metallic inks. Volume 4 looks rather stunning in black with gold foil. The gold foil will be featured on the cards as well. Both decks will come with interior print and embossing for the tucks and sealed with a metallic seal. They will be printed by Cartamundi.

STORIES will launch on Kickstarter on Saturday, November 2nd. Pledge starts at $16.

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Deck View: STORIES Volume 3 Playing Cards

Retro. Narative. Duality.

STORIES Volume 3 from Vanda Playing Cards is a beautifully crafted deck that continues the brand’s exploration of narrative duality. Designed by Serbian artist Srdjan Vidakovic (Widakk), this fully custom edition showcases his signature retro aesthetic and imaginative storytelling.

Each court card illustrates two sides of a tale in mirrored detail. The deck features soft, pastel tones enhanced with metallic inks on the face cards, giving it both charm and refinement. 

Printed by Cartamundi, the deck is housed in a gold and green tuck box designed to resemble a vintage book spine, it includes interior printing, embossing, and a metallic seal for a luxurious finish. Available from Vanda Playing Cards for $30.

Kickstarter: The Planets- Earth Playing Cards by Vanda Playing Cards

Recently launched on Kickstarter by Vanda Playing Cards, the Planets is a collection of decks representing the planets in the solar system, starting closest to the sun, Mercury and moving outwards into the surrounding universe. The third deck of The Planets series is our home planet Earth, featuring standard human courts.

Like the two previous decks in the series, Earth features the gorgeous artwork of Srdjan Vidakovic, a graphic designer better known as Widakk from Novi Sad, Serbia and is the most luxurious Vanda deck series to date.

The deck is fully custom, from the striking card backs to the gorgeous Ace of Spades and retro hand-illustrated human court cards and joker.

Two editions are on offer during the campaign: Standard Edition with a stunning embossed black tuck box with holographic green and white foil and the Limited Edition with an embossed dark blue tuck box with holographic silver and gold foil sealed with a numbered metallic perforated seal- only 500 will be available!

The tuck boxes will have interior foil and printed by Clove St. Press, producers of gorgeous letterpress printing. The decks will be printed by the United States Playing Card Company. Pledge starts at $10 and the uncut sheet will be available as an add-on. Check it out on Kickstarter!

The Great Creator Earth Edition Playing Cards

Greek. Earth. Creation.

The Great Creator Earth Edition playing cards is a collaboration between Widakk Design and Riffle Shuffle. The intricate back design features symmetrical decorations of the Greek architecture surrounding the borders and at the center, lies two guardian lions.

The number cards follow the same classic pattern as regular number cards. The Earth suit symbols are infused with beautiful flower petals with gold borders surrounding them. Every single one of the custom court cards holds an item that helps the process of creating the world. The bold Ace of Spades is guarded by two ancient guardians side by side, with the spade symbol in the center.

The deck is kept in a stunning tuck box featuring a Green and Gold hot foil stamp with precision embossing. Also, the inner tuck case is printed with sophisticated Green and Gold hot foil stamp artwork.

Printed by Taiwan Playing Card Company with their Luxury Paper Stock. Available on Vanishing Inc. for $14.95.

Kickstarter: The Planets- Venus Playing Cards by Vanda Playing Cards

Currently on Kickstarter, the Planets is a collection of decks representing the planets in the solar system, starting closest to the sun, Mercury and moving outwards into the surrounding universe. The second deck of The Planets series is Venus, featuring an all-female court.

The deck features the gorgeous artwork of Srdjan Vidakovic, a graphic designer better known as Widakk from Novi Sad, Serbia and is the most luxurious Vanda deck series to date.

The deck is fully custom, from the striking card backs to the gorgeous Ace of Spades and retro hand-illustrated all-female court cards and joker.

There will be two editions available: Standard Edition with a stunning embossed black tuck box with holographic magenta and white foil and the Limited Edition with an embossed dark blue tuck box with holographic silver and gold foil sealed with a numbered metallic perforated seal- only 500 will be available!

The tuck boxes will have interior foil and printed by Clove St. Press, producers of gorgeous letterpress printing. The decks will be printed by the United States Playing Card Company. Pledge starts at $10 and the uncut sheet will be available as an add-on. Check it out on Kickstarter!

Final Week on Kickstarter! The Great Creator Playing Cards

Following the success of the Devil's in the Details playing cards, Widakk Design in collaboration with Riffle Shuffle has launched the Great Creator deck on Kickstarter.

The ancient Sumerians believed that it was the primeval sea that created heaven and earth, then came the moon and the sun. These cards embodied the two canvases that represent the universe- the land and the sky, represented by the Earth Edition and Sky Edition.

The intricate back design features symmetrical decorations of the Greek architecture surrounding the borders. At the center of the canvas lies two guardian lions for the Earth Edition. Lion is often represented as the king of the jungle. While the Sky Edition follows the same design pattern, the center guardian animal is now a majestic eagle watching over the entire deck.

The number cards follow the same classic pattern as regular number cards. The Earth suit symbols are infused with beautiful flower petals with gold borders surrounding them. While the Sky suit symbols embody the vast skies in the form of a star-shaped icon.

Every single one of the custom court cards are holding an item that helps the process of creating the world. Some court cards are holding farm animals that are essential for human survival. 

The bold Ace of Spades is guarded by two ancient guardians side by side, with the spade symbol in the center. Below the symbol is a totem of the god and goddess. The Earth edition reads the banner: “Goddess of Earth”, while the Sky edition reads “God of Heavens”.

The Jokers of the Great Creator Deck showcase the Goddess of Earth herself creating what seems to be a silhouette of a woman and the God of the Heavens creating a silhouette of a man. 

The two editions complete the picture by forming an entire globe on the tuck case. In the front of the Sky Edition tuck box, the creator is holding his hand above the globe, while the tuck back showcases the creator placing a star onto his canvas while standing in the clouds. 

The Earth Edition is also a canvas to Mother Earth herself. The front of the tuck case features the creator and her guardian lion, carefully protecting the globe with life surrounding it. The back of the tuck case is viewed with the creator nurturing the land around her.

Both tucks feature a Green/Blue and Gold hot foil stamp with precision embossing. Also, the inner tuck case is printed with sophisticated Green/blue and Gold hot foil stamp artwork. Each comes with a custom foiled number seal.

Printed by Taiwan Playing Card Company with their Luxury Paper Stock. Available NOW on Kickstarter for $12.

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Final Week on Kickstarter- House of Whispers Playing Cards

Master mentalist Kellar O’Neil comes with the idea of creating the most beautiful playing cards in the world for magicians, cardists, game enthusiasts and collectors. Partnering up with Chris Tipton, he established Marvelous Decks.

Since its creation, they have produced wonderful decks, like Hummingbird Feathers – decks based on the beautiful feathers of a hummingbird; and Twenty Twenty – decks that told the story of the global pandemic. Now, Marvelous Decks is presenting their best project yet, brought to by Widakk Design and Dalibass Design, House of Whispers Playing Cards.

Known as the Invisible Ink Collective, House of Whispers Playing Cards features the idea of a royal household that keeps the secrets of the “Owl Master” that have been locked behind the golden gates of the manor for centuries. It is an imaginable mansion where it features decorative rooms with magical secrets that can be heard with a gentle whisper just like the flight of an owl.

The card back design features the artwork of a heavily detailed mansion room, complete with windows, arches, and filigrees. You can spot the initials emblem with a crown on top right away on both sides, complete with a banner that spells the name. There are two owls, each one is peached onto the banner. The House of Whispers deck features violet color with metallic rose gold cold foil, while The Great Hall deck features black color with metallic gold cold foil. 

All of the Aces feature intricate works of a vintage cabinet showcasing the enlarged pips, with the Ace of Spades being the most detailed of them – a magnificent cabinet that features a lot of owls. The number cards have a standard design, with a single pip for each card will have a keyhole.

The Jokers feature identical illustrations of a dancing jester holding a large key in front of a hall of windows. The courts feature two-way illustrations of royal members of the mansion, done in Widdak style, framed inside the intricate border. This border, along with the details of the Jokers will be foiled: rose gold foil for The House of Whispers Deck, and gold foil for The Great Hall Deck.

The tuck box for the decks in this collection is fashioned as drawer boxes! So, the outside of the tuck is a slipped-off sleeve, producing the inside drawer that stores the cards. The House of Whispers outer sleeve features the intricate cabinet showing the title of the deck and two owls on the front, while the back side shows an intricate framework centring the initials emblem. It is made with black paper stock with white, copper, and silver hot foil.

The Great Hall outer sleeve features a minimalistic yet clean design – the front side shows the title of the deck, the back shows the initials emblem. It is made with white paper stock with gold foil. The inside box, which is the drawer box, features a beautiful repeating pattern with the emblem on the bottom side. There is a “door” box flap with 3D sculpted embossed owl – it has a pull tab that allows you to open and close the box, like opening and closing the door of the mansion. The House of Whispers drawer box features a black and silver colorway, while The Great Hall features a brown and gold.

There will be two extra variants for this collection, one is the “Colors of Light” – featuring a borderless design of a colorful palette representing the essence of the Stained Glass Window and the artwork details will be done in metallic turquoise foil. Every edition will have the Gilded variant of it – only a very limited amount made.

There are two editions are available during the Kickstarter campaign: The House of Whispers and The Great Hall. Cards will be printed by Cartamundi, while the Tuckboxes are printed by Fresh Impressions Studio. Pledge starts at $28 for a choice between the House of Whispers Deck or The Great Hall Deck on Kickstarter.

Issue #56 of Kardify Magazine Released on Patreon

Kardify Magazine issue #56 is now available on Patreon in both EPUB and PDF format! 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 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 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:

+ Bicycle Launches NFT Collection: Welcome to the future! Bicycle launched their first-ever NFT card collectibles called the “Genesis Collection”. Find out more!

+ Odyssey Genesys: Check out the most ambitious Odyssey playing cards ever! The Kickstarter campaign features 3 different eye-catching editions.

+ 818: Have a look at Theory11’s limited edition 818 playing cards produced in collaboration with Kendall Jenner’s 818 Tequila. 

+ Alice in Wonderland: Take a trip down the Rabbit Hole in Wonderland with Alice and the wildly unusual and whimsical characters of the beloved story designed in exquisite detail by Jackson Robinson.

+ The Great Creator: Following the success of the Devil’s in the Details playing cards, Widakk Design in collaboration with Riffle Shuffle launched the Great Creator deck on Kickstarter.

+ Captain America: Have a look at the officially licensed Captain America Playing Cards by Card Mafia, designed to take you into the journey of Steve Rogers (a.k.a Captain America) with the iconic Vibranium Shield of red, white, and blue color scheme.

+ Holographic Split Spades: The artist-proof Pearl and Onyx Holographic Split Spades were sold out in under 2 minutes. Find out more!

+ 1st Holo Edition: Chris Ramsay dropped the eye-catching deck featuring a holofoil band, embossed 1st lettering on the tuck exterior, and 1st pattern on the interior of the tuck box.

… and more! 56 pages of articles and deck images. Enjoy!

Kickstarter: The Planets- Mercury Playing Cards by Vanda Playing Cards

Produced by Vanda Playing Cards, The Planets is a collection of decks representing the planets in the solar system, starting closest to the sun and moving outwards into the surrounding universe. The Planets collection is a continuation of the Vanda Artists series in collaboration with freelance artists who have a passion for creating playing cards.

The first deck of The Planets series is Mercury, featuring the gorgeous artwork of Srdjan Vidakovic, a graphic designer better known as Widakk from Novi Sad, Serbia. After 9 months, his vintage and retro art style have been gorgeously reflected on this luxurious deck.

The deck is fully custom, from the eye-catching card backs to the gorgeous Ace of Spades and retro hand-illustrated court cards and joker featuring creatures with stone-like heat-resistant skin.

There will be two editions available: Standard Edition with a stunning embossed black tuck box with holographic bronze and white foil and the Limited Edition with an embossed dark blue tuck box with holographic silver and gold foil sealed with a numbered metallic perforated seal- only 500 will be available!

The tuck boxes will have interior foil and printed by Clove St. Press, producers of gorgeous letterpress printing. The decks will be printed by the United States Playing Card Company. Pledge starts from $10 and the uncut sheet will be available as an add-on.