UnitedCardists.com - The forum for Cardistry, Magic, Custom Decks and All Things Playing Cards.

old info:
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Hi UC,

More than one year ago, we started working on a Tarot deck. At the end of last year, we decided to create a poker deck based on Tarot cards.

Working title: Legendarium

Author: TBA I'll post all the details later as I don't want to share work in progress artwork now

Produced and directed: Montenzi

Decks: one Tarot and one poker sized (printed by Cartamundi)

Status: Cards are ready. We are working on back designs, colors, and presentation

When: April/May on my KS collab account

Story: The text for the Tarot deck booklet is almost ready

I'll show you the poker edition style. This deck will be colored by me. Work in progress:

Well, you know that *I'm* in.

Looks good. Will you be sharing any of the major arcana any time soon? Wink, wink.

I am now pushing my money across the table.

I'm in.

I don't own any montenzi designed or produced decks...
I might end up with a Tarot and a poker deck of his in the future. I like what I see so far.
Artwork gives me an old school, classic, antique vibe. The colouring adds to that.
For the QoH, it would be kinda trippy if the hands that overlap now would shake hands to create a perfect mirroring transition imho.

I own a spread of his earlier decks - this deck is a sharp turn from those - liking it as well

Like Harvonsgard I don't own any Montenzi decks yet. This one has me on the fence. Gives me Final Fantasy 6 vibes.

Thanks for the comments! I'll post Tarot cards later. The Tarot deck is another story and a completely different market.

Remember, I am just a producer on this project, not a designer. However, I was heavily involved in poker deck creation. It was my idea to create this edition, I selected all characters for this deck and asked to make specific changes to the art. I'll also design boxes and will refresh back designs. I'll share a couple of examples (WIP, poker vs. tarot):

p.s. colors/effects are not final for both Tarot and poker decks

it is nice that, while similar and the same character, the tarot and poker art is completely different and not cut and paste.

STLBluesNut wrote: ↑Wed Mar 08, 2023 4:34 pm it is nice that, while similar and the same character, the tarot and poker art is completely different and not cut and paste.

Yes, exactly! Some cards will be more similar, but it's still not a copy-paste.

Really like the feel of these. I'll be following.

Your collaboration really is looking good.

I have had many creative collaborations in my writing and broadcasting/recording career, and the best collaborations were those where we each pulled the best possible work from each other; where the total sum of our work together was greater than anything we could have created separately. You are obviously a very talented collaborative art director in addition to being a designer/artist in your own right, and your art direction is obviously well-suited to bringing out some great work from this artist. I have to assume their work is, in turn, helping you to sharpen your own skills.

What I see here so far is most tasty, and I'm looking forward to both decks!

Hi UC,

My summer (NZ winter) has been incredibly busy, but I believe this project will be launched on Kickstarter in September. Here's a preview of a couple of Tarot deck cards.
I will be printing MPC samples next week.

I am now pleased to reveal the name of this exceptionally talented designer: Mila Losenko. It's a great pleasure to work with her!
https://www.instagram.com/losenkomila/
She is currently working on a couple of new card projects (you can check out the recent images on Instagram).

P.S. I am aware that there has been a delay with my AI project. I will be posting another update shortly.

From the artists insta…

That’s a beautiful AoS

Definitely something I'm looking forward to. I like the mixture of antique and modern vibe.

As it's a collab I was involved in the creation of the poker deck + I colored all the cards and redesigned the aces based on the artist's sketches/linework.

Also, I heavily modified the back design based on the Tarot back (I'll show it later).

Example: AoS vs. artist's sketch:

All Aces:

GandalfPC wrote: ↑Sat Sep 23, 2023 12:53 pm From the artists insta…

It's her next tarot deck.

Looks like I have a few decks to make room for. If I buy some sandals I can toss out my socks and free up a drawer…

Hi UC,

I'm finally almost ready to launch this project (date/time TBA, will be posted here and on IG). I had (and still have) some issues with WJPCC, so both the poker and tarot decks will be printed by KingStar!

What about WJPCC? I am retracting my recommendation to use WJPCC and will no longer endorse them. I prefer not to disclose the reason for this decision. However, I may still consider printing there as a last resort.

Any reason Legends/Expert aren't being considered as much these days?

kevork wrote: ↑Thu Oct 26, 2023 10:15 pm Any reason Legends/Expert aren't being considered as much these days?

Legends is still a good choice, but I believe they have a minimum of 1000 decks. I need more flexible options (500). Also, I am not sure if they ever produced tarot decks. Also, I don't like their Viper stock.

Cartamundi is still #1 option for a regular print run. Printing in China is not as inexpensive when factoring in shipping costs to warehouses. Therefore, I prefer to pay a slightly higher price and print with the top brand. Chinese printers are still okay for small runs and for tarot decks.

Great to see these going forward. Cartamundi and top brand in one sentence is still an oxymoron for me personally but the artwork and all I've seen so far make these a purchase regardless of printer.

We are almost ready.

This one is the Limited Edition (500 copies)

• Three HOT FOILS on the back

• Three HOT FOILS + embossing on the box

• Dark background on face cards

All decks will be printed on 300gsm stock from Japan, but this paper is crushed to 280gsm (marketing value, only available at KingStar). It's an exceptional stock! In terms of thickness, it is 1:1 Cartamundi Slimline.

p.s. ALL poker decks will be Kickstarter/Montenzi exclusive

Can't wait for this! I think it looks great!

I forgot to mention gilding.

I’m really excited for this!

montenzi wrote: ↑Fri Nov 17, 2023 8:07 pmIt's an exceptional stock! In terms of thickness, it is 1:1 Cartamundi Slimline.

I hope it doesn't have the softness of slimeline!?

Harvonsgard wrote: ↑Sat Nov 18, 2023 9:44 am I hope it doesn't have the softness of slimeline!?

I really like this paper! It's not worse or better than Slimline; it's different. And I like the fact that I am very comfortable with it. It is much better than the 300/310gsm from Germany. It feels a little softer (5-10%) than the crushed USPCC's stock. Just my very subjective opinion.

Are all decks gilded or is that an optional feature when backing?

I personally am not interested in tarot decks but will definitely be backing some "standard" poker decks, if available during this campaign.