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

For quite some time I’ve been silently working with my new printer on this... The deck features gold metallic ink on the faces, gold and silver metallic on the back and an intricate tuck case that was amazingly stamped on 2-sided color "metallic" stock, pushing the limits of detailed foiling.

600 numbered decks will become available out of the 700 produced and ICONS “SACRED” will never be reprinted.


As it was technically very demanding, and before I go to the press for IMPERIAL edition's final print, I decided to “sacrifice” this deck and use it in order to test my new printer’s efficiency and also to experiment with various production aspects from cutting methods and metallic inks’ behavior to playing card finish.

I used my own varnishing formula which has a feel that I like but appears a bit sensitive to rubbing and should be handled with care. That said, crafted with much love, devotion -and some risk-, ICONS SACRED is an experimental deck, more an art object than a deck for playing games.
But who can actually play games with the Sacred? That would be a sacrilege…

The deck will become available through my website in a few days. Exact day and time to be announced soon.

Thank you,
Lotrek

I've seen you teasing these on FB!
It looks fantastic, that box is something! Great job as always. Wouls prefer to have ICONS Imperial in my hands before getting these, but it seems thats not a option..

sms69x wrote: Would prefer to have ICONS Imperial in my hands before getting these, but it seems thats not a option..

Me too but I have no other option, unfortunately.

Wow! Loving everything I see here. That shade of blue on the card backs and on the peacock in the Ace of Spades is just lovely. And that tuck...

I very much look forward to getting my hands on these!

PrincessTrouble wrote:Wow! Loving everything I see here. That shade of blue on the card backs and on the peacock in the Ace of Spades is just lovely. And that tuck...

The shade of blue is actually black... It's because of the lighting. The back colors are: Black, metallic silver and metallic gold.

Lotrek wrote:

PrincessTrouble wrote:Wow! Loving everything I see here. That shade of blue on the card backs and on the peacock in the Ace of Spades is just lovely. And that tuck...

The shade of blue is actually black... It's because of the lighting. The back colors are: Black, metallic silver and metallic gold.

LOL.

It does look like soft, baby blue on the back to me. But in any case, I really like the way it looks. And I like the blue peacock very much too.

Can't wait! But hopefully all the previous projects can be fulfilled first!

Lotrek wrote:

sms69x wrote: Would prefer to have ICONS Imperial in my hands before getting these, but it seems thats not a option..

Me too but I have no other option, unfortunately.

How come we might not can't play wit these cards? If we have them, it's just only for looking at and holding them? Can't shuffle, etc?

4.of.Clubs wrote:Can't wait! But hopefully all the previous projects can be fulfilled first!

In case it's not clear, this is NOT a KS. The deck is ready and will be sold from website in a few days. And of course it will help me a lot to complete the pending projects as I have solved ALL production issues.

Bikefanatic wrote:

Lotrek wrote:

sms69x wrote: Would prefer to have ICONS Imperial in my hands before getting these, but it seems thats not a option..

Me too but I have no other option, unfortunately.

How come we might not can't play wit these cards? If we have them, it's just only for looking at and holding them? Can't shuffle, etc?

You CAN play and shuffle but the coating may loose shine with rubbing. I just recommend careful use as I'm not very proud of my varnish -the handling isn't as I wanted it. As I mentioned this is an experiment in all aspects before I go on with Imperial Edition Final print and OATH.
The absolutely playable/fanable edition (Secular) will be printed by one of the major manufacturers we know. But this is for later.

Very nice tuck. I'm in))) Waiting for release)

I'll be waiting!

Lotrek wrote:

4.of.Clubs wrote:Can't wait! But hopefully all the previous projects can be fulfilled first!

In case it's not clear, this is NOT a KS. The deck is ready and will be sold from website in a few days. And of course it will help me a lot to complete the pending projects as I have solved ALL production issues.

On Google Chrome, it doesn't like your website...

I think you've already covered this (largely), but to be super clear please confirm, these decks are;

1. Already printed?
2. Have no quality issues that might cause a hold on shipment?
3. Will be shipped on their own, without waiting for anything else to ship?

Gareth wrote:I think you've already covered this (largely), but to be super clear please confirm, these decks are;

1. Already printed?
2. Have no quality issues that might cause a hold on shipment?
3. Will be shipped on their own, without waiting for anything else to ship?

The answer to all is: YES.

TGunitedcardists wrote:

Lotrek wrote:

4.of.Clubs wrote:Can't wait! But hopefully all the previous projects can be fulfilled first!

In case it's not clear, this is NOT a KS. The deck is ready and will be sold from website in a few days. And of course it will help me a lot to complete the pending projects as I have solved ALL production issues.

On Google Chrome, it doesn't like your website...

@ALL: Please can you check if you can visit my website? http://www.halfmoonplayingcards.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I got reports from another person that he cannot connect and I got to make sure it works for all...

Thank you

Lotrek, the link you posted works fine. The link you have on your signature is having problems with its security certificate. So the htpps is the one having problems, but the http is good.

Tested on Laptop and Mobile. Works fine for me.

Goes without saying, I'm in like Flynn.

And no problems accessing the website. Just hope the same can be said when these go on sale.

Will there be purchasing limits considering the low number printed?

sms69x wrote:I've seen you teasing these on FB!
It looks fantastic, that box is something! Great job as always. Wouls prefer to have ICONS Imperial in my hands before getting these, but it seems thats not a option..

@Lortek- Please don't take this the wrong way but I would like to see your past-due projects completed first as well. You're work is outstanding and you have lots of perseverance. But whether the problems with Imperial or Grotesque are your fault or not the fact remains that backers don't have them and you've already teased two new products. I personally don't think you're out to screw anyone and I don't know how anyone could argue with that- you've been nothing but honest and transparent about the issues with those projects and I fully intend to receive them someday without things blowing up to "Mana status." I am glad to see you have no shortage of creative juices and I never want you to stop making decks at the pace in which you're working. I would just feel more comfortable if I knew the past-due projects were receiving most of your attention before more new projects do.

Again, don't take this the wrong way- I fully trust you will deliver. I just wanted to voice my opinion, albeit a minority opinion and as always good luck and I'll support you until I know you won't deliver (which I don't think will ever happen!).

vasta41 wrote:

sms69x wrote:I've seen you teasing these on FB!
It looks fantastic, that box is something! Great job as always. Wouls prefer to have ICONS Imperial in my hands before getting these, but it seems thats not a option..

@Lortek- Please don't take this the wrong way but I would like to see your past-due projects completed first as well. You're work is outstanding and you have lots of perseverance. But whether the problems with Imperial or Grotesque are your fault or not the fact remains that backers don't have them and you've already teased two new products. I personally don't think you're out to screw anyone and I don't know how anyone could argue with that- you've been nothing but honest and transparent about the issues with those projects and I fully intend to receive them someday without things blowing up to "Mana status." I am glad to see you have no shortage of creative juices and I never want you to stop making decks at the pace in which you're working. I would just feel more comfortable if I knew the past-due projects were receiving most of your attention before more new projects do.

Again, don't take this the wrong way- I fully trust you will deliver. I just wanted to voice my opinion, albeit a minority opinion and as always good luck and I'll support you until I know you won't deliver (which I don't think will ever happen!).

Paul, though your thoughts are valid and appropriately expressed, I got the impression from Lotrek's communications that this deck has and will help him in various ways, including testing out a new printer (which seems to be a success) and providing a much needed cash injection, to insure that he completes the previous projects as we all know that he will.

shermjack wrote:Paul, though your thoughts are valid and appropriately expressed, I got the impression from Lotrek's communications that this deck has and will help him in various ways, including testing out a new printer (which seems to be a success) and providing a much needed cash injection, to insure that he completes the previous projects as we all know that he will.

I guess I missed that but if the creation of this deck will aid in the production of Grotesque/ICONS then I'm happy to hear it!

vasta41 wrote:

sms69x wrote:I've seen you teasing these on FB!
It looks fantastic, that box is something! Great job as always. Wouls prefer to have ICONS Imperial in my hands before getting these, but it seems thats not a option..

@Lortek- Please don't take this the wrong way but I would like to see your past-due projects completed first as well. You're work is outstanding and you have lots of perseverance. But whether the problems with Imperial or Grotesque are your fault or not the fact remains that backers don't have them and you've already teased two new products. I personally don't think you're out to screw anyone and I don't know how anyone could argue with that- you've been nothing but honest and transparent about the issues with those projects and I fully intend to receive them someday without things blowing up to "Mana status." I am glad to see you have no shortage of creative juices and I never want you to stop making decks at the pace in which you're working. I would just feel more comfortable if I knew the past-due projects were receiving most of your attention before more new projects do.

Again, don't take this the wrong way- I fully trust you will deliver. I just wanted to voice my opinion, albeit a minority opinion and as always good luck and I'll support you until I know you won't deliver (which I don't think will ever happen!).

You're not alone and you expressed my feelings better than I could I think. I'm also happy to hear that this will help with the other decks. Keep on keepin on Lotrek.

@Vasta41:

I'm not getting anything wrong, Paul. In fact I feel the same way as you do. With one objection: Exactly because my due projects are receiving my full attention, I had to make sure that they will be soon and safely delivered this time. This includes testing my new printer (outstanding work!) as well as a cash injection that is indeed much needed. Apart from that, I'm ready to reprint IMPERIAL and Black Mass with GUARANTEED success.

A huge part of the problems I had was pure bad luck but there had also been wrong decisions on my end that inflated the problem. I took the time to relax, calmly rethink and redesign production so that we won't have any more bad news. Since I decided not to sell any other printing attempt(s) of IMPERIAL, I have scrapped tons (literally) of paper and money. This leaves me with no other option than to go on with other projects in order to aid ICONS IMPERIAL and BLACK MASS fulfillment.
I just felt that this time I should take the risk instead of you and also I think that we all needed something in hand instead of a promise. That's why I didn't do a KS although directly printing was really a big risk.

Playing card production is an extremely complicated process which I'm "inventing" from scratch as where I live there is no playing card manufacturer at the high standards our community requires. I'm not always successful and at times it's very frustrating, even devastating. But it's so fascinating to see a deck taking life in front of your eyes that it's fully worth the effort. I have so many upcoming ideas that cannot be printed by the big manufacturers that I have to produce them myself.

You all are a huge part of this undertaking and I owe you much more than 2 pending projects.

So what will the damage to our wallets be for this one?

jerichoholic wrote:damage to our wallets

04/19 1500 EDT

Can't wait!!

I just want one deck, I have purchased the other 3 icon decks, is it guaranteed the I will get one since I bought all 3 or can they sell out and miss my chance. just curious

Lotrek wrote:

Bikefanatic wrote:

Lotrek wrote:

sms69x wrote: Would prefer to have ICONS Imperial in my hands before getting these, but it seems thats not a option..

Me too but I have no other option, unfortunately.

How come we might not can't play wit these cards? If we have them, it's just only for looking at and holding them? Can't shuffle, etc?

You CAN play and shuffle but the coating may loose shine with rubbing. I just recommend careful use as I'm not very proud of my varnish -the handling isn't as I wanted it. As I mentioned this is an experiment in all aspects before I go on with Imperial Edition Final print and OATH.
The absolutely playable/fanable edition (Secular) will be printed by one of the major manufacturers we know. But this is for later.

What will lose shine and which part is sensitive? The card backs? The faces, etc? Could they fade out?

Whatever it is, I might get 2 decks.