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I'm working with Russian based artist, Fil Kustov on Black Magic Playing Cards. He designed the face cards and designed the back. We'll be printing with WJ Printing in China. They've been improving greatly over the years as a printer. I haven't printed anything since 2017 but I've gotten some of the cards they printed for others. For example, Elephant Playing Cards were printed there. I bought both versions and the quality is a huge improvement.


WJ is currently printing my Apollo 11 playing cards. This will be my first deck in a long time. I've spent time resting and traveling the world looking for my soulmate. I've been to the Ukraine, Spain, France and Russia. I'm happy to say that I think I found her in Russia. So, yes, I am colluding with the Russians.

I gotta say... Everything about this is above-average.

The style is 'weird', but it's not bad at all. The back design is pretty good.

As always your art is superb, even if you only drew the back. The courts are also well drawn but I'd prefer it if there were less white space. At least they're colorful, like the spot card- also nice. Not a bad theme either. But I don't think you need me to tell you that the KS page is incomplete. There should obviously be way more art renders and is this the tuck?:

If not, you need a pic of the tuck first and foremost (for those of us that only collect tucks ). If it is then it's unclear that it's the tuck and it's a little lack-luster. The pentagram is nice but you need a title. Lastly, I know you had to print Apollo with WJPC since the previous campaign with a better printer failed. But if you ask me that's the only acceptable reason to print with a lesser printer. I would prefer it these were printed by a better co., especially at $12 a pop.
Right now I'm on the fence..

This deck is like Diskworld on LSD...I backed it a few days ago.

I added all the cards to the Kickstarter page. I also put the entire tuck case on display. If I had enough funding I wanted to do a velvet finish to the tuck case. I have a deck from WJ called Nautilus that uses a velvet finish on the tuck case. It has a cool look and feel.

rjtomlinson1977 wrote:If I had enough funding I wanted to do a velvet finish to the tuck case.

THAT would be awesome and definitely make up for the lack of title on the front (I see it on the top flap). I've added this to my watch list. Now promote the hell out of this, RJ!

Wow, probably going to back a brick. Are you planning to implement any stretch goals?

I'm in for a pair. Thanks.

vasta41 wrote:

rjtomlinson1977 wrote:If I had enough funding I wanted to do a velvet finish to the tuck case.

THAT would be awesome and definitely make up for the lack of title on the front (I see it on the top flap). I've added this to my watch list. Now promote the hell out of this, RJ!

I'll do my best promoting. Ironically, that's one area my ex was actually very helpful in. She was better at promoting then I was. I always did the creative side and she would do the business side. I'm hoping my Russian girlfriend (who's moving here May 31) is good at the business side. She's very interested in learning the business. Knowing my luck, I"ll have to exes in competition with me.

chicken_ql wrote:Wow, probably going to back a brick. Are you planning to implement any stretch goals?

Yes, I'll find out the cost of the velvet finish so I can officially set a stretch goal for that. I'll also set a few other stretch goals. Maybe print with Bicycle if we get to $7,000.

rjtomlinson1977 wrote:Maybe print with Bicycle if we get to $7,000.

It doesn't look like it but that would be AWESOME!

vasta41 wrote: I would prefer it these were printed by a better co., especially at $12 a pop.
Right now I'm on the fence..

Somehow I knew this comment will be there. It makes me remember this....

guru wrote:

vasta41 wrote: I would prefer it these were printed by a better co., especially at $12 a pop.
Right now I'm on the fence..

Somehow I knew this comment will be there. It makes me remember this....

What's the context of that?

chicken_ql wrote:What's the context of that?

Proving that not all NPCC decks are so tightly bound that you couldn't squeeze a fart in them.

I also take it to mean that when you don't open the deck, you're not really certain what the quality is inside. All you can do is shake the tuck to get a sense of the cards.

But, that's just my take.

rousselle wrote:I also take it to mean that when you don't open the deck, you're not really certain what the quality is inside. All you can do is shake the tuck to get a sense of the cards.

But, that's just my take.

There is context behind this.

The nice thing about WJ is that they listen to advice and are eager to improve. My first deck with them, Gettysburg, had a horrible chemical smell and the cellophane was so loose it was falling off many of the decks. Both of these issues they promptly fixed for the next deck I did with them.
So, what is the issue? The cards shouldn't be heard when shaken? Let me know what information to pass on. It obviously won't be fixed in time for the Apollo 11 deck but maybe in time for the Black Magic. Regardless, I'm 100% certain, that they will fix the issue very quickly.

Hopefully Black Magic gets funded soon because the artist that collaborated with me on the project wants to do a Alice in Wonderland punk inspired deck. This is just a rough draft he sent me this morning. There's several areas of improvement I plan to point out to him but overall it's a interesting concept.

rjtomlinson1977 wrote:Hopefully Black Magic gets funded soon because the artist that collaborated with me on the project wants to do a Alice in Wonderland punk inspired deck. This is just a rough draft he sent me this morning. There's several areas of improvement I plan to point out to him but overall it's a interesting concept.

Looks promising. Now I hope Black magic gets funded soon aswell.

rjtomlinson1977 wrote:So, what is the issue? The cards shouldn't be heard when shaken? Let me know what information to pass on. It obviously won't be fixed in time for the Apollo 11 deck but maybe in time for the Black Magic. Regardless, I'm 100% certain, that they will fix the issue very quickly.

The opposite, I believe. Paul's complaint was that WJPC's tucks were too tight and the video was intended to prove that not all their decks are packed so tightly you can't get the cards out. That's what the shaking is about.

Merlebird wrote:

rjtomlinson1977 wrote:So, what is the issue? The cards shouldn't be heard when shaken? Let me know what information to pass on. It obviously won't be fixed in time for the Apollo 11 deck but maybe in time for the Black Magic. Regardless, I'm 100% certain, that they will fix the issue very quickly.

The opposite, I believe. Paul's complaint was that WJPC's tucks were too tight and the video was intended to prove that not all their decks are packed so tightly you can't get the cards out. That's what the shaking is about.

Okay. I understand now. I'll pass on the information.

I like and think this "shake test" conversation is interesting. I my self want the cards in the deck to be tight and not to shake if possible. This means the tuck is cut perfectly to suit the size of the cards. About two years ago USPCC stopped using their T-42 tuck case die line and started exclusively using the T-52 Tuck die lines. They did this to consolidate production and only have to produce one tuck case. I have used both tuck cases and unfortunately for USPCC the T-42 is by far (IMO) the tuck case to use. There is no play in the tuck nor is there any bow or warping of the face and back of the tuck which in turn will make the cello feel sloppy. This is one of the main reasons I stopped using USPCC (besides the price) to print my tucks. I now just use the old T-42 on my own and have really been pleased with the results. As a side note, the tabs on the tongue flaps change as well on the T-52 and it makes the flap snag to easily when opening. A tight deck will also help maintain the shape and structure of your tuck which in turn will make it last longer. Slopp in the deck will lead to more damage as the cards inside are not supporting the entire deck (mainly the corners) at all times, the way they should.

My $.02, take it with a grain of salt.

JacksonRobinson wrote:As a side note, the tabs on the tongue flaps change as well on the T-52 and it makes the flap snag to easily when opening.

That explains soooo many questions I have had.

It's not like I'm looking for a party when I shake a tuck. I just like the little bit of wiggle room. The tucks that are so tight that the cards don't move an inch when shaken seem "cheaper" to me, almost as if the tucks are so tight that the front and back of the tucks might as well be considered 2 extra cards bookending the deck. I prefer my tuck cases to be just that, cases.

vasta41 wrote:It's not like I'm looking for a party when I shake a tuck.

I am looking for a party when I shake a tuck.

Ideally a cake should fall out.

Merlebird wrote:

vasta41 wrote:It's not like I'm looking for a party when I shake a tuck.

I am looking for a party when I shake a tuck.

Ideally a cake should fall out.

And dancing girls. That would be a great party!

rjtomlinson1977 wrote:

Merlebird wrote:

vasta41 wrote:It's not like I'm looking for a party when I shake a tuck.

I am looking for a party when I shake a tuck.

Ideally a cake should fall out.

And dancing girls. That would be a great party!

Now that's a deck of cards that has all of that in it.


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Less than 2 days to go and so close to the velvet tuck stretch goal. I just backed in hopes it will help push this campaign over that edge. A Velvet tuck would look awesome with this deck and really make the $12 worth it. Just a few hundred more to go, c'mon people!

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