Honeybee Special Edition Playing Cards in Pink!

Penguin Magic‘s Honeybee is back with a STRIKING pink colorway! The honeybee is a collaboration between Penguin Magic and Randy Butterfield (Midnight Cards). Kevin Reylek from Penguin Magic came up with the idea for a borderless back design resembling a Honeycomb as a tribute to the classic Bee-Style playing cards.

In addition to the custom back design and elegant tuck box, the Pink Edition Honeybee deck includes standard court cards with a custom color scheme, two custom jokers (one in color, one in black and white), and an elegant custom Ace of Spades. Two bonus gaff cards, a double backer and a blank facer, are also included.

The tuck box and borderless card backs feature a serene shade of pink, creating a visually pleasing and unique design. Each deck is sealed with a custom, individually-numbered stamp-style sticker, ensuring that every deck is a one-of-a-kind collectible.

These decks are crafted using Penguin’s exclusive UltraLux™ XT stock, printed with vegetable-based inks and traditionally cut, these cards are perfect for smooth table faro shuffles. Only 750 of these exquisite decks have been printed, making them a rare and valuable addition to any card collection.

The limited, special Pink edition of the Honeybee Worker Playing Cards is available NOW from Penguin Magic for $19.95.

Crafted for Magic, Mantis Playing Cards

The team at Butterfly Playing Cards has unveiled the Mantis Playing Cards, an innovative new deck designed by Sean Devine and Manel. This collaboration is Butterfly Playing Cards debut into the world of reader-style marked decks, blending vintage charm with a modern mantis motif.

Inspired by the urban legend, “When you see a mantis, beware of smoke and mirrors,” the Mantis Playing Cards are designed for magic. The deck features a cleverly developed reader-style marking system, allowing magicians to identify the value of any card with just a glance at its back.

The card backs feature a subtle one-way design, perfect for performing sophisticated magic tricks. The deck includes 1885 Bicycle faces, redrawn by Daniel Schneider to enhance its vintage appeal. The court cards have been redesigned, replacing the usual blue with the green used on the backs, ensuring a consistent look throughout.

The Ace of Spades is adorned with a simple and elegant praying mantis, and the deck includes a pair of identical Jokers, providing duplicates straight out of the box.

Mantis Playing Cards will be printed by the Legends Playing Card Company on their Ultra-thin Viper Finish. Pre-orders for the Mantis Playing Cards are available until May 31 on Butterfly Magic Store for $16.

Control Playing Cards

Carfted for Cardistry, Control Playing Cards by Syb Faes is born from personal reflections on the insidious nature of control. The inspiration for this deck emerged from a deep-seated tendency to control every aspect of life, akin to a puppet master manipulating strings.

This Kickstarter project is a collaboration between Rocio Egio, the talented designer behind the captivating visuals and Syb Faes, the creative force driving the concept. The Control deck comes in three distinct editions to suit every preference and style: the Standard Edition, the Special Edition, and the Holographic Edition. Each edition boasts unique features and design elements, promising an unparalleled cardistry experience.

In the Standard Edition, the court cards in vibrant colors are complemented by four ad cards. With its air S finish and white matte high-quality tuck case adorned with green foil, this edition exudes elegance and sophistication.

The Special Edition features a borderless design that enhances fanning and spreading, making every flourish more visually appealing. Along with 52 regular playing cards and four ad cards, the Special Edition comes in a white matte tuck case embellished with luxurious gold foil accents.

The Holographic Edition offers a mesmerizing experience. Inspired by Chinese Tang Tri-Color Glazed Ceramics, this edition comes with Holograph cold foil on both sides, creating a stunning visual effect.

In addition to offering a captivating cardistry experience, the Control deck serves as a reminder of the dangers of excessive control. As Syb Faes eloquently puts it,

Control is a powerful currency that can easily rob one of their freedom. The Control deck encourages users to embrace spontaneity and relinquish control – a valuable lesson that transcends the realm of cardistry.

The deck will be printed by BPCC and pledge starts at $16 on Kickstarter.

Zebra King Slayers Playing Cards

Constast. Black. White.

The Zebra King Slayers by Ellusionist is the follow-up to the minimalist King Slayers series. This eye-catching deck features the famous contrasting black and white stripes of the Zebra on the tuck and the card backs. The face cards, with the exception of the Ace of Spades and Jokers, are mostly standard. However, they have been improved with Zebra stripes on the pips to go along with the theme of the deck.

Like the original King Slayers, the tuck showcases the weapon of choice – the sword of the suicide king. The same sword is prominently featured throughout, from the custom mirrored card backs, jokers to the bold Ace of Spades. The number and court cards are standard but enhanced to match the overall color palette of the respective colorway.

The cards are printed on Luxury Pressed E7 Stock by Cartamundi cards.

Ankh Playing Cards: A Journey Through Egyptian Mythology by ARK

Now on Kickstarter, Ankh Playing Cards by ARK takes you on an immersive exploration of pyramids, Neters, and Egyptian art, combining historical reverence with modern craftsmanship.

The Ankh Playing Cards are a tribute to the rich heritage and mythology of Ancient Egypt. At the heart of this collection is the ARK Case, designed with a pyramid-inspired triangular structure. This innovative case opens horizontally, revealing a large triangle formed by the sides and top.

Inside, the illustrations in the Ankh Playing Cards blend hand-drawn and digital art techniques, vividly bringing to life the stories of Egyptian mythology. Each card showcases intricate details, from the weathered cracks on stone walls to the majestic portrayal of Egyptian gods. The Court cards particularly stand out, depicting the deities with a level of detail that captures the grandeur of the ancient civilization.

One of the standout features of the Ankh Playing Cards is the Mystery Finish and Ring HOLO technique. This groundbreaking method integrates a ring-shaped foil layer with card illustrations, creating a mesmerizing holographic effect. The special gold foil coating, applied between the black core paper and high-quality inks, produces captivating luminosity variations that enchant viewers from every angle.

The Ankh Playing Cards are available in four distinct editions:

Standard Edition: Limited to 3,333 decks, each with a unique serial number.This edition features Egyptian-themed designs, abundant mythology illustrations, and a pyramid creative tuck case.

Artist Box Set: Limited to 999 sets this set includes a HOLO Deck with ARK Case, a Special Deck, and a gift box with a book. The gift box has a double-door structure with a triangular notch, seamlessly integrating with the triangular card case when closed.

Walnut Box Set: Limited to 333 sets, this set includes gilded edge playing cards, a collectible coin, and a walnut box with embossed metal cards. The design adjustments ensure the wooden box resembles a pyramid, enhancing the display.

Luxury Black Edition: Limited to 99 decks, this edition is available only through the ALLIN reward. It features black edge playing cards and an embossed metal plate. The design, completed with a manuscript, ensures the full black aesthetic, including the edges.

Each edition is a masterpiece, combining the most luxurious craftsmanship, including the creative tuck case, Ring HOLO foil, and gilded edges. The attention to detail and the use of high-quality materials make the Ankh Playing Cards a must-have for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

Pledge starts at $15 on Kickstarter. Add-ons such as dealer coin and uncut sheets are available during the campaign.

Royal Sanctuary Playing Cards

By Shapeshifters and Max Playing Crards, Royal Sanctuary Playing Cards is an exquisite deck that promises to merge unmatched quality with breathtaking 3D-enhanced designs, inspired by the legendary Royal Sanctuary.

The Royal Sanctuary is said to be a divine refuge, conceived by the gods as a tribute to the nobility and honor of ancient kings and queens. This mythical sanctuary, protected by ancestral magic, served as a sacred place where only the purest of hearts could communicate directly with the gods. The Royal Sanctuary Playing Cards capture the essence of this mystical place, bringing its solemnity and grandeur to life with each card.

The deck comes in multiple editions, each offering unique features and designs. The Limited Editions, including the Kings and Emerald editions, are crafted with high-quality German linen card stock and decorated with golden metallic ink.

For those seeking a touch of luxury, the Noble Editions elevate the experience with elaborate foils in black, gold, and silver (or turquoise for the Emerald version) on a luxurious black soft-touch stock. These tuck cases are embossed and devoid of any printing, emphasizing the divine essence and nobility of the decks.

The crown jewel of the campaign is the Heritage Kings Edition. This edition features a tuck case combining metallic foils in three colors on pearlescent white paper, enhanced with detailed 3D-printed elements in silver and gold. The court cards, redesigned in monochromatic red and black with gold metallic ink, exude opulence and sophistication. The backs of these cards feature authentic gold and silver foil, adding a touch of regal splendor.

Each edition of the Royal Sanctuary Playing Cards offers a unique blend of elegance and sophistication. The court cards depict brave warriors, kings, and queens on their way to the sanctuary, showcasing their dedication to honor and justice. The intricate back designs symbolize the interconnectedness of all things, with the cross at the center representing stability amidst the chaos of existence.

Each deck is crafted to suit all tastes and preferences, the Kings Edition with its elegant fusion of silver and gold, or the vibrant Emerald Edition with its modern turquoise and gold combination. These cards are printed by NPCC with a premium linen finish and are available now from $15.

Issue 84 of Kardify Mag Released!

Issue 84 of Kardify Magazine has just been released 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-April to mid-May. 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:   

+ Space Suits: Meadowlark takes you on a nostalgic journey to the retro era, to the age when children idolize space heroes of a galactic adventure.

+ Odd Fellows ‘The Dude’: The latest addition to the renowned Odd Fellows series, designed by the talented Lorenzo Gaggiotti in collaboration with Penguin Magic. Check it out!

+ J&T: Crown Edition 2: This luxurious deck embodies the perfect fusion of practicality and aesthetic appeal, drawing inspiration from life, death, and stoicism.

+ Sushi: Take a look at BaoBao Restaurant’s latest addition to their food-themed decks, this time, representing the beloved delicacy from Japan.

+ New 1982 VHS: Inspired by the nostalgic charm of 1980s VHS tapes, this retro-themed deck by Kings Wild is sure to evoke memories of late-night movie marathons and rewinding tapes.

+ Ten in One Black Collection: Take a look at the latest addition to Dave Koenig’s vintage carnival-themed set of playing cards.

 + Odyssey Elite V2: After 5 years, Feel the Universe has launched the ELITE V2 with new designs on the faces and is enhanced with elegantly aesthetic borders that elevate its overall appearance. Check it out!

+ Dan and Dave’s Work Released to the World: Dan and Dave made a significant decision that will impact the cardistry world. Find out more!

… and more! 46 pages of articles and deck images. Enjoy!

Final Week on Kickstarter, Luminosity LUX Playing Cards

Designer Jody Eklund and writer Ricky Cassford have just released Luminosity LUX Playing Cards. This beautiful deck, now available on Kickstarter, is inspired by Norse mythology and tells a story about the constant battle between good and evil. The deck features stunning custom illustrations.

Luminosity LUX transports you to the mythical Lucent Lands, a once utopian realm of peace and prosperity. However, the kingdom falls into chaos following The Fracture, a devastating internal conflict.

The story chronicles the ensuing century-long Faction War, fueled by betrayal and power struggles. At the heart of this epic narrative is Ahendhal, the kingdom’s eldest protector, and his prized creation, destined to bring unity. This prophesied savior incites the fury of Kapshunis, the King of the Shadowlands, setting the stage for an intense battle of wills.

The Luminosity LUX deck is more than just playing cards; it’s a piece of art. Each card is meticulously designed with original illustrations that bring the story to life. Every court card, ace, and joker is fully custom, ensuring that each piece is a unique work of art.

One of the standout features of the Luminosity LUX deck is its special editions. The Lux Edition Tuck boasts a matte white card stock adorned with elegant copper hot foil stamping and strategic embossing, creating a visually striking presentation.

The Gilded Lux Edition Tuck takes it a step further with matte copper card stock and copper hot foil stamping, also featuring strategic embossing. For the first time, the backs of the Luminosity cards will showcase cold foil, adding a shimmering effect that enhances their visual appeal.

The deck features poker-sized cards with an air cushion embossed card finish and premium casino-grade paper stock. The deck will be printed by WJPC and tuck boxes by Boschiero & Newton. Visit the Kickstarter to learn more and pledge starts at $17.

Vacuum Tube Space Playing Cards

Rocket. Cosmonauts. Space.

The Vacuum Tube Space deck is a sci-fi-themed deck created by Russian graphic designer Vitaly Sinkevich and produced by Deallez Pro. This deck has unique cartoon-style images on the face cards. The back design is very detailed and includes vacuum lamps, tubes, old TV sets, burning rocket nozzles, analog switchers, and dial gauges.

The court cards showcase colorful cosmonauts and astronauts of the Vacuum Tube World – members of the international crew of some very important space campaign. The custom aces depict compositions with curious components, which are specific to analog technologies. Vacuum tubes are presented in each of the aces.

Printed by Cartamundi, the deck is kept in a tuck box pretending to come from the sixties of the imaginary twentieth century, where the whole story of the deck takes place. The design mimics the look of an old TV and features gold foil, embossed elements, and color-printed interior. 

RPM Nitro Playing Cards by Luke Wadey

Designer Luke Wadey has launched a new deck of playing cards called RPM Nitro on Kickstarter. The design of these cards is inspired by the sleekness and high performance of hyper cars. This neon-infused deck is the first in a series of hyper car-themed playing cards, blending Wadey’s passions for design, cards, and cars.

RPM Nitro features vibrant neon Pantone ink, a two-way back design, and a fully custom deck and tuck box. Wadey, originally an aspiring car designer, has combined his expertise in graphics with his love for cars to create RPM Nitro.

The neon ink on the deck has a UV-reactive property that further enhances its dynamic design. It features a central circle for cardistry, sharp, angled borders, and high contrast colors. The exclusive ace of spades features a striking neon car silhouette.

The campaign also offers RPM Panther, a Kickstarter-exclusive edition with a full black colorway, limited to the number of pledges received.

The standard edition of RPM Nitro is printed by WJPC. Backers can also add items such as deck signing, car sketch postcards, and previous decks to their pledges. Pledge starts at $12 on Kickstarter.

Alphabet Block Yellow Edition Deck

Step into the realm of nostalgia with Kings Wild latest release: a brand-new deck that celebrates the cherished memories of wooden alphabet blocks from childhood. Each card in this collection is a tribute to the simple joy and timeless appeal of these beloved toys.

The Standard Yellow Edition decks capture the essence of childhood wonder with their charming design and playful imagery. Each card is adorned with intricate illustrations inspired by traditional wooden alphabet blocks, transporting you back to a time of innocence and imagination.

For a touch of luxury, the Gilded Edition decks offer a truly exquisite experience. Limited to just 125 numbered decks.

Available NOW on Kings Wild Project for $10.

Childhood Playing Cards by LunZi

Last year, Lun Zi, the lead designer for ARK and a cardist, established his own cardistry brand called SmoothWriting. On Kickstarter, he launched his first deck, Room52 Playing Cards. After its success, the next addition to the brand will be released on TCC Web Store – Childhood Playing Cards.

The decks are heavily inspired by “Alice in Wonderland”. There are two main editions of the deck: Standard and Special edition. The back design for the two editions is completely different, with the face design having a slight difference. The Special Edition also will have the gilding upgrade, but it is only available in the Half Brick bundle.

The tuck box for the Standard edition features green foliage surrounding the area, with the card soldier poking out from the bushes. It is made with premium matte stock with embossing. The tuck box for the Special edition is made of lenticular lens, with the artwork showing the animation of the tricky cat and smiling moon appearing and hiding – inspired from Cheshire Cat character. It also comes with a special long perforated seal.

The back design for the Standard edition features a bordered design with the foliage patch showing the card soldier in it. The back design for the Special edition features the iconic Cheshire Cat with the smiling moon.

The faces, in spirit of the theme, are all featuring card people – they have wooden heads and hands, and they are holding weapons. Their body represents what card it is, complete with the oversized indices.

As the deck is based on “Alice in Wonderland”, the Queen of Hearts received a special treatment – her expression is drawn as angry based on her titular character. The faces for Special edition will be the same as Standard, but with visible foliage background on every face.

The Standard Edition is priced $8.50. Available NOW on TCC Playing Card Web Store. Use code CHILDHOOD for 10% off.

Card Mafia;s Spider-Man: Symbiote Playing Cards

Dive into the thrilling world of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 with Card Mafia‘s Spider-Man: Symbiote Playing Cards, where the iconic symbiote suit takes center stage that will captivate Spidey fans and card collectors alike.

Officially licensed by Disney, the Spider-Man: Symbiote Playing Cards features an iconic tuck case inspired by the renowned Iron Man Suit from Insomniac’s Marvel Spider-Man 2, this deck comes with a one-of-a-kind design that pays homage to the beloved Spiderverse.

An innovative opening/closing system triggers the suit’s LED, adding an extra layer of interactivity to the deck. The center of the LED lights up from white to blue, showcasing the symbiote’s transformative power.

Drawing inspiration from the hit video game Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, the deck is meticulously crafted in a striking black and white color scheme, complete with a web pattern and giant spider-logo.

Embrace the duality of the symbiote suit with two different editions, offering versatility for any occasion-choose between a sleek black border for style or a fresh white border for added flair.

Printed by Taiwan Playing Card Company on legendary finish. Available NOW from Card Mafia for $39.95.

Euchre V2 Deck

Baroque. Play. Gold.

The Euchre V2 deck, designed for optimal gameplay by Midnight Cards, includes two full Euchre decks in one tuck box, with red and black sets. Each set of face cards for Euchre includes nines, tens, Jacks, Queens, Kings, and Aces, and does not include 2-8 and Jokers.

The back cards boast an elaborate baroque design, adding a touch of sophistication to your gaming sessions. The semi-custom courts feature elements from the back cards against a gold-colored backdrop, enhancing functionality and playability.

With an elegant and intricately designed tuck box, printed using a 4-color process, the Euchre V2 Deck is perfect for your next Euchre night or tournament. Printed by Legends Playing Card Co. with Classic Finish.

Art of Plays Annual Not So Perfect Sale

Every year, Art of Play accumulates thousands of decks that don’t quite meet their rigorous retail standards. These decks may have minor imperfections, such as a small ding on the box or being used for product photography. However, there’s nothing wrong with the cards themselves – they’re perfectly usable!

Art of Play has meticulously inspected each deck, setting aside those deemed “not so perfect,” and offering them at discounted prices. Choose from various tiers, ranging from $3 to $7, depending on the extent of imperfections.

New this year, is the Black Market Collection, featuring hundreds of brand-new decks that meet Art of Play’s “perfect” standards. The selection includes:

• Black Market Collection ($10): Brand-new decks from top cardistry brands like Dan and Dave, Fontaine, Anyone, Dealersgrip, Fulton, and Heath playing cards.
• Like New ($7): Decks in like-new condition, no longer available in our shop or discontinued.
• Workers ($5): Decks with damaged outer packaging or removed/torn cellophane, but all cards are playable. This tier also includes brand-new decks acquired by or donated to Art of Play.
• Seconds ($3): Decks opened and used for product photography, retail samples, or brand-new decks acquired by or donated to Art of Play.

Available NOW on Art of Play.

Less Than 2 Days Remaining, Innocence (Gold Foil Edition) Playing Cards

The Gold Foil Edition of Innocence Playing Cards by Daniel Schneider is now available on Kickstarter. After six years of anticipation, these stunning cards are finally adorned with luxurious gold foil, adding a touch of magic to their sophistication.

The deck features a clean modern design with well-organized design elements that match the aesthetics of the deck. The image of the woman is prominently featured throughout the deck- card backs, Ace of Spades and jokers. Except the Queen of Clubs and the King of Diamonds, the court cards, pips, and indices are standard.

Gold foil graces not only the back of the deck but also the face cards, accentuating their elegance with targeted golden spots on the court cards, Jokers, and Ace of Spades.

The exclusive collector’s boxes house four Innocence Gold Foil Editions each and are adorned with gold foil paper on the inside. Limited to 250, these boxes are available in the ‘First Come, First Served’ reward and as add-ons.

Printed by WJPC on Linen finished 300gsm German Black Core Paper. Pledge starts at $19 on Kickstarter.

New 1982 VHS Playing Cards Available for Pre-Order

Introducing the new edition of Kings Wild Project‘s VHS Deck! Inspired by the nostalgic charm of 1980s VHS tapes, this retro-themed deck is sure to evoke memories of late-night movie marathons and rewinding tapes to avoid the blinking VCR clock.

The new VHS 1982 playing cards feature an all-new fully customized design with mesmerizing foiling on both the front and back. Each card is adorned with intricate foiled details, adding a touch of retro flair to your game nights.

The courts, redesigned by Jackson Robinson for better readability, blend classic Kings Wild style with a vibrant retro aesthetic. Additionally, the back design of the cards resembles a VHS cassette, complete with a flipbook “Be Kind Rewind” effect that adds a playful touch to every shuffle.

But the excitement doesn’t stop there! For the first time ever, you can personalize your VHS deck, adding a unique touch to your collection.

All these stunning features are housed in a VCR cover tuck case, ensuring that the VHS 1982 decks stands out on any gaming table. 3 new variants (Kenneth Wayne, State Champs and 4th of July) are available now for pre-order on Kings Wild Project. Printed by KWPCC and price starts from $12.