Category: Board Games

CARDOLOGY: THE SCIENCE IN PLAYING CARDS

Posted on September 21, 2020 by Charles Levin - Astrology, Board Games, Card Games, Entertainment, History, Playing Cards

Magic, games and cardistry. These are just three ways we use playing cards. But there’s actually more to a deck than meets the eye, and it’s a mystical eye at that.

Cardology is a science that connects playing cards and astrology to guide us through life. This ancient magical method is called many names including the Cards of Life. Regardless of whether you use a custom-designed deck from Shuffled Ink or an ordinary one off the shelf, the science is present and will uncover your purpose (if you wish to divulge).

In one of our previous articles, Which Game Are You Based on Your Astrological Sign, we don’t venture into the realm of Cardology but rather relate your zodiac sign to a well-known card or board game. If you’re unfamiliar with astrology, then give it a quick read for an entertaining insight into the study.

Now, let’s explore Cardology as well as its origins, the birthday card chart and more.

The Mystic Test Book

Olney H. Richmond captured the true meaning of playing cards – Cardology – in his book The Mystic Test Book or the Magic of the Cards. Unfortunately, it’s not exactly easy to comprehend from start-to-finish, and there’s a clear reason why. When it was published in 1893, it was written for Order of the Magi members, a secret occult society revitalized by Richmond in the late 19^th century.

Card Calendar Illustrated in the Test Book

A pack of playing cards is anything but standard. Each card represents our world in its entirety. Want to see for yourself? Take out any deck you can find and follow along!

1 deck = a year

52 cards in a deck = weeks in a year

4 suits = seasons in a year

12 court cards = months in a year

13 cards per suit = lunar cycles

red & black colors = day/night

A Deeper Look:

These excerpts from The Mystic Test Book further describe the relationship between the four suit cards and the Earth’s seasons:

Hearts as Spring: “In the Spring of the year, the birds mate. In the springtime of life or the first quarter, love is the master passion. The heart was therefore chosen as the emblem of the first quarter and the first season.”

Clubs as Summer: “Knowledge is best gained and retained in the summer of life…therefore the shamrock, or ‘club,’ became the emblem.”

Diamonds as Fall: “The third season, autumn, has for its emblem the diamond, representative of wealth. The third period of man’s life is the one in which he is best able to gain wealth…the crops are sold and the wealth of the harvest realized.”

Spades as Winter: Winter or the fourth quarter of the Zodiac is represented by the spade or acorn. By a strange and yet natural transformation, the acorn, which represented the symbolism of the death and burial of the physical form was changed … to the spade.”

Card Chart

With the Cardology Birthday Chart below, you can discover a lot about your past, present and future. Based on the Cards of Life, there’s a deep connection between your birthday/astrology sign and a deck of playing cards.

Based on your birth card, each component should resemble you personally. The suit cards have personality traits of their own while also making up the Earth’s seasons. The numbers further identify your attributes and the court cards carry their own set of inner rulings about your life. For example, if your birthday is June 24, then your birth card is the 6 of clubs. To see how the cards interact with your disposition, check out this article on Cafe Astrology.

Coincidence or not?

Now, it’s up to your discretion to accept the destiny shown in Cardology. In this article, we only scratched the surface on how playing cards reveal our character. There’s much more to the concept that even involves a bit of math, but we won’t dive too deep.

Let’s wrap this introduction to Cardology with a quote by Richmond:

“When we find a certain invention claimed by a large number of Nations, scattered over our globe, in widely separated locations, we must conclude that none of them were the inventors, but on the contrary, obtained the inventions of some nation proceeding them by many years.”

To receive complimentary samples of our card products, include your delivery address and phone number on your custom request a quote form.

CUSTOM CARDS: DESIGN WITH A PURPOSE

Posted on September 8, 2020 by Charles Levin - Board Games, Card Games, Custom Design, Flash Card Retention, How To, Oracle Cards, Playing Cards, Tarot Cards, Technology, Uncategorized

Our clients’ custom cards serve a unique and clear purpose. They create decks to raise awareness and educate, market their artwork, celebrate milestones and so on. With Shuffled Ink, the creative playing field is vast because there isn’t a cap on personalization options. So, if you’re looking to create a deck of cards with a distinct purpose, then feel free to follow our 4-step design guide. In this article, you’ll find helpful suggestions and strategies as well as examples of our clients’ custom card products.

1. The Purpose

Staying ahead of the game means constantly implementing new initiatives. If you’re a professional seeking to promote and market your brand or logo, an artist looking to use tarot cards as a canvas, or a card game designer working to crush your Kickstarter goal, then Shuffled Ink is best suited to bring your vision to reality. So, let’s run through the basics. Marketing 101

Who is your target audience?
What is the message/purpose?
How will you promote this campaign?

All three steps are extremely critical, especially if you’re designing custom cards for marketing, branding, promoting, client gifts, sales leads, trade shows, etc. It’s essential to nail down each of these steps, for example, you can easily craft an excellent message but misinterpret who the target audience is.

2. Choose Your Custom Product

We are positive that our dedicated service and graphics team will suit your needs and help cultivate your message. One of the fantastic parts about creating with us is that any product you choose is entirely customizable, so you make the rules. While Shuffled Ink provides the blank canvas, you are the artist — paint anything you like and in any color(s). Here are our products:

Playing Cards

We have a variety of clients with bold visions for their playing card decks. Here are some messages that are often pursued:

Bringing Awareness: Speak to others through art. Many creators use playing cards to bring awareness to various subjects like saving endangered species and our ecosystems, portraying history, etc.
Promoting Brand/Company: Our clients also choose to print their company emblem, website and/or social media links on their deck of playing cards. This may seem like a simple act, but the impact is tremendous. Now, every single person who interacts with your playing card deck will have access to your supplementary content.
Merchandise: Selling or handing out company merch is a fantastic way to manifest your message into clients’ minds.

EXAMPLES: These illustrations by Give Me a Brief, raise awareness for our planet’s most endangered species.

This deck was printed for both gaming purposes and to raise awareness about the Spotted Lanternfly invading our ecosystem.

Astrodog Media is a Video Production Agency known for crafting high-quality videos and other digital media for businesses, agencies, and brands. The custom faces include different types of dogs floating in space and the backs show the logo.

The SD Office of Highway Safety designed custom playing cards to emphasize the importance of safe driving. Their message is clear: Beat Death. Don’t Cheat it. Instead of including tips and strategies, they let the artwork do all the talking. Each face card includes a reaper-like creature to instill the lurking reality that if you drive recklessly, death may be around the corner.

Flash Cards

If your purpose relates to teaching or training a certain skill, then flash cards are the route to go. Our endless custom options are perfect for educational cards since every person has a different way of teaching and learning. Basically, you dream it, we print it!

Train Employees: Creating PowerPoint presentations are not always an effective route for some business settings. These training flash cards encourage time management, communication skills, risk management, etc. It also reiterates the expectations that employers have for their employees and vice versa.
Teach Interview Skills: It’s never too early or late to start prepping for an interview, which is why there will always be a consumer for this custom card product. Whether it’s their very first one or their hundredth, it’s important to cultivate how they are going to present themselves to a potential employer. Putting one’s best foot forward means that they aren’t reading off a script and studying the basic interview talking points. Rather, they are prepared for the most difficult questions.
Learn a Language: Our clients are constantly setting the bar to new heights. An age-old skill like learning a new language can be interactive and exciting when you implement both visual and auditory elements. Our suggestion is to set your purpose apart from all others. Go against the grain and introduce a new way to learn a language. Consumers are always looking to try new things and if they like what they experience, then word will spread, and you’ll gain more clients.

EXAMPLES: These flash cards are for training purposes in a work environment.

This ultimate Interview Survival Kit includes over 50 tips & strategies to help secure your dream job.

These audio-enhanced flash cards, known as Linguacious are geared toward children. An image of the designated word is displayed with a QR code. Upon scanning the code with your phone, you will hear the pronunciation of the word in the targeted language. Here is a visual of the fronts- and backs- of these game-based vocabulary flash cards.

Card Games/Board Games

The overall purpose of card and board games is to entertain, but there’s obviously more to it than just that. If you’re looking to create a custom card game, the message should be locked down and clearly stated. A card game has a lot of different moving parts before it’s printed.

Identify the theme: Having a distinct, unique and fun game will help set yourself apart from other game makers. Right now, you probably have an idea of what the game will be about. For example, will it feature zombies, robots and aliens? Or does it follow a question/answer format (similar to Cards Against Humanity)?
Establish the Rules: This is the fun part! You are the all-knowing creator who is bringing this game to life. But make sure to keep your game’s purpose in mind at all times. You don’t want to stray away from the designated message you’re trying to relay.
Graphic Design & Game Pieces: Customize your game to your heart’s content, including but not limited to the card size, card stock, number of cards, spinners and dice, booklets, instructions and game tokens.

“Some write books to be remembered. Long after you are gone, you will be remembered for the game you have made. So pour your heart out and make a great game…” True Frenemies Board Game Creator, Derek White.

Elephant in the Room Card Game. Players use the white cards to disclose whether they personally agree or disagree with the statement or not.

Tarot & Oracle Cards

If you’re passionate about sharing your knowledge and insight through tarot and oracle cards, let our team print your custom designs. Our clients use tarot to reimagine the world. These pieces are not only eye-catching but the meanings behind each one are equally enticing.

Reinvent: Tarot has an extensive amount of history. Some clients enjoy reproducing decks that are decades old. This allows new tarot designers to reflect on the past and remember where the art form originated.
Readings: Tarot and oracle readings can become quite deep and personal, so consider adding your own original designs to the deck.
Market Art: If your art fits well in the spiritual realm, market using tarot or oracle cards. These decks include however many cards you desire, which allows for an endless supply of art concepts to dabble in.

Nicolas Conver’s 1760 tarot deck was faithfully reproduced by one of our clients for the purpose of restoring history. The deck is also available for purchase.

Make the mundane magical with custom oracle cards. This deck holds 36 allegorical messages to inspire your inner self.

The Wayhome tarot deck by Everyday Magic features images that weave in the magic of the mundane and imbue them with an enchantment that asks us to look a bit harder.

3. Exposure

We’ve found that online exposure is key to relay your brand’s purpose with custom card products. Simply being active on social media is a beneficial form of marketing. Over the past couple of years, we have used social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to market our custom cards. Recently, we started posting content on LinkedIn, which is an incredible site for companies and individuals alike to network and craft a professional message.

4. Client Product Shop

Once your cards are printed (even if we didn’t manufacture your product), you have the option to become a member of our Client Shop.

INCREASE AND DIVERSIFY YOUR SALES: Shuffled Ink’s goal is to invest in and cultivate a tight-knit community for our clients to feel comfortable marketing, promoting and selling their custom products. Many alternative online marketplaces charge significant referrals, percent of the sale and other exorbitant fees. This is not our approach! We truly believe that we will achieve our greatest success, by directly partnering and investing in our clients’ success.

MEDIA PROMOS: Most e-commerce sites will put your product live on their site and leave it collecting dust. That is not our mindset. Our goal is to actively communicate with you to ensure your message is heard. We will work alongside you to market, promote and sell your custom products on our media platforms. Prior to publishing content, we work with you to perfectly cultivate your desired message.

Here are a few examples of how we promote our clients’ products on our social media (whether available in our shop or not).

https://www.instagram.com/p/CG5KvMosSKz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCBbGsUBm0_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDmJ5cXh150/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCtZdJlhohr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Custom Cards with a Purpose

We’re more than happy to chat with you about any and all of your ideas. Our purpose is to assist you. When you choose us to print your products, all hands are on deck. After all, your success is our success. To receive complimentary samples of our card products, include your delivery address and phone number on your custom request a quote form. ● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Playing Cards at: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Tarot Cards at: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Card Games at: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Flash Cards at: ShuffledInk

HOW TO CUSTOMIZE A CLASSIC CARD GAME

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Charles Levin - Board Games, Card Games, Classic Games, Custom Design

For centuries, playing cards have been a standard component used in games. The period and country in which playing cards first originated are not solid, but its popularity in entertainment is certainly recognizable. Just as our ancestors, we host game nights with our friends and family. The difference today is the card games they created are now referred to as eminent classics. We typically play these classic card games with a standard 54-card deck. But have you ever considered putting a personal twist on one of these games? At Shuffled Ink, every component of your deck is customizable, allowing for a suitable design process! To get you started, here are some suggestions on how to customize a classic card game.

Your Original Illustrations

Each card game has an underlying theme. Most of the time, the game’s title gives it away. For example, if you wanted to personalize the classic children’s game Go Fish, then you can create card backs and faces with various sea creature illustrations. This complements the traditional card game by introducing an interactive and lively feel to each playing card. If you are not confident in your artistry, no need to worry. Our expert graphic design team will assist you every single step of the way to ensure that your innovative illustrations will embody your vision.

Unique Rule Revisions

Card games should have a clear basis for rules and directions. But you do not have to follow the card game’s original set of rules. Enhance your gaming experience by personalizing an instructions sheet with your unique rule revisions. Even the most common and popular games can be improved.

Add a Twist: If you are customizing the classic card game Uno, let your ideas run wild. As a fun twist, perhaps instill a rule that allows a one-time instance where a player who is holding 12 or more cards can choose to give at least one of their cards to any player they choose. This can possibly cause a level of frustration equal to when someone is dealt with a “Draw Four” card.

Classic Game Accessories

A traditional 54-card deck is typically the sole component needed when playing a classic card game like War, Gin Rummy, Canasta, etc. If you’re looking to add a creative element, consider including custom accessories like dice, spinners, timers, etc. This implementation will naturally change some elements to the game, but that makes it more intriguing and, of course, personal.

Higher Stakes: If you are familiar with the card game War, then you know that it is merely based on luck. If you need a refresher on this classic game, two players challenge each other to see who puts down the highest card. The goal is to obtain the most playing cards. The original game consists of one determinant that guarantees which card will win the round. Use dice to make the stakes higher. Not only will you need to have the highest card between the two but will also roll the dice and add that onto the number on the card for the grand total. This way, your luck will be tested not once but twice!
Quick Paced: There is nothing more frustrating than playing a slow card game. We have all either experienced playing alongside one of these types of players or have been the player who tends to slow the game down. A game timer can easily fix this distracting dilemma and luckily can be used in practically any classic card game. You just need to assign someone to handle tracking the time.

Classic Card Games Tailored to Your Taste

The possibilities are truly endless when customizing with Shuffled Ink. Whether you decide to add a personal twist to a classic card game or start from scratch, we will assist with all your innovative ideas. Pair your creativity with the basis of the card games we have been playing for centuries to create a game that’s better than ever! ● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Playing Cards at: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Card Games at: ShuffledInk

CARD GAMES CREATED DURING PANDEMICS

Posted on June 19, 2020 by Charles Levin - Board Games, Card Designers, Card Games, Classic Games, COVID-19, Custom Design, Design, History, Manufacturer, Playing Card History, Playing Cards, Printing Service

Pandemic outbreaks are constant threads in human history. These worldwide infectious diseases date back to as early as 165 CE when the Antonine Plague struck the Roman Empire. A curious observation that has recently circulated the internet is the roughly 100-year disease pattern: 1720 Plague; 1817 Cholera; 1918 Spanish Influenza; 2019 Coronavirus. It’s difficult to call these repetitions a simple coincidence, but we won’t go into deep conspiracy theories today. Instead, here’s a list of the various card games, playing card designs and board games created during such unprecedented times.

1720: Bubble Playing Cards

The Great Plague of Marseille hit Western Europe in 1720, taking the lives of nearly 100,000 people in France. While England feared the disease would spread to their own country due to the constant use of Marseille’s ports, they were also dealing with the repercussions of the South Sea Bubble. The South Sea stock market collapsed less than a year after it started to boom. The playing cards featured below satirize the devastating financial crash, detailing both counterfeit and authentic investment trades that ultimately led to the demise of many fortunes. Created and designed by Thomas Carington Bowles, the cards placed both a comical tone on a devastating financial time and helped to subside worries about the disease’s spread.

1817: Durak Card Game

Reports of Cholera can date back to 5^th century B.C., but it wasn’t until 1817 that the first Cholera pandemic occurred. Over the course of six years, this disease hit India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, China, Japan and parts of European territories like Russia. The card game Durak became popular in Russia during the 19^th century. Its exact origin is unclear, but it can be assumed that this game allowed for a decent distraction while Cholera spread throughout Russia. There are numerous sources that label it as the most popular and well-known card game in Russia. Durak’s objective is to avoid being the last player holding cards and requires a 36-card deck. Durak consists of two types of players: attackers and defenders. A player who leads with the lowest trump card is the first attacker. The player who sits to the left of the attacker is referred to as the first defender. Once a player places a playing card into the middle, an attack is put into place. Defenders will counter this attack by placing a higher-ranking card of the same suit into the middle. Now, if the attacker placed a non-trump suited card into the middle, then a defender simply must play any trump card to beat the card played. If the defender succeeds, then the attacker can try again by playing a card that shares the rank of the previous card played. Once the first attack/defend ends, the player to the left of the attacker makes their move.

https://youtu.be/3JagmUmUJOc

1918: Uncle Wiggily Board Game

Spanish Influenza caused a global pandemic that killed nearly 50 million people. Some of the authoritative measures taken during this 20^th-century pandemic mirror our own methods against the Coronavirus. This included quarantining those who were ill, closing schools and enforcing the value of handwashing and wearing masks. Playing card games and board games with one’s family increased in popularity during the 20^th century. Two years prior to the outbreak, Milton Bradley Co., an American board game manufacturer, transformed the famous novel, “Uncle Wiggily’s Adventures” by Howard Garis, into a board game. The game’s popularity matched that of the novels’, allowing for the series to come to life in a visually appealing manner. While the game has undergone many changes since its publication, it has reigned in popularity for over a century while also having survived the deadliest pandemic in history.

2019: Our Clients’ Card Designs

For the past seven weeks or so, we have been living in an unfamiliar world. Reality hit home when the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) named COVID-19 a pandemic. We encourage both our clients and prospective clients to continue working on their customized game designs. This is the perfect opportunity to take your mind off of the current situation. Consider creating a playing card project that brings enjoyment and entertainment. Here are some incredible products that we have printed for our clients during COVID-19:

We at Shuffled Ink hope that you are staying safe during this pandemic. Our manufacturing facility is fully operational and ready to assist you! Stay safe, and we will get through this together! ● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Playing Cards at: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Card Games at: ShuffledInk

THE BEST BOARD GAMES DECADE-BY-DECADE

Posted on December 27, 2019 by Charles Levin - Board Games, Card Collectors, Card Games, Custom Design, History, Playing Card History

Decade-by-decade it’s natural for trends to change. Whether it be a new fashion statement or a new board game, we are constantly seeking the “new thing”. Now, change is inevitable. It’s actually a good thing to accept this ever-changing world. Without it, we would still be throwing sticks rather than using dice. As the decade quickly comes to a close, we’ve comprised a list of some of the best board games of each decade. Take a look at how board games have evolved over the years. And you’ll also find a sneak peek into what 2020 may have to offer for the future of board games.

The 1950s: Candy Land

While Candy Land was actually introduced to the world in 1949, it reigned as one of the leading popular games throughout the ’50s. Today, it continues to be popular among children and certainly nostalgic for adults. According to Tim Walsh, an American game inventor and writer, 60 percent of households that have a 5-year-old child, own the game Candy Land. Clearly, its popularity did not cease after the ’50s came to a close. And we are certain that the upcoming ’20s will be no different.

The 1960s: The Game of Life

The Big Game Hunter permanent collection
The Checkered Game of Life 1866 Edition

This game is quite unique because it reached great heights in popularity during its original production in 1860, as well as during its revamp in 1960. This game is the perfect example of how a board game changes with the trends and times. During the 19th century, The Checkered Game of Life was Milton Bradley’s first printed and sold board game. Introduced during Abraham Lincoln’s presidency while slavery was not yet abolished (1865), this first installment was a melancholier board game than what we are accustom to. One of the checkered sections was actually labeled “suicide”. It detailed a man hanging by a noose from a tree branch (see below). If a player fell on this space, they were booted from the game. The altered 1960s board game naturally varies from today’s version. Those who played during the 20th century would either end the game as an impoverished farmer or they would reside in Millionaire Acres. Today, the concept of rural vs. urban plays a role but is less dramatic and stereotypical. You’ll either end up in Countryside Acres or Millionaire Acres. Nevertheless, both game versions represent a similar goal: reaching happiness in the game of life.

The 1970s: Mystery Date

While the board game Mystery Date was released during 1965, its popularity spiked during the ’70s upon updating. If the tagline doesn’t give too much away, ‘Meet Your Secret Admirer,’ the game was targeted toward young girls. The goal was to land your dream date with one of the boys who waited behind the door while avoiding “the dud” who wore normal clothing. The more admirable suitors were dressed in either formal, beach, skiing or bowling attire. Throughout the years, this game has notably changed its aesthetic to keep up with the varying decades.

The 1980s: Pictionary

In 1987, Pictionary sold 3 million copies. It was then deemed 2nd place on the highest selling games ranking. The top spot was held by the Nintendo Entertainment System. Similar to the idea of charades, players draw hints for their teammates with the end goal of guessing the correct word being sketched. It is the game’s simplicity and the ability to evoke competition that created its popularity during family game nights. Personally, I find Pictionary to be more comfortable to play than charades. Rather than using your body to act out something, you put pen to paper and allow the motionless drawing to do all the action.

The 1990s: 13 Dead End Drive

You may remember this board game from its sensationalized and quirky advertising TV commercials. This murder-themed board game was released in 1993. The objective of the game is to inherit the fortune that was left by the wealthy character Aunt Agatha. The goal is to take down each of your opponents by trapping them in an area that will knock them down and boot them out of the game. Instead of playing on a flat surface with game pieces, this game’s structure implemented a 3-D board to issue a more realistic gaming experience.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofz_wA-aTI0

The 2000s: Apples to Apples

This board game was released to the public halfway through 1999, as the new decade was approaching. Throughout the 2000s, and even much of the ’10s, this game was a phenomenon. It brought families with children of all ages together for game night and it wasn’t short of entertainment. I remember playing the game with my parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins, as we gathered around the living room hoping that our card would be the chosen one. Nearly 15 years later, my family continues to crack jokes about that family game night. Funny Story: If you’re wondering why my family still talks about the time we played Apples to Apples during Fall 2009, here’s the story. It was my sister’s turn to be the judge, so she read her adjective card aloud: Annoying. We all quickly and competitively slid our one card to my sister in the hopes that we would get chosen and find ourselves one step closer to winning. My sister read through each card and decided to pick Patrick Swayze. The adults gasped, wondering why she had chosen the beloved actor who had actually died only a few months prior. My sister responded with, “I just didn’t know who he was, which was annoying. So he gets the ‘Annoying’ card!” My aunts and uncles responded with, “too soon, too soon.” Turns out, my brother had won that round and was ironically using it as a throw-away card. To this day, anytime Patrick Swayze is mentioned we all say, “too soon, too soon.”

The 2010s: Codenames

The original word guessing game was released in 2015. Since then, it has broadened its board game horizons and created different editions, with the same overall goal but varying concepts manifested. During Codenames word game, if you are the spymaster in your team of two, your goal is to describe the word(s) to your partner without specifically using any of the words in your set. This game calls for strategy, teamwork and, of course, secrecy. If you have a competitive nature, try this one and play it as a final hoorah to the ’10s decade. (But I’m positive it’ll continue its popularity reign into the ’20s).

The Future: 2020s

At Shuffled Ink, we can manufacture any board game that wish to design. Throughout the years we’ve assisted in the creation of your customized board games, complete with customized accessories, booklets, dice, instructions, spinners, timers, tuck or setup boxes and more. You all, our clients, are the future of what board games have to offer in 2020. What will board games look like in the future? We have an idea that may or may not be wildly far-fetched. Nevertheless, that question is for your innovative minds to decide and for us to help make possible. ● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Playing Cards at: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Tarot Cards at: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Card Games at: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Flash Cards at: ShuffledInk

BOARD GAMES PLAYED AROUND THE WORLD ON NEW YEAR’S EVE

Posted on December 28, 2018 by Charles Levin - Board Games, Classic Games, History

Families everywhere will ring in 2019 with board games from around the world and unique cultural games. Personally, I bang pots and pans around my neighborhood with my siblings, while in Spain they eat 12 grapes to ensure good luck in each month to come. However, the board games played around the world on this special night sometimes have much more significant meaning and have been played for centuries. Here’s a look at some fascinating games played around the world on New Year’s Eve.

Board Games from Around the World

Italy: Italian Bingo In Italy, New Year’s Eve celebrations include having a large feast called La Fiesta di San Silvestro, using fireworks and bonfires to ward off evil spirits and playing a board game similar to bingo called Tombola. The Italian version is far more colorful than American bingo and begins the week of Christmas and ends on Jan. 6. Tombola • 48-numbered cards • 720 plastic chips • 90-numbered balls • Mark the numbers on the card as they show the numbered balls Belarus: Rooster Fortune In this board game from around the world, the board is the ground and the game piece is a live rooster, (Yes, you read that correctly.) Single women in Belarus enjoy predicting who will be married in the new year. The unmarried women sometimes rely on a rooster to determine their relationship status, where the rooster feasts on a pile of corn. The rooster eats the various piles of corn, and whichever pile is eaten first will determine who will no longer be a single lady! In another game, a married woman hides a piece of bread and a ring in two different places in the house. The first unmarried woman to find the bread will marry someone rich, and whoever finds the ring will marry someone handsome.

Card Games Played Around the World

Greece: Card-Playing Marathon In Greece, the start of the year is traditionally viewed as a fortunate and successful time, where they test their luck by playing cards. If Card-Playing Marathon doesn’t give it away, these games usually are all-night affairs. They start in the early evening and last through midnight, where they play an assortment of card and dice games throughout the night and hope their luck leads them to victory. Some of the card games include: Pilotta

point-trick game (each card has a score value)
32-card pack
Four players play in two teams
Consists of 162 game points

Biriba

two-pack rummy game
Two players, or two pairs of players
goal: acquire at least seven cards of the same rank, or seven cards in sequence in suit

Cultural Games from Around the World

Puerto Rico: Coconut Bowling In addition to popular board games from around the world, in Puerto Rico they have one game they play that is all their own. They use a coconut as a bowling ball and roll it through their house and then into the ocean to rid themselves of any evil spirits from the previous year. Not only does this game bring good luck, but it also can require a winner if you decide to keep track of points. Lucky Coconut Bowling

3 to 5 players at a time
Coconut
Create bowling pins (3 to 12) out of empty plastic bottles

Pick Your Board Game from Around the World

Board games from around the world can inspire you to change your New Year’s traditions by trying one of these board games from around the world. If you want to start a new tradition, ring in 2019 by customizing a board game or card game with Shuffled Ink. ● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Card Games at: ShuffledInk

WHICH GAME ARE YOU BASED ON YOUR ASTROLOGICAL SIGN

Posted on December 21, 2018 by Charles Levin - Astrology, Board Games, Card Games, Classic Games, Entertainment, Playing Cards

According to the origin of the astrological sign, your personality is far from coincidental. We all have personality traits…and so do games. Now, don’t just play astrology games for adults, discover which popular adult board game or card game you are based on your sign!

Astrology Games

Aries (March 21 to April 19): Cards Against Humanity Card Game

Attributes: headstrong, born leader, outspoken

A person with the first sun sign, Aries, reflects the card game Cards Against Humanity. They may come across as arrogant, just as this card game can appear offensive because of its politically incorrect content. An Aries’ blunt and bold behavior translates well with the risqué tendencies portrayed in this popular card game.

Taurus (April 20 to May 20): Monopoly Board Game

Attributes: independent, persistent, enjoys luxuries, strives for wealth

While you may not think of Monopoly as an astrology game for adults, its objective is to drive your opponents into bankruptcy without letting yourself get bankrupt in the process. A Taurus is often described as “good with money,” which comes in handy when having the most money at the end makes you the winner.

Gemini (May 21 to June 20): Scrabble Board Game

Attributes: creative, communicative, intellectual

People born under this Sun are often writers and journalists, as they are excellent with words. The board game Scrabble reflects the intellectual and creative mind of a Gemini. In this game, you create words (found in a standard dictionary or lexicon) from your quantity of seven tiles. A Gemini’s common love for reading means they are constantly exposed to new concepts, ideas and vocabular, making it easy for a person with this sign to come up with words that will earn them the highest points.

Cancer (June 21 to July 22): Sorry! Board Game

Attributes: emotional, sympathetic, creative, protective

The board game title Sorry! comes from the apologetic “sorry” issued when a player consistently negates their opponent’s moves. It’s the perfect astrology games for adults who are unapologetic Cancers. The game’s theme is to bump other board game pieces back to their starting position, so your pawn can move ahead and win the game. Whichever type of Cancer you are, you’ll have a great time whether you mean it when you say “sorry” or not.

Leo (July 23 to August 22): Pictionary Board Game

Attributes: theatrical, competitive, inventive, love the spotlight

During the board game Pictionary, you draw hints for your teammates, and they guess the word you are trying to depict. While a Leo may or may not be your average Picasso, their unwavering passion for tasks and projects mean they always strive for the gold medal (never satisfied with silver). And since they’re comfortable being the center of attention, they won’t crack under pressure when asked to draw something intense…like a carburetor.

Virgo (August 23 to September 22): Sudoku Puzzle Game

Attributes: perfectionist, meticulous, analytical, logical, attentive

A Virgo’s weaknesses can sometimes be inflexibility, which is actually a strength while playing the logic-based, combinational number-placement puzzle Sudoku. Just like their astrology board games for adults, Virgos look into relationships, problems, games, etc. with a magnifying glass, and each task they perform must be free of imperfections. This game honors a Virgo’s concentration through numbers and calculation. Not to mention, a common Virgo career is a financial analyst.

Libra (September 23 to October 22): Diplomacy Board Game

Attributes: diplomatic, open-minded, balanced

Both the Libra astrology sign and the board game Diplomacy focus on pure negotiation and peace. These positive strategies emphasize a Libra’s sense of balance in never wanting to hurt or demean anyone. Their loyalty plays well during this military game, as the objective is to make negotiations and alliances.

Scorpio (October 23 to November 21): Clue Board Game

Attributes: investigators, trustworthy, devoted
A Scorpio can be trusted with your darkest secrets, but they will never reveal their own. Often lawyers and investigators, a Scorpio’s detective skills match the board game Clue. This game for adults is perfect for this astrology sign, since navigating from room to room through a clue-filled mansion to expose a perpetrator…is perfect for the mysterious Scorpio mastermind.

Sagittarius (November 22 to December 21): Apples to Apples Card Game

Attributes: flexible, idealistic, great sense of humor, enthusiastic

To win Apples to Apples, seven of your cards must be picked by your opponents over the course of the game. It’s important to completely understand the player choosing the cards because everyone’s humor is different. Some may go for literal, comical or even the most outrageous choice. Their adaptable personality allows them to easily change their viewpoints and, in terms of this card game, play a card the player will most likely choose.

Capricorn (December 22 to January 19): Battleship Guessing Game

Attributes: ambitious, strategic, determined, practical

When a Capricorn takes risks, they don’t do so blindly. Strongly influenced by one’s unwavering ambitions, they rarely act impulsively. While Battleship is primarily thought of as a guessing game, it actually calls for applied strategy. Even though you are unable to see the ships you are trying to sink, you can still increase your chances of winning by carefully placing your own ships in a way that will evade your opponent. Someone born Capricorn thrives in this game setting, for their patience and calculating capabilities lead to ship-sinking fruition.

Aquarius (January 20 to February 18): Candy Land Board Game

Attributes: easy-going, friendly, spontaneous

Aquarius’ are seekers of the new. The children’s board game Candy Land complements this sign’s desire to constantly move forward, even if that means venturing into unfamiliar territory. While not necessarily an adult board game, this astrology sign’s spontaneity allows little time to react to certain instances. Plus, their hopeful nature means they excel on any path they find themselves journeying (even if that means strutting amid candy cane skies and alongside sweet princesses).

Pisces (February 19 to March 20): The Game of Life Board Game

Attributes: imaginative, desire to escape reality, compassionate

By nature, a Pisces is a dreamer; an escapist in life. As they often focus on their inner journey, they spend a lot of time soul-searching. The Game of Life embraces a Pisces imaginative mind and need to pursue the beauty in life. As this game navigates through the many ups and downs life throws in their direction, a Pisces views this cardboard world of life, and life itself, through rose-colored glasses.

Make Your Own Astrology Game for Adults

If your zodiac sign does not completely represent your personality and attributes, and the particular game listed above is way off, then consider personalizing your very own game! After all, you know yourself better than anyone else. Create custom astrology games for adults that fully represents exactly who you are.

6 SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR HALLOWEEN-INFLUENCED CUSTOM PRODUCT

Posted on October 4, 2018 by Charles Levin - Art, Board Games, Card Games, Custom Design, Custom Gifts, custom party favor, Halloween Card Products, Playing Cards, Tarot and Oracle Cards

As the temperature drops, and the leaves change from green to orange and then to yellow, dismiss your pumpkin spice latte cravings and channel autumnal essences into your customized playing cards, personalized tarot cards and card game designs.

Typically, the commencement of Fall hails for decorative pumpkin socks and T-shirts, and although incredibly spirited, they just aren’t going to be enough this year. Think bigger; think spookier.

Here are 6 suggestions to consider while creating your own Halloween-influenced product with Shuffled Ink.

52 HALLOWEEN RECIPES

Preparations for the holidays can be a bit overwhelming, especially when you have to remember all of your family traditions, including the yummy desserts and dishes. Consider printing your Halloween recipes on a deck of cards. Easily mobile and accessible, you’ll be whipping out the creepy crawling spider cupcakes and zombie-finger cookies just in time for Halloween parties. And when your family and friends are “dying” to know how exactly you perfectly molded the dough to resemble a skeleton head, you can supply them with their own deck of scary good recipe cards.

FORTUNE TELLER TAROT CARDS

Channel your inner psychic abilities if you plan on dressing as a mystic fortune teller this Halloween. But handpicking the perfect outfit is only a fraction of your costume responsibilities. Don’t forget the most important accessory: Your one-of-a-kind deck of personalized tarot cards (Halloween style, of course). Personally equipped with distinctive symbols and designs, your original artwork will leave people wondering whether you truly practice the art of divination. Consider going above and beyond by setting up a fortune-telling booth. After all, it’s Halloween – where you can dress however you wish and, perhaps, end up looking into the future, too.

“ACE” TRICK OR TREATING

While every other house in the neighborhood passes out the same old basic candies, you can fill those buckets with Halloween-inspired playing cards! Customize your own unique artistry with help from our expert design team, and give the trick or treaters something that’ll last longer than a chocolate bar. The cards, reflecting your very own creative purposes, will channel your take on Halloween’s notorious entities: pumpkins, ghouls, candy corn, flying broomsticks, etc. Not to mention, parents will thank you for saving them a trip to the dentist.

COSTUMES OF HALLOWEEN’S PAST

Whether your kids have dressed up as a pumpkin, ghost or Demogorgon, search through your Halloween archives and print those terrifyingly adorable photos on playing cards! Much like a holiday card, feel free to send these decks to relatives, family friends and co-workers. It’s the perfect way to reminisce on the costumes of Halloween’s past while also showing your family completely “decked” out.

MATCHING CARD GAMES

With candy-filled tummies and faces oozing syrup-based blood, allow your kids to enjoy Halloween even more so with fun card games. Matching games promote cognitive development like memory enhancement, classifying skills and imaginary growth. And just because you’re customizing a children’s game doesn’t mean your Halloween designs have to be limited. It’s Halloween after all, so make artwork as frightful, friendly or ferocious as you desire!

BOARD GAME THRILLS

One of the most important aspects while developing your own board game, especially one with a Halloween theme, is there can never be enough creativity. Rather than seeing candy corn as a treat, know that it can just as easily be used as a game piece. Determinate upon your target audience, allow your board game to truly come to life with a spooky storyline, and make sure your visuals are as spine-chilling as you see fit. Perfect for a cozy night at home or a thrilling Halloween party, your originally designed board game will send your guests running home to create a game of their own!

Hopefully, these ideas have sparked your desire to bring Halloween to life with custom playing cards, card & board games and tarot cards. Whenever you’re ready to begin working on your personalized project, know that our team of designers will help you from start to finish. Shuffled Ink can’t wait to turn your idea into a reality!

● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk

● Make Your Own Custom Playing Cards at: ShuffledInk

● Make Your Own Custom Card Games at: ShuffledInk

THE PEOPLE YOU WILL MOST LIKELY ENCOUNTER ON GAME NIGHT

Posted on September 4, 2018 by Charles Levin - Board Games, Card Designers, Card Games, Classic Games, Custom Design, Design, Entertainment, family card games, game night

We know what makes our family and friends laugh, cry and tick, especially when we’re playing endless rounds of card games. With no shortage of entertainment and gathered personality types, we’ve put together a fun list of “players” you will most likely encounter on a typical game night!

The Sore Loser/Winner: Be sure not to pinpoint this player to just toddlers…they come in adult sizes, too. Game night wouldn’t be complete without accusations of cheating and at least two meltdowns. Not to mention, this player’s “losing” episodes are just as bad as their “winning” ones. We’ll let you decide who you’d rather deal with: Someone who displays intense gloating or walks away from a game in anger. All joking aside, most of us have experienced “angry bursts” while playing a game — when you draw the “Go to Jail” card and can’t collect $200 in Monopoly; when someone makes you “Draw Four” cards in UNO — so we understand your pain, and we don’t judge.

The Dynamic Duo: Typically dealt with during team games, these two players allow their one-of-a-kind bond to be known. Their complete starter pack includes an elaborate handshake, intense staring and, of course, twin telepathy. When this duo participates in a game, their competitors often feel two emotions: envy or loathing. They either wish they had a partner in crime of their own, or they simply can’t stand the pair’s obnoxious tendencies.

The “Wannabe” Pro: This player never misses an episode of Family Feud (including the reruns), tunes into Jeopardy every night at 7 and, in their spare time, researches cheat codes on popular games. And while you’ll have to deal with their smack talk before the game and during their brief winning streak, count on no words uttered when they’re losing.

Silent but Deadly: For this player, silence is key. Most of the time, it’s easy to forget about this player because they don’t openly make their presence known. Nevertheless, they often show no remorse for the game pieces that block them from what’s “rightfully” theirs: eternal glory. And while they share similar characteristics to that of The “Wannabe” Pro, it’s their tremendous gaming skills and mysterious persona that separates them from the mere hopefuls. By the time you realize their true intentions, it’s always too late.

The Happy-Go-Lucky Butterfly: This player would rather receive a sportsmanship award than a first-place trophy. Generally focused on life’s simplest pleasures — enjoying the company of friends and family — they often socialize more than playing the game, which can be frustrating for the players who must nudge them when it’s their turn. Regardless, inviting them to game night has more positives than negatives. This player’s happy-go-lucky attitude outshines their nonexistent competitive drive.

The Ferris Bueller: (For those of you who haven’t seen “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” it’s a movie about a teenager who plays hooky instead of going to school). Now, we all have that one friend who is constantly blowing up the group chat with messages to hang out, but when a plan is finally set, they never actually show up. And while you may not physically encounter this “player” on game night, their absence is still relevant, as their flaky actions can disrupt the flow of the game and result in unbalanced teams.

The Glue: Like The Ferris Bueller, this person technically isn’t a player, but they do play an active role in the game as mediator. Ensuring everything runs smoothly, they typically appoint themselves with the position, as they would rather observe than partake in the game. Even so, your game night wouldn’t be the same without this key “player,” for their calming energy in a room full of various gaming personalities is much needed.

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Ever tired of playing the same games over and over again? Consider building your own custom card or board game with Shuffled Ink! The same personality types may continue to show up, but at least you’ll have something new to play, and it’ll be your own unique product!

Now, whether you find yourself fitting in all, one or none of the categories listed, Shuffled Ink hopes you have an unforgettable night of fun with these “players” …so much fun that you’ll end up doing it all over again!

● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk

● Make Your Own Custom Card Games at: ShuffledInk Custom Card Games

MILLENNIALS ARE LEADING THE BOARD GAME RENAISSANCE

Posted on May 1, 2018 by Charles Levin - Board Games, Millennials

As a kid, and for so many others, some of the most memorable times are game nights with the family. Whether it was Monopoly, Clue, Life, or one of the other classics, seeing one of these old board games might lead to a sense of nostalgia for you. Of course, for many Millennials, board games are no longer just a thing of the past. Instead, they are the new trend of the future.

THE RESURGENCE OF BOARD GAMES

Up through the 80’s, when it came to at-home entertainment, board games were still the mainstay for most families. Sure, the original video game systems had their place, but it wasn’t until the 90’s and 2000’s that these consoles and computer games really took over. Many experts expected board games would go the way of the dinosaurs. Fortunately, for everyone, they’re have made a big-time comeback!

Though perhaps not as prominent as they once were, the early 2000’s started to see the return of many classic board games. In fact, many of the original games like Clue and Monopoly started to get a face-lift, combining the gameplay of the originals with some of the most popular movies and TV series. As Millennials got their hands on these games, something magical began.

BEYOND THE CLASSICS – BUILDING NEW GAMES

Naturally, Millennials aren’t just sticking with the classic board games, or even reiterations of such. Instead, another big development that is transforming the landscape of board-gaming is the introduction of new board games with entirely new themes and strategies. Many big companies are even taking classic video game icons, like Mario, and creating entirely original board games out of them. Graphics, printed quality, customization, personalized components, plastic miniatures, custom dice and hundreds of new types of accessories are appearing like wildfire!

Alternatively, you might also find that some of the cooperative games, room escape games, or other new board game types are worthy of exploring. In fact, you might find that the board game section in your local department store has gone from filling up just one small section to taking up an entire aisle.

BUILDING NEW BOARD GAMES

Of course, renewed interest in board games doesn’t just limit you to what already exists. In fact, companies are now sprouting up that specialize in creating independent board games of their own. This opens a new world of possibilities, including the opportunity to design and manufacture your own board game to enjoy with friends and family.

Go with a classic board setup or design something completely original – the choice is yours. But, thanks to manufacturing companies like Shuffled Ink and crowd-funding opportunities galore you now have the option available to build and fund something completely on your own.

REINVENT GAME NIGHT

If you haven’t already jumped in on the trend, now might be the perfect time. Board games are coming back strong, and whether it’s returning to a classic or playing one of the new, independent board games that have hit the market, now is a great time to start playing. In fact, now is the perfect time to create a board game of your own!

BOARD GAMES & CARD GAMES COLLIDE

Ever heard of Cards Against Humanity or Not Parent Approved? Chances are you have. Millennials all around the world have been heavily endorsing these games, staging a major comeback for all kinds of card games. These card games have generated a new revolution among Millennial gamers. Games like Cards Against Humanity have opened the doors to a “gold rush” of new card games that are not only original, but hysterically fun to play!

Whether it’s to cross-promote your existing creative work, or just intended to be played as a standalone game, making your own board or card game can be a creative and lucrative endeavor. With Shuffled Ink, printer of board & card games for almost 20 years, your dream of creating and playing your own games can finally become a reality. To make your own board game give us a call at 407-298-3579.

● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk

● Make Your Own Custom Card Games at: ShuffledInk