Category: Design

FROM GRIEF TO TAROT PASSION PROJECT: LATOYA MARQUEZ’S CARD STORY

Posted on August 16, 2021 by - Affirmation Cards, Art, Artist, Card Designers, Card Innovation, Card Story, Client Feature, Custom Design, Custom Gifts, Design, Manufacturer, Oracle Cards, Tarot Cards, Tarot Readings, Tarot Spreads

FROM GRIEF TO TAROT PASSION PROJECT

After the sudden loss of her grandmother, grief fueled 37-year-old Latoya Marquez’s tarot passion project.

In this exclusive Shuffled Ink Card Story, Latoya Marquez, Government Mortgage Specialist by day and tarot designer by night, shares how writing self-affirmations to cope with grief sparked a fresh approach to tarot design and healing.

Now available and in-stock on Etsy here.

Shuffle Up! Tarot: A Work of He(art)

Complete with a blend of modern-day imagery and traditional Rider-Waite tarot elements, this personalized deck belongs to the beholder.

During the first week of August 2021, Latoya launched her brand Shuffled World Tarot and first tarot deck, Shuffle Up!. The idea for this project stemmed from the passing of her grandmother, Petra Torres Marquez in November 2020.

This traumatic and unexpected experience filled the artist with grief and heartache, which eventually led to sleepless nights. As a Communications Graduate from the University of South Florida, Latoya has always loved to write and often used it as a therapeutic release. But what was originally a curative method, soon resulted in an incredible and inspiring year-long passion project.

Latoya Marquez, Shuffle Up! creator, posing at a studio shoot.

Creativity is the Wanderlust of Satisfaction

Latoya’s design journey began when she requested a complimentary sample pack in order to see and feel the quality of our cards, various card stocks and size options.

“(Shuffled Ink is) all of what I wanted to experience in dealing with a local USA company,” she said. “I’ve already recommended Shuffled Ink to other creators wanting to do the same type of project.”

The Design Process:

Step 1

Latoya spent several weeks writing down ideas to illustrate on each card.

Step 2

It took a total of 60 days to sketch more than 80 cards by hand. In the early stages of the drawing process, she saw her Taurean grandmother alive and vibrant in the Hierophant card.

“She loved the color purple, lit candles, blessing her altars. A very spiritual Widow,” Latoya said.

Step 3

Thirty days to color in each sketch with a thick watercolor sketch pad, drawing utensils and quality markers.

Designing your own tarot deck means applying creative liberties as you see fit. Most tarot decks follow a standard formula: 78 cards with 22 Major and 56 Minor Arcana.

Shuffle Up! holds 78 hand-drawn, unlabeled cards as well as one dedication, which reads:

For every day we blink and breathe, the sun will always set. And when the sun rises, we have a new day to reset and be better than we were yesterday.

“One of the biggest obstacles in choosing a tarot deck is finding a great set of cards to identify with,” she said. “My format for the reader of any skill level is to identify the image and develop their own perceptions. This way, each Intuitive Reader can bond with my deck card after card.”

A Glimpse into Latoya’s 3 Favorite Cards in the Deck

Devil

She waits for the next contract to arrive. In the background, a shadowed arm lingers, eager to let new souls inside.

Exhaustion from a hard day’s work is symbolized by the removed horns which now rest on the bar beside the Devil. But the day is not over; there is still ink left in her pen.

Queen of Swords

Also known as the Hardcore Nun, she takes down names for the next man to behead as blood drips from her sword.

High Priestess

Drawn to the card’s beauty, particularly the 7-day color candle in the right-hand corner and the blended scroll of parchment at the foreground.

Connect with Latoya Marquez

The first 30 decks sold on Etsy come with a soft release bridge-sized 2″ x 2″ deck called, Shadow Affirmations. This Mini Deck is an all-in-one combined oracle, affirmation & angel number divination in a 30 count card set.

Latoya is on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook as Shuffled World Tarot. On YouTube, she posts ‘Tarotorial’ videos or in-depth explanations of each card in the deck.

Shuffled Ink is a multigenerational family business that specializes in printing custom playing cards, tarot & flash cards, packaging and more for businesses and individuals worldwide.

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

If we manufactured your card project and you would like us to share your Card Story on our blog, feel free to connect with our Marketing Team here.

NINTENDO’S HANAFUDA PLAYING CARDS

Posted on August 26, 2020 by - Art, Artist, Card Collectors, Card Designers, Card Games, Custom Design, Design, Hanafuda, History, Manufacturer, Nintendo, Online Games, Oracle Cards, Playing Card History, Tarot Cards, Tarot Spreads

Hanafuda playing cards The Nintendo Company is a dominating force in consumer electronics, but what you may not know is it started out selling handpainted playing cards. Fusajiro Yamauchi founded Nintendo Koppai in the late 1800s, manufacturing Hanafuda, also known as flower cards.

Flower Cards

  • The cards represent the calendar of Old Japan.
  • 12 suits dedicated to each month.
  • Four cards per suit.
  • The column on the far right represents the first month. Analyze from the bottom-up; the months are in order from right to left.
  • Used for gambling purposes and to play the Japanese Flower Game.

The 131-Year History

The Japanese government was against any Western influence, so in the early 17th century, they banned all playing cards and games that symbolized the culture. Yamauchi ended up successfully manufacturing the Japanese-inspired playing cards featured above. He worked around the restrictions by replacing the traditional Western-style suits, court figures and numbers with scenic nature landscapes. But the ban did not last forever. Once repealed on the cusp of the 1900s, Yamauchi established the Nintendo Playing Card Company. He continued to manufacture Hanafuda cards but added European-designed card products to the mix. On top of the tech consoles like the Nintendo Switch and Mario video games, Nintendo still creates playing cards to pay tribute to its roots.

Our Story

No matter what industry you’re in, redefining your products to keep up with the times is perfectly practical. In 1999, Shuffled Ink’s first product was the Super Deck, which came with a map and a deck of cards that included discounts and coupons for attractions, dinner shows, restaurants, shopping and golf & recreation. We marketed this product to Orlando hotels until 2006 when we reconstructed the company’s vision and became a custom game manufacturer. Today, we produce top-quality custom printed playing cards, customized card and board games, personalized tarot and flash cards and more! While Nintendo’s reach is on a larger scale than our family-owned company, the principle remains. Innovation is key.

Create Your Own

The playing card decks we all know and love are custom products, so who’s to say that you can’t create an iconic deck that’s similar to the Hanafuda cards? At Shuffled Ink, we have a vast amount of resources available. Not only is our graphics team by your side throughout the entire design process, but your artwork and colors will remain in its original form when printed onto our well-crafted card stock. Feeling inspired yet? Request a quote and get started on your special card project today! ● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Playing Cards at: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Card Games at: ShuffledInk

PROMOTE YOUR ART USING CUSTOM CARDS

Posted on July 20, 2020 by - Art, Artist, Card Collectors, Card Designers, Card Games, Client Feature, Custom Design, Design, Entertainment, Manufacturer, Oracle Cards, Packaging, Playing Cards, Poker Cards, Tarot Cards

PROMOTE YOUR ART USING CUSTOM CARDS Not sure how to start promoting your art? Consider printing 54 of your original designs on a deck of playing cards! With our text, image and card size options, every component of your product is completely customizable. Here are some tips on how to optimize marketing your artwork with our custom cards.

Playing Card Art

1. Personal Branding Your Art

Every creator must establish his/her brand. A personal brand is how an individual’s business is perceived based on actions taken to market product(s) within an industry or a community. This means that your artwork should exemplify what you stand for as an artist. Luckily, the possibilities to create are endless. Your 54-card poker-sized deck comes with two jokers, all of which are customizable. Your card project can feature 54 different art designs, 4 consistent artwork sets for each suit, one illustration set to the card backs and faces, etc. With any idea that comes to mind, we will ensure that your vision comes to fruition. Now, there are more card options to choose from when promoting your artwork. If your art fits well in the spiritual realm, market using tarot or oracle cards. These decks include 78 cards, which allows for an endless supply of art concepts to dabble in.

Tarot Card Art

2. Custom Packaging

Presentation is equally as important as the art you choose to showcase. After all, the card packaging will catch the consumer’s eye first. Just like the card backs and faces, the packaging is completely customizable. Here are our specialty box options:

Custom Two-Part Box

Custom Tuck Box

Post-Consumer Custom Tuck Box

Hard Clear Plastic Case Classic

White Window Tuck Box

white-window-tuck-box

Plastic Banding

plastic-banding

3. Social Media Exposure

Nowadays, social media is among the main tools used in business and personal marketing. If you don’t have a Facebook, Instagram or Twitter account, we highly suggest that you create at least one. These platforms are perfect for publicizing your exclusive illustrations and products. We recommend that you include your social media handle(s) or website(s) on the deck of cards. This directs future and current consumers to your supplementary art pieces and collections. Gaining followers on these media sites will only increase website traffic and engagement.

4. E-Commerce Site

Once your art is printed on any of our custom cards, consider establishing an online store to support your product(s). Setting up an e-commerce site makes it easier for clients to purchase your designs, whether they are featured on a deck of cards or canvas. If you aren’t interested in creating your own online platform, Shuffled Ink will lessen the load by selling your card products in our Client Product Shop on Shopify. Even if we didn’t manufacture your product, you’re still able to sell in our shop! Alternative online marketplaces charge significant referral and percent of the sale fees, but this is not our approach. We achieve our greatest success by directly partnering and investing in your success. After all, our motto since 1999 has always been “Your success is our success”.

How It Works?

Our Client Product Shop works in two easy ways:
  • Purchase bulk inventory for Shuffled Ink to store and sell
  • On-demand production arrangements that allow you to sell your product without having to purchase bulk inventory
When you opt into our Client Shop program, there are NO:
  • % of sale or referral fees
  • setup or service charges
  • monthly minimums or inventory storage costs

Market Your Art

The sky is the limit when it comes to creativity and customization, which is why we don’t charge fees for extra colors. Whether you prefer a matte, smooth or linen finish, your art will remain in its truest, original form when printed onto our well-crafted card stock. The principles of marketing are constantly changing. So, take advantage of your opportunities and get your art out into the world with our playing card products. ● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Playing Cards at: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Card Games at: ShuffledInk

HOW TO USE AFFIRMATION CARDS

Posted on July 9, 2020 by - Affirmation Cards, Art, Artist, Astrology, Card Collectors, Card Designers, Card Magic, Client Feature, Custom Design, Design, Entertainment, How To, Oracle Cards, Self-Care, Tarot Cards

HOW TO USE AFFIRMATION CARDS Referring to affirmation cards as the modern-day tarot or oracle may be a stretch. While these cards do share similar qualities to oracle decks, they ultimately fall under their own realm. Affirmation cards use short sentences or phrases to cast positive thoughts and energy. The idea is to empower and enlighten the card reader as well as urge them to release any negativity. These cards have a powerful impact on one’s soul and will relieve the heaviness that comes with past mistakes.

Reading Affirmation Cards

Unless you are actively negating each card that you read, it is nearly impossible to use affirmations incorrectly. Let’s say you pick up a card with the affirmation “I Am Motivated”. How do you approach this message? To get the most out of your affirmation cards, here are three exercises to try.
  1. Ask Questions: Upon reading the card “I Am Motivated,” the first thought that comes to mind may help indicate where your motivation should be directed. Perhaps explore the parts of you that need improvement in the motivation department or recognize the ways that you are motivated. No matter the route you choose, it is important to ask questions: Why did this thought enter my mind? Where else do I need to seek motivation? How can I get to a point where I proudly and truthfully say, “I am Motivated”?
  2. Use Your Imagination: Close your eyes. Imagine what motivation looks like. You may see the physical energy, yourself as you are or a new version of you that embodies motivation. This meditative exercise allows your thoughts to meet reality, awakening any trapped potential.
  3. Take Action: It is important to actively seek motivation in a healthy way. If you are able to and in the right frame of mind, channel your energy into this newfound drive and run with it. For example, try saying the phrase aloud while looking at yourself in a mirror.

Oracle & Affirmation

Unlike tarot cards, oracle and affirmations do not follow a standard set of rules. Affirmation card creators have complete creative liberties with phrases and artwork. Tarot cards divide into Major and Minor Arcana and feature the same set of characters like The Magician, The High Priestess, etc. Affirmation decks have unique influential phrases and card designs, but if you’re looking for card empowerment, tarot and oracle are also viable options. It all depends on the type of readings you are looking to pursue.

Modern History

Affirmation cards are relatively new, which means we are in the midst of compiling notes and determining the terminology that will go into its history. In Monte Farber’s book Quantum Affirmations: The New Energy Science of Conscious Manifestation, he supports the claim through scientific research that affirmations work. Monte describes Quantum Affirmations as a method for transforming the affirmations that you believe to be true and relating them to the experiences that are actually possible to endure. For example, he asks the reader to compare quantum affirmations to a “virtual pack of breath mints” (p. 189) that you take whenever a negative thought enters your mind. As I’m sure you’ve realized, there is no right or wrong way to approach affirmations, but the depth in which you are willing to soul search will influence an affirmation card’s success. According to psychologist Catherine Moore, there is science behind affirmation cards. Self-affirmation is a psychological theory that focuses on validating yourself through positive words to gain self-integrity. Moore acknowledges that it may feel silly to sit down and tell yourself how special you are, but it goes beyond just that. Your words must reflect your actions.

Take Action with Affirmations

When creating your own deck of affirmation cards, we are with you every step of the way. Regardless of the order size, we will personally discuss design options with you. And when you request a quote, you will receive instant pricing. Shuffled Ink encourages creativity, which is why we offer complimentary graphic support and do not charge extra color fees. To spark inventiveness, here’s a couple of our clients’ custom affirmation card designs.
The “I Am Power Deck” honors who you are. These daily affirmations provide a sense of personal pride, power and presence. One by one, turn each card over to use as daily affirmations, divination and a unique spin on traditional mala meditation.
Featuring stunning nature photos, these custom View-Changer Cards provoke questions that inspire reflection, conversation, team-building and relaxation.
The “I Am” Everything Affirmation deck is stacked with 30 powerful messages that reaffirm your amazing qualities & define who you are in the moment.
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    • Shuffled Ink is a multigenerational family business specializing in printing custom playing cards, tarot & flash cards, packaging, and more for businesses and individuals worldwide. To receive complimentary samples of our card products, include your delivery address and phone number on your custom quote request form. ● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Tarot Cards at: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Flash Cards at: ShuffledInk

    PLAYING CARDS THAT PORTRAY HISTORY

    Posted on June 23, 2020 by - Card Designers, Card Games, COVID-19, Custom Design, Design, History, Playing Card History, Playing Cards

    PLAYING CARDS THAT PORTRAY HISTORY For thousands of years, we have linked playing cards to card tricks, games, gambling and art, but there are also card decks that reflect history. All cultures and societies have their respective innovations, conflicts and hierarchical structures.  And during experiences of greatness and despair, some artists depicted historic moments in time and legendary figures onto playing cards.

    South Sea Bubble Playing Cards

    In 1720, Thomas Carington Bowles created the satirical South Sea Bubble playing cards.  Unlike the smooth card stock that we use today, these cards were printed on copper plates.  The cards below depict the South Sea stock market’s fleeting boom and ultimate destructive collapse, which led France into an economic crisis.  Click on the image to see close-ups of each card.
    The Jack of Hearts in this card collection indicates one of many unfortunate financial situations; this one is based on a distraught South Sea woman who has now lost a large quantity of her riches. The caption reads: A South Sea Lady having much improv’d, Her Fortune proudly slighted him the Lov’d, But South Sea falling, sunk her Fortune low, She would have had him then, but he cry’d no.

    Playing Card Casino

    The first legal casino house surfaced in 1638 Venice: The Ridotto. This enabled others to follow suit. During the 17th century, Louis XIV’s finance minister, Cardinal Mazarin, sought to provide revenue for the royal family, so he transformed the Palace of Versailles into a card-playing casino. The cards below feature French soldiers holding detailed playing card flags toward the sky, most likely to praise and glorify this newfound entertainment source.
    Both government-controlled and underground casinos created a vast production of card materials. Soon after the introduction of gaming houses, Great Britain began charging a tax on card manufacturing. This led to the infamous Stamp Act of 1765. The tax implementation created strict rules on any forged printed materials like stamps and cards, resulting in felony charges, and in many cases, death. Stamp Act Excerpts, Playing Card Provisions: And for and upon every pack of playing cards, and all dice, which shall be sold or used within the said colonies and plantations, the several stamp duties following (that is to say) For every pack of such cards, the sum of one shilling. And for every pair of such dice, the sum of ten shillings.

    WWII Map Decks

    During World War II, prisoners of war used playing card decks to escape from German prison camps.  The United States Playing Card Company created card decks that helped at least 32 individuals escape and prompted more than 300 attempts.  Once applied with water, the POW would peel back each card to find escape routes.  The Escape Map cards will forever illustrate hope and perseverance during a time where danger and uncertainty were prevalent.

    The Ace of Spades: Death Cards

    Card suits and symbols were printed on more than just decks.  During the mid-20th century, the 101st Airborne Division painted the Ace of Spades emblem on their combat helmets for good luck.  But in Vietnamese culture, this card symbolizes death, humiliation and suffering. Two U.S. lieutenants decided to take advantage of this superstition by shipping only Ace of Spades decks to Southeast Asia where they scattered them across villages and the jungle.  This caused many Viet Cong fighters to flee at the sight of the Death Cards.  Even today, the Ace of Spades depicts psychological warfare used during the Vietnam War.

    Legendary Figures on the Court Cards

    KINGS

    Recognizing court cards (King, Queen and Jack) as prominent figures developed long after the establishment of the modern deck. So, in a way, while this “fact” has been debunked, the association is still true. For a period of time, and depending on the country, particular famous figures were assigned to a court card. For example, French and British decks identified their court cards with these four monarchs: Charles VII of France, the Biblical figure David, Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar. You may have noticed slight variations on face cards: Positioning of swords and hands, medieval attire and crown designs.  This is no coincidence. The Suicide King: The King of Hearts features an oddly positioned sword that is piercing the side of his head.  Never noticed?  Pull out your own deck of cards and look.  This is the only King who appears to be stabbing himself in the head with a sword. While the King of Hearts has varied in design throughout the years, there is always one consistency: The act of suicide or harm.

    QUEENS

    Queen playing cards have many face versions but the most common four figures are Pallas, Judith, Rachel and Argine. The Breakdown:
    • Queen of Spades: Pallas or Athena; the goddess of strategic war, courage and inspiration in Greek mythology.
    • Queen of Hearts: Judith; a Biblical figure and heroine
    • Queen of Diamonds: Rachel; the wife of Biblical figure Jacob
    • Queen of Clubs: Argine; anagram of Latin name Regina, which means Queen

    JACKS

    The Jack face card was previously called a Knave, which means male servant.  Eventually, they realized that it did not make sense to have two Ks (with the King and Knave) or even a Kn since the first initial is present on the face cards.  But even the new term Jack had its flaws.  It was originally used in a demeaning manner, aimed toward lower-class people.
    • Jack of Spades: Hector, a Trojan Prince
    • Jack of Hearts: La Hire; member of Charles VII’s court and comrade to Joan of Arc)
    • Jack of Diamonds: Ogier, one of Charlemagne’s Knights
    • Jack of Clubs: Judah Maccabee, or Lancelot

    COVID-19 Pandemic Depicted on Playing Cards

    One day, people will be curious about the historic moments we once experienced – both the good and bad.  For example, the Coronavirus pandemic has created an entirely new world for us, where we social distance, wear masks and work from home.  Undoubtedly there will be recollections and statistics written in history books but playing cards will also be used to tell stories about the past.  We created a collection of COVID-19 Playing Cards with the intention of providing helpful virus tips, suggestions, statistics and more.  Like the South Sea Bubble cards, these decks will be great for future generations to discover and interpret historical events.
    ● 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 - Board Games, Card Designers, Card Games, Classic Games, COVID-19, Custom Design, Design, History, Manufacturer, Playing Card History, Playing Cards, Printing Service

    CARD GAMES CREATED DURING PANDEMICS 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 5th 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 19th 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 20th-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 20th 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

    NOVELS ABOUT PLAYING CARDS: ALICE IN WONDERLAND

    Posted on June 17, 2020 by - Alice in Wonderland, Custom Design, Design, Entertainment, Literature, Novels, Playing Card History, Playing Cards

    NOVELS ABOUT PLAYING CARDS: ALICE IN WONDERLAND

    Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

    In a previous article we shared some of our favourite playing cards that depict novels. But how about novels that depict playing cards? Already for centuries playing cards have embedded themselves into our lives and culture, and crawled their way into language, paintings, and music. But what about literature? It’s not hard to think of examples of books where playing cards are part of the wider background of a novel. Perhaps we find them in the hands of characters who are having a social game of bridge, or in the hands of gamblers trying their luck at Blackjack at a casino or playing Poker in the back room of a saloon. But are there other examples besides Jostein Gaarder’s The Solitaire Mystery (see our previous article) where playing cards become central characters, and key figures in the story? The example that will spring to mind for most people is Lewis Carroll’s classic work, Alice in Wonderland.

    The Book

    This story is one that almost everyone has come across in their life. But if you’re like most people, then you’ve only been exposed to Alice via Disney films, or perhaps through an abridged version for young children. You really owe it to yourself to read the original book by Lewis Carroll, first published in 1865. Lewis Carroll was the pen name of Charles Dodgson, who excelled in playing with words, and delighted in logic and fantasy. In Alice in Wonderland we see all these skills and interests on display, and come together in a wonderful and charming story. If you don’t have a copy of the book, you can easily find it online, because the copyright has long lapsed. I suggest you head here, where you’ll find a downloadable PDF of a virtual edition created by Peter Zelchenko in 1998 for BookVirtual. This project is a true typographically accurate replica of the original Macmillan edition and this free digital edition was produced by VolumeOne.

    The Story

    For those unfamiliar with the story, what can you expect? Alice in Wonderland is a story of childlike innocence and curiosity, as we journey into a world of the surreal, the fantastic, and the whimsical. Together with the seven-year-old Alice, we follow a talking white rabbit, and fall into a rabbit-hole, by which we enter an imaginary and wacky world where nothing is at it seems.
    If you were the kind of child who always asked the “why?” question, and who liked to challenge what everyone else regarded as normal, you’ll love this book. In this story, Lewis Carroll gives us a picture of a world where everything that we accept as normal is turned upside down. We find ourselves in a land which is populated by an arrange of fantastic characters that entertain us with their wit and whimsy. Consider this excerpt from an absurd conversation Alice has with the Cheshire Cat: “By-the-bye, what became of the baby?” said the Cat. “I’d nearly forgotten to ask.” “It turned into a pig,’ Alice answered very quietly, just as if the Cat had come back in a natural way. “I thought it would,” said the Cat, and vanished again. In one of the book’s more famous scenes, Alice finds herself at a mad tea-party together with the March Hare, a Hatter, and a Dormouse., where she is bombarded with paradoxical riddles, and astonished with absurd logic. “…they drew all manner of things – everything that begins with an M –” “Why with an M?” said Alice. “Why not?” said the March Hare.

    The Playing Cards: Croquet with Queen of Hearts

    But it is in the next chapter, entitled “The Queen’s Croquet Ground”, that we meet our playing cards for the first time. After leaving the tea party, Alice enters a garden, where she sees a procession of living playing card characters, which all have human heads, arms, and legs. Chief among them are the King and the Queen. The suits of these playing card characters all correspond to different roles in the royal court, with the Spades serving as gardeners, Clubs as soldiers, Diamonds as courtiers, and Hearts as members of the royal family.
    Click on the images below to read the first few pages of this chapter:
    It’s here that we read about the antics the execution-minded Queen of Hearts with her constant refrain “Off with his head.”. After this Alice commences what has to be one of the most bizarre games of croquet ever witnessed.

    The Playing Cards: The Trial of the Knave of Hearts

    The final two chapters of the book put the spotlight once again on our playing card friends, as Alice witnesses a trial overseen by the King of Hearts as judge, to settle a case where the Knave of Hearts has been accused of stealing the Queen’s tarts. At this point Lewis quotes the old and well-known English nursery rhyme “The Queen of Hearts”, which cleverly forms the basis of his plot: “The Queen of Hearts / She made some tarts, / All on a summer’s day; The Knave of Hearts / He stole those tarts, / And took them clean away. The King of Hearts / Called for the tarts, / And beat the knave full sore; The Knave of Hearts / Brought back the tarts, / And vowed he’d steal no more.”
    Alice herself is called upon to give testimony against the Knave, and a measure of chaos ensues when Alice first knocks over the jury box filled with animals. She then challenges the King and Queen of Hearts about the absurdity of the proceedings.
    I won’t spoil what happens in the final scenes as the pack of cards starts to gang up against Alice. You can read the final pages of the book for yourself here:

    The Message

    Is Alice in Wonderland all nonsense? I don’t think so, because there’s much more to this story than first meets the eye. Behind the outer layer of apparent `nonsense’ Carroll conveys a great deal of sense. There’s a wonderful version of the book entitled The Annotated Alice, that was produced by famous mathematician and logician Martin Gardner. In this annotated version, Gardner explores a lot of the imagery and ideas of the Alice in Wonderland story, and explains some of the references and influences behind the characters and more. As a mathematician, he especially points out many of the clever logical and mathematical concepts found in the story. There’s also a lot of political commentary and parody of the popular culture of the day which he identifies and explains. For example the farcical trial at the end is generally understood to be a lampooning of the British legal system. What Lewis Carroll really wants us to do is return to reality along with Alice with a renewed appreciation for everything that is normal and accepted. But because this whimsical tale and its fantasy world is so nonsensical and enjoyable, you’ll want to return there many a time, and enjoy its sheer madcap humour. Alice in Wonderland is full to the brim with wild humour, farcical fantasy, witty wisecracks, and even slapstick comedy. You’ll be amazed by the cat-less grin of the Cheshire-Cat, amused by the absurd logic of the mad Hatter, and in hysterics over the antics of Queen of Hearts. I especially enjoyed the abundance of delightful puns, paradoxes, and parodies. While much of the deeper significance will escape young children, they will certainly enjoy it as a fantastic story, and rediscover it with even greater pleasure as adults. A classic is a book that appeals to people of all times and ages, and that’s certainly the case with Alice in Wonderland; this is truly a classic for the child in all of us! Special mention should also be made of the illustrations accompanying the first published versions of the book. The original pictures were wood engraved by John Tenniel, and his artwork has become forever connected with the story of Alice, and has influenced a great deal of subsequent imaginings of it.

    The Tribute Deck

    So the book is about playing cards, but are there playing cards about the book? Of course! With the glut of custom decks on today’s market, surely it is inevitable that the circle would become complete, and someone would make a deck of playing cards based on this novels about playing cards. And sure enough, there are several such decks that are marvellous tributes to Alice in Wonderland. The White Rabbit deck features a simple black and colour scheme with line art that was inspired by the classic John Tenniel woodcut illustrations from the original Alice in Wonderland books. The Wonderland Tarot deck has more playful and colourful artwork by Morgana Abbey, but is also a homage to the style of John Tenniel. But perhaps my favourite Alice in Wonderland themed deck is the Alice in Wonderland deck created by graphic designer and illustrator Sasha Dounaevski, who has been a fan of the Lewis Carroll stories since her childhood.
    The simple blue and white colour scheme is a recurring feature of the deck, and Sasha has used linear drawings with a minimalist style and with a childish and playful feel, believing that this best suits the absurdity and logic of the story. Just like the book itself, there are many imaginative details that the artist has provided, but there’s also plenty of scope for you as reader to imagine details of your own. The card backs represent the garden that Alice gets into, with a distinctive symmetrical pattern. The Aces each recount part of Alice’s adventures and companions, e.g. Pigeon (Spades), the child that turned into a pig (Clubs), the mad tea-party (Diamonds), and a mallet-flamingo (Hearts).
    But as with most custom decks, it’s the court cards that are the real highlight, depicting characters like The Cheshire Cat, Mad Hare, Hatter, White Rabbit, and more – including of course The Queen of Hearts and The King of Hearts. To distinguish the suits clearly, the black suited court cards have a blue background, while the red suited court cards have a beige background.
    The number cards are also customized with uniquely shaped pips in a non-standard arrangement. An extra feature of these is a unique symbol for each different suit, each of which has been derived from the story, e.g. the pocket watch, the pepper pot. The Jokers feature the magical food/drink from the story which made Alice small and big respectively: the “Drink Me” mixture and the “Eat Me” cake. Also of note are two bonus cards, one of which pictures the book’s final court scene – which appropriately features lots of playing cards!
    This deck is a wonderful tribute to the famous book, given the extensive customization and how the Alice in Wonderland theme has been incorporated in every aspect of the playing cards, making it a charming deck for the child in all of us!

    Final Thoughts

    In many ways playing cards have become a microcosm of life. Art mirrors life, and when playing cards find a place in our art, then they are giving us reason to reflect on ourselves and on our lives. But art can also be enjoyed for its own sake, and those of us who are playing card enthusiasts will appreciate the clever way that playing cards have found a place in novels like the ones discussed above, and will enjoy reading these stories and appreciate the clever ways they incorporate playing cards. Not only have playing cards become an integral part of our lives, but as a form of art themselves, they also reflect something about life. With today’s myriad of custom decks, we are now in a position where playing cards have become works of art, and reveal something about what we like, and they are indications of what is important to us. And in cases of decks about Alice in Wonderland, they have even become tributes to works of art that themselves honour playing cards. So why not head down a rabbit hole, and join me in enjoying some of these great books which honour our 52 paper friends!
    About the writer: EndersGame is a well-known reviewer of board games and playing cards. He loves card games, card magic, and collecting playing cards.  ● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Playing Cards at: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Card Games at: ShuffledInk

    PLAYING CARDS TO CREATE DURING COVID-19

    Posted on June 16, 2020 by - Card Designers, COVID-19, Custom Design, Design, Graduation Playing Cards, Oracle Cards, Playing Cards, Tarot Cards, Wedding Playing Cards

    PLAYING CARDS TO CREATE DURING COVID-19

    At Shuffled Ink, we can help you design the perfect playing cards for any occasion. Due to COVID-19, our big life moments are either put on hold or experienced virtually. In-person celebrations are out of the question, but we can always let our loved ones know that we are thinking about them.

    For additional special gift options, explore our clients’ playing card products, which are available for purchase.  Now, here are some ideas to make your gift ideas a reality!

    1. Birthday Gift Decks

    The pandemic has created a birthday trend where you drive-by your friend’s house with balloons while honking the car horn and waving.  This is a sweet idea but is limited to people who live in the same state as the birthday girl/boy. This is where creating and sending decks of cards that detail personalized messages and designs come into play.

    At Shuffled Ink’s design shop, you can personalize the background, images and text.  Whatever you decide, we will be readily available to assist with any special customizations.

    • “A Few of My Favorite Things” Cards: Use images to cater to their favorite sports teams, novels, shows, movies and more.
    • Photo Album Cards: Include 52 photos that reminisce on a favorite trip you two took together.
    • Demonstration Cards: If they are starting a new hobby like yoga, use playing cards to depict various poses and breathing exercises.

    2. Wedding Playing Cards

    There is often at least one thing that goes awry when planning a wedding.  2020 weddings were hit especially hard this year.  It is likely that you know someone who postponed or canceled their wedding – perhaps, it was your wedding directly impacted, in which case we are deeply sorry.  Nevertheless, this special occasion should not be cast aside, especially if the couple decided to have a virtual ceremony.  Sending a customized playing card deck that exemplifies the couple’s love is an essential and effective gift.

    • Picture Perfect Cards: Thanks to social media platforms, it is likely that either one of the couples has uploaded a plethora of photos highlighting special moments during their relationship.  Consider printing playing card decks with their engagement photos or some throwback pictures from the start of their love story.
    • Guidance Cards: If you are a veteran in the marriage department, pass on your own wise words of commitment wisdom by including tips and advice on each playing card.
    • REBEL Deck – Couples Edition: We have alternative options if you do not have time to design a deck of your own. These customized Oracle cards were previously featured on E! Online’s Necessary Realness with Morgan Stewart. The “Couples Edition” Rebel Deck provides couples with rebellious and authentic messages that focus on their love life.  The cards answer this question: “What does life want me, my partner, or us to know right now?”

    3. Graduation Playing Cards

    In the grand scheme of COVID-19, missing your high school or college graduation may seem low scale, but for seniors, graduation means closure and a time for festivities.  Many schools have either rescheduled and/or conducted a virtual ceremony, but it is not nearly the same as walking across the stage while wearing the classic cap and gown regalia and being handed your diploma.

    • Provide that senior with a deck of playing cards or a card game that celebrates his/her accomplishments.  There are many options to choose from when creating a graduation deck. Print his/her school logo, mascot, campus or colors on the card backs.
    • Depending on their favorite subject or what they got a degree in, you can work that into the theme as well.  For example, if the graduate was in the school band, personalize playing cards with his/her preferred musicians, instruments, composers, songs, etc.

    To help generate ideas and bring it all to life, think of a deck of cards like a painter’s canvas.  Our graphic artist team will help you design your artwork in any fashion.  Whether you would like to feature the graduate as a cartoon-like illustration or a real-life photo, we will assist you!

    4. Arrival of a New Baby Decks

    Our lives have continued even with the unprecedented virus outbreak.  People are still delivering babies, which means family and friends must meet the child either virtually or from afar.

    For both new parents and experienced ones, having a child during a pandemic heightens stress levels.  Consider creating a deck of cards for both the child and the parents to bring light and happiness in a rather ambiguous time.

    • Linguacious Flashcards: Our clients have created some incredible flashcard products.  So, if you don’t have time to create a deck, explore the learning card options that Linguacious Language offers.  The implementation of QR codes allows for an interactive language-learning experience for children.
    • Infant Stimulation Flashcards: Studies show that newborn babies can only see black, white and grey colors during the first few months that they are born.  Sensory cards stimulate the baby’s vision while their eyes are developing. Create your own infant stimulation flashcards by selecting any design for the card backs and faces.  Enhance this gift by adding a booklet to write a personal message for the baby and parents.

    We Are Open and Ready to Work with You!

    This year, we are not able to spend important life moments with every single person that we would like to. But we must continue to show our friends and family that we are proud of their accomplishments.

    Visit our website for more playing card gift options – stay safe! ● Make Your Own Custom Playing Cards at: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Card Games at: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Flash Cards at: ShuffledInk

    CARD GAME IDEAS FOR FATHER’S DAY

    Posted on June 11, 2020 by - Art, Artist, Card Collectors, Card Designers, Card Games, Custom Design, Custom Gifts, Design, Father's Day Custom Gifts, Playing Cards, Poker, Poker Cards, Trading Card Game, Trading Cards

    CARD GAME IDEAS FOR FATHER'S DAY With Father’s Day around the corner, ordinary gifts will not do. Give dad a custom game that is specific to his interests and hobbies. After all, it makes sense to create something just as one-of-a-kind as your dad. Not to mention, these personally designed card games are perfect for family game nights! Now, here is our list of ideas to help you ace this year’s gift!

    1. Go (Family)!

    Drawing from the classic game Go Fish, create a custom card game that replaces suits and numbers with pictures of family members and friends. Regardless of how many people are in your family, you will have a blast trying to collect four of a kind of your brother and sister (and do not forget to include all the housepets as well)! When customizing your own card game, it opens doors for all sorts of decision-making including designing an exclusive set of rules. Feel free to stray as far away from the original Go Fish format or follow it to a tee!

    2. Trading Card Game

    Unlock old memories for dad by printing a new set of Trading Card Games. Combine the idea of athlete trading cards and Pokemon battles to design the all-time Fantasy Sports League. To make it simple, narrow down the game to just one sport. It would not be fair to play football players against baseball players since they are not in the same league. For this example, let’s go with baseball. Each player receives 9 cards.

    The Breakdown: 3 Card Types

    • The Athlete: These cards include players who hold any position. Even though you are dealt 9 cards to account for each player on the field, it is not guaranteed that your hand will include a player for every single position. But there is also a possibility of receiving a Utility player, which means they can play any position on the field. That is where the trading comes into play. But remember, it is important to check their card for details like strength, agility, power and speed.
    • Boosted Energy: When an athlete card is played during the battle, or the stand-off, it is important to utilize the Boosted Energy card. Match the action symbol to the Boosted Energy to enhance the designated characteristic.
    • Training Gear: The equipment style and brand that you decide to use also plays an important factor during a stand-off game. Whichever bat, glove or cleats you decide to use must fit well with the athlete and their strengths/weaknesses.
    We understand there are a lot of factors that go into creating a Trading Card Game. We have simply provided a brief foundation for what it can look like. While the rest is up to you, our graphics team will assist you with the creative process, so get started! For further assistance with creating a battle card game, follow this Trading Rule Book.

    3. To Drink or Not to Drink

    Last Father’s Day, we put together a list of custom playing cards to give dad. One suggestion was printing a deck with his favorite alcoholic beverage. As a side note, we added that a customized drinking game could also be a good choice in the gift-giving department. To expand on that idea here is a ‘Drinking Edition’ card game to consider creating!

    A Spotlight on Dad

    Even though it is Father’s Day, that does not give dad a complete pass. Yes, this is a game to put dad on the spot, but the whole family (if at least 21+) can get involved.
    • How to Play: Come up with questions for each card that varies from ‘ridiculously easy’ to ‘momentary thinkers’ and, finally, to ‘most challenging’. Think of it as a trivia game, where dad must answer a series of questions about your family and friends. Now, here is where the ‘to drink or not to drink’ aspect comes into play. If dad answers the question wrong, then he drinks, but if he answers the question correctly, then everyone else drinks. Of course, you can implement as many game accessories as you see fit like dice, timers and spinners.

    4. A Custom Deck for Any Card Game

    Every dad should have their own personal deck of cards. Whether he is playing a single-player or multi-player game, there is something special about using cards made just for you. When it comes to designing a deck, the possibilities are truly endless. Every detail of your playing card deck is completely customizable including the artwork, written content, card stock, packaging, etc. Here are a few recommendations to kick off the creative process!
    • Family Custom Backs: One of our clients created an adorable Father’s Day deck with a photograph of their child. Naturally, this is the perfect deck to break out for both a solo and family/friends game night.
    • Animal Custom Faces: Your pet is an equal member of the family, so why not include them in a gift to dad. After all, the phrase “Man’s Best Friend” could not be any more true. So, if your dad is absolutely in love with the family dog (or whichever animal you have), then visit our Design Shop to print their wagging tails and smiling faces on a deck of cards.

    5. Buy A Deck

    If you would rather purchase a deck of cards rather than build your own, we have some options for you on our Shopify site.
    • Quarantine 2020 Playing Card Deck: This Quarantine deck is particularly relevant at the moment and would make for a perfect gift! It is also a great way to remember what was going on in the world during Father’s Day 2020. Besides, who would not be intrigued by dealing a deck of cards with custom masked face cards!

    PLAYING CARD DECK CRAFTED IN A CONCENTRATION CAMP

    Posted on November 29, 2019 by - Art, Artist, Card Designers, card suits, court cards, Custom Design, Design, handcrafted cards, History, Pips, Playing Card History, Playing Cards

    PLAYING CARD DECK CRAFTED IN A CONCENTRATION CAMP
    Playing Cards Crafted by Jews at Camp Vught (January 1943 – Sept. 1944)
    During World War II in the early to mid-1940s, these handcrafted playing cards were made at an SS (Schutzstaffel, or Protection Squads) camp known as Konzentrationslager Herzogenbus or Camp Vught.  During the Holocaust, Nazi Germany built the camp in the Netherlands. Active for nearly 20 months, it reached a max of 9,000 Jews during May 1943. The Holocaust was the mass genocide of European Jews, where nearly two-thirds of Europe’s Jewish population were murdered. Adolf Hitler, the Anti-Semitic Nazi leader, believed that Jews were an inferior race.  Nazi Germany built nearly 44,000 concentration camps for the purpose of ethnic cleansing.  Today, we remember the Holocaust survivors and victims through Memorial Museums.  Now, handcrafting playing cards did not start in a concentration camp. The process dates back to ancient China, where domino markings would be drawn onto slips of paper. The cards were then brought to Europe during the 14th century, where they sported more hand-painted designs. The origin and invention of playing cards can be attributed to a variety of cultures all around the world, which is why discovering new card designs that reflect the times during the Holocaust is fascinating to find. Throughout these points in history, playing cards struck an appeal with a variety of people and cultures for one reason or another. But it’s undeniable that the cards created at Camp Vught symbolized a time when people were seeking a source of amusement, as well as a means to accentuate their artwork.

    The Card’s Designs

    • KINGS / QUEENS / JACKS: These cards represent the SS camp’s authority figures, as they are shown clothed in the British army’s uniform.
    • ACES: Buildings are illustrated on these cards, including the Protestant church shown on the ace of spades.
    • JOKERS: It is daunting, yet, unsurprising that these cards portray the prisoners themselves. They are shown pinned with the unlucky number 13 on their chest amid barbed wire and dust.
    The handcrafted playing cards created by the Jews at Camp Vught were preserved by the camp, which has been turned into a national monument (Nation Monument Camp Vught). Despite being created under such devastating and brutal circumstances, the cards seemed to have played an amusing role during an unamusing time. Nevertheless, the cards can be added to the long history of playing cards that we continue to discover. ● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Playing Cards at: ShuffledInk