The Tarot Connection

Episode 85: Hand Crafting Decks

I know this goes without saying but … Always respect copyright laws.

I have made dozens of decks by hand over the years. I like to make prototypes to flesh out ideas, to find mistakes and to get feedback from other people. I only really know if I like something for size, layout and color if I’ve seen it and held it in my hand.

I’ve also made copies of very rare decks that I’m to afraid to use. I helped my friend Linda make a usable deck with her BOTA cards that she spend years coloring. (more about that later when we talk about embellishments.)

Just as a fair warning it is very expensive and time consuming to make decks in this manner. Appreciate what a value your commercial decks are.

Supplies

There are some basic supplies that you will need.

Card stock (Type depends on method)
Decorative Paper (for the Backs)
The use of a ink jet printer, color laser printer, or color copier
Laminator (method 2) & 3 mil Pouches
Xyron 900 (method 3)
Sharp Scissors
2? Portable Paper Trimmer by Fiskars
Corner Rounder (You can use scissors with a little technique)

There are a number of considerations when making the deck and the qualities can work against each other.

Beauty
Durability
Usability (how well it shuffles)
Deck Thickness

The Methods

Very Heavy Card Stock
Lamination
2 page Adhesive
2 page Adhesive/Lamination Com

Download the Handout

Music Credits

Music: Narcissus by Queenie from Dream of Flight

Play or Download the Episode

Standard Podcast [26:06m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (287)

Comment Rules

I really enjoy and value your thoughts and opinions. In fact, your comments make the podcast worth producing and help me attract interesting guests. Allowing comments to remain does not constitute my endorsement of or responsibility for any comment's subject matter. My philosophy is: when in doubt, leave it in and I welcome constructive feedback and difference of opinion. However, I do reserve the right to remove comments if necessary.

| Category: Year 3, ~Episodes

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 at 7:43 pm.

4 Comments to “Episode 85: Hand Crafting Decks”

Domenic Says:
July 16th, 2008 at 2:36 am

Very informative, I am going to try it out. If I am successful I just might make a copy of one of my most popular decks and get the nerve to cut out the words on the minor arcana. like you did Leisa (lol)
Penny Key Says:
July 16th, 2008 at 7:26 pm

Oh, Leisa,
What a lovely episode. It’s particular poignant for me. Well over 20 years ago, a dear friend of mine hand drew a entire tarot deck using dragons for the majors and court cards - and I never used it. Needless to say, it’s one of my most treasured possessions. He passed away about a month ago, and since then I have been using his deck quite often. It’s also been a perfect grieving tool. His partner recently sent me the notebook my friend used for his preliminary designs, as well as all the templates he used. It was fascinating to track his design and production process. Hand crafted decks are so special and I so appreciate you sharing your process and journey, Leisa. I know anyone who tries it will love the outcome.
Thanks,
Penny
Penny Key Says:
July 19th, 2008 at 8:19 pm

Hi, Leisa,
Two additional thoughts… One to clarify that I seldom used my friend’s deck because it was so precious to me that I didn’t want to damage it.
The second thought is about another great use for a handcrafted copy of your favorite deck is to make a miniature version to carry with you. Based on your instruction, I’m going to try to create one or two!

Thanks, again,
Penny
Bonnie Cehovet Says:
July 19th, 2008 at 10:20 pm

Leisa:

What a wonderful Podcast! Lots of great info - and I especially appreciated the info on the use of foil with a completed BOTA deck. I am in the beginning process of coloring my own BOTA deck, and would love to add the foil to it!

Loved the music too!

Blessings,
Bonnie