List Tarot Deck Publishers?

Astra, thank you so much for posting this link. I just e-mailed DeLano for more information. My local printer (Alphagraphics in Tucson) has never done a card deck. They have been helpful and are willing to work with me, but the heaviest cardstock they can use is 90 lb. With 3"x5" cards, I'd need to print separate fronts and backs, then laminate them myself (Aaghh!)

On a separate subject, I'd like to clear up some AGM/Carta Mundi confusion. As has been noted, Carta Mundi prints decks to order (though it's way out of my range financially). AGM is a publisher like US Games or Llewellyn - they have to WANT the deck. They seem to be prompt about replying to e-mail queries - they answered mine within two weeks.

Lorena

Carta Mundi

It's actually even more complicated! Carta Mundi bought Muller about two/three years ago. Carta Mundi are in fact both a publisher AND a printer (hence their purchase of Muller). They specialise in cards of all kinds. They print the cards they publish themselves, as well as all Muller cards
(obviously ) plus they print many other publisher's cards.

One issue we found with them was that our order (we used them on a project some time back) was peanuts to them - they have an annual turnover of some 90 million euros! - so we didn't get the best possible attention to detail. As I think I said in the past, their colour balancing was not perfect. Also the person managing our project appeared to be a very new graduate who had little experience and this caused some headaches. On the plus side they are nice people and in other ways good quality and very professional.

We decided after this experience to work locally where possible, and that seems to have been a good decision. Our local printer is a fraction of the size so to them our order is worth having and they pay more attention to it than a huge printer like Carta Mundi possibly can.

On the whole I would recommend getting to know a local printer if possible. However, I know that this isn't always practical.

I wonder if it's worth checking out who prints up those baseball cards they still sell, or those Yu-gi-oh cards, though that one is probably in Japan & you'd have to worry about import fees & such. I did hear Japan can do some amazing color work on the cheap since they have such a huge field of anime going, but getting it across the ocean & shipped to you would be costly.

Still, SOMEONE is printing up game cards and doing a good job of it, they can do tarot cards as well. Might be worth a visit to a comic book or hobby shop to see what the names are printed on the cards.

Ia m actually self publishing my decks. That way I am in total control of my decks, quality and quantity.

Quote from Delano Service

For those who are looking at deck printing costs: I got a quote for the Ironwing Tarot from Delano Service (game publisher in Michigan): 1000 decks (their minimum order), 3" x 4.5" 4-color coated cards w/round corners, B&W backs, B&W tuck box, shrinkwrap: $5800.

A lower price than I expected, but still way beyond my financial capacity. Hope it's of interest anyway.

Lorena

Lorena B. Moore
Ironwing Tarot

Ironwing, maybe check what the quote would be without the tuck box. That might drop the cost down by 50%. There are other boxing companies, or you could do pouches instead. You've got other options.

box or not?

Box costs were broken out for me in the quote. The box adds about $1 to the cost of each deck. It would be worth that to me to have decks that were ready to sell or ship.

I think it's a pretty good deal...we just don't have the money. And I'd never sell 1000 decks. I'm assuming that interest will pick up once it's actually available, but even then, the responses I've had on and offline suggest that I'll be lucky to sell 100 - though the people who like it really love it, and that's good enough for me.

Current plan is local printing with no lamination and a paper wrapping. I'm still looking at book printing options.

Lorena

hmmm. i wonder. has anybody tried getting quotes from printers in china? i'm sure the rates there are way cheaper.

Ironwing - have you talked with them about possibly doing the deck in less than 4 color? I know most of your graphics are in black and white, with accents - it might be possible for them to run the deck in sections sorted by color, a single color for each section. It might mess up the stacking order, but it ought to be way cheaper. If the tuck box is black and white, that might save a few more pennies.

And, I suspect that you CAN sell 1,000 copies, or more, as long as you're willing to push it - it's a good looking deck.

My own quotes have come in, and I'm biting the bullet and going for it - today, probably. ouch.

Re: box or not?

Ironwing said:

the responses I've had on and offline suggest that I'll be lucky to sell 100 - though the people who like it really love it, and that's good enough for me.Lorena

Click to expand...

Lorena, I don't know the responses you've had but are you sure you would sell so few? Of course it depends on price - once a deck gets near to $100 I know there are not so many people who can afford it - but 100 seems very few. Your deck is beautiful and full of knowledge and skill - it isn't just another deck. Surely there must be more than 100 people who are interested?