For Love AND Money..The One Of A Kind Deck

Eco74

I agree totally with those who suggest a limited edition, and also think that a smaller LE and a somewhat more accessible 'regular' edition could give more of a response.

The trouble of a limited edition only, or a one-off, for an artist who does not already have an established name is that it's a bit of a chance for the buyer (or buyers in case of the limited edition).
With an established name, there are collectors with big wallets that would be willing to give quite a lot to get their hands on an exclusive original.

Since you are still building up your name as an artist (and doing a great job at it too) I'd suggest the following;
A limited edition of 10-50 decks with special packaging, maybe a more expensive exclusive cardstock, numbered and signed along side of a numbered but unsigned 'regular' edition of maybe 1-200 decks (for starters), open for a bigger printrun if it becomes a success to then be subsequently numbered (though with a reservation for a maximum of 500 decks regardless).

Not only would it become more affordable and more easily spread, but the limited edition tends to look a little better when it can be compared with a regular one. Especially with little added extras like the exclusive cardstock and signature.
Word would spread more, there would most likely be more of a profit, getting your mom towards the state of debt-free faster and it would give you as the artist something of an allure for striving to create special things.
And open up for a more limited edition or more specialised projects for later..
 

manhattan9thgate

Eco74 said:
The trouble of a limited edition only, or a one-off, for an artist who does not already have an established name is that it's a bit of a chance for the buyer (or buyers in case of the limited edition).
With an established name, there are collectors with big wallets that would be willing to give quite a lot to get their hands on an exclusive original.

A limited edition of 10-50 decks with special packaging, maybe a more expensive exclusive cardstock, numbered and signed along side of a numbered but unsigned 'regular' edition of maybe 1-200 decks (for starters), open for a bigger printrun if it becomes a success to then be subsequently numbered (though with a reservation for a maximum of 500 decks regardless).

the backs of the decks are a natural and obvious way to distinguish each edition. a plain back for the regular release deck, a slightly more ornate back for the 2nd tier release and a specially designed back with a "cover" card to indicate the print # for the top tier limited edition (in additon to registration certificate and box etc.).

as far as "risk" is concerned for the buyer of an exclusive limited edition, I would disagree. people with deep pockets will very often pay a premium for a relatively obscure name. just ask any art gallery of worth that knows how to work it. they undertsand how to walk the walk and talk the talk.

markets are created......aggresively. they don't just happen by chance.

the risk factor lies mainly with the artist in terms of cost and sanity. if the artist drops the ball after an initial run without making a further commitment the worst thing that hapens to the buyer is that he-she own a potentiallly valuable long term investment that they simply enjoy for it's own sake. Psychologically, the status of signed registered limited edition makes up for a lot.
If that artist moves on to something else in the design arena and happens to become a success in another way, it automatically increases the value of the original deck.

but the collectibles market is unpredicatble and it's not unusual for the work of a relatively obscure artist of a particular genre to be swept up with the "vogue-of-the-season".
 

Gardener

I have a suggestion for the limited edition - One of a kind backs. Each deck has its own individual back!

Also, I recommend auctioning off the original.
 

Satori

I definitely think LE.
And I like the idea of different card backs.

The focus of this project isn't so much about getting out a collectible deck, although knowing Chronata's work it will be collectible, but to make fast cash for Mum.

The ebay route is an option for the original...but you still have to market it and create lust for it!

So, a website for the deck that even ebayers can visit and see who you are and what you do.

More copies equals more money in the long run. If you sell one deck for $200 vs 12 decks for $75 what gets you more money? And I know I'm being obvious here!

I don't know how these things work, but if you had enough interest you could do a second edition and tweak it a bit...couldn't you?

I like the idea of originality, but not of exclusivity with one deck. Perhaps you could add a special card for each deck that changes for each purchaser. That way everyone gets a one of a kind deck, but the deck is still available for all. The odd card out could be an extra major , kinda like the Templar with that extra major that he threw in...whatever the name was. You know, digitally change the sky from sunrise, to sunset to stormy weather etc., or whatever you decide to do to make it new.
 

manhattan9thgate

Gardener said:
I have a suggestion for the limited edition - One of a kind backs. Each deck has its own individual back!

obviously we think alike :)

a big problem is the publishers don't promote their artists properly.
they're risk averse and stuck in the mud, so the individual artist is trapped in a leaf-in-the-wind situation.

my final word. I'm sure everyone is relieved.
 

Chronata

aaaarrrggh!
You guys are horrible! :D

I do see your points though...limited vs. one off still does seem like a better way in the long run...the problem is that it IS long run...

Well..many of the things you are talking about...the idea of exclusive limited editions, special packaging, special backs...these are all the things I was trying to avoid by selling the deck just as it is.

I feel like I already have been doing the special packaging thing with the Masquerade (one of a kind boxes)...and so this is something that in my experience...is already rather difficult, and I am not sure I want to do that again ...as I am still in the long process of doing it!

and does special backs...or whatever, really matter? I think it sounds like so much extra work, and I hope to do this in about a month or so.
I can see doing just a small print run...20-50...
and if I am going to do that anyway...well, I can't see charging THAT much for them.

Here's the other concern...having the money to put into this right away...to try and make a limited production run. I don't have that money. Not at the moment.

This has given me a lot to think about, though.

I don't really want to deprive fans of my art the opportunity to own a deck I create. But there still is something very appealing about putting something on e-bay and seeing what happens!

I may try putting one of the Masquerade's on E-bay instaead...start low, no reserve, to satisfy my curiousity. That way, even if it doesn't sell for a large amount...or even at cost...I would be happy that maybe someone who wants one might be getting one at the price they can afford.

oh, there I go again...the whole point of this is to make some money quickly...and here I am, willing to settle, just to get my art out there! :D
 

Chronata

Something else I have been thinking about...the idea of selling the Original on e-bay...after the initial limited print run, still has some merit!

This deck in question is actually almost done...(and I am a bit embarrassed to admit how long it took to make!)

but here's the thing...right now there are only majors, and it was meant to be this one of a kind collectors thing...

But...
if it will be sold as copies...well, then I can see myself doing the whole deck, in time...

as I just sat down to draw...to see what came out, and the theme ideas keep coming so I can definitely picture a whole 78.
 

Elven

Hi Chronata! :D

During the time you are getting the 78 ready, you'll have lots of ideas - just putting it out there will bring you answers and options ...Go for it Chronata!!! ... draw a big cheque on some cardboard and fill all the details in and thats says paid $2,500.00 per deck and post it somewhere near where you are creating the deck - bring it to you!!
:D :D

Blessings
Elven x
 

Chronata

Ha Elven! You are priceless! :D

hmmm...I guess it's not THAT out of line to dream big, is it?

Maybe I should show you all a sneak peek at the deck in question?

It is called the All Hallows Tarot...

it's my goth-y creation

Of course...IF I scan them and post them...I have already made up my mind on this issue, haven't I?

Because then there WILL be copies of it...somewhere...(at least digital copies) and then it won't be one of a kind anymore! :D
 

lark

Chronata while I was reading through your thread I had another idea for you...maybe sometime in the future.
Many times on Aeclectic i see people post that they would love a Mucha style deck, or a deck of crows, or the bicycle deck...ect
Maybe you could offer to do a one of a kind deck (price $3,000 :D)and the deck buyer picks the subject matter for the deck.