Composition Deck

[Reylek]

Hi everyone. Happy to announce a fun new deck, coming to Kickstarter this Thursday from Penguin - The Composition Deck.

Designed by James Howells, this is a 100% custom deck with playful artwork.

Obviously, it is modeled after the classic composition notebooks that we have all used over the years. Everything in the deck is custom, and the back is a borderless two-way symmetrical design.

These will be printed by Expert Playing Card Company in Taiwan with Classic stock/finish and will come in a side-opening tuck box.

The campaign will be launching this Thursday afternoon, the 4th, at 1:00pm eastern time. We will be offering terrific early bird deals for the first 48 hours with incredible pricing as well as free worldwide shipping on all early bird levels.

Mark your calendar, and we’ll see you on Thursday!

Kevin

[JuFiN]

Could be cool to have little doodles and such on the number cards, but given how standard that king is it would surprise me to see that. :/

[vasta41]

I very much enjoy these kinds of throwback decks and I think this is very well done- just custom enough to entice without being overly done. IMHO anyway... I will be there on Thurs.!

[rousselle]

I very much enjoy these kinds of throwback decks and I think this is very well done- just custom enough to entice without being overly done. IMHO anyway... I will be there on Thurs.!

+1

I'm thinking Vasta and I have very similar tastes. I'm trying to remember the last time we disagreed on a deck, and I'm drawing a blank. On lined paper. In a composition notebook.

[vedus]

I suspect these will be priced out of my consideration. While it appears to be well done, it's a basic concept and I've got limits on how much I'm willing to spend for decks like these.

[vasta41]

I suspect these will be priced out of my consideration. While it appears to be well done, it's a basic concept and I've got limits on how much I'm willing to spend for decks like these.

In my experience Penguin has always had competitive and reasonable prices. I don't suspect this will be any different, especially with the phrase "terrific early bird deals for the first 48 hours with incredible pricing" If E said that I would expect these decks to be $24.99 each plus $7 shipping. But from these guys I fully expect the EBs to be under $10, shipped.

[ICantShuffle]

Yeah, their last campaign the Honeybee Elites, were $4/deck. I'm quite happy with them.

They usually offer really good quality cards for cheaper since they have larger funding goals for large print runs and make up the price in volume. It also helps that they also have their own retail front-end so they plan on printing more than just backer pledges.

[Reylek]

Vasta - have you hacked my computer?? $24.99 plus $7 shipping is EXACTLY what they will be going for!

No, just kidding.

Under $10 shipped anywhere in the world, just cause we love you guys (and gals).

Exact pricing will be revealed when the campaign goes live on Thursday.

[JuFiN]

Ok I know my first post here was a bit negative, but if Penguins going to continue pricing their decks as fairly as they do even a critic like myself wont be able to avoid backing this one...

[shermjack]

Though I really like the concept and was quite excited when I saw the thread and tuck box, I was immediately turned off by the back .

Is it just me or does it look more like a faux animal skin print than the cover of a composition book? By itself, it definitely does not invoke the composition notebook feel.

[wingedpotato]

Though I really like the concept and was quite excited when I saw the thread and tuck box, I was immediately turned off by the back .

Is it just me or does it look more like a faux animal skin print than the cover of a composition book? By itself, it definitely does not invoke the composition notebook feel.

I think making the back 2-way is what enhances the "animal skin" impression—the pattern is too easy to see. Without the black binding strip, I agree it doesn't scream notebook. I'd almost prefer a solid black back to the print.

[STLBluesNut]

I think the tuck box looks fine, but the splotches of black on the card back are just too big. It is like a zoomed in view of the tuck pattern. That may be why the backs look off.

[rousselle]

I agree that the card backs don't quite have quite the same feel as a typical composition book. It's not "off" enough to deter me from backing the project, but it definitely could use a little something.

Maybe putting in the middle of the back the "composition" badge, but without the word "Composition" (so as to keep it two-way, which is clearly the intention) and just a few straight lines contained within. That might make the back more evocative of the notebook.

Just a thought.

[ICantShuffle]

Is it just me or does it look more like a faux animal skin print than the cover of a composition book? By itself, it definitely does not invoke the composition notebook feel.

I always thought that was the point of the cover of the composition notebooks originally. To have that faux leather look, which makes sense because they are made out of recycled paper pulp to begin with, so they already have a grain to them.

:shrug:

Edit: I think that's for modern composition notebooks. Apparently the marbling is an artifact from 11th century Chinese printing methods.

[PipChick]

I agree that the card backs don't quite have quite the same feel as a typical composition book. It's not "off" enough to deter me from backing the project, but it definitely could use a little something.

Maybe putting in the middle of the back the "composition" badge, but without the word "Composition" (so as to keep it two-way, which is clearly the intention) and just a few straight lines contained within. That might make the back more evocative of the notebook.

Just a thought.

+1; I strongly agree with this suggestion - it's a simple and subtle enough addition to the design as to more strongly evoke the overall theme without being blatantly obvious and without only relying on the tuck case to do so.

[Bikefanatic]

To me, the back is just fine. I'll be on the lookout later.

[RichK]

If you look at the KoS it's a minor one way design.

I think the back does have a more linear pattern vs the splotchy b+w on the tuck back. Put the tuck back on the card and you can't really tell it's one way.

[Reylek]

We are live!

[Wizard_of_Os]

In for a pair - backer #6.

[Bikefanatic]

Last time I got an $8 early bird was since Bicycle Meridian........

Anywho, I wonder what's the stretch goal? I wouldn't be too thrilled if it was another colored tuck unless it's very unique.

[Reylek]

No plans for other colors of the same design.

Thanks to all for your support so far - over 25% funded in the first 1.5 hours!

[caniveski]

couldnt resist free worldwide shipping...: )

[CupcakeBaron]

Though I really like the concept and was quite excited when I saw the thread and tuck box, I was immediately turned off by the back .

Is it just me or does it look more like a faux animal skin print than the cover of a composition book? By itself, it definitely does not invoke the composition notebook feel.

I definitely agree and that's why I'm out on this deck. I think the problem with the back is that the edges of the black/white are not clearly defined like they are on a composition book. The card backs have a bit of a crayon effect going on.

[Reylek]

Thanks to all who have pledged so far! We have had a GREAT first 24 hours, hitting 75% of our funding goal already.

There are 24 hours left to snag one of the early bird levels - don't miss them!

Also, if you have friends or family who you think would enjoy the deck, please spread the word and share it with them.

Thanks everyone!

[Adonael]

Not being from the US, I have no clue what a composition book is and have never seen one, but I do find this deck charming and the price attractive.

[Bikefanatic]

I noticed there are mini composition books like notepads.

I think someone might make a notebook or trapper keeper like tuck box.

[Reylek]

And we are funded! Thanks to everyone who has pledged so far! For those who haven't, there are about 3.5 weeks left to do so.

Looking forward to seeing folks at the 52+Joker convention later this week!

We'll be back next week with some stretch goals!

Thanks!!!

[vasta41]

A vote was taken and the back design will now be changed to this:


Much better IMO!

[Reylek]

Hi everyone. We have about 1 week left on the campaign - time has been flying!

We recently put up a survey for the current backers to vote on back design choices. The overwhelming majority voted to switch to the back design shown here. It is more in keeping with a classic composition notebook and has less of the animal print look. It is actually taken from the pattern on the back of the tuck box, so it is a perfect match for the deck.

So if you loved everything about the deck except the back design, feel free to jump in now before the campaign ends!

Also, we have added a custom pocket notebook. Measuring in at 3.5 x 5 inches, each notebook will have 32 lined pages and will be crafted in the USA from recycled materials.

To add-on a notebook, simply increase your pledge total by $6 for each notebook, or by $15 for a 3-pack. You will specify the extra funds after the campaign in your BackerKit survey.

Thanks to all who have supported!

EDIT - Looks like Vasta beat me to the punch by a couple seconds!

[hsbc]

Props for listening to feedback, I like the new back much more