Cartamundi Factory Relocation / Closure

[Harvonsgard]

Harv may not like this so much, but it could be worth checking out for those who would still want to keep with Cartamundi.

… the universe gifts - the universe takes.

[GandalfPC]

310 is a good card. Just picked up a deck I have laying about and it fans great, easy spring and decent snap. Faro leaves a bit to be desired though.

[Beyond]

I just wanted to add into this thread that after weeks of not hearing back from Cartamundi that I've just received an email saying that it's been decided that they are stopping custom card production in Europe.

[kevork]

I just wanted to add into this thread that after weeks of not hearing back from Cartamundi that I've just received an email saying that it's been decided that they are stopping custom card production in Europe.

Would you be able to paste the email content here? Looks like this was already known but first I'm hearing of an official email.

[manu]

It looks like their Custom Playing Cards page has been updated also:
https://cartamundi.com/en/custom-playing-cards/

We are currently not manufacturing Custom cards in Europe.

In the meantime, for Cardistry production, please consult with our colleagues at USPCC via Custom Printing (bicyclecards.com)
Minimum order quantity is 2500 decks.

For general information, please mail to info@cartamundi.com

What a shame.

[Beyond]

I just wanted to add into this thread that after weeks of not hearing back from Cartamundi that I've just received an email saying that it's been decided that they are stopping custom card production in Europe.

Would you be able to paste the email content here? Looks like this was already known but first I'm hearing of an official email.

I'll put some of it here, I'm always conscious of getting anyone into trouble.

Unfortunately it was recently decided to stop the Custom card production in Europe.

We can offer you our production from the US factory USPCC. You can contact them via https://bicyclecards.com/custom-printing/

Their minimum order quantity is 2500 deck


For general information, please mail to info@cartamundi.com


Wishing you the best with your card production

[Beyond]

RIP B9 Slim

[montenzi]

Ok. Does this mean that "Test Heraclio" is their last custom deck printed in the EU?

P.S. I'll accept >$2000 offers. Even in used condition, it's a good deal

BTW, Hello Tiki V2 was almost the first foiled Cartamundi deck. I had only seen one prototype with foil before producing HT.
Talking about last B9 decks – Escape Velocity is one of them It's a history now.

C3.jpg (100.61 KiB) Viewed 1053 times

[Evilgamer]

Lorenzo (s17) sent a message this morning saying it was indeed permanent and people are losing their jobs.

Basically they couldn’t reach their target production cost in Spain.

[hsbc]

Cartamundi will only print collectible trading cards in Belgium, and standard Fournier casino cards in Spain

[Honeybee]

It appears that custom card collecting is

[Strag]

Because one manufacturer goes down? Seems excessive.

[Honeybee]

The biggest manufacturer in Europe does not think it is worth their while to produce custom cards in Europe
They have not gone down - they're still the biggest manufacturer but don't think our line is significant to their business
It seemed like the very definition of saying to us "you are just a big fish in a small pond" ie. the group of people you are important to is not big enough for us to be bothered

[Strag]

Exxcept they have another company that DOES do custom cards and will continue to do so for the community. So the company has not turned it's back on the community, rather they have made what they see as likely a prudent decision on how to run their business and still serve all segments of the customer base.

[hsbc]

I do think general interest in playing cards is waning a bit (a lot?) -- I don't think this closure is a death blow to the industry. It's disappointing to European creators, though, I imagine

they're still the biggest manufacturer but don't think our line is significant to their business

It never was

[Honeybee]

hsbc, I agree that it is nowhere near a death blow and I take your point Strag that it may simply be prudent but I do think that hsbc's point that custom cards were never significant to Europe's biggest manufacturer is a reminder that we are a pretty small pond

[kevork]

Exxcept they have another company that DOES do custom cards and will continue to do so for the community. So the company has not turned it's back on the community, rather they have made what they see as likely a prudent decision on how to run their business and still serve all segments of the customer base.

Yes, but per Lorenzo, USPCC still doesn't offer cold foil and I'm not sure why if they made the Bicycle Peacock deck. They also require a 2500 MOQ. It really limits the potential and accessibility to use them, which is a shame because their handling is my favorite in the industry.

[Adamthinks]

They also still have their Poland location for custom cards. Though I don't know the quality of them yet.

[GandalfPC]

They also still have their Poland location for custom cards. Though I don't know the quality of them yet.

same quality but you need three decks, one to hold the lightbulb and two to turn the ladder.

[Adamthinks]

They also still have their Poland location for custom cards. Though I don't know the quality of them yet.

same quality but you need three decks, one to hold the lightbulb and two to turn the ladder.

Lol, you silly SOB.

[Harvonsgard]

Life just keeps on giving. 10 minutes prior, I got the message that an employee I highly dislike just quit their job. Now I'm reading B9 got the last nail in the coffin. Perfect.

[Strag]

Exxcept they have another company that DOES do custom cards and will continue to do so for the community. So the company has not turned it's back on the community, rather they have made what they see as likely a prudent decision on how to run their business and still serve all segments of the customer base.

Yes, but per Lorenzo, USPCC still doesn't offer cold foil and I'm not sure why if they made the Bicycle Peacock deck. They also require a 2500 MOQ. It really limits the potential and accessibility to use them, which is a shame because their handling is my favorite in the industry.

I was under the imprssion that you could do 1K runs with USPCC now, but could be mistaken.

In any case, my point was that Cartamundi not producing decks in Belguim or under their brand is not a death knell for the playing card collecting industry. We are niche, have always been quite niche and face new challenges today that didn't exist 15 years ago when I started collecting. Challenging times for sure, but not the end, at least not yet.

[Honeybee]

Who said it was 'a death knell' or 'the end'
Seems excessive

[Strag]

Good point. It's just a dead fish

[Honeybee]

No he isn't dead He was just a 'big fish in a small pond' momentarily before being returned to his friends
( I noticed and liked the use of 'point' )

[laitostarr777]

Bye bye
Thank you, Cartamundi, for your services in printing custom playing cards

[kevork]

Why 2018? Just curious, as Cartamundi has been printing custom cards for many years.

[GandalfPC]

“We are currently not manufacturing Custom cards in Europe. In the meantime…”

On Cartamundi site they do seem to imply its only a temporary pause in production in Europe for custom

[Evilgamer]

It may say that but if they are laying off the people who would make it happen..it ain't happening.

[laitostarr777]

Why 2018? Just curious, as Cartamundi has been printing custom cards for many years.

It’s just my own speculation

And it’s the estimated year that playing card community start using Cartamundi for custom cards. Starting with House of the Rising Spade