Four Point Playing Cards - USPCC Printed (KS)

[badpete69]

Not bad looking

[Eoghann]

Not a bad looking deck, not bad pricing. I'm in for an $18 early bird.

[Firthetic]

I've been following Ben's progress on social media; happy to see the project finally launch. Love the artwork. Good prices too.

[Eoghann]

Oh crap I just noticed! The uncut sheet plus 2 decks is a ridiculous offer: $42!
I almost want to cry.

I don't usually go for uncuts, but an honest price like that I can't help but support it. I do fear he's being a little TOO nice. That's a pretty marginal goal.

[sms69x]

Like the design, looks good overall!
I backed it mainly beacause of the price, $42 + $8 (for 4 decks), can't resist!!! Hope other creators follow the same example!

[Firthetic]

I don't usually go for uncuts, but an honest price like that I can't help but support it. I do fear he's being a little TOO nice. That's a pretty marginal goal.

Go for it, man. I added the t-shirt, print and uncut to my pledge, which is not something I usually do as well!

[volantangel]

im in for an early double as well, its a well polished design. I would work a little harder on the tuck though

Btw: if you havent noticed/watched the video. The faces of the courts have the shape of the suit it belongs to, really sweet.

[badpete69]

By the way is that $7700 goal high enough. I always ask when it is a first project for someone, after all the stuff we have seen over the last 2 years. At $16000 we have a second color deck also. Seems a little low as a goal but who knows. I have asked Ben to stop by here when he has a chance as usual

[Widdee]

Refreshing concept. Check. Artistically done. Check. Custom courts. Check. Two way. Check.

Really like it! In for two birds.

[nECr0MaNCeD]

By the way is that $7700 goal high enough. I always ask when it is a first project for someone, after all the stuff we have seen over the last 2 years. At $16000 we have a second color deck also. Seems a little low as a goal but who knows. I have asked Ben to stop by here when he has a chance as usual

I was thinking the same. These are great looking decks and I backed for a brick then noticed the goal. The artist has backed other card projects so I am hoping he has done his homework.

[FourPoint]

Hi All,

My name is Ben Vierck and I'm the creator of the Four Point deck. Thank you for the invitation to the forum and all the feedback so far.

To address what has been the biggest comment thread so far, the pricing and goals...
While this project is a business venture, it's always been more about creating a deck of cards that people will enjoy playing with than turning a huge profit. I wanted to offer a few rewards that were amazing deals, where I cut the margin really low - like the Uncut Sheet + 2 deck deal. Uncut sheets are cool, and I wanted more people to be able to buy it.
The same goes for the goal. If only the minimum is reached, it will not be hugely profitable. However, I'll be playing cards with a unique deck.

[badpete69]

Welcome aboard and thanks for stopping by. Yes that uncut sheet pledge is very nice. I might change my level to get that uncut

[Strag]

Hi All,

My name is Ben Vierck and I'm the creator of the Four Point deck. Thank you for the invitation to the forum and all the feedback so far.

To address what has been the biggest comment thread so far, the pricing and goals...
While this project is a business venture, it's always been more about creating a deck of cards that people will enjoy playing with than turning a huge profit. I wanted to offer a few rewards that were amazing deals, where I cut the margin really low - like the Uncut Sheet + 2 deck deal. Uncut sheets are cool, and I wanted more people to be able to buy it.
The same goes for the goal. If only the minimum is reached, it will not be hugely profitable. However, I'll be playing cards with a unique deck.

If the minimum is reached you will NOT be profitable after fees and shipping (especially International). I love your pricing, I just think it will bite you unless you have another $3-4K in reserve to fully fund the project. Backing for now but will keep a close eye.

Especially look at your shipping for uncuts, shipping in a tube will cost at least $25 int'l, unless you use crap packaging which means they won't survive the trip. PLUS the cost of the tube.

[flyers3003]

4 decks for $42 and if he reaches the $16K goal, we can swap out up to half of the pledged decks for the new deck. Hoping this kind of pledging/pricing becomes more of a trend.

[Jock1971]

Very Nice deck i like this one a lot.

[sinjin7]

While the funding goal may appear a bit low, that may be due to the fact that we've been seeing some pretty bloated custom deck project recently that factor plenty of profit built into the funding goal. And even if it is low when you factor the high cost of international shipping, I think this deck will have enough appeal where he will fund pretty comfortably with sufficient margins to more than adequately cover those costs.

I, like most others here, find this to be a very well designed custom deck. I agree with Volantangel that the tuck box can use some amping up, but there is definitely enough here for me to enthusiastically pledge. Plus, the dude is rocking a seriously manly beard, gotta respect that.

[nECr0MaNCeD]

While the funding goal may appear a bit low, that may be due to the fact that we've been seeing some pretty bloated custom deck project recently that factor plenty of profit built into the funding goal. And even if it is low when you factor the high cost of international shipping, I think this deck will have enough appeal where he will fund pretty comfortably with sufficient margins to more than adequately cover those costs.

I, like most others here, find this to be a very well designed custom deck. I agree with Volantangel that the tuck box can use some amping up, but there is definitely enough here for me to enthusiastically pledge. Plus, the dude is rocking a seriously manly beard, gotta respect that.

+10 for the beard!

I love the deck and also agree the tuck could use some changes.

[Stockholm17]

I like it! beautiful courts

the back and the box... uhm... not impressive as the courts
gonna back it

[Cbkimble]

It's a nice looking deck but for now I'm out. I'll add a reminder.

[Coastal Pete]

A different take on the court cards, almost cheeky. Cheers for the heads up on the sheet + 2 deck pledge. I missed seeing that!

[Widdee]

A different take on the court cards, almost cheeky. Cheers for the heads up on the sheet + 2 deck pledge. I missed seeing that!

That was the main selling point for me. Really like the court art. Not as nuts about the backs but there is plenty of meat on the bone in this deck overall to back it.

[Gemini]

Beautiful work especially on those two Queens, spades and hearts, love the details like the tear drop in the heart.

[samwisethegray]

Love the deck and the designs. Mostly, the ace cards, they all look great being over the top design like the ace of spades. One question, why is the ace of diamonds and hearts black on the card, and the corner suits/index are red?

[volantangel]

Love the deck and the designs. Mostly, the ace cards, they all look great being over the top design like the ace of spades. One question, why is the ace of diamonds and hearts black on the card, and the corner suits/index are red?

I think its because the art is originally inked in black. Perhaps the creator can change them to red as well, but would the red courts have to change ? I definitely think its an area that is worth exploring ! Good spot there !

[Encarded]

The one thing keeping me from getting this one is that the main shapes of the back design use those smooth gradients, when everything else in the deck has shading done by hand drawn hatching and lines. That particular detail just breaks the entire theme for me personally, though I think everything else is great. Great work on the whole, but in my latest super-picky collector attitude something like that tips it into the negative.

I wish it the best of luck though, it's great artwork on the whole.

[nECr0MaNCeD]

The one thing keeping me from getting this one is that the main shapes of the back design use those smooth gradients, when everything else in the deck has shading done by hand drawn hatching and lines. That particular detail just breaks the entire theme for me personally, though I think everything else is great. Great work on the whole, but in my latest super-picky collector attitude something like that tips it into the negative.

I wish it the best of luck though, it's great artwork on the whole.

I feel the same about the backs. I still pledged and that says a lot because I really like good backs and tucks. That's the reason I bought three Zeniths instead of one!

[FourPoint]

Hi all, thanks for all the comments and criticisms.

Love the deck and the designs. Mostly, the ace cards, they all look great being over the top design like the ace of spades. One question, why is the ace of diamonds and hearts black on the card, and the corner suits/index are red?

All the art was originally inked in black, and I decided to stay true to those original drawings in this 1st edition. I did explore many other color options, including having the all the diamond and heart courts in red. However, the pervading visual theme uses intricate black designs, white negative space and limited use of red. I feel like the red has more power when used with restraint (at least in this particular edition).

The one thing keeping me from getting this one is that the main shapes of the back design use those smooth gradients, when everything else in the deck has shading done by hand drawn hatching and lines. That particular detail just breaks the entire theme for me personally, though I think everything else is great. Great work on the whole, but in my latest super-picky collector attitude something like that tips it into the negative.

Part of this project was about creating something slightly visually different and I do realize it is unorthodox to mix gradients and solid inked shapes (like hatching or stippling). In this deck, all the human components (faces, hands) are rendered in smooth charcoal (gradient) and everything else in solid ink. I did this to create a tension between the two, the living and the inanimate. The impossible geometry (big shape on card back) is rendered smooth because it represents "life", having no beginning nor end. That is why the 4-pointed infinity symbol intertwines with the geometry, a sort of nod to time and life being intertwined.
Cheers!
Ben.

[FourPoint]

Looking for some feedback...
I would like to reduce the margins of the cards from the [safe] 3/16" to 1/8", making for a better fan and all-around more aesthetic deck.

Anyone have experience working with the US Playing Card Co. on this issue? Has anyone received mis-printed or mis-aligned decks? Is it a big issue?
Any feedback would be much appreciated!
~Ben.

[sinjin7]

Having thinner borders obviously increases the risk of mis-aligned decks, but there have been many decks that have successfully been printed with very thin borders by the USPCC. With the added visual and cardistry benefits of thinner borders, I'm pretty sure everyone here at UC would give a wholehearted endorsement of thinner borders. I'm sure the USPCC will be willing to work with you to get sufficient quality control in the printing of your decks.

[Eoghann]

I wouldn't say that the back, even with thinner borders lends itself to attractive fans as of right now. Just messing around I superimposed some of your cards with one of Tom's fans to get the idea. I would suggest going full bleed but that's just my opinion. Perhaps magicians and cardists can weigh in. Although as far as I know, magicians wouldn't tend to use this kind of deck because it's highly stylized and customized. Often preferring standard decks for their performances.