STEEPED - by Squiddle Ink
- Squiddle_Ink
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STEEPED - by Squiddle Ink
Hello UC,
here is a sneak peek at the designs for a new deck design called STEEPED. This deck celebrates Teas of India with the 4 suits representing 4 different regional teas.
Spades = Nilgiri / Diamonds = Kangra / Clubs = Assam / Hearts = Darjeeling
Sign up to the prelaunch page here... https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sq ... ory_id=273
I wanted to use some popping colour and create a deck with a fun aesthetic. The deck will have pink foil gilt edge and will have a soft touch or matt tuck. Obviously the design is quite far along however, thoughts are always welcome.
here is a sneak peek at the designs for a new deck design called STEEPED. This deck celebrates Teas of India with the 4 suits representing 4 different regional teas.
Spades = Nilgiri / Diamonds = Kangra / Clubs = Assam / Hearts = Darjeeling
Sign up to the prelaunch page here... https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sq ... ory_id=273
I wanted to use some popping colour and create a deck with a fun aesthetic. The deck will have pink foil gilt edge and will have a soft touch or matt tuck. Obviously the design is quite far along however, thoughts are always welcome.
Stacey Jay Kelly - playing card designer @ Squiddle Ink // Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Uq4UWD // Webstore: https://squiddleinkshop.com/
- Squiddle_Ink
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Re: STEEPED - by Squiddle Ink
Courts and pips
Stacey Jay Kelly - playing card designer @ Squiddle Ink // Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Uq4UWD // Webstore: https://squiddleinkshop.com/
- Squiddle_Ink
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Re: STEEPED - by Squiddle Ink
Pips and Aces
Stacey Jay Kelly - playing card designer @ Squiddle Ink // Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Uq4UWD // Webstore: https://squiddleinkshop.com/
- Honeybee
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Re: STEEPED - by Squiddle Ink
I really like the vivid tuck, back and courts. The pips and Aces post does not look as vivid but that may be a pic size thing as the large ToD pic in post 2 seems to match/work well with the Queen
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- Squiddle_Ink
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Re: STEEPED - by Squiddle Ink
Yes pip image is just a screen grab so may look different. I've added more mock ups above to demo more clearly.
Stacey Jay Kelly - playing card designer @ Squiddle Ink // Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Uq4UWD // Webstore: https://squiddleinkshop.com/
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Re: STEEPED - by Squiddle Ink
The hands on the back look a bit flat to me but Ilike the art so far!

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Re: STEEPED - by Squiddle Ink
Who knew that tea could be so psychedelic?
This space intentionally left blank.
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Re: STEEPED - by Squiddle Ink
I know right? I wanted the colours to pop and reflect the maximalist decor seen in India
Stacey Jay Kelly - playing card designer @ Squiddle Ink // Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Uq4UWD // Webstore: https://squiddleinkshop.com/
- manu
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Re: STEEPED - by Squiddle Ink
I love the vibrant colors, and I’m a big tea fan so this deck is right up my alley.
Only one possible area of concern stands out to me: aren’t the skin tones a little too light for a deck themed around India? Please don’t take this the wrong way—I don’t mean this as an attack, just a genuine question.
The design itself is super fun and I’m looking forward to seeing more.
Only one possible area of concern stands out to me: aren’t the skin tones a little too light for a deck themed around India? Please don’t take this the wrong way—I don’t mean this as an attack, just a genuine question.
The design itself is super fun and I’m looking forward to seeing more.
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Re: STEEPED - by Squiddle Ink
An interesting point manu
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Avatar - Honeybee (No.15+17) Tuck pic by Randy Butterfield for PM
Avatar - Honeybee (No.15+17) Tuck pic by Randy Butterfield for PM
- Squiddle_Ink
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Re: STEEPED - by Squiddle Ink
No worries at all, its a valid point and one I've mulled over already. I'm not too worried about this since contrast is the more important factor and this not a photorealistic deck. I will be pantone matching the colours and intend to select a slightly more saturated colour for skin tone. I of course experimented with different tones and found the slightly lighter shade gave some relief against the other bold pop colours, but your are right, it is desaturated which could be an issue. I will provide an update once my pantones are selected which will reflect the final colours more precisely.manu wrote: ↑Wed Mar 12, 2025 4:03 pm I love the vibrant colors, and I’m a big tea fan so this deck is right up my alley.
Only one possible area of concern stands out to me: aren’t the skin tones a little too light for a deck themed around India? Please don’t take this the wrong way—I don’t mean this as an attack, just a genuine question.
The design itself is super fun and I’m looking forward to seeing more.
Stacey Jay Kelly - playing card designer @ Squiddle Ink // Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Uq4UWD // Webstore: https://squiddleinkshop.com/
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Re: STEEPED - by Squiddle Ink
Jack and Queen of Clubs
Stacey Jay Kelly - playing card designer @ Squiddle Ink // Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Uq4UWD // Webstore: https://squiddleinkshop.com/
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Re: STEEPED - by Squiddle Ink
Elephant Jokers
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Re: STEEPED - by Squiddle Ink
The elephants are the perfect jokers for an Indian tea deck but they're not in the same league as the fantastic courts
If the whole elephant was patterned maybe. I am not sold on the cup
If the whole elephant was patterned maybe. I am not sold on the cup
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Re: STEEPED - by Squiddle Ink
I'm inclined to agree,
I have played with a few iterations of these and spent hours pouring over my printouts. I think I am happy to ditch the cup version in favour of having two Jokers in a similar seating position in different colourways. I also prefer the image with the solid leaves in the background as it feels more full.
I have played with a few iterations of these and spent hours pouring over my printouts. I think I am happy to ditch the cup version in favour of having two Jokers in a similar seating position in different colourways. I also prefer the image with the solid leaves in the background as it feels more full.
Stacey Jay Kelly - playing card designer @ Squiddle Ink // Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Uq4UWD // Webstore: https://squiddleinkshop.com/
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Re: STEEPED - by Squiddle Ink
I like. The solid leaves was a good idea. I was going to say that I felt the jokers were a bit empty compared to the courts but didn't as jokers generally are but now you have improved them in that regard too.
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