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I am thrilled with the feedback I've been getting! You've all been so helpful.

Here is what I'm currently working on:



Please feel free to let me know what you think.

My vote would be yes - continuing the scroll work to the edges - full bleed - would look great with this design!

Thanks Joe. I've been debating full-bleed or no, but on further reflection, there's almost no disadvantage, aside from concerns about registration.

But the fans, oh the fans would be glorious.

Progress is being made.
Seriously, it's a huge pain keeping everything consistent. If I'm not mistaken, solid colors are printed at 1200 or 2400 dpi. I'm planning this around 1200.

Full bleed! Without boarders this design looks awesome! Love the pips too!

Thank you, Sunz. I have a secret. I'm not actually planning on using the spade on the ace. Just needed something to put under the other card.

I whipped this out a couple of weeks ago. I'd love to get some thoughts on this too.

The queen is beautiful! I've been researching a lot of art nouveau lately, and parts of this design feel reminiscent of that movement with the style of the figure and flowery/curvy heart details in her dress. Is this a laser wood cut of your design?

One little suggestion, for her sleeve that drops down, I wonder if the drape could be softened by adding some slight curves to your current outlines? There's such a nice romantic feel and that maybe it could add to it? Depends on the rest of your court, too, of course.

sarone13 wrote:The queen is beautiful! I've been researching a lot of art nouveau lately, and parts of this design feel reminiscent of that movement with the style of the figure and flowery/curvy heart details in her dress. Is this a laser wood cut of your design?

One little suggestion, for her sleeve that drops down, I wonder if the drape could be softened by adding some slight curves to your current outlines? There's such a nice romantic feel and that maybe it could add to it? Depends on the rest of your court, too, of course.

Thank you Sarone. I've not been researching any kind of art lately, but it seems you're right on with it appearing art nouveau. It is a laser etching I did a few weeks ago on the cheapest plywood imaginable (you can see at the top where the glue gave up from the heat), to see what I could expect in terms of detail. To get a sense of scale, the wood is cut to the same size as a traditional card.

I've tried adding some curves, but the sleeve needs to stay out of her hair, at enough distance to appear distinct, and curving the front edge in makes the sleeve appear too skinny. I'll still work on it, but I'm not sure how much room I have to play with.

sarone13 wrote:The queen is beautiful!

One little suggestion, for her sleeve that drops down...

+1...this deck has a lot of promise! I really look forward to seeing more!

Thank you, shermjack. Your saliva keeps me going.

JofDiamonds wrote:Thank you, Sunz. I have a secret. I'm not actually planning on using the spade on the ace. Just needed something to put under the other card.

I think you should use the pips on the back of the card, or try somehow. Love the back full bleed.

Looking good overall!

RichK wrote:

JofDiamonds wrote:Thank you, Sunz. I have a secret. I'm not actually planning on using the spade on the ace. Just needed something to put under the other card.

I think you should use the pips on the back of the card, or try somehow. Love the back full bleed.

Looking good overall!

I was planning on using those pips, but the design progresses over time. Currently, they're plain and white on the card back. I'm almost done; I'll post an image up tomorrow.

Alright, there we go.

Me likey likey!

Beautiful! Just don't use USPCC or else that beautiful back will all be for naught

I wasn't planning on using USPCC - my eye is on Expert - but to be clear, are you referring to poor die registration or shoddy resolution?

I put together a fan mockup. I've got to say, I do miss the clean white border.

JofDiamonds wrote:I wasn't planning on using USPCC - my eye is on Expert - but to be clear, are you referring to poor die registration or shoddy resolution?

I put together a fan mockup. I've got to say, I do miss the clean white border.

Fans.jpg

USPCC registration is the worst

Nice fans...still prefer the borderless design, but if you do go with a border, can you make it thinner?

shermjack wrote:USPCC registration is the worst

Nice fans...still prefer the borderless design, but if you do go with a border, can you make it thinner?

I've heard a few times that you can invade the safe area without too much concern. How far can you go?

JofDiamonds wrote:

shermjack wrote:USPCC registration is the worst

Nice fans...still prefer the borderless design, but if you do go with a border, can you make it thinner?

I've heard a few times that you can invade the safe area without too much concern. How far can you go?

Not sure how far you can go, but imho, definitely more than what you have now Though your fan rendering is nice, I think we have to be a little more realistic when showing a fan...please excuse my technique, but I can spread about 40+ cards in 270 degrees of a fan (see pic of Jules Verne deck in a fan...despite my complaints about USPCC registration, this was the most readily available deck to show what I mean ) where your rendering has 24...with your borders and 40+ cards, I think you would lose that beautiful back.

shermjack wrote: where your rendering has 24...with your borders and 40+ cards, I think you would lose that beautiful back.

Yeah, it's a, uh, *cough* Euchre deck.

I'm lazy.

But don't you worry, I'm pretty well fixed on doing a borderless back. I was actually wondering more for the faces. I'd like to get the indices and pips closer to the edges.

For example, on the queen, I've got the indices 0.09 inches from the die. The safe standard is 0.12. 3/4 of the safe distance is about as close as I've ever seen anyone go. (Also, I've altered the sleeves a bit.)

The queen looks really lovely I do feel the font you chose for the indices goes really well with the feeling for the deck, but I wish it just had a tiny bit more weight...

And I see you have also have a dilemma for choosing between borderless and borders. The borderless example does looks pretty sweet. Good luck with the choice!

sarone13 wrote:The queen looks really lovely I do feel the font you chose for the indices goes really well with the feeling for the deck, but I wish it just had a tiny bit more weight...

And I see you have also have a dilemma for choosing between borderless and borders. The borderless example does looks pretty sweet. Good luck with the choice!

Thanks for the feedback. I added some weight to the indices and pips (Not a font. I couldn't find any that were suitable.). It kind of threw off the rest, so I also made the inner border a bit heavier. Still on the fence as to whether that's enough. Considering a light inner background pattern.

I agree that the Queen looks great, though I am wondering about her pose with her hand to her mouth...is there any meaning behind it? Might it be better if she were smelling the rose instead? Also, the sleeve looks a little too straight...maybe make it more flowing with curves? Sorry for the nit-picking, but overall I am definitely liking how this deck is turning out!

shermjack wrote:I agree that the Queen looks great, though I am wondering about her pose with her hand to her mouth...is there any meaning behind it? Might it be better if she were smelling the rose instead? Also, the sleeve looks a little too straight...maybe make it more flowing with curves? Sorry for the nit-picking, but overall I am definitely liking how this deck is turning out!

Considering you've seen only one card so far, I'm definitely liking how you're liking how the deck is turning out Yes, there is a reason for her hand to be at her mouth. There's also a reason for the rose to be old and losing its petals.

My last edit gave me a little more room to play with, so I've played with it, and the front edge now has a slight wave to it. Also, a simple, unobtrusive pattern for the background.

Alright, onward to the king!

The bald head is kind of a letdown ...too much empty space

shermjack wrote:The bald head is kind of a letdown ...too much empty space

I do plan on dropping a crown on it, but I haven't figured out yet how to make an appropriately barbaric crown. I'll give it some thought today.

JofDiamonds wrote:

shermjack wrote:USPCC registration is the worst

Nice fans...still prefer the borderless design, but if you do go with a border, can you make it thinner?

I've heard a few times that you can invade the safe area without too much concern. How far can you go?

I agree with JofDiamonds about the borderless/thinner border too, especially seeing his deck fan picture.

Does this relieve your prejudice against the bald?