If you pre-ordered an SKT Revelation 2nd deck, please watch the above video and read this post. It’s important.

The application of UV coating for this second printing is noticeably different from how it was applied to previous print runs and SKT editions.

The result is a very matte finish that initially, right out of the box, shuffling of the cards may be more difficult due to the resistance and friction from the cardstock finish. If you’ve ever bought matte or rose petal finish decks before, then you know exactly what I’m talking about.

The cards do not stick to each other, so that’s not the concern. However there is noticeably more resistance when you go to shuffle or sift through the cards in your hands because of the friction created from the difference in UV coating application.

UV coating is what intensifies the rich color saturation, adding to its sense of depth and luminosity, which is why and how the coloring in this print run is brighter, warmer, and more saturated than the first print run. The UV coating is also what protects the card illustrations from fading.

For those who are painters, this is the same as what your painting looks like on the canvas before you apply a finish vs. after you apply the finish and how that finish can really enhance the luminosity of the colors.

A print master controls the application of the coating, and the setting of the application determines how matte the finish will appear (but then will affect smoothness of the surface) or how smooth but still somewhat glossy the finish will appear (and thus won’t be as matte as you might want aesthetically).

The good news is that the initial difficulties with overhand shuffling and fanning of the cards can be mitigated by frequent, repeated handling of the deck. It does smooth out and glide better after use.

The key shuffling difference between this print run and all previous SKT print runs is that the decks from this print run does need you to tame it a bit, whereas previous print runs were pretty smooth handling brand new right out of the box.

SOLUTIONS:

First, the initial friction you’ll feel to the cards are mitigated after frequent shuffling and handling. After some use the cards will ease up and there will be better slip. It just takes a bit of patience and physical attention.

I also have the following video tutorial to guide you step by step through how to make your own version of an industrial anti-set-off-spray powder, which is what commercial printers use to ensure smooth glide in between printed sheets.

The anti-set-off spray powder that commercial printers use as a necessary step in the printing process is a proprietary blend of plant-based starches, calcium carbonate, and other ingredients, possibly additives, polymers, waxes, etc.

But I found a way you can make your own powder at home, with common ingredients, and it effectively reduces the friction between the cards.

You can make your own calcium carbonate ingredient at home with dried finely, finely crushed eggshells turned into a refined eggshell powder. Or as an alternative to calcium carbonate, you can swap in sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda.

For the starch powder, my recommendation is to go with the finest grain starch or flour you can get your hands on. I started by trying all-purpose white flour. It was okay, but not my favorite. Out of all accessible ingredients, I found that cornstarch works the best. I also really like tapioca powder/flour. You only need 1/4 teaspoon of it and to that you add a pinch of baking soda.

Another solution is to buy fanning powder, which consists primarily of zinc stearate (“zinc soap”). Magicians use it on their playing cards as a lubricant to reduce the friction.

OTHER PRODUCTION STATUS UPDATES

We started by deep-cleaning the entire basement, the den, the front sitting room, and the dining room, because that’s where the decks will be stored, anointed, and/or packed for shipping. Oh, and if you’re like, what’s with the humidifier, here is some info on that (“Tarot Deck Care and the Impact of Humidity“).

Wait, oops, I think that’s actually a photo of the HEPA air purifier. The humidifier is elsewhere. Yeah, we’ve got both to control the environment your SKT deck is temporarily parked in. =)

We have not set up our work stations yet, so the above photos show where the boxes of decks are temporarily being stored.

Our entire house is transformed into a factory for the entire time we’re selling the decks. You already saw the stations for where the boxes are stored. A few boxes at a time are taken up the stairs and placed next to a set up anointing station.

And that’s the anointing oil I make myself from scratch. Recipe here and here is where I had silent auctioned the remaining holy oil after selling out of SKT 1.

I then re-pack and prep each anointed deck in my own station, with the above magnetic thingie. (Magnetism…the magical chain, AZOTH…yada yada…)

There’s a station in the house set up for the certificates. I’ve started numbering and signing the certificates of authenticity. And you wouldn’t believe, but this is its own process… holy moly…

I lay out the cards in order 1 to 8 as you see above, and then the certificates are numbered in orders of 1 to 8, 9 to 16, 17 to 24, etc. Interestingly, 9 is Heaven (aligning with the Taoist numerological association between 9 and Heaven), 22 and 222 are Healer, 666 is… can you guess it? I was surprised…it’s a Warrior, corresponding with the trigram Lake! 777 is also Heaven. 15, the number Taoists associate with magic, is Alchemist.

But  first check out the card back design on the certificates… I love it! Not necessarily suitable as the card back design for the decks themselves, but pretty enough that I wanted to use the design for something. So here it is. =)

There’s a storage station for the un-folded shipping boxes and then there will be another station for the folded shipping boxes. James is folding the shipping boxes and getting a supply of them ready to go so that the assembly line for packing the decks can run smoothly.

Inevitably at some point yet another station will need to be set up for what I call our “special needs decks.” Comes with the territory when you manufacture in bulk.

All our ducks will be in a row by Sunday night. Next week is when we begin packing and shipping.

As noted in the e-mail we sent to everyone who has pre-ordered and mentioned in the production status update video above, if the cardstock finish issue that could result in greater difficulties with shuffling is a dealbreaker for you and you’ve already pre-ordered, please e-mail us at abelldelivers immediately.