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Keymaster Tarot

Created by KEYMASTER TAROT

Explore the esoteric world of the House of the Rising Spade. The Keymaster Tarot is a complete set of 78 cards with an epic box. >> Easy to convert! kr 100 SEK = approx $10 USD (remove a zero) >> SHIPPING ONLY TO CERTAIN COUNTRIES >> FREE SHIPPING TO MOST COUNTRIES (min. one deck) >> EU-FRIENDLY PARCELS

Latest Updates from Our Project:

Good news and bad news, which one do you want to read first?
over 3 years ago – Sat, Aug 22, 2020 at 09:21:20 AM

Hi all,

This is an important update and I have a good and bad news. The bad news are not that horrible, but it creates delays.

The bad news first: 2 production issues on cards

All decks produced, BUT they have the wrong cut and a damaged plate caused an unacceptable bleeding on the back of the cards.

  • The wrong cut: I do not know what happened, apparently the cutting machine got covid-19.
  • The damaged plate:  the plate for the golden foil had a damage of some sort and created this odd bleeding.
the 2 issues

Solution

Cartamundi have to reprint all the decks as they did not pass the quality control.

When will they reprint? Next week they tell me, probably in 2 weeks or less.

This situation is very frustrating, I was hoping to ship to the backers in 2 weeks tops, but now we have to wait more. Consider that gilding takes 2 extra weeks. Next week I will post an update once I get estimated completion dates from Cartamundi, hoping that the 2nd run does not have issue.

What happens to all the faulty decks? I know you are wondering, and me too. They will be recycled and become cartons for shipping. Cartamundi has a green program and they recycle the faulty productions transforming the decks in paper pulp to make shipping cartons. 

Good news: The cards look great!

This is one of the good news. I prepared a video made of several clips that I received from the factory. The quality of the video is bad because I got them via whatsapp, but it gives the idea :)

More Good News: all remaining items are complete

Here is the production status. Even the gates are ready, and they are about to be shipped to Cartamundi.

production status

What's next?

NEXT WEEK: more info about production of the new set of cards and possibly and estimated shipping date.

If you are changing address, no worries, you will able to edit it a few days before shipping.

I am really sorry for this issue, fortunately the quality control spotted the problems and took action. It is just a few more weeks of waiting time. I really can't wait to ship these to you all.

Thank you for the patience! Stay safe and healthy

Lorenzo

P.S.

You can follow the other works with playing cards on my social media platforms while we wait for the delivery of Keymaster Tarot.

Like/follow/join/subscribe/visit: INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE | WEBSITE

Production update
over 3 years ago – Sun, Aug 02, 2020 at 02:14:19 AM

Hello everybody,

things are getting produced, slowly, but eventually everything will be ready. As written in the previous update, expect delay. Hopefully I can ship the rewards in mid September. Let's see.

production status

Decks

I talked to Cartamundi, they closed for a full week due to covid or summer vacation, so there are delays. They told me they expect to complete the production at the end of August. I wrote an optimitstic 50% done, and it is just a guess. 

Boxes

waiting for news, but at the beginning of August they should be ready (talking about Keymaster Superior boxes).

Keymaster pocket size (or mini decks)

Ready! They have been shipped to the fulfillment centers and they are currently in transit. This is a video from the factory, low quality, but it gives the idea.

Gate Miniatures

The production continues as we speak. 340 made out of 550.

keymaster ultimate lid - antique stone effect application
more gates
and more gates

That's all for now. The bad news is that the production is a little late, but on the other hand everything is being made, just slowed down.

Thank you for the patience, stay safe and healthy!

Cheers

Lorenzo

Production update: mid July
over 3 years ago – Thu, Jul 16, 2020 at 11:19:30 AM

Hi all,

I have some news, and estimated completion dates. 

I hate to say it, but do not expect the items in August. Needless to say that the pandemic slowed down everybody..... at least things are moving, slow, but are moving.The gates are taking more time than estimated, so they will slow down the whole thing.

Here is the production overview. I broke down the production of the decks so you see what are the things that have to be done. I guess the decks are in production since I approved all the proofs a couple of weeks ago. 

production status overview

Gate miniatures

As you know these are not mass produced in a factory with machines. Each gate is made of casted resin, then it needs some refining work and finally the paint. Since it is hand-painted, all gates are different from each other.

You can notice the figure is casted separately. It is a lot of work, that's why it is taking longer than estimated.

The initial estimated completion date (pre-covid), was end of June. This delay affects the assembling of the Keymaster Ultimate. If the decks are ready tomorrow, they have to wait for the gates and the boxes.

production of the gates

Tarot Cloth

The Jacquard is ready (big roll), they need to apply the border. Estimated completion date in 10 days. I spoke to the manufacturer today and everything is proceeding.

Addresses

Do not worry if you are changing address soon. Before delivery you will get an email that allows you to confirm/change/update the address you entered during the survey.

If interested in custom playing cards....

I am running a Kickstarter campaign as designer and collaborator for Caroline Ravn (swedish magician). This is the 4th version of Ravn Playing Cards.

The campaign offer 3 variants and the decks will be printed at USPCC on their Thin Crushed paper stock, which is great to perform as magician (that's what they told me, I cannot do card tricks). Of course they are great to play cards, too.

Campaign page: here (314% funded and 20 days to go)

RAVN X
RAVN X
Ravn IIII blue and red

That's all for now. Sorry for the delays, I really want to deliver the Keymaster as soon as I can.

Thank you for the patience

Stay safe!

Lorenzo

PRODUCTION UPDATE: Quite a lot of good news
over 3 years ago – Fri, Jul 03, 2020 at 09:00:31 PM

Hello everybody!

Today big update with plenty of pictures and videos about the production of the Keymaster Tarot.

Before going into the details, enjoy the REAL LOOK of the 3 Keymaster variants: BASIC, SUPERIOR, ULTIMATE.

Keymaster Basic, Superior, Ultimate.

Now, about production: a couple of issues have been solved, so here is what you find in this update:

  • Production status overview, as always 
  • DECKS: Cartamundi's hard proofs (and how the uncut sheet looks) 
  • Keymaster Superior box preview
  • Tarot Cloth
  • Additional info and pics 

Production Status Overview

Decks officially in production

I finally received the hard-proofs of the cards and I approved them. I thought the whole sheet could only display 78 cards in a 13x6 grid, but they provided a 80 cards layout that I exploited immediately with 2 extra cards designed exclusively for the uncut sheets.

Even if production is at 0% (because I approved the proofs today) it is officially in the production line at Cartamundi and THE DECKS WILL BE PRINTED NEXT WEEK!

Sheet size: 72,5x101,6 cm (less than an A0 format), and this is how it looks.

Keymaster Tarot uncut sheet: yellow areas = gold foil

I know someone will ask, but at the moment it is not possible to add an uncut sheet because I ordered the quantity counted with the surveys. If there is a leftover, it will go for sale on my online shop.

Here some pics of the hard-proofs

hard proofs (cmyk print layer)
hard proofs: back side (cmyk layer)
the golden foil graphics layout
color proofs: approved!

Keymaster Superior Box Preview

I made a quick video so you can see all the details. Actually a couple of letters are missing (2 R on the tray), and it is has been adjusted.

Keymaster Superior (rendered card on top)

Tarot Cloth: production resumed

Good news! the factory managed to solve the problem.

Here is the proof: an authentic picture straight from the manufacturer in all its blurriness and ugliness: no edit, no filter. At least you can see the pattern being made :)

#nofilter lol

Tarot Cloths estimated completion date: 24th of July.

Additional info and pics

A couple of extra info about the production:

  • mini decks: estimated completion date set for July 13.
  • I received the pins and the stickers today, and they are great.
  • Keymaster Ultimate lids: the production is building speed. I talked to the manufacturer and they are working on those. I do not have an estimated completion date, waiting for it.
pins

That's all for today. I am very glad I could deliver good news.

Stay tuned for more updates and hopefully no hick-ups. 

Cheers

Lorenzo (Stockholm17 Playing Cards)

Production status, a couple of hick-ups
almost 4 years ago – Thu, Jun 25, 2020 at 02:12:11 PM

Hi all,

I have a production status update with some red boxes. I explain those issues after the image. 

production status

DECKS (Cartamundi)

Expect delays. It's been 2 months inquiring with weekly emails and requests, but nothing is produced yet. The COVID-19 pandemic slowed down everything, ok, but it is the end of June and it became a little ridiculous. I inquired again at the beginning of the week, and I am still waiting.

I keep you posted of course.

Tarot Cloths

PAUSED meaning that the manufacturer did not start. I received a different info during the months and I though they were half way done. 

Apparently they do not have the machine for the custom pattern and they used to outsource this part to a 3rd party; after COVID-19 this party did not manage to restart production as before. They have to find another one. It is not an impossible task, they say they are committed.

This is an Italian manufacturer recommended by a friend who is also professional in the field of fashion and textiles.

Crossing fingers. They told me I will get news by the end of the week or next week.

Gate Miniatures

Not a big issue, they are just slow. I thought they were half way (2 months after the order), but they are only at 20% done. I demanded the delivery at the end of July. Again, COVID-19 lock-down slowed down everything. This is another Italian manufacturer recommended by a colleague. They are very good, but quite slow apparently.

Change of plans for mini-decks

They will not be produced by Cartamundi. I am going to print them on black-core playing card paper with linen finish in China by WJ Playing Cards Company. They are faster and tested. It is the same kind of paper and finish as high quality poker size playing cards. 

Decks specs:

  • Cards: 300gsm German black core paper with premium linen, 2mm round corners radius.
  • Box: 300gsm C1S cardboard with silk matte lamination (fancy).

That's all for now. Not great news, but I think these issues can be solved soon. As soon as I have something to communicate I write another update.

Thank you for the patience. Stay safe, well, and healthy!

Lorenzo