My project
I am creating a Louisiana Hoodoo themed art deck, tentatively named The Bayou Oracle. It will have 72 cards total, as well as a booklet with the card interpretations and suggested spreads for using them. I have not seen one on the market that is anywhere close to mine. The artwork is being done by myself, digitally, as with my disabilities I am unable to pursue physical arts anymore. Most of the backgrounds and other elements are things I have taken pictures of over the years, drawn, or painted. I’ve have used my previous art as a basis for the illustrations on the cards.
My plan is to have the deck printed in a smallish run (1000 decks to start). To ensure they are a high quality, I am going with a printer that cost a bit more than many out there, but they have been in business for decades and are reliable, as well as take pride in the products they produce. Turn around on printing is 45-60 days, as they do set up, test prints, and reprints to ensure quality of every item before doing the complete run. I have chosen the better quality paper, inks, and coatings to ensure the cards and box are high quality and will last. I don’t believe in half doing a thing.
After I have the cards printed and receive them, I plan on going around to nearby shops with them to get retail sales going. Those shops that are too far for me to drive (basically anything over an hour and a half away, long car rides cause me severe pain), I will be calling on the phone and emailing proof sheets of my deck to in order to expand my market. I am also shooting for being picked up by a publisher to have them mass marketed and produced.
Rewards
Those who choose to back me in this project will have the satisfaction of knowing that they are helping me bring this project to market, and that sales will help me stay financially independent as a disabled women. Those who pledge $25 to $49 will be given the option to purchase a signed deck at a discounted price (price is figured into shipping of Tier 2 gift already) . Those who pledge $50 or more will receive a signed first edition set of the cards with booklet. Everyone else who pledges any amount below $25 will receive an emailed version of the proof sheet so that you can see what all the cards look like and will be a high enough resolution that you can print it for framing if you like, for your own use (just not to sell). Just be sure to include an email address.
The entire deck has been completed, as has the cover art for the box and the booklet. All the files are ready to send to the printers, I just need the backing to do so.
The card proofs can be found here: Card Proofs High Resolution
Thanks so much to all who have backed me so far, and thanks to all of you who do so from now until we get this project fully funded!
The risk is that sales will be low, which is the risk with any new product. My challenge is getting the cards produced and out where they can be seen by potential buyers. I am sure that once they are seen by people, they will sell very well.