Thanks everybody for the input! The box has been a major point of focus for us, as we believe that a unique box could be a major selling point. I considered using the current sideways tuck design with embossing, foil and such, but I felt that it would be a little lackluster. I'm really hoping that the tuck case we create can be used for future projects as a feasible tuck case style. This decision was mainly inspired by the Buck Twin's Private Reserve decks. I would like to take the same path and create a new style of box, something that will draw interest and create great first impressions.

My plans for pricing on the decks of cards would most likely fall between the $7-$9 range, depending on how many we choose to print. I think this price is more than reasonable considering the current state of the premium playing card market. The key here is to create a new style of tuck case that can be produced/sold in the same price range as other tuck cases. If I have to invest more money on my end to make this a reality, I will.

Again, thanks so much for the input! Very much appreciated.

-Patrick Varnavas

Hello all!
I'm here today to talk about a deck of cards I've been working on together with Stuart Palm and LPCC. The cards are called Soundboards, themed around a combination of music equipment from different generations. The project has only very recently started to develop and I figured this would be a perfect opportunity to involve the community of card enthusiasts in the design process.

Current Back Design (Subject to Change):



1st sketch:




Ace of Spades Concept:




The tuck case will be designed to appear and open like a cassette player. Basing the tuck case off of this device:




Currently that's all we have to show for this project. Changes and edits are frequently being made, nothing is set in stone. We would greatly appreciate any opinions or suggestions, all will be taken into account during the design process. We've still got a long way to go with this project, and we're excited to continue working on the Soundboards.

Thanks so much,
Patrick Varnavas

Hello all, I recently posted here asking for help with a certain Cardistry release I was working on. Well, that very release is now available, so here's the link for anyone who's interested.

http://www.theory11.com/wire/patrick-varnavas/melody/

Two words, I wouldn't be surprised if it was "Wild Fire".

Well, currently, there is only one other person that I'm in negotiations with besides you. So it's more of a "Reviewing my other option" situation.

Do you have a certificate that proves the authenticity of the signatures? Not trying to say you would fake it but I know it happens.

Well, I can prove that I definitely own the first Signed Monarch deck distributed by Theory 11 because I won it in a Saturday Night Contest. Here's the link to the original page, http://forums.theory11.com/showthread.php?39155-Saturday-Night-Contest-The-Art-of-Card-Throwing

and you can see that I won that contest if you go to page four, on the bottom. The rest of the signed decks went up around a month and a half after the contest. That's about as much proof as I've got, aside from the video that I used to win the contest.


As for your question Don, there are five signatures. The names that I can read are Morgan Freeman, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, Mark Ruffalo and Jesse Eisenberg. The deck box is signed on both the front and back, and on both sides.

I hope that answered your questions!

Thanks! In retrospect, I probably should have used a less mainstream song. But I love the vibe it puts off.

Like Don, I love both. However, I love both for different reasons. I'll go with Fed 52.

I'd love to see where this is heading, it looks like a lovely concept. I can imagine the fans looking perfect with these backs. The texture/layering work is just amazing, typical from Encarded. Paul, I would like to request a review copy.

Well this is a weird comparison. It's basically just a list of our favorite colors. I prefer the Artist Editions.

I am actually not using Maves, those would be Red Streamlines. As for your comments on the location, I agree wholly. The shots in my room were actually from my past videos, I figured that showing them actually being used over time would help prove the whole "Signature Move" claim. But I understand what you're saying, I'll take note of that for future projects. As for my clothing/music style, I deliberately tried to go with the "Patrick Varnavas" look that all of my videos have. I figured it would appeal with my audience much more if it looked like a "Patrick" project. But again, I get what you're saying and I'll try to go for some different looks in the future.

Thanks so much guys!

-Patrick Varnavas

Monarchs vs Fed 52, that's a decent match-up. I'll make this one a bit short, no point in going on and on. Monarchs have a better box in my opinion, probably one of the best tuck cases on a deck of cards. Federal 52 executes its theme significantly better than the Monarch deck does, Fed 52 is fully custom like it should be. The faces of the Monarchs, and most Theory 11 decks, are depressingly standard with the occasional darkening of the reds and intensifying of the golds. The back design of the Monarchs is simple by comparison with the Federal 52 back, the "bank note" look is extremely detailed. From a design standpoint, I would pick the Federal 52 decks. I think artistically, they are superior to the Monarchs in nearly every way. However, I am a flourisher and the Fed 52 decks just aren't my style. I'll pick the Monarchs ONLY because I would actually use them, and not the Fed 52s. Annoying decision, but I've got to go on personal preference rather than speaking in general.

That could probably be a thread in itself; what deck could even stand a chance of living up to the name "Ultimate Deck". That's like calling a song an anthem, you better be damn sure of your work.