Conjure Nation

Had a session with Andy VanOrkum and Steve today. Steve's feeling a bit crap because he just had some major dental work, but was in good form, and fooled the shit out of me with some new crimp work. He looked great.

I told him to call you about the cards, but he may not feel like talking for a few days.

Bill,

When me meet in person someday and we will, then you'll discover many reasons to hate me. But . . . back to super-Steve Dobson. I can't get hold of him and with his health, I'm starting to worry. Anybody hear from the packeteer, Steve Dobson recently ???

KG

[quote="Kent Gunn"]I've already have the little guy make me some custom gaffs, when I needed 'em. I was trying to not abuse the one guy in magic who doesn't hate me, a lot.

KG[/quote]
Hey, I don't hate you a lot yet...

I meant have him give you some tips. He used to have a DVD on custom gaffs that he sold at lectures.

You can use rubbing alcohol to wipe off the finish from the cards. However, be gentle, and use sparingly, as your cards can curl quite a bit.

Mark Allen put out a DVD with all the info on printing cards using an inkjet printer called "Versatile Monte and Beyond".

[quote="Kent Gunn"]Chris,

I've had shit for luck printing my own cards. I used blank-faced bikes . . . the ink won't apply consistently.

I'm blaming my cheap-ass Epson printer. Got any tips?

KG[/quote]
Hm, have you tried sanding on the faces to remove the coating? Maybe that would help the ink either stay on or penetrate the stock?

If you're serious about printing on real card stock, [url=http://www.lybrary.com/make-your-playing-cards-a-11.html]this guy[/url] seems to have a complete "do it yourself" solution that he sells (stock that can be printed on, cutters, corner rounders, etc.)

Looks like it could get a bit pricey though.

From what I've seen over at the green joint, it looks like there are at least a few gaff makers out there that use something like my vector card faces coupled with the proper card stock to "roll their own".

I know that Craig Matsuoka has some info on printing on cards in his [url=http://www.lybrary.com/gaff-factory-comprehensive-drymounting-tutorial-p-750.html]Gaff Factory[/url] e-book.

I also seem to recall that there was some info in a Don Alan booklet. The problem is the finish on the cards. I think Don Alan recommended putting roughing fluid on the card, as that would give the ink something to stick to.

Edit: Just a note that I haven't tried any of this, so I can't say whether or not any of it works. I'm just regurgitating the info that I'm aware of. :)

-Jim

I've already have the little guy make me some custom gaffs, when I needed 'em. I was trying to not abuse the one guy in magic who doesn't hate me, a lot.

KG

Yeah, talk to Dobson.

Chris,

I've had shit for luck printing my own cards. I used blank-faced bikes . . . the ink won't apply consistently.

I'm blaming my cheap-ass Epson printer. Got any tips?

KG

I've added a simple set of ESP cards to the Vector playing cards project pages that some might find useful.

[img]http://www.totalnonsense.com/images/ESP.png[/img]

Same download link as before.

http://code.google.com/p/vectorized-playing-cards/