Printing shuffleable proxies

[Arania]

So, I was just reminded that I have a whole bunch of decks I need to make shuffleable copies of because the original can't really be handled.

 

The Voyager Tarot is one such example. The cards are really difficult to shuffle and I fear I would damage them. I most often use them for spellwork or meditation, so it was not that much of an issue, but I would really like to read with them again.

 

I was thinking of making them a lot smaller, so I would have to use the real versions to really look at the images (the Voyager is a very busy deck and I get why the cards had to be big).

 

Has anyone done this? If so, does it distract from the reading to first have to find the original in the deck? I can keep them in order which would make it quicker. I get that it is probably different for each reader, but when the general opinion is that it isn't worth it I won't bother.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Chariot]

That sounds like a great idea!  How would you make these?  With a printer and a laminator, or what?

 

[DanielJUK]

I've moved this to the Tarot Decks section

[Arania]

Yes, printing, laminating and cutting them. Or maybe save on the laminating and put the images in deck protectors for trading cards. All in as small a version as possible to be able to shuffle them well, save on printer colors and be able to store them next to the original. Some of them like the unicorn tarot I would have to scan first so it's a lot of work. I'd start with the Voyager because it is right now the worst offender.

[Natural Mystic Guide]

On 11/20/2023 at 8:14 PM, Arania said:

Has anyone done this? If so, does it distract from the reading to first have to find the original in the deck? I can keep them in order which would make it quicker.

Yes, I have done this.  I purchased a hand made deck that was very expensive.  The deck creator included for me a small proxy deck so that I would not damage the original deck when shuffling.  I do keep the regular deck in order.  I find that it does not take that much time to fish out the cards that I need.  I may start shuffling the original deck though.  I bought it to be a working deck.  I think that there is an energetic exchange when you shuffle a deck and pray/chant/meditate over it at the same time.

Edited November 27, 2023 by Natural Mystic Guide

[Raggydoll]

If possible, I typically trim decks that are too big, even if they were expensive and/or OOP. I often find that decks are uncomfortable for me to shuffle and in that case I either trim or sell them. I don’t want to have decks in my collection that I don’t use. With that said, I have one antique deck that I have considered scanning and printing a copy, because it’s starting to feel too fragile. The artwork is in public domain so I’d be fine to do that. I also like to make my own reproductions of historical decks and print them in mini size. I really enjoy small sized decks! 

[Arania]

Good to see it can work. I will definitely print a proxy for the Voyager.

 

That is so cool about getting a shuffling proxy along with the original cards!