bookshop Posted March 4, 2019 Posted March 4, 2019 Hi, all! I'm having trouble with a few of my decks warping badly, even though they're new and only recently acquired. One is my beloved Sakki-Sakki deck, which i just got in November. The other is the Instant Archetypes deck which is a brand-new deck that was only printed and shipped in December. Here's what it looks like already, even though it's barely been out of the box: I googled and found these AT threads about warping... http://www.tarotforum.net/library/16/2003-05/warped-cards-how-can-i-unwarp-them-20030516.shtml https://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?t=195659 ...but they're full of suggestions that don't seem to apply — most of my decks are stored away from sun and heat, except for steam from the radiator, and apparently the steam is supposed to help unwarp them??? I guess I can try the "tight bookshelf" thing, but I definitely can't go sticking cards in the refrigerator. Does anyone have any other ideas??
DanielJUK Posted March 5, 2019 Posted March 5, 2019 most of the suggestions in old posts are about changes in humidity / atmospheric conditions. If you live somewhere where it's not really possible, I mean that would really be about water levels where you store them, those posts might not apply. Some places in the world have extreme humidity changes in the seasons which would affect decks not stored in a plastic box (for example). It could also be the printing process and production. I own the Sakki Sakki myself and my deck has not warped yet! However my theory is it's the shuffling. Shuffling does damage the card stock, especially if you are riffling or quite vigorous, could that be a possibility? Try storing them between books and shuffling lighter. You could do them lightly in your hands or do them in piles on the table. Just an idea about why it happened!
bookshop Posted March 5, 2019 Author Posted March 5, 2019 oh that's interesting! I almost never riffle the cards when i shuffle, though i have handled the Sakki Sakki deck extensively since i got it, so maybe i've been unkind to it! I've barely touched the instant archetypes deck, though, and it's warping almost worse than the other one. It's a very large deck though, size-wise, so maybe that's part of it. And none of the cards I keep in plastic and wooden boxes are warping, and so far none of the others in tuck boxes are. Hmm, maybe there's a humidity factor. i'm inclined to think it's a printing thing. i'll try the bookshelf. thank you for the answer!
Raggydoll Posted March 5, 2019 Posted March 5, 2019 How do you store them? Some decks must be kept lying down or they will warp. I never store my boxes standing up anymore.
bookshop Posted March 5, 2019 Author Posted March 5, 2019 I've been storing the Instant Archetypes deck standing up, actually, but not consistently, sometimes I lay it down. Currently it's laying down. The sakki-sakki deck is always laying down. I've been trying to leave it lying flat on my desk untouched for the last day or two hoping that would help, but so far no.
NekoShinkan Posted March 6, 2019 Posted March 6, 2019 bookshop[/member] Thanks for sharing! Will go through the threads for tips. In my case, the humidity is high at where I live. I guess the cause could be the changes of temperature and humidity when I switch on/off air-conditioner. However it didn't happen to my other decks, only Cosmic Tarot. So printing might be another reason, like you said. Also, I didn't use the deck for a while and it was placed lying down with the guidebook at the bottom. The guide book is smaller than the cards, so… I tried using very thick books to place on it for about 2 weeks. Maybe next time I will insert them among pages before putting weight on it :bsweat: (This remind me of another issue - sticky cards. I had to get another version of Rider-Waite because I couldn't find a solution ;D)
AJ-ish/Sharyn Posted March 6, 2019 Posted March 6, 2019 I've had a few over the years that have a tendency to curve so I've always been of the habit to shuffle from both the front and the back of all my decks, and don't hesitate to give them a little helping bend.
Saturn Celeste Posted March 6, 2019 Posted March 6, 2019 I've been storing the Instant Archetypes deck standing up, actually, but not consistently, sometimes I lay it down. Currently it's laying down. The sakki-sakki deck is always laying down. I've been trying to leave it lying flat on my desk untouched for the last day or two hoping that would help, but so far no. You live in an apartment right? Do you use a window air conditioner? If you do and your cards are near that you might want to move them away, same thing with a radiator. I know they are not on it but just in the general vicinity. Any type of humidity is not good for a deck and I live in Florida. I take my decks out periodically and shuffle them to keep them from sticking. You say you don't riffle shuffle your decks but I do and when my decks get curved from shuffling, I just do it the other way and they straighten right out. You might want to try to shuffle them side by side in the opposite direction.
gregory Posted March 6, 2019 Posted March 6, 2019 Any significantly variable temperature, as well. Like AJ, I shuffle in "both directions", too.
Little Fang Posted January 5, 2020 Posted January 5, 2020 Bringing this back up since I have a few used decks that have come to me warped. I've tried putting them under a heavy book with weights on the top for a few days to a week and have had no progress. These are OOP decks and I'd hesitate to try the ironing. Has anybody else found any other methods, or do I just have to use them as is? 🙂
Raggydoll Posted January 5, 2020 Posted January 5, 2020 37 minutes ago, Little Fang said: Bringing this back up since I have a few used decks that have come to me warped. I've tried putting them under a heavy book with weights on the top for a few days to a week and have had no progress. These are OOP decks and I'd hesitate to try the ironing. Has anybody else found any other methods, or do I just have to use them as is? 🙂 The only thing that has worked for me is to gently go over each card and bend them the right way. I sort of massage them super softly with my hands and then I lay the cards separate for a while (if you stack them immediately they tend to just go back to their bent shape). Once you get them straight, shuffle them thoroughly and then store them the opposite way that you used to (flip the deck upside down so gravity helps with maintaining it straight). This works but it is tedious. I recommend you do it while watching tv 😊
katrinka Posted January 5, 2020 Posted January 5, 2020 If they can be riffled and bridged, I just do that upside down until they're straight.
Guest Posted January 5, 2020 Posted January 5, 2020 (edited) As @katrinka said, you can inverse the cards and then riffle them. It will correct them overtime. Cards will bend somewhat with use. I have found using bands on the cards help - when vertically and the other one horizontally. They hold the cards tights. If the cards are quite warped use two thick pieces of cardboard. Edited January 5, 2020 by Guest
Eugenie Posted January 9, 2024 Posted January 9, 2024 On 3/5/2019 at 11:18 AM, Raggydoll said: How do you store them? Some decks must be kept lying down or they will warp. I never store my boxes standing up anymore. I am glad I have read this! Will store all mine flat from now on. My Zoni tarot is warping although it is sitting in the box!
Raggydoll Posted January 9, 2024 Posted January 9, 2024 5 minutes ago, Eugenie said: I am glad I have read this! Will store all mine flat from now on. My Zoni tarot is warping although it is sitting in the box! Yeah, I had mine standing all beautifully lined up in a cabinet and sadly several decks warped as a result. Cardstock definitely matters, some deck are more sturdy and won’t warp but it’s hard to tell beforehand and that’s why I think it’s best to not take any chances with the decks that are precious to you.
Misterei Posted January 9, 2024 Posted January 9, 2024 5 hours ago, Raggydoll said: Yeah, I had mine standing all beautifully lined up in a cabinet and sadly several decks warped as a result … EEEK! I will have to inspect mine for this. Carpenters always store wood flat … but hopefully the thickness of the decks will keep my cards healthy!
Disa Posted January 9, 2024 Posted January 9, 2024 I’m glad I read this, too. I was contemplating a way to store the boxes upright for easier access instead of lying down in the drawers. I guess I will keep them as they are.
Misterei Posted January 10, 2024 Posted January 10, 2024 4 hours ago, Disa said: I’m glad I read this, too. I was contemplating a way to store the boxes upright for easier access instead of lying down in the drawers. I guess I will keep them as they are. I’ve had my collection stored upright on bookshelves for the past year+ and no issues. However, I will inspect ALL my decks to make sure it doesnt happen. I like storing the decks upright like books for easy access.
Guest Posted January 10, 2024 Posted January 10, 2024 I always riffle shuffle. When I'm finished with a reading, I just turn the deck face up and bend it a number of times to negate the warp, like the other posters here do. 18 hours ago, Raggydoll said: Yeah, I had mine standing all beautifully lined up in a cabinet and sadly several decks warped as a result. Cardstock definitely matters, some deck are more sturdy and won’t warp but it’s hard to tell beforehand and that’s why I think it’s best to not take any chances with the decks that are precious to you. I don't know that this is a thing. Thanks for the tip.
Doktor_Zeus Posted January 10, 2024 Posted January 10, 2024 (edited) This is also a problem that professional magicians face. The answer when using a deck of ordinary cards is to put them in a card clip while not in use. This is a very stiff three-sided sleeve, usually of metal or thick plastic, that slips around the full deck to protect it and to flatten out any curves. I have a Bicycle-themed one myself that I use for my go-to card deck. Here's some others that I dug out on a magician's supplies website: https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/card-clips/ Sadly, these have to be made to a very specific size so that they are tight enough to correct warping. Too loose and they won't work; too tight and you won't be able to get the whole deck in and out of it, and if they're not the same width and height as the cards, they won't exert pressure equally across the face, meaning they'll probably make things worse. I am not aware of any company making a card clip large enough for a full Tarot deck, but it might be worth looking around for one. Edited January 10, 2024 by Doktor_Zeus
Nemia Posted January 10, 2024 Posted January 10, 2024 When I have a warpy deck, I press it under books for a while, or I simply separate the deck into different parts, turn them back to back and hold them together with a number of rubber bands so that it can de-warp itself. Some of my most beloved decks are quite warped by I don't really care. I never riffle-shuffle but I keep my decks standing in their boxes, so maybe that's the reason.
Eugenie Posted January 10, 2024 Posted January 10, 2024 21 minutes ago, Nemia said: When I have a warpy deck, I press it under books for a while, or I simply separate the deck into different parts, turn them back to back and hold them together with a number of rubber bands so that it can de-warp itself. Some of my most beloved decks are quite warped by I don't really care. I never riffle-shuffle but I keep my decks standing in their boxes, so maybe that's the reason. So it is not such a big deal, obviously. I was a bit upset to see my Ancient Tarot of Bologna starting to warp, but it was stored standing and its box doesn't hold it very tight. I think I will stick it between books for a while.
Raggydoll Posted January 10, 2024 Posted January 10, 2024 I remember one deck that I received (can't remember which one though, I don't have it anymore) and the cards were split into two halves in the box. The delivery had taken long and I suspect the package had been stored upright. Well, not only did the cards warp; the different stacks warped in the complete opposite directions 🤦♀️ So no matter how I riffle shuffled, it was like trying to mix water and oil! I do agree that slightly warped decks benefit from ripple shuffling. The very badly warped ones though, I have never found anything that fixes that. Warping isn't a total dealbreaker for me, it is just a bummer. If it is a large deck that has warped, then it will be problematic for me to shuffle. I have achy fingers as well as unstable joints, so I struggle to riffle shuffle larger decks. And when a large deck also happens to be warped, then it can be downright painful for my hands.
Natural Mystic Guide Posted January 11, 2024 Posted January 11, 2024 14 hours ago, Raggydoll said: problematic for me to shuffle One time I went to a professional reader for a reading. Here is the method that she used. She put all of the cards, face down, on a big table top. Then she just smooshed them around with her hands for a long time. It seemed a bit inelegant, but it worked. It does require a nice big table surface.
Raggydoll Posted January 11, 2024 Posted January 11, 2024 1 hour ago, Natural Mystic Guide said: One time I went to a professional reader for a reading. Here is the method that she used. She put all of the cards, face down, on a big table top. Then she just smooshed them around with her hands for a long time. It seemed a bit inelegant, but it worked. It does require a nice big table surface. Yes I use that method too at times. Especially with my smaller decks, it’s a fast method and it’s effective.
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