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The Big Info Thread (technical instructions etc)


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Posted

This year, we in the TT&M family will be creating our very own tarot deck - and we want all of you to participate!! 

 

It is going to be a standard sized 78 card tarot deck and it will be titled We Are One

We chose this title because it so well describes our intentions with this project as well as our feelings toward this community. Together we can create something very special that we will treasure for the rest of our lives :heart:

 

The Printing

 

We will not be going the kickstarter route but we will instead upload this deck and make it available for sale on Printerstudio.com. 

Printerstudio is a company that prints decks on demand, and they have facilities all over the world. This means that they will always print your deck at the location that is closest to you. This in turn means that the shipping costs are kept down and that there are usually no custom charges. This also means that there is a 100% guarantee that this deck will be printed once it is finished. We will not have to rely on crowd funding in any way. 

 

Printerstudio has great standard card stock but they also allow you to upgrade to linen card stock if that is something you wish. The cost of this deck will be the cost of printing plus the small fee that Printerstudio adds to the price. We will also add a small profit margin of 10% that will go towards the maintenance costs of this forum (the software fees etc). 

 

The Layout

 

Now, lets get to the practical side of things. We have decided on a borderless layout with a title frame on the bottom. The finished card design is going to look something like this:

 

942073160_Mockcard1.jpg.19d20017254056abcdf19aa8af0d38d3.jpg

 

This is a mock card, just meant as a visual aid. The font and the coloring of the text frame is still to be decided (and it will probably not be decided until this project is complete, so we can tell what will look best). 

 

The finished deck will have a standard tarot size (2,75x4,75 inches)

 

Basic instructions

 

Now, lets discuss your role in this! Choose a card that you wish to portray. You can use almost any type of media that you wish - as long as it can be turned into a high resolution digital file (such as a jpeg). If you want to create a digital artwork then that's obviously not a problem, but if you are creating a physical piece of art (like we sincerely hope that many of you will!) then you must have access to a scanner - and your artwork must be able to fit onto the scanner! The finished files will be sent to weareone@thetarotforum.com and then we will finalize the cards by adding the title frame. We will want you to name your file both with your username and the title of the card. So something like:    Raggydoll_themagician.jpg  is going to work great. 

 

Do not think that you must be an amazing or experienced artist to participate. All we ask is that you bring your unique flavor and understanding of that card. We want diversity and we want this deck to feel alive and vibrant. So do not miss out on participating, you will want to see yourself and your ideas represented in this deck!!

 

And if you are not tech-savvy and feel incredibly intimidated by words such as "resolution" or even "jpg"? Do not worry!! We are here for you! We have designed this project so that it is as clear and straightforward as it can possibly be, and we will provide everyone with as much help and assistance as possible. We will also create a special thread for technical questions so there you will get the help you need. 

 

Technical details

 

There are going to be two things that are really important to get right. First, the dimensions of your artwork. I will provide a visual aid further down this post but I wanted to explain it a bit in plain words first. Basically we need your artwork to be at least the size that is mentioned below. You can make it slightly bigger but it is crucial that you do not put any important details near the edges. When the deck is printed there is always a risk that fine details near the edges will be lost, so that is why we recommend that you keep all the important bits at least 0,5 inch from each side. 

 

Just a quick note :

 

When you work at a larger scale, then do not forget that the safe area must be adjusted accordingly. 0,5 inch per side is the measurement for the finished card so if you work in double format then all the important details must be kept 1 inch from the sides. 

 

You do not have to worry about making room for titles or numbers. All you have to do is create your artwork and then we will add the titles and the numbers to it. 

 

The second thing that is very important is the resolution of your picture. It needs to be at least 300DPI. It can be higher but then we will shrink it down for you, so do not set it really high on purpose because that makes the file bigger and harder to send/upload. So, what does 300DPI mean? Well, it is the number of dots per inch. It is not something you have to understand in detail, and if you are using a scanner then it is usually always set to scan your image at a 300DPI minimum. When you scan a picture, look in the pop up scanner window and search for "resolution". It is usually easy to find. If you struggle with this area then go to the technical support thread and we will help you!

 

You do not have to have access to a expensive software in order to create digital art or to scan and edit your picture. There are plenty of free, easy to use, programmes. I personally use Photofiltre, some use Gimp. Other tips are very welcome! 

 

Regarding copyright and signatures

 

There is one other thing that is crucial and non-negotiable: You must not use images that breach copyright laws. If you intend to create a collage then do not just go borrowing random pictures of the internet. Make sure that the images you select are free for commercial use and that they do not require you to credit its creator. We want this deck to showcase your own unique visions, so if you can use only your own material then that is always the best (and coolest) option 😉

 

We have decided that we will not sign the actual artwork but that we will list the artists (their usernames) - most likely on extra cards that we add to the deck, and/or in the Printerstudio listing. 

 

The info sheet

 

Here is the information that we ask you to take a closer look at. Please ask questions if there is anything you do not understand. We do not intend for you to use this as an actual template, we just want you to read the instructions and provide us with a file that is 300DPI and 897x1342 pixels. That's it! 

 

1521208853_BACKGROUNDnewwithtext.thumb.jpg.a1cba2b5fcdafbec2858c5a517d094b2.jpg

 

Sign ups and deadlines

 

We ask that you only sign up for one card - once that card is completed you will be able to sign up for a second card. However, we will only allow one Major Arcana card per person! 

 

Also, please take this commitment seriously. We have decided to have this deck done in time for the summer and we want every card to be sent in to us by the end of April. We do understand that things can come up but in order for us to finalize this project we will not give anyone extra time. When time is up, if your card is unfinished, it will be re-assigned to someone else. This person will have 3 weeks to make their card. Then by the end of May we will start adding the titles. So please, don't leave it all to the last minute!

 

Update: We have decided to allow max 3 cards per person. If there are cards left unclaimed when we enter March then we will likely allow more cards per person. Also, if we end up having to reassign cards after the deadline then it is possible that one person will be making more than one Major and/or more than 3 cards in total. We will do what it takes to finalize this deck according to our plans 🙂

 

A short write up (your interpretations)

 

Once your card is done we ask that you write a short description of it (100 words max). This is just so that others will know what it is that you had in mind when you designed your card. We will probably gather these write ups via email and compile them into a pdf document (more instructions to follow once its been decided). 

 

Update: A more in depth write up is made possible 

 

I fully understand that 100 words is really tight and that it can be hard to give a fair representation of your vision in that short amount of space. But we also want the booklet to be manageable. So, we are doing a fun compromise! We will compile a pdf document with those more condensed write ups but we will also create a thread here on the forum with interpretations for each card - and in this thread you get to write as much as you like and need. I will make and index and clickable links to each card. If you do not feel the need to write in depth then we will simply repost your shorter write up.  We will of course link this resource on Printerstudio so that all the buyers can see each creators  vision. Sounds good? 😀

 

Update: Clarification regarding the usage of public domain imagery - 

 

That's it! Excited yet? We sure are!!!!

 

excited arrested development GIF

 

happy jonah hill GIF

 

Excited Season 9 GIF by Friends

 

 

Posted

This is SO exciting!! Woo hoooooo!!

Posted
1 minute ago, Starlight said:

This is SO exciting!! Woo hoooooo!!

Thank you!! :heart: Yes it is!! I am working up the courage to start posting my own WIP card. I will do it any minute now 😅 ( I got a head start since I have known about this project for a while, but I am still in the early stages of my project). 

Posted (edited)

I'd love to join in but I've never designed a tarot card before although I do enjoy arts and crafts. Do you think I could/should join in?

 

ETA: I've asked it in the General Discussion thread, but I think this is where we're supposed to ask questions. I was wondering if the deck is in any of the main tarot systems (RWS, Thoth, or TdM, or if it will be a blend of all the systems.)

Edited by Starlight
Posted

Join. I have been in loads of these and I can't draw to save my life. I usually do things with my own photographs.

Posted
48 minutes ago, Starlight said:

I'd love to join in but I've never designed a tarot card before although I do enjoy arts and crafts. Do you think I could/should join in?

 

ETA: I've asked it in the General Discussion thread, but I think this is where we're supposed to ask questions. I was wondering if the deck is in any of the main tarot systems (RWS, Thoth, or TdM, or if it will be a blend of all the systems.)

YEEEESS!! Join!! Please!! You can do any type of art and its fine to base it on any system that speaks to you. Diversity is what we are after!

 

high five barney stinson GIF

Posted
11 minutes ago, gregory said:

Join. I have been in loads of these and I can't draw to save my life. I usually do things with my own photographs.

You have made some amazing cards! That Death card you made was simply perfection! And I hope you will join us on this? Pleeeaasseee???

 

hope please GIF

Posted

Oh I will, don't worry. But that particular death was very much a one-off.

Posted

Just to say I like idea & i'm all in!;D Larger card format & layout my fav!^^ Will pick my card later to give others more room to choose as I'm seasoned in collab as @gregory!^^ lol

shout if you need help with tech or anything!;D

 

All Best!

reall/Irena

Posted
7 minutes ago, reall said:

Just to say I like idea & i'm all in!;D Larger card format & layout my fav!^^ Will pick my card later to give others more room to choose as I'm seasoned in collab as @gregory!^^ lol

shout if you need help with tech or anything!;D

 

All Best!

reall/Irena

I was hoping you would show up!!! Thank you so much for the offer! If you see anyone in need of help in the tech thread then please jump in and assist the others with replying!! 

 

I look forward to seeing your card evolve :heart: 

Posted
32 minutes ago, gregory said:

Oh I will, don't worry. But that particular death was very much a one-off.

hopeful jim carrey GIF

 

Awesome! I promise that I won't try to make you redo that card 😁 Do whatever you feel like!

Posted
4 hours ago, gregory said:

Join. I have been in loads of these and I can't draw to save my life. I usually do things with my own photographs.

 

3 hours ago, Raggydoll said:

YEEEESS!! Join!! Please!! You can do any type of art and its fine to base it on any system that speaks to you. Diversity is what we are after!

OK! I'll do it! Waaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!

 

iggy azalea hooray GIF by #XFactorAU

 

Posted
34 minutes ago, Starlight said:

 

OK! I'll do it! Waaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!

 

iggy azalea hooray GIF by #XFactorAU

 

happy christina aguilera GIF by The Voice

Posted

This deck is going to be one of my most treasured ones because it has my friends - my soul family in it!! 

Posted

I joined this site to interact with other people so this sounds like a great opportunity for me. Thank You, can I  choose 6 of swords because it represents the decan of my birthday .

Posted

You need to go to the signup thread.

 

 

Posted
15 minutes ago, Tina77 said:

I joined this site to interact with other people so this sounds like a great opportunity for me. Thank You, can I  choose 6 of swords because it represents the decan of my birthday .

Like Gregory said, please make an official request in the sign up thread. But I will reserve that card for you now anyway! And welcome!! 😀

Posted

Yay! And hooray! Finding this thread just made my day!  I am so in.  I just requested the Hermit on the Sign-up thread.  Woo-hoo!!!

Posted
12 minutes ago, geoxena said:

Yay! And hooray! Finding this thread just made my day!  I am so in.  I just requested the Hermit on the Sign-up thread.  Woo-hoo!!!

And I just reserved it for you! Woo-hoo!!! 

 

george costanza happy dance GIF

Posted
8 hours ago, Raggydoll said:

I was hoping you would show up!!! Thank you so much for the offer! If you see anyone in need of help in the tech thread then please jump in and assist the others with replying!! 

 

I look forward to seeing your card evolve :heart: 

Ha ha! Ok!;D This Will be One Happy Deck!^^ lol

Posted
3 minutes ago, reall said:

Ha ha! Ok!;D This Will be One Happy Deck!^^ lol

Well you can make a gloomy card too, we will need those as well 😁☺️

Posted

Ha ha! Ok! my will be doom & gloom then!^^ lol

EvelynnMorragan
Posted

This is a fantastic idea! And props to the mods for taking on this adventure!

I CANNOT WAIT to see the finished project!

I would love to participate, but I'm not the greatest artist. My favorite pieces I've made over the years have been through collage, and with copyright issues at hand, I don't want to step on anyone's toes!

Posted

There are loads of free to use images in wikicommons, to name but one. I can't draw (shut up, Raggy) so I do collages from my own photos. So - no excuses !

Posted

It sounds fun.
But the winter holidays are over and I can't commit to any projects.
I'll be following with interest, though. :)

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