This video teaches you how to create your own tarot cards by creating original designs, printing them on cardstock, and cutting them out. The process involves choosing themes and symbols for the cards, creating the artwork and design layout, and researching the meanings of different symbols. To modify a tarot or Oracle deck, you can trim, edging, and cut them out.
To design your tarot cards, start by choosing themes and symbols for the cards, then create the artwork and design layout. Research the meanings of different symbols and choose the most suitable theme for your deck.
Rebacking is the process of modifying the appearance of the back of the cards, often using contact paper. Some common options include altering the card face, trimming and corner rounding, and edging. To make your own deck, you can email the publisher with your feedback, as they may make changes in the future if enough feedback is received.
Two of the most popular modifications are trimming and edging. Trimming involves cutting a deck down to a different size, usually cutting off the original size. If you’re afraid of ruining your cards, you can trim them and corner them easily. This video is a helpful resource for those looking to create their own tarot cards or Oracle decks for personal use.
📹 DeckModificationas a Tarot Practice (why I modify my decks)
A little chat about why I modify my tarot decks, how it is actually a part of my personal tarot practice, and why you may want to …
📹 Modifying Your Tarot Deck to Reconnect
I have always loved the Crystal Vision for its beauty but never really grab for it as much as some others, like I used to. Maybe …
I really appreciate the deeper thought process behind how/why you modify decks. I have been incredibly resistant to trimming and/or edging – more so out of fear of screwing up than anything else. I have the skills, but there is a little of that fear of no liking the end product. But going deeper into the reasoning and thinking of the process as a bonding experience is really appealing to me. I hope to get my first deck modification done in the next few weeks. I will certainly keep my first experiments to the less expensive and still in-print decks, for sure… just in case.
Just going through your older articles as I have already modified, edged, trimmed several decks and now I feel like these cards are mine even the ones with the quirks!! Thank you for sharing your experience with such care and detail as it helped me a lot (e.g. using 2 coats of the Distressed Ink on edges – really can tell the difference in saturation). I modded my Sirian Starseed Tarot – I couldn’t deal with the size of the cards and the inconsistency with the awkward white border and how off center things were. So I made a couple of boo boos (like half of the “s” getting cut off for the Seven of Chalices) because the image and text were not aligned like the other cards so I got really careful after that! I love it now – edged in indigo blue 2 coats and I feel like these now truly are mine! I also edged Pam’s Vintage Tarot with the Vintage Photo Distressed Ink 2 coats and am loving it. I totally get how you connect with each card as you work with them – I felt tingles with each card I held in this deck. Much love and gratitude to you!! I’m a fellow Taurean and there’s that part in me that doesn’t want to destroy things (keep things in original form) but it is really refreshing to do this kind of work <3
Wow, I didn’t know modifying decks was a thing! And your reasoning makes so much sense. Even beyond aesthetics, modifying seems like it helps physically. I know there are some larger decks that are tough to hold and I wish they were smaller. 🤷🏼♀️ And it’s interesting what you say about the deck creator and modifying being an insult to them in a way. I agree that we don’t have to necessarily think of it that way. I’ll keep modifying in mind if I ever stumble upon a deck that’s not working 100% for me!
I loooove the freedom of personalizing decks. I’ve coloured a few images before. And re-named cards. BUT IT’S NOT ALWAYS EASY 😬😬 like you said!!!! I tried edging one deck (starseed oracle in black) and regretted it 1/3 of the way through (ink bleeding onto the pictures). Then I spent the next 1.5 hours using a combination of acetone and white paint to fix my mistake 😩
Only one problem… I’m a perfectionist and with each deck I have made one major mistake… when I say major, I mean, I’ve accidentally cut the card in a completely inconvenient place. Now, if I modify my decks I try not to take it too seriously because it’s a reoccurring lesson for me to just “let go” 😆 Modifying decks is a personal thing… if people judge it, so… be… the judgers, judging.
Oh WOW I just finished perusal this . it’s amazing how the colours pop now.im going to get the same tools as u simon.yip I’m a copy cat lol.but as I’ve never tried it before I’ve only just edged decks.as I now prefer borderless decks as the pic pops makes so much difference.i think I may have a row of decks now to do .the prices aren’t bad for the tools .plus the cards will b easier to handle . many thanks for sharing xx
Nice job Simon, the Kadomaru Pro is a very good corner rounder that’s what I use. An hour ago I put new corners on my Lo Scarabeo Universal Tarot mini, Lo Scarabeo never rounds them properly. Thanks for the heads up on the Forest Fae deck, ordered it yesterday, got it today, would this deck be considered an Oracle deck, nice deck. I use a Fabre Castell perfection ink eraser pencil to remove the copyright, it takes a little while to complete, but when you’re done your deck has a completely different feel to it. Great article as usual, enjoy your evening.
Hmmm … I’m generally a bit reluctant to trim decks. Especially when it comes to gold edged borders. Maybe I’ll do it for/to the Czech version of the Shadowscape Tarot nonetheless. The “illustrated crystallery” deck .. has been a quite complicated deck for me. First and foremost the connective issues are linked to production and production quality (cardstock, …). What I did in trying to make it work (better): I trimmed the borders. With a ruler and a carpet cutter. That helped a lot to get the pictures clearer – even though the borders were quite pretty. I sleeved the cards (glossy inner sleeves). And then double sleeved them (clear matte front & back). That helped. However, I was not happy yet – the pictures got ab bit too soft-focus because of the matte front. So I de-sleeved the outer ones. That solved the softness issues, but worsened the card stock issues. I left them that way for a while. Right now (after perusal the article), I got the cards other outer sleeves. With a glossy front and an opaque green back. Now the cards have kind of pine green borders again at the front. Surprisingly that helped me to see the pictures clearer (which still had been an issue). I switched the bag for the cards again (from tin box, to Olde Fae card game bag, to runes bag) and got them a rudimentary box. I assume changing things in relation to the deck will come to an end, soon. … other modifications: Some decks got sleeves, too. Vulnerable or flimsy card stock … being the main reasons.
You would think US Games and other publishers would twig on that their customers DONT WANT the copyright on their cards. Put it on the backs if you must…I could deal with that Thats a nifty little trimmer you have there! Id be more confidant with that than my free hand. Im just an edger at this point, I havnt graduated to trimming yet ; )
I’ve been liking that deck for awhile, but never bought it due to the white borders. when you have some things that you are not using some times you have to repaint it a different color or cut out the borders from the deck, I have a candle holder and tiny stand was bought at a store that 4 years ago and have used them for a bit, but after moving, barely used it. last year I was going through my stuff in my craft room stuff that was literally trash, went in the trash and others I was going to keep and others to keep to the side for either to drop them off at used stores or to a get together of other witches and have them have a free for all ”OHHH Free stuff”! I came across that small stand and Pillar Candle Holder and decided to repaint them, The stand an Eggplant Purple and the Pillar Candle Holder a Crimson Red and been using them since! I have the Black Moon Astrology Oracle Deck and the Paulina Tarot that have the White Borders, I would like to cut the borders, but need to get around to purchase the hand cutter at a Craft Store, but be waiting for sales for me to purchase it. That deck you used to cut the borders and color the edges really made the art pop and the color you used matches really well with all the cards. Look lovely and I believe/Hopefully helps you to reconnect!
Awww, the Crystal Visions! I so love this tarot! It is not only beautiful but such a personal deck to me! I really like it both ways – with borders and trimmed! Your edging matches the cards so well, Simon, and reminds me of the pink shade I chose for my Paradoxical Rose. (I’m going to let you on a little secret of mine….I now own the Deviant Moon…)