Making a period Deck of Card
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The file above is for a 4 suited deck in a period style. The suit and pip number in the top right corner is a post-period innovation, so don't appear on this deck. It needs to be printed on A4 sized paper; you will need to make sure when you print it that you check the printer settings to make sure it isn't shrunk or altered in size, or else the cards will not line up properly. Each sheet gets cut up into 8 cards; divided lengthwise down the middle, and into 4 length-wise.
The easiest way is to print it directly onto card stock. If this isn't possible, you can print the cards out onto paper, and then glue the paper to card, or glue three sheets of paper together. I recommend using pva woodglue, diluted 2 parts glue to one part water. Brush the glue thinly but evenly onto the card, then firmly smooth the paper over it, making sure there are no bubbles. You will need to dry it pressed flat under a book or similar (I suggest slipping some grease-proof paper between them, to avoid accidental sticking) or else it will dry curved. This is because the card will absorb more water than the paper, and the glue will cure on the paper first. The glue will shrink slightly as it dries - normally this doesn't matter, but the damp card will be slightly elastic, and so will stretch and curl. Once the glue is dry, it is very difficult to flatten the sheets again without breaking the glue bonds; when you cut the cards up, the paper will peel off the card, or else they will stay curled.
Printed period decks were often hand-coloured with ink-washes; I have had good success with watercolour pencils. The backs of the cards are usually left blank, although some appear to have been glued to decorative backs (with the added possibility of marking the deck, unintentionally or not.)
Notes on the deck design: there is no set period set style or suits, and there is only one complete period deck still in existance. I have created this deck using the most common German suits: acorns, hearts, hawkbells and linden leaves (which can be considered cognisant to the Anglo-French suits of clubs, hearts, diamonds and spades). The images I drew are based on several different 15th century woodcuts, adapted to suit. I stuck with the most familiar court cards: King, Queen and Knave (Jack, i.e. a manservant). Some period decks have an additional court card, a Knight, or they use it to replace the Knave or the Queen. However, I know of only one period card game that requires 4 court cards, so I did not include the addition.
The easiest way is to print it directly onto card stock. If this isn't possible, you can print the cards out onto paper, and then glue the paper to card, or glue three sheets of paper together. I recommend using pva woodglue, diluted 2 parts glue to one part water. Brush the glue thinly but evenly onto the card, then firmly smooth the paper over it, making sure there are no bubbles. You will need to dry it pressed flat under a book or similar (I suggest slipping some grease-proof paper between them, to avoid accidental sticking) or else it will dry curved. This is because the card will absorb more water than the paper, and the glue will cure on the paper first. The glue will shrink slightly as it dries - normally this doesn't matter, but the damp card will be slightly elastic, and so will stretch and curl. Once the glue is dry, it is very difficult to flatten the sheets again without breaking the glue bonds; when you cut the cards up, the paper will peel off the card, or else they will stay curled.
Printed period decks were often hand-coloured with ink-washes; I have had good success with watercolour pencils. The backs of the cards are usually left blank, although some appear to have been glued to decorative backs (with the added possibility of marking the deck, unintentionally or not.)
Notes on the deck design: there is no set period set style or suits, and there is only one complete period deck still in existance. I have created this deck using the most common German suits: acorns, hearts, hawkbells and linden leaves (which can be considered cognisant to the Anglo-French suits of clubs, hearts, diamonds and spades). The images I drew are based on several different 15th century woodcuts, adapted to suit. I stuck with the most familiar court cards: King, Queen and Knave (Jack, i.e. a manservant). Some period decks have an additional court card, a Knight, or they use it to replace the Knave or the Queen. However, I know of only one period card game that requires 4 court cards, so I did not include the addition.