How to create Tarot pdf file for card printer

Finally find time to finish this tutorial in case you are wondering How to create Tarot pdf file for your card printer such as drivethrucards, ludocards, ivory etc

here is Quick Method for Windows (for details see Manual pdf included!)

1) Download this zip file named tdc Tarot deck to your Desktop

2) Download & Install Scribus from official web page: https://www.scribus.net/

3) Download & Install Adobe ICC Color Profiles (for details see p1 of Manual pdf included!)

4) Download 7zip portable (Optional Recommended to Open zip folder with it as its Extract option won’t create double folder with same name that may cause img not to auto fill in Scribus Tarot template when added in specific folder!)

A) Open this zip file named tdc Tarot deck with 7zip portable & extract folder dtc Tarot deck to your Desktop

B) in file named Tarot size img dtc make sure your path look like this; 

 \Desktop\dtc Tarot deck\Tarot size img dtc otherwise img will not auto fill after adding to this folder & you will had to use full process from Manual pdf!

C) Copy your card back design img & name it Backf & add it to this folder Tarot size img dtc

D) Open Tarot.sla template with Scribus & it should auto fill 1st & every Odd page with your Backf img if it is so close this template for now & proceed to copying all your card front img to this same folder

E) Make sure All your card front img in this folder are named as mentioned here it’s essential for auto fill in Scribus to work!

All Majors Arcana should be named letter a & two digit number according to their order starting with

a00 (for the Fool) to a21 (for the World card)

All Cups named letter c & two digit number starting with c01 (for Ace of Cups) to c14 (King of Cups)

All Coins /Disk letter d & two digit number starting with d01 (Ace of Disk) to d14 (King of Disk)

All Swords letter s & two digit number starting with s01 (Ace of Swords) to s14 (King of Swords)

All Wands letter w & two digit number starting with w01 (Ace of Wands) to w14 (King of Wands)

2extra cards should be named w15 & w16 if you plan to print 80cards in deck as you should!:)

Why when Tarot is 78? Because Standard Tarot size cards are printed by 10 & it cost same to print so you are paying it anyway also this way you avoid 2 extra blank cards printer may include but best consult your printer for all details!(:you can add or delete extra pages by click under Scribus Page menu!:)

 

Point of this template is if you did All mentioned here once you Open Tarot.sla template with Scribus

All pages should auto fill with 80 card back & front img located in folder named Tarot size img dtc &

you can click File>Export>Save as pdf to create Tarot.pdf ready for your printer!;D

Note; for correct export setting see p14-17 of Manual pdf

Exported Tarot.pdf pages should be aligned perfectly!:) if there is white line around edges of exported Tarot.pdf pages check your img by reviewing it’s correct size 900x1500px & there is no white lines or transparency around edges in your paint program!

if any img is not auto filled in Scribus Tarot.sla template or exported Tarot.pdf when you open it check if you did All steps mentioned here & folder path is correct & all img are named as mentioned here!

Auto fill in Scribus Tarot.sla template will not work if you Move or Rename Any img or file!

if Quick Method is not working see Manual.pdf for full process explained in details!;)

Note provided Scribus.sla template is optimized for Standard Tarot card size template 900x1500 px

with resolution of 300 pixel per inch = 3x5” this is Standard Tarot card size img size you should use!

(printed Standard Tarot card size after cut & rounding edges is 2.75x4.75” or around 7x12cm)

Note: Remember to check your printer Tarot card template if different than above Do Not use Scribus Tarot.sla template provided as it will not work properly & you will need to create one by full process explained in Manual.pdf or Best Use Instructions provided by Your Printer!;)

This Free tutorial & template is created by me according to my best knowledge & experience with card

printers i used (drivethrucards ludocards & ivory & should work with all mentioned with some minor

changes regarding color profiles & card size & order of front & back img etc!;)

Based on drivethrucards/onebookself HowToScribus tutorial you can download here;

https://support.drivethrurpg.com/hc/en-us/article_attachments/360060765812/Book_HowToSCRIBUS-Digital.pdf

Author is not to be held responsible for any printer & other error or damage resulting by its use,

if not sure best consult professional service provided by most printers!

& if you find this pdf files complicated you may wish to check print on demand like thegamecrafter makeplayingcards printerstudo etc that all use easy to upload png img!:)

Remember to only work with printer that will ensure copyright protection of your img & accept paypal goods & service payment!

Order test print Before printing larger quantities of decks!

Feel free to distribute share or adopt to your own tutorial with credit & link to original used!

Comment & let me know if you find it helpful or if it need fixing?!;)

 

Thank You!

@MyLuckyCards

Deck Creation and What you need to know if you plan creating your own deck

Every Cartomancer or Artist at one point will get idea to create its own Tarot or other deck by whim or inspiration according to your unique idea how *perfect deck should look like & even you may have plenty ideas how that *perfect deck should look turning it into reality as accomplishing anything else you set your mind!;) require time & effort so start with good plan!;)

Creating your deck require;

1) Theory where you plan & prepare for task at hand by addressing all decisions including but not limited to;

Concept idea for Tarot or Oracle deck you have in mind;

What type of deck you are creating? Tarot or Oracle or Playing Cards or Other;

Number of Cards you need to paint;78 Tarot or 36 Lenormand Oracle+any extra card title card etc

Card Size; Standard Tarot, or smaller; Poker/ Bridge or Larger?;D

Note; tech side of this *Correct size & cardstock topic will be covered in my next post!;)

 

Guidebook?;)

tip; you'll save yourself if you start taking notes & writing your ideas & sketches asap!;D

It will help you track your progress and ideas development & it's easy to turn that working notebook into proper guidebook once you have completed your deck as people like to have basic info on deck they plan to use & read accompanying document for artist insight & process behind each card art & deck creation!;D

 

Card Layout Design;

Deck Theme Topic & symbols you wish to include in each card & design layout;

Color or Black & White or Other

Border; Yes or No

Text; Yes or No (if yes font type & size & will you include it in your artwork or add later digitally =recommended!:)

Numbers; same as above

Card back design; Reversible or Not, Any pattern and colors you wish to include?

Art medium you will be working;

Digital (Tablet & paint program my fav free Gimp & Medibang paint pro for lineart & Scribus for converting png rgb to cmyk pdf!:) there is also free version of photoshop called White Rabbit!;D

or Traditional; aka Pen & paper etc

Your Art Style; tip; Work with style/media you’re good with!;)

tip; *Unique Style & layout help create original style & uniformed look as common thread that will glue your deck!;)

Resources Your Own Art or Public Domain/ Other

tip; never forget to credit original artist and keep link of your source images!;)

Role models & references (if you have any list it with note what you like about each particular deck or card you are addressing & specific elements you would like to include in your card design?!;)

tip; Rider Waite Tarot deck illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith is most popular & what most people recognize as Tarot but if you are into specific topic i.e animals cats flowers etc I recommend checking google for references & ideas how different people approach to specific card theme design colors & inspiration etc?;)

bookmark webs that shows specific card from different decks side by side, for general idea how specific card concept is represented traditionally vs modern art decks? btw same link should have basic meaning as well so it’s good to read it or download free pdf book Pictorial key to tarot, just to give you quick reference about what meaning your art should represent?  

https://www.tarot.com/tarot/cards/the-fool/universal-waite

http://www.albideuter.de/html/narr.html
http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/dragon.shtml
Note don't forget my guide for; How To Major Arcana Court & Minor Arcana table with basic meaning & symbolic reference for eachcard!;)

2) Time it'll take you to create full deck & time you need to spend on each card?;)

imo it may seem overwhelming task at first contributing to procrastination but that's why it's important to keep your goal in mind; Completing Your Full Deck!;) & therefore plan to work on each card at least few minutes/hours/days every week?;) of course even better if your muse is calling & inspiring you to create even faster but imo as long you have at least 1 card to show after week (or two!;) your deck is on good track to be completed & ready to print soon!:)

3) Space for work/free of environment noise and disturbance; this depend on your preferences and art media; so I’ll let you think that for yourself!

4) Actual work!;D After you have it all planed Start Creating Your 1st Card asap!:)

Grab that pen & paper/digital/whatever your choice is here & Start sketching!:D

or even better if you have it all noted like i told you open that notebook & look what you have in mind for 1st card?!;) then just Do it!;D

tip; or commission someone to do *art part for you? imo comic artist are best! Good art Fast and affordable!;D

p.s Another interesting note; while working on this project I often dream of different cards and designs! So don’t be surprised if that happen to you! It just shows how your brain work on it even while you’re sleep!;D

5) Costs; sadly you need money to do anything! (or that’s how it usually goes!) And depending on your media this can go both ways when creating your deck as well as publishing, 

for my 1st deck I had my old lap top and mouse and free paint program Gimp & did all painting myself! however professional programs and tablets are expensive same as good material for traditional painting! for next project I plan *modernization! that’s why if you like this guide consider purchasing its printed form as well as myselfpublished decks here!;) 

tip; work with what you have and what you are most comfortable with regardless of costs! 

it will pay of eventually along with time you invested here as you'll obtain valuable experience & learn a lot about printing & yourself as there is certain ancient magic alchemy involved in process as well as satisfaction you'll receive when your printed deck finally arrive AND MY FAV PART; BE READY YOU ARE ABOUT TO GET TON OF MAIL FROM HAPPY PEOPLE ALL AROUND THE WORLD PRAISING YOUR ART & SAYING HOW MUCH THEY LOVE & ENJOY YOUR DECK!;D How Cool is THAT for Legacy?;D lol

tip; you can always consider patreon or fund raising platforms like kickstarter and indiegogo but those are of more use when you have your art ready to print! And will require promotion

and social network & web page (you can create free web page on google like I did here; https://sites.google.com/view/myluckycard/home & levelupenterprises offer best solution for pro web page you need to present your deck!;)

& newsletter you'll need to figure yourself!(I've started it by google Bcc should work & mailchimp is what most people use!;)

As 1st requirement for people to buy your deck is to know it exist & how to order?;D

so checking youtube for reviews is also good idea!;D

tip; Learn from from success! Have a deck you like? Check publisher and artist! And how it get published!

tip; Learn from failure! so you’ll avoid repeating same mistakes!:)

Check my next post for; Tips about coloring & Tarot art in general & 

 *How Card Printer Works, Correct paper size to paint Tarot card card & other tech questions!;)