Oracle Deck Diaries - Episode 2: Product Design (Packaging)
Welcome to the second article in the Oracle Deck Diaries-series. In these blog posts, I update you on the recent progress of my indie oracle deck-project.
If you want to learn more about my oracle deck, you can check out this page, read this article or watch this video.
Physical Product Design
In the last blog post, I talked about the format of the cards and the guidebook. You can still vote on your personal preferences to help me design the product. So far, the large card format and the softcover-version of the guidebook seem to appeal to the majority.
The focus of today’s article is on the packaging, a topic that is closely intertwined with the format of both the cards and the guidebook.
Oracle Deck Packaging
If you are a passionate card-reader, you may be familiar with all the possible ways a deck can be packaged.
There are tuck boxes, rigid boxes, and magnetic closure ones. They come in all kinds of different shapes and sizes. They can have ribbons, custom inserts, or fit snugly around the cards. The possibilities are almost endless, and there are pros and cons to each of these packaging options.
I have narrowed down the options for The Goddesses and Spirits of European Myth Oracle Deck to two versions that I want to discuss today.
DESIGN A: Economy Version
Magnetic Closure box with a pocket-guidebook
The first option is what I call the economy-design. The card size is large, and the guidebook is printed as a small booklet the same size as the cards. The guidebook has no artworks to make the most use of the small space, and will be perfect bound.
The packaging consists of a rigid box with a magnetic closure and possibly a ribbon for easy picking up. The cards and the guidebook fit together snugly in a small box.
Example of a magnetic closure box with a pocket-guidebook
An example of this packaging option is the Terra Volatile-tarot pictured above. In my photo I paired it with the another guidebook, because the deck itself comes only with a digital one.
Considering the voting results so far, it is not very likely that my oracle deck will be printed in this version. However, since I haven’t made a final decision yet, I still want to mention it in this article.
DESIGN B: Deluxe Version
Rigid Box with a large guidebook
The second option is more luxurious. The card size is large (same as in the first version), and the guidebook is printed as either a hard- or softcover book in A5 format. The guidebook is filled with artworks, and is printed in full colour.
The packaging consists of a two piece rigid box with a paper box insert to hold the cards, and a ribbon for easy picking up. The guidebook fits on top of the cards.
An example of this packaging option is the Illustrated Herbiary pictured below.
Example of a rigid box
Conclusion
As you can see, all elements of the deck, like the guidebook and the cards, are intertwined with the packaging. I haven’t decided on a packaging version yet, but reading your feedback on my last article about the size and guidebook version you prefer has helped me a lot.
Offering both options
In the beginning I was considering to offer both versions of the deck. I also got some great input from some of you on the possibility to create a less expensive version of the deck in addition to the deluxe version.
Unfortunately this option is not logistically possible for me. It’s problematic in regards to production costs and storage space.
When printing a product, it is more profitable to print large amounts of items than small quantities. When the amount of items I order from the printer grows, the price for the single item shrinks. This means that I can offer the end product for a lower price without compromising my profit.
When I decide to print both versions, the price for each of them will probably rise due to the lower amounts produced.
Second Edition
It may be possible at some point in the very distant future to offer a second edition of the deck. However, I will have to decide for one version for now, since it is simply not practical to produce two variations at this point in time.
I would love to know your opinion on the packaging options.
That’s it for this week’s article! I hope you enjoyed this in depth look behind the scenes, and I would love to hear your feedback about the packaging options.
I will be posting regular updates about the process of the deck in the future.
If you want to support my work, you can follow me on Instagram, visit my YouTube-channel or become a Patron.
