which finish do you prefer?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 25 Jun 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

dantarot	25 Jun 2005
I am thinking of buying the new Tarot of Dreams deck and there are two finish choices: satin or glossy on somewhat thicker stock. Any suggestions?

shadowdancer	25 Jun 2005
depends on your preference... I have opted for the gloss but it will be interesting to hear what comes out as the choice of others Davina

Cerulean	25 Jun 2005
When I have a glossy finish on decks, they are so slippery! I enjoy using the decks with a satin finish for the old-fashioned feel. I like matte finishes and paper with a slight grainy texture, as well. Just me! Cerulean

dantarot	25 Jun 2005
Well so far one "vote" for each. I'm not good with choices!!!!

PlatinumDove	25 Jun 2005
I don't know....I like the satin, because it doesn't slip so easily, but on the other hand, a slightly thicker and more durable cardstock is always better. I'm having problems with my mini Hanson Roberts right now because the cardstock doesn't hold up to my shuffling.

HearthCricket	25 Jun 2005
Not sure. Glossy can hold up longer, and has a sort of finished look to it, though I find myself chasing my Gendron deck around the table, being so slippery! Lately I have been hooked in Lo Scarabeo decks, which are mostly satin, and I like the feel. I do worry about how well some will hold up. I sort of wish there was an inbetween! Maybe one of each? lol

Nina*	25 Jun 2005
I prefer the finish like the one on the Morgan Greer - don't know if it is 'satin' or 'glossy' though...?!? xxx Nina

Lee	25 Jun 2005
The Morgan-Greer along with all USGames, Llewellyn, and Lo Scarabeo decks would be considered satin. Voyager, Glastonbury, Cosmic Tribe are some examples of glossy. -- Lee

prudence	26 Jun 2005
Favorite finish of all time, Sakki Sakki...it's not too shiny, not too slippery, but not at all dull. It, imho, is perfect.

OakDragon	26 Jun 2005
I chose the satin finish for the Tarot of Dreams based on instinct, but I'm glad to hear US Games, LS, et al use a satin finish because that's what I would have chosen had I known, also.

Nina*	26 Jun 2005
Lee wrote: The Morgan-Greer along with all USGames, Llewellyn, and Lo Scarabeo decks would be considered satin. Voyager, Glastonbury, Cosmic Tribe are some examples of glossy. Thank you, Lee :) then I know (as I have both the Morgan Greer and the Voyager - certainly very different in finish). xxx Nina

Sulis	26 Jun 2005
I prefer satin, can't stand glossy cards. Love Sulis xx

shadowdancer	26 Jun 2005
I hope you have got a good stock of the satin finish there guys...lol Looks like I am in a very small minority here with the gloss request :) I think either way they are going to be great Davina

HearthCricket	26 Jun 2005
Lee wrote: The Morgan-Greer along with all USGames, Llewellyn, and Lo Scarabeo decks would be considered satin. Voyager, Glastonbury, Cosmic Tribe are some examples of glossy. -- Lee So things like the Gendron are considered satin, even though they are far more glossy and slippery than any Lo Scarabeo deck I have?

tinkerbell	26 Jun 2005
i also have opted for the glossy finish. i tend to be quite tough on my cards when shuffling and the thicker cardstock aspect of the glossy appealed more to me. with either finish, i will struggle to shuffle the cards as they are a much larger size than my robin wood or universal waite "regulars"! gotta give them a go though!! (can't wait!) love tink x

Lee	26 Jun 2005
HearthCricket wrote: So things like the Gendron are considered satin, even though they are far more glossy and slippery than any Lo Scarabeo deck I have? Hi HearthCricket, whatever the differences between various satin decks may be, the distinction will be clear if you compare them to the shiny, highly reflective finishes of glossy decks like Cosmic Tribe, etc. The Inner Child deck is another glossy one I just thought of. -- Lee

dantarot	26 Jun 2005
Shadowdancer raises a good point. While I like the satin feel of the Gilded Tarot I found the stock to be too flimsy, which makes me want to opt for the thicker stock (which is glossy). However, I really find my Voyager deck to feel sticky and hard to work with (as a thick stock glossy). Why couldn't they have thicker stock that was satin?!

cirom	26 Jun 2005
dantarot wrote: Why couldn't they have thicker stock that was satin?! And why not indeed.. I guess its simply a question of economics and practicality. The more variables of choice the more a print run has to be divided and raises the production cost, plus the risk of being left with unsold inventory, as all the variables presumably would not be equal in demand or preference. During the production process I considered the numerous options based on the various opinions I'd heard on these forums, including... Borders or no borders. Illustrated or non illustrated minors, Larger cards to better show the artwork or smaller to be easier to handle. Matt, satin or gloss, regular or more rigid stock were all legitamate options, each with their own supporters. But as I suggested before the economics unfortunately dictate that the choices have to be limited. To the extent that up to now I don't believe a choice was offered. Some people have asked my opinion of which finish prior to their ordering, which to be honest I'm loath to give, nevertheless I have provided the following response to help them make a decision. Re - The finish of the cards. The satin version on regular stock. Pros. Less reflective surface (For those who would find that distracting) Cons. While the stock is the same as most decks, the fact that the cards are considerably larger may "feel" thinner. Reference of a similar finish would be Tarot of Prague (not as shiney as the Llewellyn or Lo Scarabeo decks) Gloss on more rigid stock. Pros. The extra thickness and the liquid varnish on both side results in a card with more "click" to it. This additional strength would be a consideration if you intended to use the cards a lot. i.e. for professional readings. The shinier surface also adds more vibrancy to the colours. Cons, as stated above. The shinier surface may be distracting to some, and more slippery for shuffling. Similar finish would be Glastonbury Voyager Cosmic Tribe Based on the orders to date, I'd say its 60/40 in favor of the Glossy.

Lee	27 Jun 2005
Just to add a bit to Ciro's post, I know that Ciro cares very deeply about this project and wanted very much to offer some kind of choice to purchasers. It's important to him that the Tarot of Dreams experience be as positive and fulfilling as possible for anyone who buys it. He has already spent more time, energy and money than is practical in making this particular choice available, more than I would have spent, frankly. As far as which choice to make, I wouldn't stress about it. Either way, you're getting a quality product! :) -- Lee

shadowdancer	27 Jun 2005
Exactly.,..lol a point I made earlier. :) I think we have to take our hats of here at the fact there is so much choice available. Otherwise I will start to think we may be becoming too picky and selfish when someone does go out of their way to help by giving various options. Just my two pennyworth Davina

Ace	27 Jun 2005
dantarot wrote: I am thinking of buying the new Tarot of Dreams deck and there are two finish choices: satin or glossy on somewhat thicker stock. Any suggestions? I don't know the deck, but if you plan to read with it: Thicker stock is better. If you just like to look at it, it matters less, IMHO. Ace

wizzle	28 Jun 2005
THanks for the clairification Ciro. It's all a matter of degree. I'm into "click" and will go with glossy.

Cielo	28 Jun 2005
The finish I love the most is the one on the Radiant Rider Waite, it's very glossy but easy to shuffle, and best of all, easy to wipe off sticky fingers!! I have always really liked that!!!!! Wish the other cards came with that option!! :) I agree that the Sakki-Sakki also has a good finish, although not shiny and glossy. Still very nice finish, though.

Tarot Sparrow	29 Jun 2005
I opted for the satin, just personal preference. Just thought I'd add that another con to glossy decks, at least for me, is if you handle them a lot your fingerprints get on them and can be quite visible, which just adds to the distraction for me. I suppose this can be avoided if you hold the cards at the edges, but at times I feel my more glossy decks need cleaning, and with a larger card stock it is more difficult for me to avoid touching the fronts and backs of the cards during shuffling/handling. Just my two cents.

The which finish do you prefer? thread was originally posted on 25 Jun 2005 in the Tarot Decks board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Decks, or read more archived threads.