Checking In.
I posted this on my other project, but someone pointed out that it did not get posted here. As far as the Black and Whites go, USPC is processing the artwork and will be sending me samples in the next two weeks. This project is moving a lot faster because I am not opting for special papers and such. Metallics yes, special tuck box paper, no.
Hey everyone, I've been posting responses to
people's comments and have gotten a lot of email asking where things are
at. I suppose it's better to address most of them here in a single
update and get it out to everyone instead of trickling information down
the pipeline as questions arise. First let me absolutely and honestly
apologize for the delays we've experienced in this project. Thank you
all for your support and patience.
I feel that some people may
need this next part, as perhaps they have not been on the journey as
long as some of you have. For those that have, perhaps you'll hear
something new that you were not aware of previously. Also, I am as
completely transparent as is absolutely possible without jeopardizing
any of my business relationships or business practices. I do not like to
place blame or pass the buck. The project has been delayed. A lot of
the initial delay was directly my fault: art wasn't done, made more
packaging decisions, etc. What is currently happening is a matter of
circumstance. All I can say is that USPC has changed vendors and we are
scurrying to get something corrected with the packaging. Once that is
done, the decks will be printed and shipped immediately to your
doorstep.
As many of you know this is my first official project
with Bicycle on my own and I am learning many new things about how to
work with them. As far as the project timeline goes from having been
funded over 7 months ago. I had not completed the artwork at that time
and thus had to do so. I've said it before and I'll say it again now: I
really did not expect funding to go through on my first go around, and
it was my thought that I would use Kickstarter to check interest. The
interest skyrocketed as did the backing and I got to work on those cards
post haste. I hand drew over 15 unique court card concepts and the Ace
of Spades and Jokers (18 cards at about 30-40hrs each) using original
ideas based on a Steampunk Aesthetic. Many of you were actually in my
live sessions watching the cards created. Once all that was done and
sent into USPC, the files got sent back to me to make some corrections.
While doing so, I discovered that I could create a custom brick box
(12pc - pack) using some of the overage from the campaign. I thought
this would be a great idea so I made one and the whole process
practically started all over. Then we went into paper and ink testing,
first making sure that the cards would be printed correctly and the
first run was not to my specifications so we had to have the samples
reprinted. Between all of that there was about 6-7 days of time between
when I could work with my reps and they could send me more samples to
approve or not. Let's say we went a few rounds there. I am not slacking
on quality so I kept making them redo things to get it just right.
Anyway after the ink testing was done an issue came up because the paper
stock that I decided to use for the tuck boxes could not be printed in
house. This now meant that a third party vendor would have to print test
samples and send them to myself and USPC and make sure that they would
run in USPC's assembly process. (more time) I think you are starting to
get the picture here. No one is dragging their feet, we are all just
learning what we need to do to create amazing decks that you will all
love and cherish.
Anyway long story short here's where we're at:
The packaging that was printed for this deck was wrong, very wrong, and
you wouldn't have liked it if I sent it to you in that packaging. Trust
me, I know. The situation is being corrected, but it requires more time
to accommodate my specifications. If you have any questions please
don't hesitate to ask in the comments section below. I am most
definitely still here and I can feel the excitement that all of you have
for this deck. I am humbled by your patience and understanding and am
working with USPC almost every other day at this point to get this
wrapped up.
Most humble regards,
Lance T. Miller
577
Backers
$22,442
pledged of $14,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding period
Nov 4, 2011 -
Dec 4, 2011
(30 days)
- 2 created · 5 backed
- Lance T. Miller 1977 friends
- Website: lancetmiller.com
Pledge $1 or more
5 backers
Thank you email from the artist plus continual progress reports on the status of decks.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $7 or more
100 backers All gone!
First 100 Reward Tier (Black): First 100 people to pledge receive the Black deck at a special rate. **NO International Backers** There is a tier that is designed specifically for international backers that has shipping built in.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $7 or more
60 backers Limited (40 of 100 left)
First 100 Reward Tier (White): First 100 people to pledge receive the White deck at a special rate. **NO International Backers** There is a tier that is designed specifically for international backers that has shipping built in.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $7 or more
55 backers All gone!
The first 200 people to pledge will get the Black and White Actuators deck of their choice at a lower rate than anyone else! Want multiple? Just make the pledge amount you wish that covers how many decks you would like to receive. Free Shipping to U.S. and Canada only.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $10 or more
36 backers
Single Deck 1 Steampunk Black and White deck of your choice. Shipping free only in the U.S. and Canada. *Don't forget, after the Kickstarter these decks will be 10 and then 3.95 shipping and handling for 1 deck. 3 or more decks are charged $6.*
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $13 or more
23 backers Limited (77 of 100 left)
** International ** First 100 Reward Tier (Black): First 100 people to pledge receive the Black deck at a special rate. International shipping included. **International Backers** This tier is designed specifically for international backers that has shipping built in.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $13 or more
14 backers Limited (86 of 100 left)
** International ** First 100 Reward Tier (White): First 100 people to pledge receive the White deck at a special rate. International shipping included. **International Backers** This tier is designed specifically for international backers that has shipping built in.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $13 or more
15 backers All gone!
International - Limited option for Single Deck The first 200 people to pledge will get the Black and White Actuators deck of their choice at a lower rate than anyone else! Want multiple? Just make the pledge amount you wish that covers how many decks you would like to receive. Free Shipping Internationally. *Don't forget, one deck usually costs 15.95 to ship internationally*
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $20 or more
165 backers
One Black Deck and One White Deck. Free Shipping US/Canada **NO International Backers**
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $30 or more
20 backers
One Black Deck and One White Deck. International Shipping Included. **International Backers Only**
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $30 or more
5 backers
1 Signed Black and White Actuators deck of your choice and a commemorative print. US shipping included, International shipping will apply
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $40 or more
19 backers
Two Black Decks and Two White Decks. Free Shipping US/Canada **NO International Backers**
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $50 or more
10 backers
Two Black Decks and Two White Decks. International Shipping Included. **International Backers Only**
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $50 or more
4 backers
3 Black or White decks of your choice decks, and a commemorative print. International shipping rate will apply.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $60 or more
9 backers
Three Black Decks and Three White Decks. Free Shipping US/Canada **NO International Backers**
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $70 or more
3 backers
Three Black Decks and Three White Decks. International Shipping Included. **International Backers Only**
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $75 or more
7 backers Limited (18 of 25 left)
Uncut sheet option 1 signed and numbered uncut sheet of your choice(not a choice on the number) and a matching signed deck. Shipping Free in the U.S. International shipping will be charged.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $95 or more
7 backers
The Brick option: 12 decks of your choice of the Black or White versions totalling 12. Shipping free in the U.S. and Canada.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2011Pledge $110 or more
9 backers
The Brick International option: 12 decks of your choice of the Black or White versions totalling 12. International Shipping included
Estimated delivery: Dec 2011Pledge $150 or more
0 backers
Collectors package: An uncut sheet of the Steampunk cards, a signed deck, an unsigned deck, an art print of any card in the deck (may also request from the color version) individually signed and numbered. Shipping is Free.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2011Pledge $150 or more
0 backers Limited (10 of 10 left)
Special collector's option: Individually signed Uncut sheet of choice (black or white option) out of the first 2-10 range or the end of the run 90 - 100. Shipping is Free.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2011Pledge $450 or more
3 backers Limited (1 of 4 left)
Retail Package 1: 72 Decks of your choice (Black or White) shipped anywhere. You can mix and match.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2011Pledge $750 or more
0 backers Limited (3 of 3 left)
The Ultimate Collector Package: (6 Total Items all with the same serial number of your choice between 2-100) 1 each of : Artist's Edition Actuators Deck (color version) from the original series • Artistit's Edition Actuators Uncut Sheet from the original series • Black Deck • Black Uncut Sheet • White Deck • White Uncut Sheet. YOU GET ALL THE SAME SERIAL NUMBER! (out of 2-100). Includes shipping to anywhere.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $800 or more
4 backers All gone!
Retail Package 2: 144 Decks of your choice (Black or White) shipped anywhere. You can mix and match.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2011Pledge $5,000 or more
1 backer All gone!
Retail Mega Pack! US Only 6 gross of your choice (black or white) can mix and match, 4 uncut sheets, exclusive link on my website.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012
Comments
Creator sgllama on February 1, 2012
@brian I also missed the project for the colour version - but I liked the look of them enough that I put in a pre-order at Lance's website - you can find the link at the bottom of the column at the right of this web page, just under Lance's bio. It'll be interesting to see when that turns up compared to the B&W version...
Creator Brian McCracken on February 1, 2012
Lance.....keep fighting the good fight ! The satisfaction of quality goods is much better than the bitter pill of accepting inferior product ( or something like that ). Anyway, got another question....How can i get a set of the color cards? I just discovered Kickstarter at the time i purchased the Black and White Edition.
Creator Bonnie Furlong on February 1, 2012
No worries from me! I understand the creative process and I understand wanting to get things right. Luckily I didn't have a date certain in my mind for receiving them, just every now and then I'd remember, "Ooh, I'm going to be getting those steampunk cards pretty soon." Delayed gratification is okay sometimes. Thanks for the update!
Creator A. Joseph on February 1, 2012
Thats the beauty of KS and backers! As long as your keeping us posted, we understand the delays and such involved (those of us that's been around for a while at least) with the risk of backing these projects on KS and not getting them at the Estimated Delivery date. Just get the best product out to us!
Creator Gwenaël Jacquet on February 1, 2012
Great, it's cool to hear from you. Thanks for this update, it explain a lot of thing. Just take your time and do the best product you can imagine. I am sur that I will be happy with the result no matter how long it take to arrive.
Creator Lance T. Miller on February 1, 2012
Wilfred, Thanks for your patience and understanding. I have just wrapped up all the pressing matters with the color version of the Actuators this past week. This week, I hope to have some samples mailed for the B&W variants. Once the samples are received and approved, I will be able to have a better idea on the ship date and will let everyone know in an update on this project. Along with final artwork post.
- Lance
Creator Wilfred Phua on February 1, 2012
Appreciate all the effort you're putting in Lance. What's a conservative ship date for US/Canada backers?
Creator Lance T. Miller on January 31, 2012
Hi Tim, I apologize for any misconception, but this is an offshoot of another project and thus was not getting all the updates. I mentioned on the description of this variation that I would be making most of my updates on the other project as it was the lead in with Bicycle. This project came as a demand from several hundred backers and enthusiasts that wanted to see a black and white variation. As this variation is contingent on accomplishing the first project, I have been updating on that project and I have not been silent. I am as transparent as I can possibly be with all of this and I am not passing the buck or making excuses. The project has been delayed but these decks are coming out. I am learning that in the future I need to add several months to the projected release date and then add several more to allow for the pitfalls that happen along the way and to leave time to complete marketing tasks prior to release.
- Lance
Creator Benjamin Strom on January 31, 2012
It's not the same deck, but I have the Gargoyles and they are one of the finest looking decks I have. I know that these will be the same.
Creator Tim Erickson on January 31, 2012
Wow, finally an update, after 2 months of silence.