In the tarot world, every deck tells a story. And Kickstarter, a haven for indie creators and passionate backers, has become the hotspot for discovering the most exceptional, artistic, and innovative tarot decks.
With a fusion of ancient wisdom and contemporary artistry, these decks are more than just a divination tool. They’re a testament to the boundless creativity of the tarot community.
But with so many options, deciding which decks are worth trying can be overwhelming.
In this article, we’ll showcase the best Kickstarter tarot decks that have been successfully funded.
Key Takeaways
- Successful campaigns combine captivating artwork, concepts, and designs
- Importance of meticulous planning, engaging marketing, and communication with backers
- Creators must showcase passion and commitment to establish genuine connections
- Well-executed campaigns enable creators to share imaginative tarot decks with the world
Contents
What Makes Tarot Decks Perfect for Crowdfunding on Kickstarter?
Tarot decks are an ideal fit for Kickstarter because the platform help to align the interests and goals of both creators and backers:
Unique Art and Design
Tarot decks are essentially a collection of art, allowing creators to showcase their artistic skills and vision. This resonates with the Kickstarter community, which values originality, creativity, and innovation.
Niche Appeal
Tarot and oracle cards appeal to a specific audience interested in spirituality, self-reflection, and personal growth. Kickstarter makes it easier for creators to market their decks and connect with potential backers who share their passion, as there is already existing interest.
Customization and Collaboration
Kickstarter campaigns offer creators an opportunity to involve backers in the creative process.
This collaborative aspect appeals to both creators and backers.
Collectability
Tarot enthusiasts often appreciate the opportunity to add unique, limited-edition decks to their collections. Kickstarter campaigns typically offer special editions, add-ons, or exclusive features.
So, if your campaign offers something like this, it can greatly appeal to tarot collectors and enthusiasts, encouraging them to back the project to obtain a special edition of the deck.
How Crowdfunding a Tarot Deck Works on Kickstarter
Crowdfunding successfully involves several steps.
Test Your Product and Target Audience
At LaunchBoom, we like calling this “adopting a testing mindset.” You can’t just launch a product blindly. According to GreenBook Directory, the top reasons why new products fail include:
- Inadequate assessment of the marketing climate
- Targeting the wrong group
- Using a weak positioning strategy
So, even if you’re the best in marketing but nobody wants your product, you’re doing zero work.
See our article here on why testing and validating your product quickly is so important.
“The framework is simple. Build an experiment. Measure the data. Learn from the data.”
Build Your Audience
You should build your audience before you launch. Building a highly qualified pre-launch email list significantly increases your chances of success on launch day.
When you create an email list of individuals who have expressed interest in your product, you can effectively gauge demand, generate buzz, and create anticipation for your launch.
Use the $1 reservation strategy and a reservation funnel to build your pre-launch email list. Here’s how the reservation funnel works (see image):
Alt: Reservation funnel
“Simply put, reservations are 30x more likely to purchase when we launch than non-reservations.”
Launch Your Campaign
As you launch your tarot deck campaign, you should have a strategic approach in place.
This will ensure that your project gains traction right from the start and builds momentum throughout its duration. Here are a few key strategies to help your campaign take off:
Emphasize the First 24 Hours
The initial day of your campaign plays a crucial role in determining its overall success. By achieving a strong start, you create a positive buzz around your project and encourage more backers to join in.
Make sure to have a well-planned launch, engage with your audience, and promote your campaign heavily during the first 24 hours.
NOTE: If you exceed your funding goal within the first 24-48 hours, Kickstarter may take notice and favor your project. This could result in your campaign being featured in their newsletter.
The Kickstarter algorithm is designed to promote projects that have already demonstrated success.
Leverage Your Existing Network
Reach out to friends, family, and colleagues. Ask them to share your campaign on their social media platforms or directly contribute. This helps increase your campaign’s visibility and also adds credibility.
Consistent Promotion
While the first 24 hours are vital, maintain a consistent promotional effort throughout the campaign.
Share regular updates on your project’s progress, engage with backers, and continue spreading the word across various marketing channels.
Our Picks: Top 10 Best Kickstarter Tarot Decks
Most Funded Tarot Deck on Kickstarter
Brand: Publishing Goblin — The Alleyman’s Tarot
Backers: 19273
Average Pledge Per Backer: $73
Funded: $1,404,028
Goal: $85,000
Dates: Apr 13th – May 13th (31 days)
This campaign is a perfect definition of success. It got funded 1652% of the goal.
This one-of-a-kind tarot deck is an eclectic masterpiece. It’s crafted through the collaboration of numerous artists, with cards sourced from real-world tarot decks, original creations, and older tarot decks now in the public domain.
As a testament to its exclusivity, the Alleyman’s Tarot will only ever have a single printing, making it an exceptional display piece and a distinctive tool for divinatory practices.
Best Literature-Based Tarot Deck on Kickstarter
Brand: Brink Literary Project — The Literary Tarot
Backers: 11366
Average Pledge Per Backer: $70
Funded: $792,946
Goal: $80,000
Dates: Jun 1st – Jun 30th (30 days)
This tarot deck is the product of a collaboration between renowned authors and cartoonists. They have paired each of the 78 tarot cards with a classic literary work that embodies the essence of the arcana.
The Literary Tarot brings together the worlds of classic literature and tarot in an innovative and engaging way. The deck’s creators paid attention to every detail, including renaming the suits of the Minor Arcana to align with literary themes.
Also, the cards are printed on premium heavyweight stock with gold foil inlays on both sides, ensuring a high-quality, luxurious feel.
Best Botanical Tarot Deck on Kickstarter
Brand: Botanica — Language of Flowers
Backers: 9621
Average Pledge Per Backer: $76
Funded: $730,789 of $30,000
Dates: Apr 14th – May 7th (24 days)
This campaign had an unorthodox funding graph, with most of the funding coming on the last day.
The Botanica Tarot comes in three stunning editions: The Herbalist, The Alchemist, and The Enchanter, with varying levels of embellishment and exclusivity.
The accompanying booklet identifies the plants and objects on each card and elucidates their symbolic meanings. This allows you to harness the wisdom of the natural world and unlock the secrets within the cards.
The deck encourages you to familiarize yourself with its intricacies, meditate on its symbols, and unlock the profound insights hidden within.
Quickest Funded Tarot Deck on Kickstarter
Brand: Weird Works — The Adventurer’s Tarot
Backers: 7631
Average Pledge Per Backer: $32
Funded: $245,165
Goal: $2,000
Dates: Jan 15th – Feb 1st (17 days)
This campaign was fully funded in 90 minutes.
This deck features a robust, anti-scratch lamination and ultra-thick cardstock, guaranteeing a high-quality, long-lasting product.
What’s more? The base deck includes an impressive 102 cards, providing an extensive range of classes, adversaries, and monsters to immerse players in their adventures. The pricing of this unique deck is undoubtedly worth the investment, given its unparalleled quality and functionality.
Best Traditional Tarot Deck on Kickstarter
Brand: Wyrmwood Gaming — Corrupted
Backers: 7952
Average Pledge Per Backer: $85
Funded: $679,027
Goal: $10,000
Dates: Oct 19th – Oct 31st (13 days)
Each of the 78 cards in the deck offers a unique fusion of vivid imagery and symbolism, guiding the reader through the Major and Minor Arcana.
The Major Arcana, comprising 22 cards, represents life’s spiritual and karmic lessons, while the 56 Minor Arcana cards echo the daily trials and tribulations we all face.
This Kickstarter campaign offers quality and craftsmanship, with each card’s intricate artwork and design leaving you in awe.
Best Mythical Tarot Deck on Kickstarter
Brand: Bargelonne Games — Cthulhu Dark Arts
Backers: 3307
Average Pledge Per Backer: €65
Funded: €215,342
Goal: €35,000
Dates: Oct 29th – Dec 3rd (36 days)
This tarot deck is inspired by the Cthulhu Mythos.
This larger-than-usual tarot deck (3.35″ x 6.50″ | 85×165 mm) is printed on high-quality OldMill Avorio paper (350 gr), offering a blend of flexibility and rigidity. The R’lyeh edition, a limited silk-screen printed version, adds a touch of exclusivity and artistic craftsmanship to your collection.
You get to choose from the standard Cthulhu Dark Arts Tarot deck or opt for the Miskatonic and R’lyeh pledge tiers, which come packed with Kickstarter-exclusive components such as:
- 160-page softcover book
- A black cotton drawstring bag
- A magnetic box with hot stamping metal print
- 14 Fine Arts prints
- 4 enamel pins
Best Story-Themed Tarot Deck on Kickstarter
Brand: Shin Haenuli — Wandering Spirit
Backers: 1477
Average Pledge Per Backer: $177
Funded: $262,060
Goal: $13,000
Dates: May 1st – May 31st (30 days)
Born out of Nunu’s journey battling depression and grief, the characters of the girl and the skeleton have found their way into the world of tarot.
The Wandering Spirit Tarot Cards are priced competitively. They are accompanied by supplementary items, like a guidebook, magnetic box, art book, sealing wax stamp, reading cloth, tote bag, tapestry, enamel pins, and a vegan leather bag.
The campaign also offers a special Mystic Wandering Spirit dress, a collaboration between American indie brand Mossbadger and Haenuli’s Wandering Spirit tarot deck.
Best Puzzle Adventure Tarot Deck on Kickstarter
Brand: PostCurious — A Light in the Mist
Backers: 3734
Average Pledge Per Backer: $42
Funded: $158,052
Goal: $20,000
Dates: Sep 21st – Oct 19th (28 days)
Designed to be played solo or cooperatively in a small group, this intriguing game offers over five hours of non-linear gameplay and choose-your-own-path adventures.
You’ll need to manipulate cards, uncover hidden messages, and solve logic and word problems to unravel the deck’s secrets and navigate the mysterious mist.
A remarkable aspect of The Light in the Mist is its focus on accessibility and inclusivity, with puzzles that cater to players of all experience levels.
Best Playing Card Tarot Deck on Kickstarter
Brand: Luna Charlotte — the Octopus Tarot
Backers: 3095
Average Pledge Per Backer: $65 CAD
Funded: $202,616 CAD
Goal: $12,000 CAD
Dates: Oct 8th – Nov 7th (31 days)
Luna Charlotte, the artist behind the project, meticulously crafted an Octopus Tarot and Playing Card Deck infused with magic and allure.
However, if you’re not into tarot, you can opt for the playing card variation, which retains the mesmerizing art without the tarot elements. The cards are available in standard and pocket-sized editions, catering to your preferences.
Best Oracle Tarot Deck on Kickstarter
Brand: James R. Eads — Cosma Visions Oracle Deck
Backers: 5896
Average Pledge Per Backer: $115
Funded: $676,629
Goal: $35,000
Dates: Aug 11th – Sep 10th (30 days)
The Cosma Visions Oracle Kickstarter campaign has a unique and enchanting 78-card deck that weaves a tale of the soul’s journey through life, death, and rebirth.
The cards are printed on high-quality, acid-free paper with a labradorite holographic blue edge. Then the fliptop clamshell box is adorned with holographic accents, adding a touch of magic to the experience.
A notable aspect of this campaign is the range of additional products and rewards available for backers, including an extensive 400-page hardcover expansion book for $25
Where Can You Buy Kickstarter Tarot Decks?
You can purchase tarot decks in several ways:
During the Active Campaign
You can support the project on Kickstarter itself and choose a pledge level that includes the tarot deck as a reward.
Online Marketplaces/Creators’ Website
Once the campaign is over and the decks are produced, the creators may sell them through their websites, online marketplaces like Etsy or Amazon, or through specialized retailers of tarot decks and metaphysical items.
Search for these places by typing tarot decks + shop on Google. For example, The Alleyman’s Tarot + shop.
Alt: Tarot decks on Etsy
Remember that availability varies depending on the project’s success and the creators’ distribution plans.|
What These Successful Tarot Deck Campaigns Have in Common
Engaging Artwork and Unique Concept
A visually appealing and distinctive tarot deck will likely capture potential backers’ attention. Creators often spend considerable time developing their art style and concept to ensure it stands out from the competition.
One successful creator said, “I spent over 600 hours creating the deck and another 200 hours with the Kickstarter campaign, production, and marketing.”
Regular Updates and Communication
Keeping backers informed about the project’s progress helps build trust and maintain engagement.
Successful campaigns often share regular updates on their Kickstarter page and social media platforms, addressing any questions or concerns backers may have.
Alt: The Light in the Mist – A Tarot Puzzletale campaign update
Strong Start
From the graphs provided for each campaign, almost all of them gained significant momentum in the first 24-48 hours.
This early success led to increased visibility on Kickstarter, potentially attracting more backers and even catching the attention of Kickstarter’s promotional algorithms.
Wrapping Up
The world of tarot decks on Kickstarter is a thriving and exciting space.
The combination of enchanting artwork, captivating concepts, and innovative designs has led to numerous successful campaigns.
But remember, being skilled at creating amazing tarot decks doesn’t necessarily mean you possess the same level of expertise when it comes to marketing.
That’s why it’s important to consult with experts who specialize in crowdfunding and can help you bring your project to life. Talk to our experts at LaunchBoom to learn how to make your
campaign a success.
