Another Update from the Printer
over 4 years ago
– Wed, Jul 01, 2020 at 07:25:36 PM
Hey folks, I hope everyone is staying safe and having fun where you can. Just wanted to keep everyone in the loop regarding Blackout cards printing. Here is what I heard:
"Hi Taylor,
The order for the paper finally got released now that Embossing Plus has paid Midland, but haven’t got the paper yet from the mill. I have requested an update from the mill to see where its at and will let you know when I hear back from them. Will you be available during the day to come in and sign off on the proofs?"
I let him know that I'm available any day, and now I'm just waiting to hear back about when I can go in to sign off on the proofs.
On a different note, International pledges should start arriving relatively soon (These will only be Spectrum decks for now, obviously), once you get your deck, please let me know if you have any questions. I'm sending out a few first to make sure they're getting where they're going and to make sure they get there in good shape.
Thanks again everyone, Take care,
Taylor
Production Update
over 4 years ago
– Thu, Jun 11, 2020 at 11:18:33 PM
Hey everyone, I just want to keep you all in the loop. I reached out to the paper company today for a status update and got this just now.
"Hi Taylor,
Embossing Plus had a fairly large lay off of employees for a short period of time. They have plans to come back this week and can start working on jobs again including yours. I spoke with the owner over the past 2 weeks regularly to get any updates from him. Their check is in the mail now to get more paper on hand from us. We will set up a day for you to come in and do a press check once their schedule is sorted."
Fingers crossed that this blows over soon, and that I will be able to get these cards out soon. I'll keep you in the loop when I know more.
-Taylor
Summer Update
over 4 years ago
– Mon, Jun 01, 2020 at 12:11:46 AM
Hey everyone,
It's officially been over a year since the funding of this project, a milestone that I was hoping we would see AFTER everything had been shipped. However, life gets in the way; paper companies screw up orders, international pandemics happen, and injustice starts revolutions in your hometown. I believe that the strength of a good Kickstarter project is to be able to weather these unforeseen struggles and pull through with a quality product that will make everyone happy.
Okay, you can't make everyone happy, I've learned that.
Here's a brief update:
International shipping is almost ready to go, so those will start being sent out in the next week here, I believe we have all our ducks in a row on that one, just waiting for some final materials to arrive. As a reminder, this will begin with Spectrum (full color) only pledges, as I do not yet have the Blackout cards from the printer, which leads me to:
Blackout Decks: The cards are finally in production after what has been the most stressful year of back and forth emailing, phone calls, and in-person meetings with my paper company and the print shops they are using in the area for these cards. The last I had heard from my contact there was last week, and he said production was beginning. I don't know when I'll receive the cards, and at this point, I'm not going to guess. They'll get here when they get here, and once that happens it's full steam ahead until all of this paper is out of my living room and in yours. Shipping for Blackout Decks will begin with pledges - This means that if you backed the Kickstarter and pledged for a Blackout deck, whether that means just one Blackout deck, multiple Blackout decks, or a combination of Blackout and Spectrum, you will be receiving your decks at this point.
Pre-Orders: Thank you very much for supporting the project and showing interest in the deck, I will work to get these out as closely to alongside the Kickstarter orders as possible, but please know that Kickstarter pledges come first, and your decks will come shortly thereafter.
Retail Stores: Those of you who backed at the Retail tier will be receiving your decks alongside Kickstarter pledges. In some cases I will deliver them myself to save on shipping costs and to thank you in person, but for those of you who are significantly further away, I will be shipping these. There's only a few of you fine ladies and I believe you all know who you are. Thank you so much for your support and continued patience. I can't wait to get these decks onto your shelves this summer.
As always, if anyone has any questions, please feel free to message me here on Kickstarter.
Take care, stay safe,
- Taylor
P.S. Recently, as I'm sure many of you have heard, there has been unrest in my city, Minneapolis, as well as our state's capital, St. Paul, as well as many other major cities in the country. George Floyd did not deserve to die. He does, however, deserve to be remembered honorably. He deserves to have made an impact on the lives of others as he has done so in these recent days. I did not know George personally, and I cannot say for certain that I ever met him, but for close to two years I worked on Lake Street at a wonderful book store, and it would not surprise me if he had been a customer there. Sometimes it's difficult to see the news and remember that the 2D faces are actually people. People with lives, hopes, dreams, aspirations, and fears. People just like you. Just like George Floyd who moved to this city a few years ago. People who don't deserve to be senselessly killed in an act of racist aggression by the police instead of being given fair treatment. Nobody deserves that. George Floyd was killed because he was black, and because a racist cop decided his life didn't matter. Black lives matter.
A Brief Shipping Update
over 4 years ago
– Fri, May 08, 2020 at 04:53:02 AM
Hey everybody,
I've been getting a few messages and comments asking about shipping statuses. Due to the COVID-19 situation here in my state and city I have not been able to safely get ahold of shipping materials needed to send things out. In the meantime I have taken notes for those of you who had an issue with shipping addresses, or who have ordered decks or posters and are unsure of the status. I will be getting these out soon. My goal is to have everything ready for tomorrow, but they will be sent out by next week at the latest, now that some shops are reopening here.
For International Shippers: Once I can resume regular shipping (this coming week) I will be working on setting up and getting your orders out the door. These will be for International, Spectrum (full color) only right now. I still do not have the fixed cut sheets for the Black Cards, which I have been told are underway and should be done in the next couple of weeks, though I have not been given a date.
For anybody who ordered a Blackout deck, whether in the U.S. or Internationally, whether it includes a Spectrum deck as well, or a poster: If you have ordered a Blackout deck, your order will be sent all at one time, when I am able to ship out the Blackout decks, which means you will have to wait a bit longer than those backers who did not choose the Blackout deck, but trust me, it's going to be very much worth the wait.
If any of you have any specific questions, please feel free to reach out to me. The best way to do this is to send me a message here on Kickstarter.
Thank you everyone, have a great weekend! I will post another update when International Shipping begins in the next week or two.
-Taylor
Good News Again! - Blackout Reprint Underway
over 4 years ago
– Fri, Apr 03, 2020 at 04:29:10 PM
Salutations friends,
I got word today that the third (AND FINAL) run of the Blackout cards has been approved by the print shop and the coordinator. All of the pieces are in place, the files have been double checked, they have battened down their process for printing AND cutting, and together we are confident that this will be the last time these need to be reprinted. The printing should begin soon, though I do not yet have a date. I will drop that here when I've got it.
That's all I've got for now, take care everyone!
-Taylor
