Production Update - April 2024
8 months ago – Mon, Apr 08, 2024 at 01:12:45 PM

Hello esteemed backers!

First of all, we've been radio silent as we prepare for Beetle Backs production and the launching of the BackerKit Survey. The last few months have been very eventful in the world of playing cards. Some industry wide developments have affected many card producers and projects, and The Beetle Backs' timeline is no different. 

Cartamundi Announcing Suspension of Custom Playing Cards Production.

The biggest development affecting the timeline is the indefinite closure of Cartamundi's Custom Playing Cards Production arm. As a long time lover of Cartamundi products, it's especially saddening and disappointing to see this development come to pass. The issues with Cartamundi began in the late summer of 2023 with the announcement that Cartamundi were suspending custom playing cards production until (at the time) the new year. We ran the Beetle Backs campaign with the knowledge and hope that Cartamundi's timetable would allow for us to print the decks with Cartamundi, as I've done with every TGW release thus far. HOWEVER, additional delays occurred and sample decks were not prepared until almost February 2024. The samples, once received, were also of unsatisfactory quality. This, in conjunction with continued problems (this time with the debossing roller responsible for applying the linen texture on the cards), forced Cartamundi to indefinitely suspend Custom Playing Cards production. With no foreseeable timetable we are forced to look for other solutions with Beetle Backs printing.

We Have A Solution.

Luckily, we have already established a great back up plan--thanks to our ongoing Goldsmith project which was also negatively affected by Cartamundi's relocation and subsequent closure of the Custom Playing Cards Production arm of their business. WJPC, a trusted printer used by renown producers Stockholm17 and Thirdway Industries, has been chosen to print both Goldsmith and the Beetlebacks. Goldsmith production is well underway and we are preparing the artwork and files for Beetlebacks as I type this (The change in printing facilities necessitated some small alterations to the Beetlebacks artwork needed to maintain compatibility with WJPC's press systems and Widakk is working on those now). There may be some minor differences in the final product but rest assured that we will, of course, strive to make sure the artwork remains true to the vision that both Srdjan and I had for this deck release--mostly the changes affect the borders of the cards where the WJPC templates have stricter guidelines and tolerances for the artwork. 

The Biggest Challenge.

Perhaps, the largest challenge we will face--in regards to EU backers--is the new logistical reality that the decks will now have to be imported into Europe from China rather than assembled in the EU. This may present some issues for us with regards to VAT and duties. We will do our 100% best to try and absorb all of this and mitigate any possible ramifications this may have for EU backers but this is a new endeavor for the TGW and there may be some learning curves along the way. I can only hope everyone is patient with us as we try to work out these issues. We are still far away from fulfillment but we will certainly keep on eye on this and report all developments to you. 

Production Carries On.

Studio Pression in France has begun the process of preparing the Tuck Boxes for Beetle Backs. The Beetle Backs coins are already finished and sitting at Gambler's Warehouse. Wyrmwood has already begun production on the Deck Displays as well.

The BackerKit Survey is almost ready.

With the Cartamundi dust finally having settled, we're now concentrating on preparing the BackerKit Survey, which we anticipate will be ready later this month. Backers will be able to add additional items to their orders. In addition we will be launching our pre-order store for those who might have missed the KS campaign altogether. We expect the smoketest to go out to a few backers as soon as next week. We will report back once that's ready to go!

We hope you will continue with us on this fantastic--if challenging--journey! We know that the end product will be worth all of the trials and tribulations. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. 

Best,

TGW

Happy New Year!
11 months ago – Mon, Jan 08, 2024 at 09:08:00 AM

Hello Beetle Backers!

Hope you all had a wonderful end to 2023 and wishing you an amazing 2024! On the Beetlebacks front things have started well, if slowly. The funds were transfered from KS a bit later than usual due to the holidays but we have now received the funding, minus the KS and processing fees. We are currently waiting for Cartamundi to ramp back up after the new year in order to get the final invoices for the cards production. Once we have that locked in, we will also place orders for the tuck boxes that correspond. Orders have already been placed and paid for the Beetle Backs coins. Now it's just a waiting game! It's still very early in the cycle but we hope things will move quickly and smoothly!

In the meantime, the preparation of the post-campaign surveys has begun. We will be using Backerkit as we have on all previous TGW campaigns. I hope to have the back end finished by the end of the month so that the survey smoke-tests can be executed in time for all the surveys to go out in masse by February. This will give backers a chance to finalize their pledges and add some additional goodies to their orders. Also, at that time, for any one who missed the campaign or simply wants to get involved a bit later we will be opening the pre-order store for NON-backers. These orders will likely be fulfilled commensurately or just after the campaign is fulfilled. Note that prices will be a bit higher since special pricing is in effect during the campaigns. 

In any event, I'll report back again once we have more information and news!

NEW YEARS GIFT

FINALLY, as a gift for the new year and in thanks for being loyal TGW backers, here's a 20% off coupon code for TheGentlemanWake.com. It's good until Jan 22nd! Promo code: THANKS2024

Thanks again,

Best,

TGW

We did it! The Beetle Backs are a success!
12 months ago – Sat, Dec 09, 2023 at 02:26:33 PM

The Beetle Backs have FUNDED!!

I want to take this moment to thank every single one of you amazing backers for your support in making this project a reality! We know times are tough and the fact that we were still able to achieve the amazing numbers we did is an absolute blessing!

THANK YOU!

What's Next? A Tentative Timeline.

Now the process to get you these cards begins! We have to take care of a few logistical and procedural things then start getting orders into manufacturers! This is a timeline of what's going to happen next to expect.

December 9th (Today) to January 2024:

• Kickstarter will collect your pledges. For many of you this has already happened. If the pledge is honored, and payment collected, you get a confirmation via email.
• Failed Payments. For a small number of you there may be some issues surrounding the collection of your pledges (cancelled cards, declined transactions, expired cards, etc.) that result in failed payments. Luckily Kickstarter provides backers ample time (1 week) to remedy the situation. You'll see a big red band at the top of your Kickstarter webpage letting you know you have to correct the issue. This happens often.  Sometimes banks will flag transactions made in unusual currency as suspicious, and the bank blocks payment.  Kickstarter will also send you an email saying that letting you know that your pledge was not collected and will guide you in rectifying the issue. In some cases you may need to call your bank and authorize the transaction. If, after one week, Kickstarter cannot collect the pledge, your pledge will be cancelled. HOWEVER...
• BACKERKIT allows backers with failed payments to fix the issue during the survey in early 2024.

December 22nd, 2023:

• Kickstarter will release campaign funds to us. This is when we will also begin to send Backerkit surveys out to all of you to backers so that you can confirm your pledge tier, all of your existing add-ons, and add new ones if you like.  You will enter your initial shipping address. Don't worry if you plan on moving. You will have plenty of time to adjust/change your address before they are confirmed and locked.
• Another chance to add Beetle Backs products  - During post-campaign Backerkit survey we will give backers a chance to add-on additional Beetle Backs products. 
• Late Backers.  For folks who wish to support the campaign and were late to the party there's hope! During the survey stage we will also open a pre-order store that will allow late backers an opportunity to order all items at a slightly increased price.
• New Add-Ons and Stretch Goals. Stretch goals that were not reached during the campaign will be honored if reached during the pre-order/post-campaign survey stage. I will keep making updates on the campaign so stay tuned!
• Production - Once the campaign funds have been collected, we begin placing orders with our manufacturers and making payments for services. Some items will immediately go into production, other orders will see manufacturers guarantee us a spot in their current production schedule. We already have reservations with a few manufacturers, including Cartamundi, with hopes that production will go by smoothly and quickly.

Spring 2024 to Winter 2024 (and hopefully sooner!) :

• Shipping to Fulfillment Centers - We'd hope to have all of the components completed and shipped to our fulfillment partners Gambler's Warehouse and Deallez Fulfillment by December 2024 the latest. Because the items are shipping from overseas we must be cautious regarding our timeline, since as many of you are aware, the reliability of international production/shipping has been affected in recent years.
• Shipping to Backers - After GW/Deallez receives all of the items at their warehouses, they are packed and prepared. We expect fulfillment to begin two weeks after all items have been received. The fulfillment of a Kickstarter campaign can take anywhere between 2-5 weeks depending on shipping schedules and fulfillment center bandwidth.

Finally, new endeavors soon!

This has been quite a journey, and we are excited to get these products in your hands as soon as possible!

Thank you again!

Best regards,

TGW

The LEGACY Unlocked? YES, in a way!
12 months ago – Mon, Nov 27, 2023 at 07:50:28 AM

The Legacy Edition is UNLOCKED!

We hope everyone had a fantastic weekend full of feasting and family and fun. The campaign is going strong but we want to keep momentum flowing! We are so very close to the 500% Stretch Goal unlock which includes two separate goals. (1) The unlocking of the Black and Gold Borders for the Prestige Limited Edition seen below, and (2) the subsequent unlocking of the Legacy Limited Edition which is to include features like gold gilded edges, a gold on gold tuck box AND the very same cards, including the Black and Gold Borders, found on the upgraded Prestige Limited Edition. HOWEVER, we are UNLOCKING the Legacy Limited Edition effective immediately with one caveat; The Black and Gold borders remain locked until 500%.

We anticipate that backers adding on the new Legacy Limited Edition will push the campaign past 500% funding and ultimately achieve the desired vision for the Legacy/Prestige Limited Editions.  The new Legacy Limited Edition will be available as an add-on to all reward tiers for $35 each. No limit on the number available to add-on. Simply navigate to the campaign home page and select 'manage my pledge' from the top of the page. When prompted reselect your current reward tier and then select from the available add-ons list. 

Once again, Completionist and Prototype Tier backers need not do anything to have the deck added to your pledge UNLESS backers in those tiers want to add a second copy or more. 

The original classic gold border design will remain on The Dynastinae and Prism Limited Editions giving those decks a unique look from the Prestige/Legacy Limited Editions.

ON TO THE HOME STRETCH!

We hope that the campaign will continue to see momentum and move out and beyond 500%. The 600% stretch goal is especially exciting since it will bring an upgrade to the Prism edition; prismatic foil on the faces of the cards. In the meantime the best way to help us achieve this unlock is to SPREAD THE WORD! In fact, to incentivize everyone to get the word out on The Beetle Backs we want to offer a contest! Simply upload your favorite picture(s) of the Beetle Backs campaign to any social media platform (Facebook, Instagram or Twitter) with the hashtag #BeetleBacks and one lucky winner will receive a signed Beetle Backs Prototype!

Cyber Monday special on TheGentlemanWake.com!

And if you are interested in catching up on previous Gentleman Wake campaigns and releases, or just want to get some extras to gift to family during the holidays, you will be happy to know that TheGentlemanWake.com is offering 20% off store wide (except on uncut sheets and pre-orders). Simply use promo code PRESTIGE at check out! You can save up to $100 on a Successor Sarcophagus Box Set!

Thank you all again for being an amazing community! Your support is invaluable! Let's get those borders unlocked!

Best,

TGW

On to the next goal!
12 months ago – Fri, Nov 24, 2023 at 11:50:48 AM

On to the next goal!

Hope all of our USA backers had a beautiful Thanksgiving holiday! We have a lot to be grateful for including a spectacular launch of The Beetle Backs Prism Limited Edition with all 150 Add-On copies sold out almost immediately. If you missed out on the add-on there's still hope. For one thing The Prism is STILL AVAILABLE as part of the Completionist or Prototype tiers.  And, hopefully soon, those tiers will have an additional unlock to boast about; The Beetle Backs Legacy Limited Edition!

Unlocked at 500% funding, The Legacy is a gorgeous offering featuring gold gilded edges, spectacular black and gold bordered faces and a stunning gold tuck box with three tones of gold foil embossing. We are already more than 70% of the way from 400% to 500% funding; less than $6.5K away! So if you love what you see consider upping your pledge or making a few extra add-ons, like the new Beetle Backs uncut sheets of cards (see further below) to get to the unlock even faster! 

Once we reach the goal, I will announce a date and time for the opening up of the add-ons at least 36 hours in advance. There is no limit to the number of Legacy decks a backer can add, once unlocked, although only 1500 will ever be made.   

 The Beetle Backs Uncut Sheets of Cards Add-On is now available!

Although we don't have images of the uncut sheets to show you we do have example images of the uncut sheets for our previous campaign, The Successor. The Beetle Backs Uncut Sheets Add-ons will feature the same gorgeous artwork found on each edition but in an uninterrupted uncut sheet ideal for framing and collecting! Prices vary between editions. Please visit the Add-On page for more information by selecting the 'manage my pledge' option from the top of the campaign homepage and then re-selecting your current tier to be prompted to make add-ons!

Black Friday special on TheGentlemanWake.com!

And if you are interested in catching up on previous Gentleman Wake campaigns and releases, or just want to get some extras to gift to family during the holidays, you will be happy to know that TheGentlemanWake.com is offering 20% off store wide (except on uncut sheets and pre-orders). Simply use promo code PRESTIGE at check out! You can save up to $100 on a Successor Sarcophagus Box Set!

Thank you all again for being an amazing community! Your support is invaluable!

Best,

TGW