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goo.gl/yB8bXA

PLAYING CARDS

DESIGN

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Part 1 - The Suits

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Part 1 - Create your suits

In Illustrator, design your suits

Create a new document that is:

4 in x 4 in�

Design all four suits�
Create a Symbol out of each.

Select all paths that make up one symbol.
In the symbol Panel, select New Symbol.��
Name each and use these settings → �

Save this document as Suits.ai

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Part 2 - Layout Suit 1

Set up one card.

Create a new document that is:

12 in x 18 in�

Draw a rectangle that is:

2.5 in x 3.5 in
.125 in corner radius�Use the Direct Selection Tool
No Fill Color

Draw a Rectangular Grid:

2.5 in x 3.5 in
11 Horizontal Dividers
7 Vertical Dividers�

Line up the Rectangular Grid and the Rectangle on top of each other.

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Part 2 - Layout Suit 1

Continued ...

Optional:

Change stroke weight of the grid to .25
Change the stroke color of the grid to grey�

Layers

Separate the card outline and grid onto two different layers.

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Part 2 - Layout Suit 1

Continued ...

Create 12 more copies

Option + Drag to maintain the correct layers
Each suit will have 13 cards (2-10, J, K, Q, A)�

Optional:

You can use the extra space at the bottom for Jokers. Typically, a deck of cards has 2 Jokers.�

Lock the Card Outline and Card Grid Layer layer and create a new layer.�
Save as Suit 1.ai

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Part 2 - Layout Suit 1

Continued ...

Make a new layer called “Design”.

Design your first card on the Design layer. It should be a 10 of one of your suits.�
Center align all text.�
Copy and paste one of the symbols from Suits.ai into this document to use in the design.�
Use the grids for consistency in the design.

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Part 2 - Layout Suit 1

Continued ...

Copy and paste this layout for 9, then copy and paste for 8, continue until you have cards designs for 10, 9, 8,7,6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.�
When you get to the face cards and the Ace, create a slightly different layout for these. See example.

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Part 2 - Layout Suit 1

Continued ...

Hide or Delete the Card Grid Layer

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Part 2 - Layout Suit 1

Continued ...

Add Registration Marks

File → Cutting Master 4 → Registration Marks�
Use these settings:��

File → Save.

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Part 3 - Suits 2, 3, 4

Create Suit 2, 3, and 4.

Open/Save Suit1.ai.�
File → Save As → Suit 2.ai�
In Suit 2.ai, edit the suit symbol.�
Make any necessary layout corrections (especially the face cards).�
Change any colors if necessary.�
File → Save.�
Repeat for suits 3 and 4.

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VIEW THE VIDEO IN

FULL SCREEN!

Part 4 - The Pattern

Create a pattern to print on the backside of the cards.

Create a New 12 x 18 document.
Save it as Pattern.ai
Copy and paste all 4 of your Suit Symbols into the document.
Arrange them as shown in the video�(minimize white space)
Select them all and choose �Object → Pattern → Make
Mess with the settings until you are happy with the results �(view video for more information)
Select Done when you are happy with your pattern.
Create a Rectangle that is 11 x 17.
Fill the rectangle with the pattern and center it on the page.
Save the document, you are done!

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Part 5 (Optional) - Save one sheet of paper

Combine the layouts to make room for the package design.

In the Layers Panel, turn on “Paste Remember Layers”.�
Make sure Layer 1 and Layer 2 are unlocked.�
Copy and paste 3 cards from Suit 4.ai into the layout for Suit1.ai, Suit2.ai and Suit3.ai. �Note: As long as your layers are named the same in each file, you will be able to paste the paths onto the correct layers.

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Part 5 (Optional) - Save one sheet of paper

Your layouts will look like this:

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Part 6 - Design the Package

Create the Cut and Fold Lines

If you combine your card pages, open the 4th page (with only 4 cards on it). Your package will fit in the open space. (See diagram to the right →)�
If you didn’t combine your card pages, open a new 12” x 18” document. Add registration Marks (see slide #10).�
Draw the cut and fold lines. See the next slide�for measurements.�
The fold lines need to be on a layer called�fold and the cut lines on a layer called cut.

OPEN SPACE FOR PACKAGE DESIGN

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Part 6 - Design the Package

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PLAYING CARDS

PRINTING

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ARE YOU READY?

☐ Required Elements

52 Cards, 4 Suits
Package Design
Back of Card Design (Full Page Pattern)

☐ Illustrator Files (5) - 12” x 18”

Page 1 - 16 Cards
Page 2 - 16 Cards
Page 3 - 16 Cards
Page 4 - 4 Cards + Package
Page 5 - Full Page Pattern

☐ Layers

Layers for Registration Marks
Design (all printed objects)
Cut (outlines of cards and outline of package)
Fold (only on package document)

If you have all the following, you are ready to move on ...

☐ Illustrator Files (6) - 12” x 18”

Page 1 - 13 Cards
Page 2 - 13 Cards
Page 3 - 13 Cards
Page 4 - 13 Cards
Page 5 - Package
Page 6 - Full Page Pattern

-OR-

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Printing Pages 1-4 (or 1-5) ...

PRINT FRONT OF CARDS

File → Open → Playing Cards Page 1. ai�
Hide the Cut and Fold Layers�
File → Print�
Printer → Canon Fiery 6008�
Media Size = Tabloid Oversize�
Click on Setup …�
A window pops up, hit continue

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Printing Pages 1-4 (1-5) ...

PRINT FRONT OF CARDS

Select Canon Fiery 6008�
Select Fiery Features �(Layout Pull Down Menu)�
Make sure 2-sided printing is OFF�
Choose Full Properties

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Printing Pages 1-4 (1-5) ...

PRINT FRONT OF CARDS

Select the Media Tab�
Paper Source = Multipurpose

Output Paper Size = 12” x 18”�
Media Type = Heavy 7�
Print!!! (Ok -- Print -- Print)�
Repeat for Pages 2, 3, and 4 (and 5).

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PRINTING PART 2 - DO NOT PRINT UNTIL GIVEN PERMISSION

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Rasterize the Pattern

The pattern will take a very long time to print, so you need to rasterize it first.�

File → Open → Pattern.ai�
Select your rectangle �containing the pattern.�
Go to Object → Rasterize

Choose CMYK and 300ppi�
Click OK

PRINT BACK OF CARDS

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Printing Pattern ...

File → Print�
Copies = 4�
Media Size = Tabloid Oversize�
Click on Setup …�
A window pops up, hit continue

PRINT BACK OF CARDS

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Printing Pattern ...

PRINT BACK OF CARDS

Copies = 4�
Select Fiery Features �(Layout Pull Down Menu)�
Make sure 2-sided Printing is OFF.�
Choose Full Properties

4

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Printing Artboard 5 ...

PRINT BACK OF CARDS

Click the Media Tab�
Paper Source = Multi-purpose Tray�
Paper Size = 12” x 18”�
Media Type = 2-sided Coated 3�
Print (Ok → Print → Print)�
Put your pre-printed sheets into the Multipurpose tray faceup.

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CUTTING - GRAPHTEC FC4500

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ARE YOU READY?

☐ Four (or Five) 2 Sided Prints � (no printed cut/fold lines)

Print 1

Side 1: 16 cards, registration marks
Side 2: Pattern covering full sheet

Print 2

Side 1:16 cards, registration marks
Side 2: Pattern covering full sheet

Print 3

Side 1:16 cards, registration marks
Side 2: Pattern covering full sheet

Print 4

Side 1: 16 cards, registration marks
Side 2: Pattern covering full sheet

Print 5

Side 1: package design, registration marks
Side 2: Blank

☐ Layers

Registration Mark Layers (2)
Fold (only on inside of package)
Cut (outlines of cards and outline of package)
Design (all printed objects)

If you have all the following, you are ready to cut on ...

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Set up the Graphtec Cutter

WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN ...

Remove Clear Protective Sheets�(Do Not Throw Away)��
Place your Printed Package Design on the Sticky Bed of the Cutter.��
Hit Enter

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Set up the Graphtec Cutter

WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN ...

Use the Arrow Keys to Move the Cutting Tool to the Lower Left Registration Mark.��
Plug the Graphtec into the Computer.

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Set up Cutting Master 4

WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN ...

Turn ON the visibility of the Cut, Fold (if necessary), and Registration Marks (two layers that begin with SA) Layers. �
Hide the Design layers.�
File → Cutting Master 4 → Cut/Plot ...

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Set up Cutting Master 4

WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN ...

First, go to the General Tab�
Change the Media Size:�User Defined�12 in x 18 in�
Change the Position to:�Centered on all 4 sides�Upright

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Set up Cutting Master 4

WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN ...

Second, go to the Registration Marks Tab�
Check Use Registration Marks

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Set up Cutting Master 4

WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN ...

Third, go to the Layering Tab�
Select Cut Layer�Check “Enable driver Options”�Select “#7 Plotter Condition”�
Select Fold Layer (if there is one)�Select “#3 Plotter Condition”

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Set up Cutting Master 4

WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN ...

Press Send

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Set up Cutting Master 4

WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN ...

Wait until this Window pops up�
Press OK

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CUTTING - GRAPHTEC FC4500

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Set up Cutting Master 4

WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN ...

If you are prompted to log into Sai Cloud Connect, use these credentials:�

Email: stevensonteched@gmail.com�Password: shsteched�

Click the “X”

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Set up Cutting Master 4

WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN ...

If you are asked to “Add Setup”, select:��Brand: Graphtec GPGL�Model Name: FC 4500-50/FC4550-60��Click Next�
If you are connected to the cutter, it should show in this list. Click Finish.�
In the next window, Leave the default setup name and click OK.