๐๐๐ถ The Skeleton Dance Arcana Tarot Deck ๐๐๐ถ
Created by Mark Andrew Smith
Step into the moonlit graveyard where bones rattle, spirits stir, and the dance of the macabre becomes your guide to divination.
Latest Updates from Our Project:
๐ Printing Complete + Surveys Next Week + Aviator's Arcana Launches Feb 17 โ๏ธโจ
4 months ago
โ Fri, Feb 13, 2026 at 07:31:16 AM
Hello, friends of The Skeleton Dance Arcana! ๐ซ
We wanted to share a production update, along with a preview of what's launching next in the Arcana series.
๐ Skeleton Dance Production Update
Printing for The Skeleton Dance Arcana is now complete. ๐๐โจ
The decks have finished printing in China. As we anticipated in our original timeline, production has paused for the annual Chinese New Year holiday, a seasonal slowdown that affects manufacturing across the region each year. Once facilities reopen in early March, decks will move into finishing, boxing, and freight preparation.
Backer surveys will be ready next week, and we'll send an update as soon as they go live so you can confirm your shipping details.
Thank you again for your patience. We're excited to move into the next phase of production and get these decks on their way to you. ๐๐๐ถ
โ๏ธ The Aviator's Arcana Launches February 17th โ๏ธโจ
As Skeleton Dance advances toward fulfillment, we're preparing to launch our newest campaign:
โ๏ธ Steamboat Legends Presents: The Aviator's Arcana Tarot โ๏ธ
Inspired by Plane Crazy (1928) and the golden age of aviation, this 78-card tarot deck blends vintage animation with Art Deco design and early flight aesthetics.
If Skeleton Dance captured the moonlit rhythm of Halloween, Aviator's Arcana carries that same vintage spirit into the skies above.
โณ Launches February 17th for Just 16 Days
The campaign goes live February 17th at 9AM EST and runs through March 4th.
๐ Early Bird rewards will be available in the first 24 hours, 48 hours, and 3 days with our best launch pricing.
Thank you for supporting The Skeleton Dance Arcana. Your enthusiasm keeps this world spinning, dancing, and now flying. โจ
We'll continue sharing production updates as we move closer to shipping.
With appreciation, Mark & The Steamboat Legends Team
๐โจ Skeleton Dance Arcana โ Sample Decks Complete โจ๐
4 months ago
โ Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 05:12:57 AM
Weโre excited to share a major production milestone for Skeleton Dance Arcana. The printer has now completed the sample decks and boxes, and weโve had the chance to review them closely.
As expected, there were a few minor items to note during the sample stage, which is exactly why samples are made. This step allows us to confirm that every specification is clearly understood and that everything is prepared correctly before mass production begins. Our production designer has reviewed the samples in detail and has already provided notes back to the printer so those final adjustments can be applied.
Overall, we are extremely impressed with how everything turned out.
The 3D lenticular effect inside the box is a lot of fun and adds a wonderful sense of movement. The Spot UV along the sides looks fantastic, and the black edge finish comes through beautifully. The bronze foil on the back of the cards has a rich, elegant shine that complements the artwork perfectly.
This is easily the most technical deck weโve produced to date, with more specifications and finishing details than any previous project, and seeing it all come together has been incredibly exciting.
The printer has also begun producing the stretch goal items, which are now moving forward alongside the main components.
We are currently finalizing timing with the printer for when mass production will begin on the decks and boxes. With Chinese New Year approaching in mid-February, factories in China typically close for a short period. This holiday was already factored into our original production timeline, and everything remains aligned with our planned schedule.
On the fulfillment side, we are preparing the BackerKit survey, which we expect to have ready around the end of February. This will allow everyone to confirm shipping details and review their rewards before fulfillment begins.
Below youโll find photos and a video of the sample decks and boxes, and weโre excited for you to finally see how everything is coming together.
With gratitude, Mark & Steamboat Legends ๐ฏ๏ธ๐@Steamboatlegends Instagram
The box cover with bronze foil and spot UV.ย
Dancing Skeleton along the side of the boxย
The back of the box with bronze foil.ย
The magnetic box and the back of the cards.ย
The lenticular hologram effect at the bottom of the box. There is also a lenticular effect on one of the yellow panels under the lid with the skeletons dancing.ย
Halloween bonus cards
The back of the cardsย
Front of the cardsย
Halloween bonus cards so that you can customize your decks for Halloween season and also use the regular versions year round. ย ๐
๐โจ Production Moves Forward for Skeleton Dance Arcana โจ๐
5 months ago
โ Sat, Jan 10, 2026 at 12:14:45 PM
Hello everyone,
As we step into the new year, we wanted to share a gentle update on where The Skeleton Dance Arcana now stands.
All production files for the decks, guidebooks, boxes, and stretch goal items have been fully finalized and submitted to the printer. The printer is now preparing sample decks and boxes, which will allow us to carefully review color, finishing, and overall quality before approving the full print run.
Weโve already received a few early photos showing the decks in progress, and everything is moving forward smoothly. Once the finished sample decks arrive with our production designer, weโll be sure to share photos and updates so you can see the results alongside us.
Behind the scenes, we are also preparing the next step on the fulfillment side. BackerKit surveys will be sent out on February 18, giving everyone the opportunity to confirm shipping details and review their rewards. Weโre taking extra care with this stage to ensure the survey setup is accurate and seamless before it goes live.
Jellop: A Quick Note for Kickstarter Backers
Our project was featured in Jellopโs First Backer Newsletter, a curated newsletter for Kickstarter backers that highlights new and upcoming projects, early bird rewards, and occasional exclusive offers.
If you enjoy discovering interesting campaigns early, youโre welcome to check it out here:
Soon, the skeletons will rise againโthis time in printed formโready to shuffle, read, and dance beneath your own moonlit skies.
Thank you, as always, for your patience, trust, and continued support. Weโll be back soon with more updates as samples arrive.
With gratitude, Mark & Steamboat Legends ๐ฏ๏ธ๐
๐๐ Skeleton Dance Arcana โ Production Update ๐๐
6 months ago
โ Wed, Dec 03, 2025 at 05:38:28 AM
Hello everyone,
Weโre happy to share a production update for Skeleton Dance Arcana as we move through the final weeks of the year.
Weโll be printing with the same trusted printer currently producing Hundred-Acre Arcana and The Mystic Honeypot Arcana, as well as the Steamboat Arcana and Gauchoโs Arcana Expansion Packs. The decks will be printed on 330 GSM paper, giving the cards a premium feel and durability that is ideal for regular use and long-term keeping.
Our production designer has been finalizing all of the files for the decks, guidebooks, boxes, and stretch goal items, and everything remains on schedule. We expect to have all files submitted to the printer by the middle of December.
Once that stage is complete, the printer will produce sample decks and boxes for us to review.
ย Weโll carefully check color, finishing, and overall quality before approving the full print run. If any small changes are needed, they will be handled at that stage to make sure everything prints exactly as intended.
Weโll share photos and updates as soon as the samples arrive.
Thank you for your trust and continued support.
Happy Holidays, Mark & Steamboat Legends ๐โ
โจ A Grand Finale for The Skeleton Dance Arcana! โจ
7 months ago
โ Thu, Oct 30, 2025 at 06:30:25 AM
๐๐ถ The curtain falls, the lanterns dim, and the skeletons rest for now. ๐ถ๐
What an extraordinary journey this has been. From the first sketches to the final haunting note, The Skeleton Dance Arcana has come to life in ways we could have only imagined, and it is all thanks to you.
Your support helped this project grow in beautiful ways, unlocking every stretch goal and adding new layers of texture and meaning to the deck. The final addition, the Enamel Pins, will serve as a small yet shining tribute to the rhythm and spirit of this collection, a reminder of the midnight dance we all shared together. ๐โจ
We are also exploring a lenticular effect for the box interior, pending confirmation from the printer that it can be safely produced with the Spot UV finish. If approved, this will be our first time using this special effect, and we are very excited to see if it can bring the artwork to life in motion.
This campaign has been a celebration of art, imagination, and community. Every comment, share, and kind message helped bring this deck to life, and your encouragement has meant more than words can express.
We now move into production and sample proofing, where each detail will be carefully refined. Soon, the bones will rise again, this time in printed form, ready to shuffle, read, and dance beneath your own moonlit nights.
With heartfelt thanks and endless gratitude, Mark & The Steamboat Arcana Team ๐ฏ๏ธ๐
One of my favorite things about the Skeleton Dance Arcana is that it can be used year round or you can customize your Skeleton Dance Deck with the Halloween Bonus Cards every Halloween Season. We hope this will be a go to deck for years and years to come.ย
