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Hi All,

I am sure I have read here somewhere (I have searched but cannot find where) about making index cards smoother. I use cards a lot to make number cards etc but I have to laminate to make them smooth to operate with. Is there a make of card you use or cut to size that will enable them to be better manipulated when required?

Simon

This might be a bit off the wall, but what about fanning powder?

Although expensive, Mellotex (ask your local Printer) is china-clay coated, and VERY good for index cards...

I found thus from scomartis over at The Mentalist Sanctum which must be what I was referring to:

Keep in mind that if you use index card stock for playing card type effects (small packet type I mean--such as ODDS or whatever)--if you rub each side of the card with the "Bounce" dryer sheets, they handle almost as well as playing cards and won't stick together.

Scott

i think in the nardi/spelmann Unexpected dvd, they recommend fanning powder, like Tomo said...

Thanks for the help guys, I want the stuff I use to look more 'natural' so wanted to get away from laminating.

Mind you, I use Ian Rowland's Subliminal Prediction which I made up from his notes with laminated cards - great effect though, love it.

abraxus wrote:I think in the nardi/spelmann Unexpected dvd, they recommend fanning powder, like Tomo said...

I don't want to throw a spanner in the works, but generally fanning powder will compound the problem—if indeed the problem is unwanted friction.

Yes seige the problem is unwanted friction, I simply want the cards to be able to be spread and not stick so much. I use Concord make from Staples (love that store spend hours wandering around with a couple of pens in my hand wondering what I can use all the stuff for!) and I find they stick together too much.

I am going to try the Bounce idea as above first and see what happens. I was wondering if it was only me with this problem or if anyone else did and had a solution.

Thanks again,

Simon

Well, fanning powder will undoubtedly give unwanted friction.

You see (and I speak from having worked in a print shop for 7 years) most card stock is made from pulp, and the fibres of the pulp are roughly aligned.

These roughly aligned fibres act a bit like microscopic velcro.

One way around this is very fine grade emery paper.

Another way round it is to use a 'coated' paper stock.

The Mellotex paper I mentioned is a coated paper, and has very low friction.

ALSO... bear in mind that years of expertise go into making playing cards so slippy.... their surface area has a texture which reduces the surface contact points... ergo, less points of contact = less friction.

Thanks seige for your advice. I will check out Mellotex as you suggest, is this what you use?

Simon

Anything which involves card, I would use Mellotex or at least ask a printer (my Brother owns a printshop!) for samples of Satin and Silk board.

Often, a printshop will charge you peanuts for some board cut down to index card size. Always worth asking, rather than 'make do' with what is on offer at stationers.

Also, if you ASK a print shop for 'slippy board that you can still write on', they will give you good advice too.

Usually the slippage is an undesirable effect as it prevents neat stacking!

Thanks again seige, I will look into this.

Simon