I am curious as to what you all do who make your own decks, when it comes to printing up instructions. Are the usual handlings public domain, or do you purchase rights to reproduce pamphlets/booklets?

I ask because I am not an aspiring pitchman, but I want to make up some Svengalis for a "beginner magic set" for sale/giveaway at my meager platform shows. I don't know if that's considered out of bounds among stage workers, but I figured I wouldn't get hassled asking among pitchmen. If I wasn't busy on Sundays, (rev, after all) I might be at the local flea market with a stand. But alas, I'm just trying to meet costs of my mostly given-away show.

Ask and ye shall receive.... not me, someone who knows what their doing.

Nothing wrong with a BOR (back-of-the-room) sale of magic tricks at a magic show; in fact, it's routine for some performers.

As for DIY Svengali instructions, I don't see why you couldn't write your own explanation of how the deck works and a few easy effects for it. If it's compact enough (a half-sheet or perhaps a long strip), you could fold it up and wrap it around the deck inside the card case.

You may find it simpler and easier to buy the preprinted "101 Tricks" pamphlets that are available from wholesalers like FUN, Inc. and D. Robbins. The booklets look good, are inexpensive and are an easy sale. SETHB

I just took the instructions from a bought Svengali deck, and had 50 some of them printed at a print shop. I didn't feel that bad about it because I have seen this same set of instructions in several different Svengali decks, made by different companys.

Prob overseas companies ripping off US manufactures again.

Prob magic dealers ripping off eachother again.

Did you get them from Magic Makers by chance? I hear they do things like that.

Mark.

Is it really cost effective to make your own Svengali Decks? They come so cheap from the manufacturers... $.60 to $1.25 depending where you buy them and in how much bulk... is there really a benefit to making your own? I've seen dollar store decks, two for a dollar, so that means they're probably available for about 50 cents, which is a quarter each... it just seems, to me, that the hassle really isn't worth the extra 50 cents a deck, especially when they're marked up over 500 percent as it is when we pitch them...

I ask honestly - I really don't know, I'm so new to this business... what do you guys that do it this way think?

Loftus is $0.60 plus shipping in lots of 2 gross. Mine actually cost me $0.703 each deck because they are so heavy. Even tho you can save something by doing them yourself (and having the key card cut) you have to ask yourself, "Is the time, effort, printing, gas....worth the trouble?" If it is...go for it. I'm just lazy.

Jon-O

I agree -
You can get so many great pitch items for around one dollar I can't see why you would want make them.
Also - we still need to support our magic dealers.
D. Robbins is a great company - they have low minimuns and ship really fast.