Updates

Hey everyone,

I know the comments on updates can get a bit confusing, so I wanted to answer the most common questions here in one place and share where things currently stand.

Right now, I am working toward finalizing the remaining costs needed to complete final printing and shipping, while continuing to fulfill what I can from home.

1. UK Fulfillment Help
I’m incredibly grateful for the offers to help with UK fulfillment. I do want to be transparent that fulfillment is a very large job that requires a lot of space, time, and coordination. The last deck I fulfilled myself (Animal) took about two full weeks of daily work. While UK quantities would be smaller, it’s still something I need to carefully evaluate before committing.

Originally, Trish was planning to handle UK fulfillment, but she is no longer involved with the project, so I’m currently reassessing how best to handle UK shipping.

2. Why other campaigns have been successful
Our campaigns were run before the major rise in production and shipping costs. Many campaigns after that either increased pricing or passed those costs into shipping. We fell in between those shifts, which has made completing production much more challenging.

3. Multiple fulfillment centers
Managing multiple fulfillment centers such as China and the UK isn’t something I can realistically take on right now. I am personally fulfilling orders within the US, and adding international fulfillment centers would significantly increase the workload. As a one-person operation, I have to be mindful of what I can sustainably handle.

4. Add-ons shipping option
If you’d like your add-ons shipped sooner within the US, you’re welcome to email me at [email protected] and I can arrange that. I do want to be transparent that I’m only able to ship these in small batches as Etsy sales come in. Right now, the business is not yet covering its operating expenses, so I have to pace outgoing shipments carefully. As sales pick up, I’ll be able to send more consistently.

5. Printing limitations
We are committed to our current printer, as a significant portion of the project has already been paid. The remaining balance includes final printing and shipping. Moving production to a different printer would significantly increase costs and isn’t a viable option. Once the remaining balance is secured, production will be able to move forward.

6. Digital versions
I will be creating web-quality versions of the deck and guidebook that I can share via Dropbox. Due to contract restrictions, I’m not able to provide print-ready files, but I will make sure you have something accessible to view.

7. Additional charges
I will not be asking backers for additional money. I am committed to finding a way to complete and deliver this project without putting that burden on you.

8. Updates across platforms
I will be updating both BackerKit and Kickstarter backers moving forward. I held off on posting until I had a clear plan in place, rather than sharing updates without meaningful progress. With a path now set for completing Anniversary, I’ll be outlining next steps for Nautical as well.

I also want to acknowledge the reality of what’s happened behind the scenes.

Since starting production in China, there have been multiple unexpected challenges, including losing a deposit to a previous company that disappeared. It has been a series of setbacks that I’ve had to navigate on my own.

At the same time, I’m now fulfilling Etsy orders myself to reduce costs, which helps financially but also limits my available time.

That said, finishing this project is my top priority.

• Finalize exactly how much funding is still needed to complete production and delivery
 • Research global shipping warehouse options to find the most cost-effective way to ship internationally
 • Create and share digital versions of the deck and book via Dropbox
 • Continue reducing overhead including subscriptions, ads, and storage while rebuilding funds through Etsy sales

I am committed to covering shipping costs without asking you to pay more.

I know there have been many delays, and I completely understand the frustration. I’ve fulfilled many projects over the past decade, which is why this situation has been especially difficult for me. I take a lot of pride in my work, and I’m truly sorry for how this has unfolded.

But I’m not giving up. I will see this through.

Thank you for your patience, your support, and your kindness. It truly means more than I can express.

Please also understand that I may not be able to respond to every comment right away. I’m doing my best to balance everything as one person.

Thank you for being here with me. 

— Kayti

Hi everyone,

First, I want to apologize that this update is later than usual. I chose to wait because I did not want to post without clear and accurate information. With production costs, freight pricing, and import variables continuing to shift, I felt it was important to gather as much clarity as possible before updating you.

The original project funds have now been fully allocated. To complete printing with our current manufacturer in China, we need 6,000 dollars to cover the remaining production balance. After that, we will need to cover freight, import duties, and receiving costs in order to bring the decks into fulfillment.

We did explore moving production to the United States. However, even with reduced domestic shipping, the total production cost was nearly double. Because 17,500 dollars has already been invested into the current manufacturing run, completing production where it stands remains the most financially responsible path forward.

Revenue from remaining inventory sales has not been sufficient to cover both ongoing operational expenses and the additional production costs required to complete this project. As a result, additional fundraising will be necessary in order to move forward.

Because international freight costs continue to fluctuate, I am currently gathering updated quotes before announcing a final fundraising total.

Here is the projected sequence once funding is secured:

1. Pay remaining production balance  
2. Printing completion  
3. Arrange freight and import  
4. Receive inventory into storage  
5. Begin fulfillment  

To stabilize operations, I have consolidated storage, shifted fulfillment to my home, reduced overhead wherever possible, and allowed one storage unit holding older inventory to go to auction in order to prevent further debt accumulation.

78 Tarot is now being run solely by me. Despite the challenges, I remain committed to completing this project responsibly and transparently.

I will share the confirmed funding plan once freight estimates are finalized and the full amount needed is clear.

Thank you for your continued patience and support.

Kayti

Hello everyone,

Finally, some really good news!

I’m excited to share that I’m shifting back to fulfilling orders myself. This is a huge step forward. It immediately cuts down the biggest ongoing costs around storage and shipping and gives me direct control again, which means the project can start moving forward in a much simpler, more hands-on way.

When 78 Tarot was smaller, I handled fulfillment myself. As it grew, that became too much to manage alongside being a full-time mother, which is why we moved to a fulfillment center. Being able to return to self-fulfillment now feels like coming back to the heart of how this all began and allows me to move forward steadily and sustainably.

Looking ahead, my goal is to move printing to the United States. U.S. printing is more expensive and doesn’t offer the same bells and whistles as overseas production, so current projects still in production overseas and future editions may have simpler packaging than the elaborate boxes we’ve done in the past. While that’s a shift, it brings much-needed stability and reliability, especially right now.

In the past, we worked with a printer in China because it allowed us to keep costs lower and pay our artists more. One of the challenges of overseas production is that recovering funds can be difficult, which is part of what I’m navigating as I make careful, forward-looking decisions.

Most importantly, thank you. Your patience, encouragement, and belief in 78 Tarot truly mean everything to me. Even in uncertain times, I’m not giving up. I’m committed to seeing this through and moving forward with care, gratitude, and determination.

Thank you so much for being here. I’m incredibly grateful.

Kayti 

Hello everyone,

This is the scheduled monthly update.

Production for this project remains paused due to current U.S. import tariffs, which continue to make manufacturing financially unviable. There has been no change in tariff conditions since the last update, and I do not have the personal funds to move forward under current costs.

I want to address communication as well. While questions are understandable, repeated pressure, hostile comments, or personal attacks are not acceptable and do not change the situation. This project is being handled responsibly, and harassment will not speed up production.

I am actively monitoring conditions and will move forward as soon as manufacturing becomes viable. There is no new information to share at this time.

The next update will be posted next month, or sooner if circumstances change.

Thank you to those who continue to communicate respectfully and patiently.

Kayti

I recorded a video for you, I think it’s the easiest way to say all I need to update you about! If you need anything please email me at [email protected]  I do apologize for the cross-posting I’m just a busy momma trying to save some time 💕

They won’t let me embed it here so here is the link! 

https://youtu.be/8rMM5YmZkr8?feature=shared

Xoxoxo

Kayti