The New Standard Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot

The Clearest, Most Accurate, and Most Tactile Edition

Why Do You Still Need The NS-RWS Tarot?

As the world’s best-selling tarot deck, the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) has accompanied countless readers on their journeys of introspection and discovery. Yet, the vast majority of mass-market editions available today suffer from frustrating compromises:

• Subpar Cardstock: Most are printed on standard board-game paper that lacks weight, snap, and durability—a far cry from top-tier 330gsm German black-core casino cardstock.
• Blurry Linework: After decades of third-generation reprints, many decks suffer from broken lines and muddied details, losing the crisp charm of Pamela Colman Smith’s original illustrations.
• Inaccurate Colors: Without meticulous color calibration, existing editions often exhibit heavy color casts, dull tones, or printing artifacts that detract from the reading experience.

That is why we created The New Standard Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot—an uncompromising restoration designed to bring RWS practitioners and collectors worldwide a deck that honors the authentic soul of the 1909 first edition while meeting the highest modern standards of print craftsmanship.

Order now! You’ll receive a free black and gold hard case

(Limited quantities available; while supplies last)

Key Features & Craftsmanship

Unmatched Clarity

Say goodbye to blurry and incomplete details. Using the 1909 Rose & Lily first edition alongside the original 1922 black-and-white line art from The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, we meticulously restored and reconstructed every single card. Every line, cross-hatch, and background element has been brought back into razor-sharp focus, delivering the clearest, most complete RWS artwork on the market today.

True-to-Original Color

We thoroughly removed the visual blemishes, stains, and fading caused by over a century of aging, resulting in a clean, luminous visual presentation. Muddy tomato-reds have been carefully calibrated back to true, balanced reds; yellowish greens have been restored to pure greens; and subtle gray shading has been enhanced for depth. It captures the fresh, delicate palette of the 1909 original with modern printing precision.

Superior Tactile Feel

Crafted from the finest 330gsm German black-core casino cardstock, these cards offer exceptional snap, flexibility, and substantial hand-feel. Finished with a fine Air-Cushion texture, the cards glide effortlessly during spreads and shuffle like a dream—giving you the most comfortable handling experience of any RWS deck.

Exquisite Packaging

Soft-Touch Matte & Spot UV Housed in a sturdy double-tuck box featuring a velvety soft-touch matte lamination accented with spot UV detailing, the packaging offers both an elevated tactile feel and lasting protection for your collection.

The “Goldilocks” Size: Ergonomically Optimized Measuring 6.3cm × 10.7cm (2.48″ × 4.21″), this deck hits the sweet spot between a standard 7×12cm RWS deck and a pocket edition. It preserves every ounce of artwork clarity and visual impact while making one-handed shuffling and extended reading sessions noticeably more comfortable.

Iconic Card Back & Collector’s Bonus Cards

1909 First-Edition Card Back: Features the historic sky-blue “Rose & Lily” back design, offering an authentic, immersive connection to the deck’s origins.

2 Exclusive Bonus Cards: Every deck includes two commemorative insert cards—an individually numbered certificate card and a restoration note card—marking this landmark edition of The New Standard Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot.

Specifications

Title: The New Standard Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot

Historical Basis: 1909 Rose & Lily First Edition & 1922 The Pictorial Key to the Tarot line art

Cardstock: 330gsm German Black-Core Casino Cardstock

Card Dimensions: 6.3cm × 10.7cm (2.48″ × 4.21″)

Box Packaging: Double-Tuck Box with Soft-Touch Matte Lamination & Spot UV

Extras: 2 Bonus Cards (Individually Numbered Card + Restoration Info Card)

Credits:

Restoration by Zhao Chen 

Visual Design by Wan Si