What is Cartelago

Cartelago is an art‑house playing‑card brand founded in 2021 by sleight‑of‑hand artist Franco Pascali and digital creator Jake Crossman.

Based in Los Angeles, the studio is dedicated to “Everything and Anything Playing Card Culture,” blending premium card design with world‑class magic and cardistry education through physical decks and online tutorials.

Origins and Founding

Cartelago emerged from Franco Pascali’s lifelong passion for sleight of hand and visual flair. After honing his skills at venues like the Magic Castle Junior Academy and starring in his own sold‑out shows, Pascali launched Cartelago in 2021 to share his minimalist deck designs and secret marking systems with magicians and cardists worldwide (butterflymagicstore.com).

Co‑founder Jake Crossman brings a theatrical and digital‑media background to the brand. A trained actor with classical theatre roots, Jake has also served alongside Franco as a consultant on Joseph Kosinski’s F1 The Movie (2025) (jakecrossman.com).

Flagship Decks: Standards and Mirinos

Standards are Cartelago’s everyday-carry deck, featuring a minimalist black-and-white design and hidden systems for magic effects. Printed on crushed Bicycle stock by USPCC, they balance thinness for handling with resilience against wear.

Mirinos introduce a modern twist: a central star motif encircled by an ornamental chain of text. Also printed by USPCC, Mirinos decks appeal equally to cardists seeking clean visuals and magicians hunting for gaff-card potential.

Philosophy and Design

Cartelago’s mantra, “Everything and Anything Playing Card Culture,” drives a holistic approach: decks are vessels for both art and technique.

Collaborations with designers like Scott Black reinforce an art-house aesthetic, blending sleek typography with functional layout. (byscottblack.myportfolio.com)

Every deck includes subtle branding elements that enhance on-camera clarity for tutorial videos and live performance.

Community and Education

Beyond selling cards, Cartelago maintains an active online presence:

• Tutorials: “Learn Magic” sections on the official site feature routines by Pascali. (cartelago.la)

• Instagram: @cartelago showcases cardistry drops and behind-the-scenes clips. (instagram.com)

• Franco Pascali’s Feed: @francopascali highlights new flourishes, system reveals, and community challenges. (instagram.com)

• YouTube: A channel dedicated to cardistry tracks collaborations between Pascali and fellow artists. (youtube.com)

Availability and Retail Partners

Cartelago decks are sold directly at cartelago.la and through specialty retailers like The Magic Apple and Paperdecks. (themagicapple.compaperdecks.com)

They frequently appear in limited releases, pre-orders, and curated bundles, driving collector interest and social media buzz.

Impact and Collaborations

In 2025, Cartelago broke into Hollywood: Franco Pascali and Jake Crossman served as cardistry consultants on F1 The Movie, training Brad Pitt in bespoke flourishes and featuring both Standards and Mirinos decks in key scenes, introducing millions of viewers to the brand and cementing Cartelago as a new standard in cinematic cardistry.

Conclusion

What is Cartelago? It’s much more than a deck; it’s a creative ecosystem that unites premium card manufacturing, art‑driven design, and immersive education.

Whether you’re a magician, cardist, or enthusiast, Cartelago provides the tools and inspiration to elevate your craft.