Illimat Card Care: Keep Cards and Pins Looking New

By Twogether Studios | Published: 2026-10-14

Category: Tips & Care

Protect your Illimat cards and pins with a simple routine: sleeve safely, store smart, and handle Luminaries with care. Step-by-step tips inside.

Quick answer

To keep Illimat cards and pins looking new, sleeve the cards as soon as you open the game, store everything in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, and handle the pins by their edges. A consistent five-minute routine after each play session prevents most wear.

Choose sleeves that fit without bulk

Illimat cards are standard poker size, so look for sleeves labeled 63.5 x 88 mm or 'standard card game' size. Avoid thick, textured sleeves that make shuffling difficult and can cause the deck to sit unevenly in the box. A light, clear sleeve with a matte back reduces glare and hides fingerprints while still letting the card art show through.

Handle Luminaries and pins with intention

Luminary cards, like those in The Crane Wife Set, are handled more often than the main deck because players reveal and read them each round. Keep them in a separate small deck box or a dedicated sleeve pocket so they don't get bent or creased during play. For the metal pins, grip them by the shaft rather than the decorative head, and avoid dropping them onto hard tables where the finish can chip.

Store the game flat and dry

Store Illimat horizontally on a shelf rather than leaning it upright, which can warp cards over time. Keep it away from radiators, windows, and damp basements. If you live in a humid climate, add a small silica gel packet to the box, but make sure it doesn't touch the cards directly. For the French edition, which includes both English and French rule booklets, keep the booklets flat under the insert so they don't curl.

Clean cards and pins without damage

For light smudges on cards, wipe gently with a dry, lint-free microfiber cloth. Never use alcohol, acetone, or household cleaners, which can strip the print or leave a haze. For pins, a soft dry cloth is usually enough; if they look dull, a tiny amount of metal polish on a cloth (not directly on the pin) can restore shine, but test on an inconspicuous area first.

Your five-step Illimat care routine

Sleeve all cards immediately: Use standard 63.5 x 88 mm sleeves. Sleeve the main deck and any Luminary cards, including those from The Crane Wife Set, before your first play. Common mistake: waiting until after a few games, when edge wear has already started. Checkpoint: cards should slide into sleeves easily without forcing.
Separate Luminaries from the main deck: Keep Luminary cards in their own small deck box or a labeled pocket inside the game box. This prevents them from getting mixed in and bent during shuffling. Common mistake: storing all cards together, which leads to Luminaries being shuffled and worn. Checkpoint: Luminaries stay flat and are easy to find when a round begins.
Handle pins by the shaft: When placing or removing pins, grip the shaft rather than the decorative top. Avoid setting pins on bare wood or metal surfaces. Common mistake: dropping pins into a pile, which chips the finish. Checkpoint: pins remain free of scratches and the finish stays intact.
Store the box flat and dry: Place the game horizontally on a shelf away from direct sun, heat, and moisture. If you keep rule booklets, lay them flat under the insert. Common mistake: stacking heavy games on top, which crushes the box and warps cards. Checkpoint: the box lid sits flush and cards are not bowed.
Wipe down after each session: Use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe cards and pins before returning them to the box. This removes oils and dust. Common mistake: using wet wipes or cleaners, which can damage card coating and pin finish. Checkpoint: no sticky residue or visible dust remains on components.

Product facts

Illimat:The Crane Wife Set- FRENCH EDITION: The Crane Wife Set (French Edition) includes 6 unique Luminary cards illustrated by Carson Ellis, each with a different effect in play, and both English and French rule booklets. Because these Luminaries are handled every round, they benefit most from individual sleeves and a separate storage pocket to prevent bending.
Illimat: French Edition: Illimat: French Edition is the same as the English version but in French, published by Édition Akileos. If you own this edition, the card stock and size match the English version, so the same standard sleeves and storage advice apply.