The Complete Guide to Storing Close-up Magic Tricks: Gimmicks, Gear & More

• Organize your close-up magic tricks in clear pouches or bins to easily see everything you have and keep them organized in one place.
• Create a spreadsheet of your close-up magic tricks or other props to keep a clear and cohesive inventory of all your items.
• Write the instructions for your close-up magic tricks on flashcards or paper, and store them in a binder so you can easily refer to them.

Determine your close-up tricks before your performance.

Figuring out your routine prior to organizing your close-up magic tricks. You’re on stage killing it until “Uhh…what’s next?” Save yourself the slip-up by determining your routine and the props you’ll need to perform your act. This way, you won’t be caught off guard if your mind goes blank onstage—the show must go on! How to do it: If you’re still developing your routine, gather all the items you’ll think you need for any close-up magic tricks you’re interested in performing. Once you’ve narrowed it down to your final tricks, place those items together in a pile so each trick is ready to be stored and labeled in its own pouch or container. Performing card tricks or coin tricks is a surefire way to amaze your audience, plus they’re easy to learn.

Store your tricks in labeled clear bins or pouches.

Opt for clear containers to ensure you can see what’s stored where. Organizing each close-up magic trick in its own clear container or pouch ensures that each individual trick is neatly contained, easy to locate, and can be tossed into a larger container, like your close-up magic case for easy transport. Plus, bins and pouches are easy to grab when you’re going to a gig or performing for family and only need a specific trick. How to do it: Collect everything you need for your performance and store either a specific close-up magic trick or an entire routine in a clear pouch or container. Then, use a marker to label the items like, “Card Tricks & Coin Tricks” or “Children’s Party Act.” Magical props can quickly become a confusing jumble to the eyes, so being able to see what you have in easily-accessible containers is a must for aspiring and professional magicians alike.

Keep a detailed spreadsheet of your props.

Create an in-depth list of your magical gear. Using a spreadsheet software platform like Google Sheets to list the close-up magic tricks or other props you own is an excellent way to digitally organize your items in one place. You may even decide to take it one step further by color-coding each cell according to the type of magic trick or category the item falls into. How to do it: Create a spreadsheet by typing out every magic-related item you own in separate cells in Google Sheets or your software platform of choice. For example, you might organize your spreadsheet alphabetically and note the cost and description of each prop. Consulting your spreadsheet before purchasing a prop also helps you avoid double-buying an item you already have. Plus, if you loan your props out to other magicians, you’ll know what’s missing from your inventory and what items you need to ask for back.

Write out close-up trick instructions on flashcards.

Master your close-up routine with step-by-step instructions. Nothing makes learning and searching for specific close-up magic tricks easier than writing the instructions on a flashcard or sheet of paper and storing them in a box or binder. This way, all of your magical information is easily accessible and can be flipped through whenever you need a quick refresher. How to do it: Depending on your preference, write out your close-up magic trick instructions on flashcards or individual sheets of paper. Then, organize your tricks alphabetically or by category and file them in a box or 3-ringed binder. If you’re more into digital documents, you may also type up a specific doc on your computer just for your close-up magic tricks. Consider putting the instructions you’ve written for a specific trick into the corresponding pouch where you’ve stored the magical items needed to perform it. This way, if you need a refresher on how to do it, everything is in the same place.

Opt for a close-up magic case for performances.

Keep things tidy and advertise your act with a close-up case. Most professional magicians will tell you that a good magic case to bring to performances is essential. Whether your tricks are large and require something more like a trunk, or you're able to fit them all into a briefcase, having something you can toss in your car and bring onstage makes performing shows requiring specific routines that much easier. How to do it: Gather your routine items and place them in your trunk or briefcase. To keep things extra uniform, consider placing each trick in a clear pouch so everything stays in one place and doesn’t get jumbled about with travel. Have a poster or sticker advertising your services made to place on the outside of your case so people know who you are. Business cards could be handy to throw in your case, too! Packet wallets are another great micro-storage option for cards and other paper props that you can fit in your back pocket.

Store your magical collection in one place.

Display your entire collection in cases, trunks, or shelves. Having a specific magic-only place to store your containers, binders, books, and bags chock-full of tricks makes organization a breeze. Not only that, it’s fun to see all of your goodies proudly displayed and categorized in their own special area. How to do it: Large bookshelves are useful for displaying and organizing your magic collection. For example, deep and tall bookshelves can store both containers, display fun items for visual interest, and stack your books all in one place.

Toss finished tricks into a basket or hamper.

Get enacted tricks out of your way fast with a pop-up hamper or basket. You’ve completed a trick, but where do you put it now that you're done? Having a basket or a pop-up hamper next to you on stage is a great way to quickly dispose of your props so you have time to execute your next close-up magic trick without jumbling things together. How to do it: Set your basket or hamper next to your performance area. After finishing a trick that requires a prop, quickly dump the items into the basket so they don’t get in the way of your next mind-bending act of magic. Keeping things neat and tidy while performing ensures that your audience stays interested instead of getting distracted by the messy array of props strewn around the stage.