diff --git a/Rakefile b/Rakefile
index ddc3e2c..8745d37 100644
--- a/Rakefile
+++ b/Rakefile
@@ -20,6 +20,10 @@ end
 
 RSpec::Core::RakeTask.new(:spec)
 
+RSpec::Core::RakeTask.new(:spec_fastonly) do |t|
+  t.rspec_opts = "--tag ~slow"
+end
+
 task doc: [:yarddoc, :apply_google_analytics]
 
 YARD::Rake::YardocTask.new(:yarddoc) do |t|
diff --git a/lib/squib/api/image.rb b/lib/squib/api/image.rb
index b311879..a2caff6 100644
--- a/lib/squib/api/image.rb
+++ b/lib/squib/api/image.rb
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ module Squib
     # @api public
     def png(opts = {})
       opts = needs(opts, [:range, :files, :x, :y, :width, :height, :alpha, :layout, :blend, :angle, :mask])
-      Dir.chdir(@img_dir) do
+      Dir.chdir(img_dir) do
         @progress_bar.start('Loading PNG(s)', opts[:range].size) do |bar|
           opts[:range].each do |i|
             @cards[i].png(opts[:file][i],
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ module Squib
     # @api public
     def svg(opts = {})
       p = needs(opts,[:range, :files, :svgid, :force_svgid, :x, :y, :width, :height, :layout, :alpha, :blend, :angle, :mask])
-      Dir.chdir(@img_dir) do
+      Dir.chdir(img_dir) do
         @progress_bar.start('Loading SVG(s)', p[:range].size) do |bar|
           p[:range].each do |i|
             unless p[:force_id][i] && p[:id][i].to_s.empty?
diff --git a/lib/squib/args/typographer.rb b/lib/squib/args/typographer.rb
index ab753c8..9768c57 100644
--- a/lib/squib/args/typographer.rb
+++ b/lib/squib/args/typographer.rb
@@ -3,13 +3,16 @@ module Squib
   module Args
     class Typographer
 
-      def initialize(config = CONFIG_DEFAULTS)
-        @config = config
+      def initialize(config = Conf::DEFAULTS)
+      %w(lsquote ldquote rsquote rdquote smart_quotes
+         em_dash en_dash ellipsis).each do |var|
+          instance_variable_set("@#{var}", config[var])
+        end
       end
 
       def process(str)
-        str = explicit_replacements(str)
-        str = smart_quotes(str) if @config['smart_quotes']
+        str = explicit_replacements(str.to_s)
+        str = smart_quotes(str) if @smart_quotes
         str
       end
 
@@ -53,58 +56,58 @@ module Squib
 
       # Straightforward replace
       def left_curly(str)
-        str.gsub('``', @config['ldquote'])
+        str.gsub('``', @ldquote)
       end
 
       # Straightforward replace
       def right_curly(str)
-        str.gsub(%{''}, @config['rdquote'])
+        str.gsub(%{''}, @rdquote)
       end
 
       # A quote between two letters is an apostraphe
       def apostraphize(str)
-        str.gsub(/(\w)(\')(\w)/, '\1' + @config['rsquote'] + '\3')
+        str.gsub(/(\w)(\')(\w)/, '\1' + @rsquote + '\3')
       end
 
       # Straightforward replace
       def ellipsificate(str)
-        str.gsub('...', @config['ellipsis'])
+        str.gsub('...', @ellipsis)
       end
 
       # Straightforward replace
       def en_dash(str)
-        str.gsub('--', @config['en_dash'])
+        str.gsub('--', @en_dash)
       end
 
       # Straightforward replace
       def em_dash(str)
-        str.gsub('---', @config['em_dash'])
+        str.gsub('---', @em_dash)
       end
 
       # Quote next to non-whitespace curls
       def right_double_quote(str)
-        str.gsub(/(\S)(\")/, '\1' + @config['rdquote'])
+        str.gsub(/(\S)(\")/, '\1' + @rdquote)
       end
 
       # Quote next to non-whitespace curls
       def left_double_quote(str)
-        str.gsub(/(\")(\S)/, @config['ldquote'] + '\2')
+        str.gsub(/(\")(\S)/, @ldquote + '\2')
       end
 
       # Handle the cases where a double quote is next to a single quote
       def single_inside_double_quote(str)
-        str.gsub(/(\")(\')(\S)/, @config['ldquote'] + @config['lsquote'] + '\3')
-           .gsub(/(\")(\')(\S)/, '\1' + @config['rsquote'] + @config['rdquote'])
+        str.gsub(/(\")(\')(\S)/, @ldquote + @lsquote + '\3')
+           .gsub(/(\")(\')(\S)/, '\1' + @rsquote + @rdquote)
       end
 
       # Quote next to non-whitespace curls
       def right_single_quote(str)
-        str.gsub(/(\S)(\')/, '\1' + @config['rsquote'])
+        str.gsub(/(\S)(\')/, '\1' + @rsquote)
       end
 
       # Quote next to non-whitespace curls
       def left_single_quote(str)
-        str.gsub(/(\')(\S)/, @config['lsquote'] + '\2')
+        str.gsub(/(\')(\S)/, @lsquote + '\2')
       end
 
     end
diff --git a/lib/squib/card.rb b/lib/squib/card.rb
index 25f83d0..91f0cd7 100644
--- a/lib/squib/card.rb
+++ b/lib/squib/card.rb
@@ -16,21 +16,21 @@ module Squib
 
     # :nodoc:
     # @api private
-    def initialize(deck, width, height, backend=:memory, index=-1)
+    def initialize(deck, width, height, index=-1)
       @deck          = deck
       @width         = width
       @height        = height
-      @backend       = backend
+      @backend       = deck.backend
       @svgfile       = "#{deck.dir}/#{deck.prefix}#{deck.count_format % index}.svg"
-      @cairo_surface = make_surface(@svgfile, backend)
+      @cairo_surface = make_surface(@svgfile, @backend)
       @cairo_context = Squib::Graphics::CairoContextWrapper.new(Cairo::Context.new(@cairo_surface))
-      @cairo_context.antialias = ANTIALIAS_OPTS[(@deck.antialias.downcase)] || 'subpixel'
+      @cairo_context.antialias = deck.antialias
     end
 
     # :nodoc:
     # @api private
     def make_surface(svgfile, backend)
-      case backend
+      case backend.downcase.to_sym
       when :memory
         Cairo::ImageSurface.new(@width, @height)
       when :svg
diff --git a/lib/squib/conf.rb b/lib/squib/conf.rb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6de5c9c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/squib/conf.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,114 @@
+require 'squib'
+require 'forwardable'
+require 'squib/args/typographer'
+
+module Squib
+  # @api private
+  class Conf
+
+    DEFAULTS = {
+      'antialias'     => 'best',
+      'backend'       => 'memory',
+      'count_format'  => SYSTEM_DEFAULTS[:count_format],
+      'custom_colors' => {},
+      'dir'           => SYSTEM_DEFAULTS[:dir],
+      'hint'          => :none,
+      'img_dir'       => '.',
+      'progress_bars' => false,
+      'ldquote'       => "\u201C", # UTF8 chars
+      'rdquote'       => "\u201D",
+      'lsquote'       => "\u2018",
+      'rsquote'       => "\u2019",
+      'em_dash'       => "\u2014",
+      'en_dash'       => "\u2013",
+      'ellipsis'      => "\u2026",
+      'smart_quotes'  => true,
+      'text_hint'     => 'off',
+    }
+
+    #Translate the hints to the methods.
+    ANTIALIAS_OPTS = {
+      nil        => 'subpixel',
+      'best'     => 'subpixel',
+      'good'     => 'gray',
+      'fast'     => 'gray',
+      'gray'     => 'gray',
+      'subpixel' => 'subpixel'
+    }
+
+    def initialize(config_hash = DEFAULTS)
+      @config_hash = config_hash
+      @typographer = Args::Typographer.new(config_hash)
+      normalize_antialias
+    end
+
+    # FIXME REMOVE THIS as part of refactoring
+    # Delegate [] to our hash
+    # @api private
+    # def [](key)
+    #   @config_hash[key]
+    # end
+
+    # Load the configuration file, if exists, overriding hardcoded defaults
+    # @api private
+    def self.load(file)
+      yaml = {}
+      if File.exists? file
+        Squib::logger.info { "  using config: #{file}" }
+        yaml = YAML.load_file(file) || {}
+      end
+      Conf.new(DEFAULTS.merge(yaml))
+    end
+
+    def to_s
+      "Conf: #{@config_hash.to_s}"
+    end
+
+    def img_dir
+      @config_hash['img_dir']
+    end
+
+    def text_hint
+      @config_hash['text_hint']
+    end
+
+    def progress_bars
+      @config_hash['progress_bars']
+    end
+
+    def typographer
+      @typographer
+    end
+
+    def dir
+      @config_hash['dir']
+    end
+
+    def prefix
+      @config_hash['prefix']
+    end
+
+    def count_format
+      @config_hash['count_format']
+    end
+
+    def antialias
+      @config_hash['antialias']
+    end
+
+    def backend
+      @config_hash['backend']
+    end
+
+    def custom_colors
+      @config_hash['custom_colors']
+    end
+
+    private
+
+    def normalize_antialias
+      @config_hash['antialias'] = ANTIALIAS_OPTS[@config_hash['antialias'].downcase.strip]
+    end
+
+  end
+end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/squib/constants.rb b/lib/squib/constants.rb
index eb52d19..2b4a675 100644
--- a/lib/squib/constants.rb
+++ b/lib/squib/constants.rb
@@ -67,38 +67,6 @@ module Squib
       :y_radius => 0,
     }
 
-    # Squib's configuration defaults
-    #
-    # @api public
-    CONFIG_DEFAULTS = {
-      'antialias'     => 'best',
-      'backend'       => 'memory',
-      'count_format'  => SYSTEM_DEFAULTS[:count_format],
-      'custom_colors' => {},
-      'dir'           => SYSTEM_DEFAULTS[:dir],
-      'dpi'           => 300,
-      'hint'          => :none,
-      'img_dir'       => '.',
-      'progress_bar'  => false,
-      'ldquote'       => "\u201C", # UTF8 chars
-      'rdquote'       => "\u201D",
-      'lsquote'       => "\u2018",
-      'rsquote'       => "\u2019",
-      'em_dash'       => "\u2014",
-      'en_dash'       => "\u2013",
-      'ellipsis'      => "\u2026",
-      'smart_quotes'  => true,
-      'text_hint'     => 'off',
-    }
-
-    #Translate the hints to the methods.
-    ANTIALIAS_OPTS = {
-      'best' => 'subpixel',
-      'good' => 'gray',
-      'fast' => 'gray',
-      'gray' => 'gray',
-      'subpixel' => 'subpixel'
-    }
     # These are parameters that are intended to be "expanded" across
     # range if they are singletons.
     #
diff --git a/lib/squib/deck.rb b/lib/squib/deck.rb
index e205f91..36ba94d 100644
--- a/lib/squib/deck.rb
+++ b/lib/squib/deck.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 require 'yaml'
 require 'pp'
+require 'forwardable'
 require 'squib'
 require 'squib/card'
 require 'squib/progress'
@@ -7,6 +8,7 @@ require 'squib/input_helpers'
 require 'squib/constants'
 require 'squib/layout_parser'
 require 'squib/args/unit_conversion'
+require 'squib/conf'
 
 # The project module
 #
@@ -19,24 +21,19 @@ module Squib
   class Deck
     include Enumerable
     include Squib::InputHelpers
+    extend Forwardable
 
-    # :nodoc:
-    # @api private
-    attr_reader :width, :height
-
-    # :nodoc:
-    # @api private
-    attr_reader :cards
-
-    # :nodoc:
+    # Attributes for the width, height (in pixels) and number of cards
+    # These are expected to be immuatble for the life of Deck
     # @api private
-    attr_reader :text_hint, :antialias
+    attr_reader :width, :height, :cards
 
+    # Delegate these configuration options to the Squib::Conf object
+    def_delegators :conf, :antialias, :backend, :count_format, :custom_colors, :dir,
+                          :img_dir, :prefix, :text_hint, :typographer
     # :nodoc:
     # @api private
-    attr_reader :layout, :config, :quote_chars
-
-    attr_reader :dir, :prefix, :count_format
+    attr_reader :layout, :conf
 
     # Squib's constructor that sets the immutable properties.
     #
@@ -58,24 +55,16 @@ module Squib
     # @param block [Block] the main body of the script.
     # @api public
     def initialize(width: 825, height: 1125, cards: 1, dpi: 300, config: 'config.yml', layout: nil, &block)
-      @antialias     = CONFIG_DEFAULTS['antialias']
       @dpi           = dpi
       @font          = SYSTEM_DEFAULTS[:default_font]
       @cards         = []
       @custom_colors = {}
-      @img_dir       = '.'
-      @progress_bar  = Progress.new(false)
-      @text_hint     = :off
-      @backend       = :memory
-      @dir           = SYSTEM_DEFAULTS[:dir]
-      @prefix        = SYSTEM_DEFAULTS[:prefix]
-      @count_format  = SYSTEM_DEFAULTS[:count_format]
-      @quote_chars   = CONFIG_DEFAULTS.select {|k,v| %w(lsquote rsquote ldquote rdquote em_dash en_dash ellipsis smart_quotes).include?(k) }
+      @conf          = Conf.load(config)
+      @progress_bar  = Progress.new(@conf.progress_bars) # FIXME this is evil. Using something different with @ and non-@
       show_info(config, layout)
-      load_config(config)
       @width         = Args::UnitConversion.parse width, dpi
       @height        = Args::UnitConversion.parse height, dpi
-      cards.times{ |i| @cards << Squib::Card.new(self, @width, @height, @backend, i) }
+      cards.times{ |i| @cards << Squib::Card.new(self, @width, @height, i) }
       @layout        = LayoutParser.load_layout(layout)
       if block_given?
         instance_eval(&block) # here we go. wheeeee!
@@ -96,29 +85,6 @@ module Squib
       @cards.each { |card| block.call(card) }
     end
 
-    # Load the configuration file, if exists, overriding hardcoded defaults
-    # @api private
-    def load_config(file)
-      if File.exists?(file) && config = YAML.load_file(file)
-        Squib::logger.info { "  using config: #{file}" }
-        config                = CONFIG_DEFAULTS.merge(config)
-        @dpi                  = config['dpi'].to_i
-        @text_hint            = config['text_hint']
-        @progress_bar.enabled = config['progress_bars']
-        @custom_colors        = config['custom_colors']
-        @img_dir              = config['img_dir']
-        @backend              = (config['backend'].to_s.downcase.strip == 'svg') ? :svg : :memory
-        @dir                  = config['dir']
-        @prefix               = config['prefix']
-        @count_format         = config['count_format']
-        @antialias            = config['antialias']
-        @quote_chars ||= {}
-        %w(lsquote rsquote ldquote rdquote smart_quotes em_dash en_dash ellipsis).each do |key|
-          @quote_chars[key] = config[key]
-        end
-      end
-    end
-
     # Use Logger to show more detail on the run
     # :nodoc:
     # @api private
diff --git a/lib/squib/graphics/save_doc.rb b/lib/squib/graphics/save_doc.rb
index 8cbddac..89dc8c5 100644
--- a/lib/squib/graphics/save_doc.rb
+++ b/lib/squib/graphics/save_doc.rb
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ module Squib
           cc.translate(x,y)
           cc.rectangle(p[:trim], p[:trim], card_width, card_height)
           cc.clip
-          case card.backend
+          case card.backend.downcase.to_sym
           when :memory
             cc.set_source(card.cairo_surface, 0, 0)
             cc.paint
diff --git a/lib/squib/graphics/text.rb b/lib/squib/graphics/text.rb
index 4177032..df54491 100644
--- a/lib/squib/graphics/text.rb
+++ b/lib/squib/graphics/text.rb
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ module Squib
 
     def set_font_rendering_opts!(layout)
       font_options                = Cairo::FontOptions.new
-      font_options.antialias      = ANTIALIAS_OPTS[(@deck.antialias.downcase)] || 'gray'
+      font_options.antialias      = Conf::ANTIALIAS_OPTS[(@deck.antialias || 'gray').downcase]
       font_options.hint_metrics   = 'on' # TODO make this configurable
       font_options.hint_style     = 'full' # TODO make this configurable
       layout.context.font_options = font_options
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ module Squib
       while (key = next_embed(embed.rules.keys, clean_str)) != nil
         rule          = embed.rules[key]
         spacing       = rule[:width] * Pango::SCALE
-        index         = clean_str.index(key) 
+        index         = clean_str.index(key)
         index         = clean_str[0..index].bytesize #convert to byte index (bug #57)
         str = str.sub(key, "<span size=\"#{ZERO_WIDTH_CHAR_SIZE}\">a<span letter_spacing=\"#{spacing.to_i}\">a</span>a</span>")
         layout.markup = str
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ module Squib
         layout.font_description = font_desc
         layout.text    = str
         if markup
-          str = Args::Typographer.new(@deck.quote_chars).process(layout.text)
+          str = @deck.typographer.process(layout.text)
           layout.markup = str
         end
 
diff --git a/lib/squib/input_helpers.rb b/lib/squib/input_helpers.rb
index ccfe8b6..fa9dc88 100644
--- a/lib/squib/input_helpers.rb
+++ b/lib/squib/input_helpers.rb
@@ -130,8 +130,8 @@ module Squib
     def colorify(opts, nillable=false, key=:color)
       opts[key].each_with_index do |color, i|
         unless nillable && color.nil?
-          if @custom_colors.key? color.to_s
-            color = @custom_colors[color.to_s]
+          if custom_colors.key? color.to_s
+            color = custom_colors[color.to_s]
           end
           opts[key][i] = color
         end
diff --git a/samples/custom-config.yml b/samples/custom-config.yml
index d23a052..1aa8e97 100644
--- a/samples/custom-config.yml
+++ b/samples/custom-config.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-dpi: 300
 progress_bars: true
 text_hint: '#FF0000'
 custom_colors:
diff --git a/samples/custom_config.rb b/samples/custom_config.rb
index 88445cc..8953f18 100644
--- a/samples/custom_config.rb
+++ b/samples/custom_config.rb
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ Squib::Deck.new(config: 'custom-config.yml') do
   # Custom color defined in our config
   background color: :foo
 
-  # Hints are turned on in the config file
+  # Hints can be turned on in the config file
   text str: 'The Title', x: 0, y: 78, width: 825,
        font: 'Arial 72', align: :center
 
diff --git a/spec/conf_spec.rb b/spec/conf_spec.rb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..82a798d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/conf_spec.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+require 'squib'
+require 'spec_helper'
+
+describe Squib::Conf do
+
+  it 'parses the project template file just fine' do
+    conf = Squib::Conf.load(project_template('config.yml'))
+    expect(conf.backend).to eq(Squib::Conf::DEFAULTS['backend'])
+  end
+
+  it 'parses an empty file' do
+    conf = Squib::Conf.load(conf('empty.yml'))
+    expect(conf.backend).to eq(Squib::Conf::DEFAULTS['backend'])
+  end
+
+  it 'parses the sample custom config' do
+    conf = Squib::Conf.load(sample_file('custom-config.yml'))
+    expect(conf.progress_bars).to  be true
+    expect(conf.text_hint).to      eq '#FF0000'
+    expect(conf.custom_colors).to  eq({ 'foo' => '#ccc' })
+    expect(conf.img_dir).to        eq 'customconfig-imgdir'
+  end
+
+  it 'normalizes antialias automatically' do
+    expect(Squib::Conf::DEFAULTS['antialias']).to eq 'best'
+    expect(Squib::Conf.new.antialias).to          eq 'subpixel'
+  end
+
+end
diff --git a/spec/data/conf/basic.yml b/spec/data/conf/basic.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
diff --git a/spec/data/conf/empty.yml b/spec/data/conf/empty.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..48ddb6f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/data/conf/empty.yml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+# Intentionally empty
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/spec/graphics/graphics_images_spec.rb b/spec/graphics/graphics_images_spec.rb
index 4769ae0..6b590d8 100644
--- a/spec/graphics/graphics_images_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/graphics/graphics_images_spec.rb
@@ -3,80 +3,81 @@ require 'squib'
 
 describe Squib::Card do
 
-  before(:example) do
-      @deck    = double(Squib::Deck)
-      @context = double(Cairo::Context)
-      @svg     = double(RSVG::Handle)
-      @png     = double(Cairo::ImageSurface)
-      allow(Cairo::Context).to receive(:new).and_return(@context)
-      allow(Cairo::ImageSurface).to receive(:from_png).and_return(@png)
-      allow(Cairo::ImageSurface).to receive(:new).and_return(@png)
-      allow(RSVG::Handle).to receive(:new_from_file).and_return(@svg)
-      allow(@deck).to receive(:dir).and_return('_output')
-      allow(@deck).to receive(:count_format).and_return('%02d')
-      allow(@deck).to receive(:prefix).and_return('card_')
-      allow(@deck).to receive(:antialias).and_return('best')
+  let(:deck)    { double(Squib::Deck) }
+  let(:context) { double(Cairo::Context) }
+  let(:svg)     { double(RSVG::Handle) }
+  let(:png)     { double(Cairo::ImageSurface) }
 
+  before(:each) do
+      allow(Cairo::Context).to receive(:new).and_return(context)
+      allow(Cairo::ImageSurface).to receive(:from_png).and_return(png)
+      allow(Cairo::ImageSurface).to receive(:new).and_return(png)
+      allow(RSVG::Handle).to receive(:new_from_file).and_return(svg)
+      allow(deck).to receive(:dir).and_return('_output')
+      allow(deck).to receive(:count_format).and_return('%02d')
+      allow(deck).to receive(:prefix).and_return('card_')
+      allow(deck).to receive(:antialias).and_return('subpixel')
+      allow(deck).to receive(:backend).and_return('memory')
   end
 
   context '#png' do
     it 'makes all the expected calls on a smoke test' do
-      expect(@context).to receive(:antialias=).with('subpixel')
-      expect(@context).to receive(:save).once
-      expect(@context).to receive(:translate).with(-37, -38).once
-      expect(@context).to receive(:rotate).with(0.0).once
-      expect(@context).to receive(:translate).with(37, 38).once
-      expect(@context).to receive(:set_source).with(@png, 37, 38).once
-      expect(@context).to receive(:paint).with(0.9).once
-      expect(@context).to receive(:restore).once
+      expect(context).to receive(:antialias=).with('subpixel')
+      expect(context).to receive(:save).once
+      expect(context).to receive(:translate).with(-37, -38).once
+      expect(context).to receive(:rotate).with(0.0).once
+      expect(context).to receive(:translate).with(37, 38).once
+      expect(context).to receive(:set_source).with(png, 37, 38).once
+      expect(context).to receive(:paint).with(0.9).once
+      expect(context).to receive(:restore).once
 
-      card = Squib::Card.new(@deck, 100, 150)
+      card = Squib::Card.new(deck, 100, 150)
       # png(file, x, y, alpha, blend, angle)
       card.png('foo.png', 37, 38, :native, :native, 0.9, :none, 0.0, nil)
     end
 
     it 'sets blend when needed' do
-      @context.as_null_object
-      expect(@context).to receive(:operator=).with(:overlay).once
+      context.as_null_object
+      expect(context).to receive(:operator=).with(:overlay).once
 
-      card = Squib::Card.new(@deck, 100, 150)
+      card = Squib::Card.new(deck, 100, 150)
       card.png('foo.png', 37, 38, :native, :native, 0.9, :overlay, 0.0, nil)
     end
   end
 
   context '#svg' do
     it 'makes all the expected calls on a smoke test' do
-      expect(@svg).to receive(:width).and_return(100).twice
-      expect(@svg).to receive(:height).and_return(100).twice
-      expect(@context).to receive(:antialias=).with('subpixel').once
-      expect(@context).to receive(:save).once
-      expect(@context).to receive(:rotate).with(0.0).once
-      expect(@context).to receive(:translate).with(37, 38).once
-      expect(@context).to receive(:scale).with(1.0, 1.0).once
-      expect(@context).to receive(:render_rsvg_handle).with(@svg, 'id').once
-      expect(@context).to receive(:restore).once
+      expect(svg).to receive(:width).and_return(100).twice
+      expect(svg).to receive(:height).and_return(100).twice
+      expect(context).to receive(:antialias=).with('subpixel').once
+      expect(context).to receive(:save).once
+      expect(context).to receive(:rotate).with(0.0).once
+      expect(context).to receive(:translate).with(37, 38).once
+      expect(context).to receive(:scale).with(1.0, 1.0).once
+      expect(context).to receive(:render_rsvg_handle).with(svg, 'id').once
+      expect(context).to receive(:restore).once
 
-      card = Squib::Card.new(@deck, 100, 150)
+      card = Squib::Card.new(deck, 100, 150)
       # svg(file, id, x, y, width, height, alpha, blend, angle)
       card.svg('foo.png', 'id', 37, 38, :native, :native, 0.9, :none, 0.0, nil)
     end
 
     it 'sets blend when needed' do
-      @context.as_null_object
-      @svg.as_null_object
-      expect(@context).to receive(:operator=).with(:overlay).once
+      context.as_null_object
+      svg.as_null_object
+      expect(context).to receive(:operator=).with(:overlay).once
 
-      card = Squib::Card.new(@deck, 100, 150)
+      card = Squib::Card.new(deck, 100, 150)
       card.svg('foo.png', nil, 37, 38, :native, :native, 0.9, :overlay, 0.0, nil)
     end
 
     it 'sets width & height when needed' do
-      @context.as_null_object
-      expect(@svg).to receive(:width).and_return(100).once
-      expect(@svg).to receive(:height).and_return(100).once
-      expect(@context).to receive(:scale).with(2.0, 3.0).once
+      context.as_null_object
+      expect(svg).to receive(:width).and_return(100).once
+      expect(svg).to receive(:height).and_return(100).once
+      expect(context).to receive(:scale).with(2.0, 3.0).once
 
-      card = Squib::Card.new(@deck, 100, 150)
+      card = Squib::Card.new(deck, 100, 150)
       card.svg('foo.png', nil, 37, 38, 200, 300, 0.9, :none, 0.0, nil)
     end
   end
diff --git a/spec/graphics/graphics_shapes_spec.rb b/spec/graphics/graphics_shapes_spec.rb
index b7037d0..c4565ed 100644
--- a/spec/graphics/graphics_shapes_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/graphics/graphics_shapes_spec.rb
@@ -3,33 +3,35 @@ require 'squib'
 
 describe Squib::Card do
 
-  def expect_stroke(fill_color, stroke_color, stroke_width)
-    expect(@context).to receive(:set_source_color).with(stroke_color).once
-    expect(@context).to receive(:set_line_width).with(stroke_width).once
-    expect(@context).to receive(:stroke).once
-    expect(@context).to receive(:set_source_color).with(fill_color).once
-    expect(@context).to receive(:fill).once
+  let(:deck) { double(Squib::Deck) }
+  let(:cxt)  { double(Cairo::Context) }
+
+  def expect_stroke(cxt, fill_color, stroke_color, stroke_width)
+    expect(cxt).to receive(:set_source_color).with(stroke_color).once
+    expect(cxt).to receive(:set_line_width).with(stroke_width).once
+    expect(cxt).to receive(:stroke).once
+    expect(cxt).to receive(:set_source_color).with(fill_color).once
+    expect(cxt).to receive(:fill).once
   end
 
   before(:each) do
-    @deck    = double(Squib::Deck)
-    @context = double(Cairo::Context)
-    allow(Cairo::Context).to receive(:new).and_return(@context)
-    allow(@deck).to receive(:dir).and_return('_output')
-    allow(@deck).to receive(:count_format).and_return('%02d')
-    allow(@deck).to receive(:prefix).and_return('card_')
-    allow(@deck).to receive(:antialias).and_return('best')
+    allow(Cairo::Context).to receive(:new).and_return(cxt)
+    allow(deck).to receive(:dir).and_return('_output')
+    allow(deck).to receive(:count_format).and_return('%02d')
+    allow(deck).to receive(:prefix).and_return('card_')
+    allow(deck).to receive(:antialias).and_return('subpixel')
+    allow(deck).to receive(:backend).and_return('memory')
   end
 
   context 'rect' do
     it 'make all the expected calls on a smoke test' do
-      expect(@context).to receive(:antialias=).with('subpixel')
-      expect(@context).to receive(:save).once
-      expect(@context).to receive(:rounded_rectangle).with(37, 38, 50, 100, 10, 15).twice
-      expect_stroke('#fff', '#f00', 2.0)
-      expect(@context).to receive(:restore).once
+      expect(cxt).to receive(:antialias=).with('subpixel')
+      expect(cxt).to receive(:save).once
+      expect(cxt).to receive(:rounded_rectangle).with(37, 38, 50, 100, 10, 15).twice
+      expect_stroke(cxt, '#fff', '#f00', 2.0)
+      expect(cxt).to receive(:restore).once
 
-      card = Squib::Card.new(@deck, 100, 150)
+      card = Squib::Card.new(deck, 100, 150)
       # rect(x, y, width, height, x_radius, y_radius,
       #      fill_color, stroke_color, stroke_width)
       card.rect(37, 38, 50, 100, 10, 15, '#fff', '#f00', 2.0)
@@ -38,14 +40,14 @@ describe Squib::Card do
 
   context 'circle' do
     it 'make all the expected calls on a smoke test' do
-      expect(@context).to receive(:antialias=).with('subpixel')
-      expect(@context).to receive(:save).once
-      expect(@context).to receive(:move_to).with(137, 38)
-      expect(@context).to receive(:circle).with(37, 38, 100).twice
-      expect_stroke('#fff', '#f00', 2.0)
-      expect(@context).to receive(:restore).once
+      expect(cxt).to receive(:antialias=).with('subpixel')
+      expect(cxt).to receive(:save).once
+      expect(cxt).to receive(:move_to).with(137, 38)
+      expect(cxt).to receive(:circle).with(37, 38, 100).twice
+      expect_stroke(cxt, '#fff', '#f00', 2.0)
+      expect(cxt).to receive(:restore).once
 
-      card = Squib::Card.new(@deck, 100, 150)
+      card = Squib::Card.new(deck, 100, 150)
       # circle(x, y, radius,
       #        fill_color, stroke_color, stroke_width)
       card.circle(37, 38, 100, '#fff', '#f00', 2.0)
@@ -54,29 +56,29 @@ describe Squib::Card do
 
   context 'triangle' do
     it 'make all the expected calls on a smoke test' do
-      expect(@context).to receive(:antialias=).with('subpixel')
-      expect(@context).to receive(:save).once
-      expect(@context).to receive(:triangle).with(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6).twice
-      expect_stroke('#fff', '#f00', 2.0)
-      expect(@context).to receive(:restore).once
+      expect(cxt).to receive(:antialias=).with('subpixel')
+      expect(cxt).to receive(:save).once
+      expect(cxt).to receive(:triangle).with(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6).twice
+      expect_stroke(cxt, '#fff', '#f00', 2.0)
+      expect(cxt).to receive(:restore).once
 
-      card = Squib::Card.new(@deck, 100, 150)
+      card = Squib::Card.new(deck, 100, 150)
       card.triangle(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, '#fff', '#f00', 2.0)
     end
   end
 
   context 'line' do
     it 'make all the expected calls on a smoke test' do
-      expect(@context).to receive(:antialias=).with('subpixel')
-      expect(@context).to receive(:save).once
-      expect(@context).to receive(:move_to).with(1, 2).once
-      expect(@context).to receive(:line_to).with(3, 4).once
-      expect(@context).to receive(:set_source_color).with('#fff').once
-      expect(@context).to receive(:set_line_width).with(2.0).once
-      expect(@context).to receive(:stroke).once
-      expect(@context).to receive(:restore).once
+      expect(cxt).to receive(:antialias=).with('subpixel')
+      expect(cxt).to receive(:save).once
+      expect(cxt).to receive(:move_to).with(1, 2).once
+      expect(cxt).to receive(:line_to).with(3, 4).once
+      expect(cxt).to receive(:set_source_color).with('#fff').once
+      expect(cxt).to receive(:set_line_width).with(2.0).once
+      expect(cxt).to receive(:stroke).once
+      expect(cxt).to receive(:restore).once
 
-      card = Squib::Card.new(@deck, 100, 150)
+      card = Squib::Card.new(deck, 100, 150)
       card.line(1, 2, 3, 4, '#fff', 2.0)
     end
   end
diff --git a/spec/graphics/graphics_text_spec.rb b/spec/graphics/graphics_text_spec.rb
index 065c2d5..6bb7231 100644
--- a/spec/graphics/graphics_text_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/graphics/graphics_text_spec.rb
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ describe Squib::Card, '#text' do
       allow(deck).to receive(:count_format).and_return('%02d')
       allow(deck).to receive(:prefix).and_return('card_')
       allow(deck).to receive(:antialias).and_return('best')
+      allow(deck).to receive(:antialias).and_return('subpixel')
+      allow(deck).to receive(:backend).and_return('memory')
       allow(layout).to receive(:context).and_return(pango_cxt)
     end
 
@@ -71,7 +73,8 @@ describe Squib::Card, '#text' do
       allow(deck).to receive(:dir).and_return('_output')
       allow(deck).to receive(:count_format).and_return('%02d')
       allow(deck).to receive(:prefix).and_return('card_')
-      allow(deck).to receive(:antialias).and_return('best')
+      allow(deck).to receive(:antialias).and_return('subpixel')
+      allow(deck).to receive(:backend).and_return('memory')
     end
 
     it 'aligns right with strings' do
diff --git a/spec/samples/samples_regression_spec.rb b/spec/samples/samples_regression_spec.rb
index 1e89522..754fe48 100644
--- a/spec/samples/samples_regression_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/samples/samples_regression_spec.rb
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ describe "Squib samples" do
   end
 
   Dir["#{@SAMPLES_DIR}/**/*.rb"].each do |sample|
-    it "should execute #{sample} with no errors" do
+    it "should execute #{sample} with no errors", slow: true do
       allow(Squib.logger).to receive(:warn) {}
       allow(ProgressBar).to receive(:create).and_return(Squib::DoNothing.new)
       load sample
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ describe "Squib samples" do
       tgc_proofs.rb
       units.rb
   ).each do |sample|
-    it "has not changed for #{sample}" do
+    it "has not changed for #{sample}", slow: true do
       log = StringIO.new
       mock_cairo(log)
       load sample
diff --git a/spec/spec_helper.rb b/spec/spec_helper.rb
index 8f2296f..db702c4 100644
--- a/spec/spec_helper.rb
+++ b/spec/spec_helper.rb
@@ -36,6 +36,14 @@ def xlsx_file(file)
   "#{File.expand_path(File.dirname(__FILE__))}/data/xlsx/#{file}"
 end
 
+def project_template(file)
+  "#{File.expand_path(File.dirname(__FILE__))}/../lib/squib/project_template/#{file}"
+end
+
+def conf(file)
+  "#{File.expand_path(File.dirname(__FILE__))}/data/conf/#{file}"
+end
+
 def overwrite_sample(sample_name, log)
   # Use this to overwrite the regression with current state
   File.open(sample_regression_file(sample_name), 'w+:UTF-8') do |f|
diff --git a/squib.sublime-project b/squib.sublime-project
index e8cf46f..063a2c8 100644
--- a/squib.sublime-project
+++ b/squib.sublime-project
@@ -12,10 +12,14 @@
 			"name": "rake",
 			"shell_cmd": "rake",
 		},
-		{
+	        {
 			"name": "rake sanity",
 			"shell_cmd": "rake sanity",
 		},
+		{
+			"name": "rake spec_fastonly",
+			"shell_cmd": "rake spec_fastonly",
+		},
 		{
 			"name": "rake run[text_options]",
 			"shell_cmd": "rake run[text_options]",
@@ -32,6 +36,10 @@
 			"name": "rake run[config_text_markup]",
 			"shell_cmd": "rake run[config_text_markup]",
 		},
+		{
+			"name": "rake run[custom_config]",
+			"shell_cmd": "rake run[custom_config]",
+		},
 		{
 			"name":        "rspec spec/samples/samples_regression_spec.rb",
 			"shell_cmd":   "rspec spec/samples/samples_regression_spec.rb",
@@ -48,11 +56,33 @@
 			"working_dir": "${project_path:${folder}}"
 		},
 		{
-			"name":        "rspec spec/api/api_data_spec.rb",
-			"shell_cmd":   "rspec spec/api/api_data_spec.rb",
 			"working_dir": "${project_path:${folder}}"
 		},
+		{
+			"name":        "rspec spec/graphics/graphics_shapes_spec.rb",
+			"shell_cmd":   "rspec spec/graphics/graphics_shapes_spec.rb",
+			"working_dir": "${project_path:${folder}}"
+		},
+		{
+			"name":        "rspec spec/conf_spec.rb",
+			"shell_cmd":   "rspec spec/conf_spec.rb",
+			"working_dir": "${project_path:${folder}}"
+		},
+		{
+			"name":        "rspec spec/graphics/graphics_images_spec.rb",
+			"shell_cmd":   "rspec spec/graphics/graphics_images_spec.rb",
+			"working_dir": "${project_path:${folder}}"
+		},
+		{
+			"name":        "rspec spec/graphics/graphics_shapes_spec.rb",
+			"shell_cmd":   "rspec spec/graphics/graphics_shapes_spec.rb",
+			"working_dir": "${project_path:${folder}}"
+		},
+		{
+			"name":        "rspec spec/conf_spec.rb",
+			"shell_cmd":   "rspec spec/conf_spec.rb",
 
-	],
+		},
+	]
 
 }