Counter Collection Digital - Making Counters

[Pinotage]

I've been thinking about picking this up at some stage, but I wanted to make sure I could make counters from all the images first. Anybody have this or have ideas on how to make sturdy and cheap counters from the printed images? I've thoguht about printing those images I want onto adhesive paper and then sticking it onto 220 gsm paper before using a punch to punch it out, but not sure that'll work.

Thanks.

Pinotage

 

[Staffan]

Here's how I use it.

I make the counters using Powerpoint. Draw squares or circles of the appropriate dimensions, and use the image to fill the object. If you're making multiples of the same monster, add numbers to the objects as well, nd fiddle with the textbox settings to get the number in a good place in the image, and with the font/size to make it look good. I find that Tahoma, Bold, 12 point works well.

For counters that will likely only be used once (e.g. "this session, they'll fight some goblins"), I just print them on regular paper. For ones that need more durability, I either print them on cardstock (300 gram paper), or on regular paper which I then glue to cardboard. I prefer the first option.

I have attached an example, the counters I made for the first part of Red Hand of Doom (spoilers for those who are going to play in the adventure). It is mostly made from CCDigital images, but a few are taken from the WOTC art galleries (and cropped to make good counters). I hope FDP don't mind me uploading it.

 

[Pinotage]

Neat. Where's a good place to find cheap 300 gsm paper? Preferably online and available to order?

Pinotage

 

[Mark Hope]

I get a pdf of paper covered in 1-inch squares like a battlemat (from this cool site here and convert it into a jpg.

Then I copy the jpg of the counter that I want to make and paste it onto the jpg of the squares and use the squares to size it correctly (ie. 1x1 square for a Medium creature, 2x2 for a Large etc). I just use MS Paint for this - nothing fancy. If I am making lots of counters, I'll add lots of images to the sheet and then print it off when I am done. Usually I'll convert it back to a pdf for ease of printing.

Currently I glue the printed images onto card, but printing them onto heavier paper would be cool. I seem to recall that you are not far from St. Neots (right?), so you might want to try visiting Clover Office Supplies at 49 New Street - they have a pretty cool selection of paper and card.

 

[Staffan]

Neat. Where's a good place to find cheap 300 gsm paper? Preferably online and available to order?

No idea. I buy it at the book-and-paper store downtown. IIRC, a pack of 10 costs 35 kr or so (which would be something like $5, or $4 without sales tax). I reckon it would be possible to find it cheaper online, but that's cheap enough that I don't bother (and shipping would definitely eat up any cheapness I could get out of online ordering).

 

[Pinotage]

Currently I glue the printed images onto card, but printing them onto heavier paper would be cool. I seem to recall that you are not far from St. Neots (right?), so you might want to try visiting Clover Office Supplies at 49 New Street - they have a pretty cool selection of paper and card.

I have to take a look there. I'm looking for something like 280 gsm card, but the stores around where I am don't seem to have it. I can then use the adhesive A4 paper to print on and stick that to the card before punching out. Have to find a puncher too since I doubt cutting look that neat, particularly if you're cutting heavy card.

Thanks!

Pinotage

 

[Piratecat]

This collection might be the most useful D&D utility I own. The value for the cost is superb. Here's what I do:

1. Find the monster counter that I want

2. Drag the counter into Powerpoint (cause I like Powerpoint.) Set it to the correct size (I often find myself advancing monsters), and position as many as I need of them on a page.

3. Print on good quality resume-weight paper. I find that the thicker paper isn't that much money (I don't go through it quickly) and that counters printed on it hold up really well, and for less money than laminating them or printing on cardstock.

No fuss, no hassle, and it's simple and cheap to print more if I just want to reduce clutter by tossing my monster counters after a fight.

 

[Scribble]

I'm kind of like Pirate et al above, only I use Word, not Power Point.

Just insert image, and then give it a black border. I find the black border helps me cut it out properly.

I just print on Cardstock that I get from Target or any place that sells printer paper...

 

[Festivus]

I print on cardstock and then paste it to cardboard (cereal boxes work good for this). Then I take clear packing tape and wrap it around the assembly to make it last a very long time if it is something I would use frequently (e.g. my token mounts). The added benefit there is I can write on them with wet erase.

 

[smootrk]

Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or other similar graphics programs will be the best option, but the improvised methods listed above will do nicely.

But then again, I have a lot of experience using Adobe Software from graphics work that I have done.