Printing Counters?

[Rechan]

So, there are many useful things out there. Such as those cool counters that one can use (a helpful gentleman by the name of Frank on here has made a few for me).

however, am I supposed to print them out straight, and just use the little slips of paper? How do you make the hard cardboard backed counters? Or do you have to just buy them pre-made?

 

[Scribe Ineti]

however, am I supposed to print them out straight, and just use the little slips of paper? How do you make the hard cardboard backed counters? Or do you have to just buy them pre-made?

I printed out counter sheets on regular paper then glued the paper to some thin cardstock (actually a cut apart Lego set box) and then cut out the counters once the glue had set.

Works really nicely. Gives the counters a little more weight than just paper.

 

[Obryn]

I print them straight onto cardstock on a color laser printer, then slice them apart with my wife's scrapbooking paper cutter.

It's quick and they look great!

-O

 

[Rechan]

I printed out counter sheets on regular paper then glued the paper to some thin cardstock

I imagine you have to coat the sucker in glue to make sure every counter is stuck to the board.

Any suggestion where to get cardstock cheap?

 

[Scribe Ineti]

I imagine you have to coat the sucker in glue to make sure every counter is stuck to the board.

Well...I actually cut the counters out of the paper in chunks, like chunks of 10 counters or so, so that the pieces of paper being glued to the cardstock were a bit more manageable than if I were pasting a full sheet of paper.

As it was, I used a healthy amount of white glue and a brush to spread it evenly over the paper and the cardboard, then let it dry/set overnight.

After a month and 6 sessions of solid use, the counters are holding up well.

 

[Obryn]

I imagine you have to coat the sucker in glue to make sure every counter is stuck to the board.

Any suggestion where to get cardstock cheap?

Go to Office Depot or Office Max or Staples or something like that. Walk right past their pre-packaged 200-sheet things and go to the print counter.

Ask to buy 20-30 sheets of the heavier cardstock. It'll cost a buck or three, but you won't have a huge stack of it sitting around.

-O

 

[sjmiller]

There are a couple of easy ways of printing nice cardstock counters. The first is really the cheapest.

Print them on regular paper. Get yourself an empty cereal box, or any box of similar thickness. Open the box so it lays flat. Spray the inside of the box with some spray adhesive (from any craft or office supply store). Carefully apply the printed sheet, making sure there are no bubbles or wrinkles. Wait for it to dry, then cut them apart.

The alternate way is to buy some cardstock. I use 110 lb. index stock myself. It comes in packs of 250. It's not cheap, but it is sure handy. Print directly onto the cardstock. Hopefully your printer can handle it. Then cut it out using a paper cutter, an x-acto knife and a straight edge, or a good pair of scissors. The scissors should be a last resort, if you ask me.

I have done both methods, and they are both great. The first one is not only cheaper, but will give you stiffer counters, as the cardboard is thicker.

 

[Krensky]

I print mine out via color laser onto full sheet labels, stick that to 25 point pressboard (the stuff classification folders or the heavy duty folders you see in government offices are made from, it's equivalent to something like 300 lb card stock if I remember right) and cut apart with a razor knife and steel ruler. A pack of 25 labels costs about $13, and Staples has a set of alphabetic file guides (25 of them) for about $20.

 

[frankthedm]

A method I have thought about is printing out the counters on normal paper, then applying the sheet to a piece of cheap self adhesive vinyl tile. Slice the tile with a straight edge and metal ruler.

 

[Ranger REG]

So, there are many useful things out there. Such as those cool counters that one can use (a helpful gentleman by the name of Frank on here has made a few for me).

however, am I supposed to print them out straight, and just use the little slips of paper? How do you make the hard cardboard backed counters? Or do you have to just buy them pre-made?

Read your printer's manual if they can accept cardstock (usually the same thickness as an index card but comes in full sheets).

If you have empty [yellow legal] pad cardboard backing, don't throw them away. Use them as sturdy base for the printed counter (whether it's on paper or cardstock).

While regular glue is okay, I personally favor rubber cement.

Have a box (either a shoe box or plastic pencil box) available to store your counters. You can use ziploc plastic bags if you want.