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Post by kiladecus on Feb 11, 2013 4:39:56 GMT -9
Hey guys!
I am trying to figure out the BEST way to do my cards for my upcoming WARMANCERS game.
It focuses on playing cards as the main source of spells and equipment.
I want to find out what YOU would prefer. There are MANY ways to approach this, but I want to make sure that I get it right for you.
Here is a description of each option I am considering.
1) There is ONE sheet of card backs, and 10 (or whatever) of card fronts. You print out 10 pages of backs and glue them to the fronts, and then cut them out.
PROS: If you didn't want to add the backs (and used card sleeves/ protectors with an image on the back) , you wouldn't have to.
CONS: The backs may be tricky to line-up. (If you choose not to use the back, the cards would not be as durable).
2) You have the back on the left, and the front on the right. You score them, fold them and glue them.
PROS: Easy to assemble
CONS: You HAVE to print out the backs
3) Fancy/ High-quality backs:
PROS: Look great!
CONS: Uses a lot of ink
4) Plain backs (The OPPOSITE of the above)
5) "I don't care, either way.." This option means it really doesn't matter, and I can do what is easiest for me. ;D
Thanks for you input! I would like to get some feedback fairly quickly, so I can make sure I do what is best for the customer.
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Post by bravesirkevin on Feb 11, 2013 5:03:57 GMT -9
If I may, I think the real question you're asking here is "Should I bother with backs, and if so, how much effort should I put into them?"
The answer is yes you should. Not everyone will use them because some would prefer to save the ink, and some do use opaque-back sleeves, but the ones who do want a back will be put off by the fact that there isn't one, and overall it's very important in maintaining a professional image for your product to take care of the details like that.
As for how much effort you should put in, it's enough for it to look neat and professional. The fanciness of it is entirely up to you as the artist, but the complexity of the design is completely optional as long as it looks good.
I'd say go straight ahead with Option 1 because that caters to the people who do want a back and the people who don't, and it allows you to offer an alternative back later on down the line for people who want something more fancy, or for people who want something more simple. As a kindness and to add value, you can offer a second PDF in the set that covers Option 2 called Easy-Print Backs for those who want it... but only if you don't mind putting the extra effort into doing the layouts.
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Post by kiladecus on Feb 11, 2013 5:21:29 GMT -9
Thanks Kevin. Great advice!
I think you hit it on the head. Some publishers (like my dear friend OkumArts) use simple white cards with black texts. Pure and simple. These aren't the most visually appealing (not saying they look bad), but they work great and save ink.
If I had the ability to do layers, I could do a layer with the "leather" back or the plain white back. I could also do various colors so people could "customize" their decks with optional colors.
If anyone wants to help with this, let me know. I would love to bring in an assistant on this project. ;D
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Post by gilius on Feb 11, 2013 7:19:06 GMT -9
I agree with bravesirkevin, card backs are expected even if they will not be used. In that sense, having a sheet of cards is preferrable.
Besides allowing for different card backs, full sheets of card fronts also allow you to print them in full sheets of adhesive paper, which you can paste to cardstock or even playing cards, depending on size.
Another possibility is to have a fancy seamless texture for the back, so that misalignments will not be as noticeable. The relevance of that will depend on the impact of "marked cards" to the game...
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Post by kiladecus on Feb 11, 2013 12:13:41 GMT -9
Sololuca suggested I do a "High Quality" version AND an "Ink Saver" version.
It is a simple cut and paste, and I can have two separate PDFs. My *biggest* concern about the page of fronts and the page of backs is alignment. I am sure if you place a piece of tape on them and THEN fold the one page over onto the second, then it *should* work...
Regardless, you will treat the BACK of the card the way you treat the FRONT of the miniature. You will line up the cards and cut out the card so the BACK is perfectly lined up. If the front of the card is misaligned a little, that isn't a concern. It is important that the BACKS are 100% uniform.
Regardless, I think you will like what I have planned, and it will be fun mix. It will be a little like Chess, Era of War and MTG all mixed into one (that being said, I am sure people will say it isn't like ANY of them)... but it WILL be fun! ;D
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Post by bravesirkevin on Feb 11, 2013 23:02:22 GMT -9
This tut on Board Game Geek gives a good method for making pro-looking cards by hand. Answers the question of how to get things perfectly lined up too.
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Post by kiladecus on Feb 12, 2013 2:36:44 GMT -9
Excellent tutorial, Kevin. Thanks for sharing it. You will get a free copy of the set when it is released.
These cards are not going to be used as much as playing cards, but more as identification/ reference cards (like in Era Of War), so if I do the separate fronts and backs, then someone might even be able to print out the fronts, and flip them over and print out the backs on the same paper. No folding... no gluing.
I will do a page of Fancy cover (like the one above) and one ink conserving...
Thanks, Fellas! Looks like we have it all sorted! ;D
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Post by bravesirkevin on Feb 12, 2013 2:39:49 GMT -9
Thanks very much! Good luck with this... hope the launch goes well when you're ready for it!
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