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Post by jmccann on Mar 3, 2012 17:47:42 GMT -6
I want to experiment with making custom digest boxes through my (currently non-existent but long-planned) wargame design studio. I have set up a template and attached an example cover which is greatly reduced. The idea is to write an automated box creation script which eventually would have a few stylistic choices and a small number of images. Right now I just have 1 PD image, but that could be expanded.
It would be cheaper and less time-consuming for me to just do the printing, minimal cutting, and part of the gluing (the gluing cannot all be done when the cardboard is flat) and then mailing the package flat. The cardboard and paper wrap are both included. Actually assembling the boxes is more time consuming and so would drive the cost way up. I want to test both.
If you are interested, please post in this thread. Let me know if you want the assembled and glued version or the flat self-assembly version. The first poster of each type will be selected for the experiment. If you prefer one or the other but would like to take part if you don't get your first preference, let me know which would be preferred. I will pay for the box and the shipping, and in return I'll have a short questionnaire I'd like you to fill out about pricing, how the assembly went, and so on.
If you see that you are too late to be one of the first responders, please post anyway with any comments or suggestions you might have. I am especially interested in hearing if people would be willing to complete partially assembled boxes.
If you are selected I'll send you a PM with a form to fill out to determine the text, font, colors, mailing address and so on for the box.
Thanks!
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busman
Level 6 Magician
Playing OD&D, once again. Since 2008!
Posts: 448
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Post by busman on Mar 4, 2012 5:03:18 GMT -6
I'd be up for the pre glued version, this is I'm assuming you gluing the majority of the front to the box, which is the part I'd be scared of f'ing up. But, I'd be up for trying to glue the corners or whatever to complete the box.
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Post by kesher on Mar 4, 2012 21:52:11 GMT -6
I'd be happy to give the self-assembled version a try.
Sounds like a cool project!
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Post by Sean Michael Kelly on Mar 5, 2012 2:42:23 GMT -6
I'd be happy to help. (I'm not sure what you need, but just let me know!)
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arcadayn
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
Posts: 236
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Post by arcadayn on Mar 6, 2012 9:26:35 GMT -6
Very cool! I would love to see the self assembled version. Any idea on pricing?
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Post by jmccann on Mar 6, 2012 22:06:48 GMT -6
Very cool! I would love to see the self assembled version. Any idea on pricing? I don't know what the price will be yet, either for custom or generic boxes. So far, all the box wraps I have worked on have required at least some individual attention, with some back and forth with the tester which is not a good thing from the viewpoint of keeping the cost down. I was hoping I could write a simple script that would take care of all of the formatting and still look good, but it seems that it won't be as simple as I had hoped. I'll probably make some generic OSR boxes which won't have any custom elements -- a couple of designs for fantasy, and a science fiction box or two (other eras and genres according to demand). The price of those will be the base price of the boxes, and then I'll figure out how much time it takes per setup for a custom order and what my time is worth. From that I can set the price of a custom box setup. So the first box will be most expensive, and the cost of each remaining box will be the cost of one existing box, making it economical to order more than one custom box. I also need to figure out how much to charge for shipping, but that is pretty straightforward. I think 1 box will use USPS first class, and I'll use priority mail for larger orders. I should have all of the testers' designs out for final approval tonight, then I'll get them printed and start gluing them up. I also need to write up an instruction sheet for assembly. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2012 8:03:44 GMT -6
I am interested in both and would love to see more info. Would love to see an OD&D version since not all the book sets off eBay come with boxes.
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Post by jmccann on Mar 9, 2012 23:45:04 GMT -6
I am interested in both and would love to see more info. Would love to see an OD&D version since not all the book sets off eBay come with boxes. These should be going out early next week, then I'll be looking for feedback on how the assembly went. As for doing an OD&D version, that would not be a good idea since the phrase "Dungeons and Dragons" is trademarked and the image is copyrighted. That said though, a box that had a similar trade dress and image should be OK. I'll be working on something like that soon. |
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Post by jmccann on Mar 20, 2012 20:38:46 GMT -6
Here is an update. Most of the process is pretty easy, but there are two tricky bits. There is a corner that is hard to fold and glue nicely, and a bone folder is needed for best results or else the folded corners don't end up looking good. I have some new wraps printed with the latest graphics - I have been through three printings so far. I am trying to come up with a replacement for a bone folder, which I don't think is realistic to expect people to have.
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busman
Level 6 Magician
Playing OD&D, once again. Since 2008!
Posts: 448
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Post by busman on Mar 20, 2012 21:04:21 GMT -6
Not sure if you've sent out the initial run or not, but I've not received anything in the mail yet.
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Post by jmccann on Mar 20, 2012 21:16:07 GMT -6
Not sure if you've sent out the initial run or not, but I've not received anything in the mail yet. I have not sent anything out yet, I am worried that the results will be poor. I am making an adjustment to the wrap and will see if using a plastic spoon in place of a bone folder will get good results. |
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Post by coffee on Mar 21, 2012 11:16:53 GMT -6
I have not sent anything out yet, I am worried that the results will be poor. I am making an adjustment to the wrap and will see if using a plastic spoon in place of a bone folder will get good results. I've gotten good results using the side of a round-barrelled pen, as well. Maybe not as good as bone, but not bad. |
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Post by Sean Michael Kelly on Mar 21, 2012 11:28:26 GMT -6
I am making an adjustment to the wrap and will see if using a plastic spoon in place of a bone folder will get good results. There is no spoon. |
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Post by jmccann on Mar 21, 2012 22:28:14 GMT -6
I am making an adjustment to the wrap and will see if using a plastic spoon in place of a bone folder will get good results. There is no spoon. Hmm.. I will think about this. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2012 8:50:45 GMT -6
What is the status of this? I think this is an absolutely fabulous idea and I am hoping that it will work out extremely well in the long run.
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Post by kesher on Apr 2, 2012 9:35:46 GMT -6
I just got notice that my test-kit is in the mail...
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