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DaleTrueman Veteran user Australia 317 Posts |
Hi all,
I want to make some large playing cards, only three. They need to be durable and waterproof. Has anyone any advice they could share with me? I'm told that due to the thickness of the cardboard I am using they can't be laminated. |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
How large?
Waterproof, or water resistant? Are they unusual cards, or images as if from a standard deck?
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
DaleTrueman Veteran user Australia 317 Posts |
Almost from a standard deck, a little alteration. For a large three card monte.
I'm going for A4 size. I made some I was quite happy with. I just used extra wide sellotape in strips to cover them but a little liquid got spilt and one of them still got ruined. I'll probably do similar this time but thought I'd ask to see if anyone has a better method. |
Tally_NSA Loyal user Essex, UK 222 Posts |
Quote:
On Apr 18, 2016, DaleTrueman wrote: Rather than using sellotape, why not pouch laminate them? That's what I do for all my Jumbo gaffed cards. Here in the UK, there is a franchise called Rymans. It will pouch laminate for all sorts of sizes. I just take my stuff into them. They take my order and the items. I go away and have a coffee for 20 minutes. I go back, and they are ready. If you are from Oz, I'm sure there must be an equivalent to a Rymans out there. Failing that, you can get transparent sticky-backed plastic which is more durable than sellotape, and it will withstand water damage to a certain extent. It comes in a roll, and the width is much greater than a Jumbo card. Here in the UK, I get mine from WHSmiths. I'm sure there must be an outlet similar to it in Oz. |
DaleTrueman Veteran user Australia 317 Posts |
Thanks Tally_NSA.
I have asked about lamination but the shops feel they will be too thick. I need sturdy cards for the routine. Also I know the clear sheet adhesive you talk about but for some reason haven't found any at the shops. I'll check in eBay. |
Taterini Special user 604 Posts |
For laminating try using clear contact paper
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
See if you can find a similar product in your country. Blick does ship internationally, but cost may be prohibitive for this small a project.
http://www.dickblick.com/products/grafix......LF8P8HAQ I was going to mention that decks of cards are available online in several sizes, including A4, but if your images are anything but standard faces and backs, you are back to square one. For my money, I'd see if it was possible to screen print on plastic laminate. It seems to work for credit cards and other things.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
Don't know if you can find comparable stuff down under, but I recently made some cards about A4 size (if I have the conversions correct - it was just under our standard Letter size). I printed the fronts and backs on stiff photo paper, and then found some 110 lb cardstock and put a single sheet of that in between. I put each set-up into a self-sealing letter-size laminate pouch, smoothed out the air bubbles, and then trimmed off the edges. They came out stiff enough to use without worry.
Ed |
DaleTrueman Veteran user Australia 317 Posts |
That's now everyone for your ideas. I'm going with pretty much what Ed has said. But only because I have already gotten the photos printed.
If I have to do it again I might get them printed on canvas or some sort of fabric and glue laminate those to a plastic inner. I saw a box covered in this fashion the other day and it looks very durable. |
Frank Simpson Special user SW Montana 883 Posts |
I recently needed a set of Harry Anderson's Three Card Monarch brilliantly detailed in Mike Caveny's book Wise Guy.
I designed the cards in Adobe Illustrator (it helps to be a graphic designer for the day job) and then had a local print shop print them directly onto 3 mil Sintra®. Sintra® is an expanded foam plastic used for commercial signage. The printing was done with a solvent ink printer, so they require no lamination. The printers were able to print all three 18" x 24" cards on both sides, and round the corners all for about $125.00 which was quite reasonable. |
DaleTrueman Veteran user Australia 317 Posts |
Sounds great Frank. I tried to find a printer who could print on thicker and more durable media but came to a brick wall at the first four or five and gave up.
I guess my main concern is with the routine I am doing, 3 card Joe, you put the cards down the front of your pants. http://youtu.be/iNUfrHyY6IA I am worried that with repeated use the corners would get bent. I bought the routine with the extra large cards but am happier doing it with A4 size. They are easier to handle and are quite big enough for the venues I perform. I designed my cards in Photoshop, had them printed onto photographic paper at the local photoshop and glued them to extra strong cardboard. They feel very durable but time will tell. I've yet to lacquer them. They are heavier than I would of liked but quite manageable. |
Tally_NSA Loyal user Essex, UK 222 Posts |
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On May 2, 2016, DaleTrueman wrote: Sticking the cards down your trousers looks bad. How about sandwich some steel shim between the face and back of your cards, and attaching a powerful magnet to your trouser belt? That way you can stick the card to the magnet instead of down your trousers. Obviously, it will also help preserve your cards for longer. |
DaleTrueman Veteran user Australia 317 Posts |
Hi Tally NSA, I think it suits my character very well. He's kind of trailer trash magic.
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ringmaster Inner circle Memphis, Down in Dixie 1974 Posts |
Always spray anything you print with KRYLON UV-Resistant Clear, or the comparable Kodak product on both sides as soon as it's printed to protect aginst spills.
One of the last living 10-in-one performers. I wanted to be in show business the worst way, and that was it.
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
They sell giant decks and Casino Night party cards in super huge sizes. Most local party stores sells party cards.
Will these work. https://www.amazon.com/S-Worldwide-NA-Su......rd+decks |
DaleTrueman Veteran user Australia 317 Posts |
Thanks Bill (and everyone). As these weren't going to be standard cards (Think Chase the Ace) I couldn't use normal card suppliers. In the end I had large photos printed of cards I created myself in photoshop and then glued these to some strong bookbinders cardboard and then spray varnished to seal. It worked pretty well and they seem very durable. Time will tell. I have been out and about performing with them and so far they are holding up well.
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DaleTrueman Veteran user Australia 317 Posts |
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On May 2, 2016, Tally_NSA wrote: Thanks for your input. I agree that it's not a great look. For the character I most perform this suits but for more family friendly magic I now use what I call a bumbag but in America I believe is called a Fanny Pack. This makes a great pouch to put the card in during performance. |
FelixKraus New user 93 Posts |
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On Nov 14, 2016, ringmaster wrote: Good tip. And make sure you it outdoors for healthy lungs. |
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