Printing Cards and Shit

What's a good paper to use for printing shit like character boards (like Arkham or Crusoe etc). I have some heavy paper but it's just... not right. Doesn't have the right gloss either. The photo paper I have is equally crappy. Both want to curl.

I also want to proxy some cards and print some customs but I have no idea what kind of paper is best for this.

I'm not the crafty sort so any tips and tricks appreciated.

There are two things I like to use.

The first is what they call card stock. About business card thickness or a little bit more.

The other thing is just print on regular paper then run it through my laminator. The first one I had I got on clearance at Hobby Lobby. My current one I used a 50% coupon from Michaels. I get my laminator pouches from Sam's but any hobby or office supply should carry them

Use card stock, 80#, and laminate it to binder's board using 3M #77 spray adhesive.

Will the cardstock curl if I don't laminate?

Anyway, thanks for the advice. I've been putting off doing this stuff for a while now.

With heavy or careless use or high humidity I would imagine it would but most of the stuff I've done has held up. I used some for the cards in a gladiator miniatures game a few years back and they are still fine.

Hex Sinister wrote: Will the cardstock curl if I don't laminate?

Anyway, thanks for the advice. I've been putting off doing this stuff for a while now.

I've used tons of cardstock (110 lb weight from Staples) over the years for prototype components of all shapes and sizes. And I've never had an issue with curling, or anything else over time. They've held up extremely well.

I will sleeve cards, especially smaller ones.

engelstein wrote: I've used tons of cardstock (110 lb weight from Staples) over the years for prototype components of all shapes and sizes. And I've never had an issue with curling, or anything else over time. They've held up extremely well.

I will sleeve cards, especially smaller ones.

I agree about the 110# cardstock. IMO it makes good cards for homebrew stuff. I sleeve mine with good-quality, thicker sleeves - like Fantasy Flight - and they feel fine. I made a couple Epic Duels custom decks this way and they compare well to the (admittedly subpar) quality of the official cards.

110# cardstock, a corner rounder, a good paper cutter, and some good card sleeves are pretty much all you need for a low-maintenance card-making setup.

The one thing about curling you have to consider is that the printer type makes a big difference. My laser printer curls the fuck out of anything thicker than copy paper. That's why I laminate it to binder board. Best thing to do is get a pack of yellow/recycled paper that's glued on the top and has that heavy backing - you can get them at staples for cheap and you can just tear off the paper and use the binder board for your own evil schemes. Plus, you can still use the paper.

www.yeggi.com/q/turd/?s=tt

Does anyone here have experience with a diecutter for making cards, tableaus, or counters? Looking to up my "game" for P&P/Prototyping.