Print and Play Questions

[natureboi]

So let's say you have no current at home print capability.

Let's further say you have a PDF of great cards you are itching to get printed.

Let's further say you want the finished result to exactly resemble official Filsinger cards (card stock, finish, etc ).

How exactly do you go about this task? Any advice would be appreciated, especially from those who have been in this position.

[Carlzilla]

I don't know what they use exactly (I've asked before, but have never gotten an official reply), but what I use is pretty close.

I use 100lb. matte cover stock which seems to be around the right card stock weight and finish in my opinion. 100lb. gloss cover stock also exists. I've used it once or twice on personal stuff when the shop was out of matte and I didn't want to wait, but the results are too "shiny" so I try not to use it. There's also 120lb. cover stock, which is pretty rigid and thick, but the price makes it not worth it in my opinion, and it doesn't match the cards any better than 100lb. cover does in my opinion. It seems like the official cards may be on a stock that's right in between 100lb cover and 120lb cover...but according the shop I use, 110lb cover stock doesn't exist or is fairly rare, so I'm not entirely sure what the weight is exactly.

I'd avoid using 110 index which is a very thin and flimsy stock, but it's what people used to recommend for the older style cards, and so you'll sometimes see people still recommend it. In my opinion it feels cheap and really doesn't hold up to full color cards.

[Vegas]

natureboi, if you have a professional printing service in your area, they should be able to assist you with great results.

I no longer have to print any pdfs since Promoter Prime years ago went from only pdfs to printed cards, but there was a local printer (who unfortunately closed down during the pandemic and who did not return afterward) who did a great job helping me print those pdf cards which came out looking great and glossy in color.

[lk3185]

Two places I've looked at, Staples has less options, Office depot has a Matte cover but its in pts and not lbs. I don't want glossy to be too shiny if I do print out cards but I don't know what the difference is.

Will need a paper cutter as well.

[Carlzilla]

100lb cover stock should be 11pts
120lb cover stock should be 15pts

So basically anything in the 11-15pts range should get you a quality end product.