Small quantity game cards: where to get printed?

I would:
1. Go to a paper store. Buy 500 sheets of 65# Exact Offset Opaque Cover Colors stock (probably yellow or orange, like monopoly or cream would be ideal). This should cost about $25-30.
2. Lay out my cards 10 up on a sheet. Make sure you don't have any artwork within 1/8" of the edge of EACH card (1/4" would be best). Make SURE all cards are in identical positions on the sheet so the project can be cut as one piece.
3. Take the paper and layouts (on disc) to a digital copy store. Run on a high-end black and white copy machine.
4. At about $.04 a sheet, running 500 sheets would cost about $20 + a set up fee to "RIP" your files. Many set up fees are "per file" so you can get more for your money if you lay-out 10 different cards on one sheet than if you print the same card 10 "up". This would result in (for 50 cards) 5 files versus fifty. At $1-2 per file charge you can see an instant and significant savings here.
5. I would expect to pay about $10-20 for trimming. They would cut the sheets and throw away the excess but you would probably be expected to sort the cards the way you want them.

That looks like about 5,000 cards for $100 to me. Work for you?

Ask for a quantity discount or maybe pay full price and ask for the trimming for free.Tell them you will come back to them for reprints if this project goes well. If you are sincere and polite most Printers (and people) will be happy to work with you.

in my experience most walk-in printers (office depot, kinkos, alphagraphics, etc.) who charge, charge per cut ...and cutting charges and file handling charges are pretty bogus... so if you can avoid either in ANY way, that's what i'd suggest.

if you don't know how to use one of those clamp-press cutters, i'd suggest going to one place, have them explain it to you while they do a small job or whatever, and then go to your primary location and if you can't talk them out of those charges off the bat, then offer to do the "file handling" durf durf, and cutting as well, just using their equipment.

Agreed. If you pay File Handling AND cutting fees you are paying retail. And we all (should) know what The Rules of Accquisition say about THAT.

I would NOT recommend a beginer try to use a blade cutter. I have known too many 8 and 9 fingered JOURNEYMAN Cutter Operators to suggest an amature give this a try.
I once had to do First Aid on a cutter who smashed some fingers with a clamp. Those machines STILL give me the willies.

I recently created a card game (Make An Offer) and I uploaded my files to The Game Crafter. They can manufacture small to large run of cards.

I also uploaded my files to ArtsCow. If you join, they send you a coupon where you can get a personalized set of 54 cards (front and back) for $5.99 (I think).

You can check out my game on BoardGameGeek or at The Game Crafter.

BoardGameGeek link:

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/55387

The Game Crafter Link:

http://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/make-an-offer

Now that's funny!

I work at a college in the print shop, we handle outside clients, I am not suppose to advertise, because we are not allowed to, but I can talk about it and through word of mouth we grow. So if you request it I can give a price guide. We do not charge for set up if the file is ready and we do not charge for cutting. We are attached to the mail room so shipping can be done as well. I usually can beat any price that Kinko’s or other big printers charge. We also do wide format cheaper than anywhere I have seen. I am a print production specialist and graphic designer there. and I can wave any set up fee if I like so if a bunch of you like this and ask I will set up a "promo code" for the users here and I will help as much as I can when I see them come in. just email me and use the "promo code" BGDF. I will also post some pictures of things I have done there in the next week. Just so you know at 10 up on a page at 500 pages x .05 = $25.00 not including tax and shipping. That’s 5,000 cards for $25.00 from us. This is on any card stock we have.

Erick Main

I’m just going to do a quick disclaimer. :) I do not want to get in to trouble here. If I am breaking any rules here please let me know. I love this site!!

Ok, we are located in Bakersfield, CA 93305. Registration is what I handle. So I’m willing to say it will stand up to most tests. I will go as far as .001 in shifting to achieve this. Feel free to email me more questions emain@gmail.com . I will have my web site back up by Friday and there will be more information there.
We have 90# card stock in colors on hand and I can order heaver and have it available in less then a week if needed, in any color. Check out some of my photos taken of my prototypes at various stages. I need a better camera, but this should give everyone an idea.

Just an update to what I wrote earlier:

I used them again, and this time the colors were perfect. So I'm trying to order more, if they'd just answer emails ;)

As for superiorpod, they demand you use Photoshop and nothing else. What if I prefer an other application? Then I have to print somewhere else.