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Publishing self or manufacturer

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Lee
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Joined: 12/31/1969

Has anyone submitted their prototype to a manufacturer and received a contract deal, if so, would you mind sharing your experience?
Can anyone share their experience on self publishing as well?
And if someone has experienced both methods, could you please give us your opinion on which way to go?

Thanks

Lee

faith27
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Joined: 12/31/1969
Self-publishing

Yeah...I am waiting to hear back from my printers for digital proof of my packaging. I have already got to see card deck proof and am really happy with that.

My printers are in India. The reason I chose them (incase you want to know) is because they
1) were responsive to any query I had...and I had a lot of queries (this is the first time I am doing this!)
2) gave a good price for manufacturing my decks (I'm based in london so found that my local printers was about £1,000 more dearer.)
3) gave me contacts of dozens of references - I chose 2 from the UK...happy customers - who incidently told me about custom and excise issues to count into my costings.
4) sent me samples which I was very happy with - exactly as they described in their website which is:
http://www.playingcardsindia.com

Hope this helps. Will let you know when I receive the decks...CAN'T WAIT TO HOLD THEM IN MY HANDS!!!

Lee
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Joined: 12/31/1969
Publishing self or manufacturer

Wow, how exciting. I will check out the site.
Thanks

Lee

boardgamegeezer
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Joined: 12/31/1969
Import tax

Hello
You might be shocked at the import tax if they catch your parcel.
I ordered some leather jeans from USA and import charged me £UK33 just for that.

I sent them back anyway and asked the tax office for a refund and they gave me the refund however you ahve to have a very good excuse for them to do that and mine was truthful that they were not like on the website and too big.
So beware the UK taxman.
BGG

boardgamegeezer
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Joined: 12/31/1969
Cards cost

Faith 27 hello
Have you received your cards yet from playin cards india?
Perhaps you can scan one in so we can see the result.
Also was the cost low to do the packs?
Regards
BGG

boardgamegeezer
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Joined: 12/31/1969
Self publishing

Well
After being rejected by two companies for my latest game idea (just one of em :)) one nice rejection and the other (biggish company) flatly rejected within ten minutes of me asking if they take current submissions and a bit sarcy looking email too I thought I have decided to do a publish run myself as I think its a good idea.
Now I looked at various card publishers and decided to email playing cardsindia.

Two days later I have not heard from them.

Not much wait I hear you say but I thought they would have an auto reply email or something.
Brick walls Brick walls you want to get on with something and you know.

Perhaps Im a bit impatient?
BGG

Oh yes and I emailed Carta Mundi UK two times about a quote for card publishing and they never got back to me. That was about four weeks ago.
Whats the matter with these people?
Thinking again it might be better to use Carta Mundi Singapore for cheaper cost.
Whtat do you think?
BGG

faith27
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Joined: 12/31/1969
Self publishing

Hello,
The costs for me are approx. £2200 ($3,875 exactly) V.A.T will add on another £400. The total number of decks ordered are 2,500 (36 cards in a deck). There is no customs duty on this.

The cards are being shipped tomorrow, I will probably get them on Wednesday next week or Thursday if I hire an agent. Heathrow customs only open on a wednesday.

If you haven't heard from them just send another reminder. Weird you haven't heard from them.

I'll let you know if I'm happy with the results once I get them next week.

Take care

faith27
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Joined: 12/31/1969
Uk Printer

Have you tried http://www.richard-edward.com/cards.html
They are based in london and my impression of them is that they are professional and have a very high standard. AT the same time they made me feel very important to them. The marketing manager visited my home!! and got to know my baby!! She's a lovely lady. The reason I didn't go with them in the end is budget. I HAD to stick to budget.

The final quote I got from them was £3,000 for 33 cards (size 10cm by 6 cm - too big for my requirements) Total number of decks = 2000. The price excludes V.A.T

So I stuck with budget. But I had a good rapport with Atul in India so wasn't too worried (as good a rapport one can have over e-mail :) )

faith27
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Joined: 12/31/1969
Impatience

I understand your impatience. I'm like that. You want to get on with something and nothing happens or it takes ages 'till developments take place.

I've tried to get quotes from loads of printers but I didn't hang around 'till I got a response. I kept at it until I got somewhere. It's surprising how many printers and printing consultants ignore potential business. But my research started before I developed the cards as I needed to see if it was financially viable to begin with. Once I was happy that they idea may work I had already had a connection with a couple of printers and then it was a case of getting to grips with the design software they wanted me to use (Illustrator in my case) . Also I had to make sure that I used it only during the 30 day free trial period as I didn't budget for THAT.

Anonymous
Re: Self publishing

boardgamegeezer wrote:

Brick walls Brick walls you want to get on with something and you know.
Perhaps Im a bit impatient?
BGG

Hi boardgamegeezer
I'm the same, I get very impatient when I don't get replies to my e-mails.
I've been in this game for only 4 years but I think it's very unprofessional if a company does not get back to you within a few days.
I think that if you get this sort response from a company in reply to an e-mail, then they might not be reliable in getting your orders sent in time, when you do start selling the games.
Don't give in, keep trying.
Scarab

boardgamegeezer
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Joined: 12/31/1969
Right

Absolutely right there geezer.

The knock on effect you could keep people poor keep them stuck in a place when they want to get out bad timing losing potential big people from missing your products. The list goes on and on.

Also you get to think as you say can these people be trusted making a fab product if they cannot even email you.

Now then ;****;;;::

boardgamegeezer
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Joined: 12/31/1969
Re: Uk Printer

I did email them a while back a few times but they did not reply.
IF they are expensive then it is not worth bothering as I have a small budget (money :)))
Carta Mundi Singapore emailed me back saying they only do card publishing and minimum 5000 run but it states on the Carta Mundi site they do one stop games with all components card printing etc.
I also emaile a while back games for print Uk and they did not reply either. I just sent an email to myself asking something but I will not reply to it :))))))))

faith27 wrote:
Have you tried http://www.richard-edward.com/cards.html
They are based in london and my impression of them is that they are professional and have a very high standard. AT the same time they made me feel very important to them. The marketing manager visited my home!! and got to know my baby!! She's a lovely lady. The reason I didn't go with them in the end is budget. I HAD to stick to budget.

The final quote I got from them was £3,000 for 33 cards (size 10cm by 6 cm - too big for my requirements) Total number of decks = 2000. The price excludes V.A.T

So I stuck with budget. But I had a good rapport with Atul in India so wasn't too worried (as good a rapport one can have over e-mail :) )

faith27
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Joined: 12/31/1969
Printing

Lol!! You made me cry with laughter!

faith27
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Joined: 12/31/1969
Getting responses

BBG - i just remembered that I called a couple of companies to get their attention and that proved a better way to get them to notice me. Remember some companies are still stuck on telecommunications era and it's a hard habit to kick.

boardgamegeezer
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Joined: 12/31/1969
Laugh cry

You have to laugh and cry in this game.
Your right telephoning someone might be better.

I emailed some poker chip companies THREE DAYS AGO with some question about something TO DO WITH CUSTOM CHIPS FOR A GAME and GUESS WHAT?

THEY DID NOT REPLY
REALLY

BGG

OutsideLime
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Joined: 12/31/1969
Publishing self or manufacturer

I am looking at about a 75% no-response rate from manufacturers that I have contacted. These people are chumps if they don't have the common courtesy to return correspondence... noy only do they not get my immediate business, but they lose my future business and any recommendations I may have given.

I don't need every contact to work out, but at least a "Sorry, we can't help you, perhaps next time" message would keep them on my "good" list.

Keep trying though... there are suppliers out there that DO want your business.

~Josh

faith27
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Joined: 12/31/1969
self publishing

I've just come back from British Airways Cargo....got the decks!!!! 2592 in total. They look great, and I'm well chuffed!

Can't wait to start selling to schools and teachers.

I have to say though there are a couple of faults:
1) A tiny fraction of the cards a little damaged
2) The cellophane wrapping isn't perfect. Some of the bottoms aren't sealed properly.

But That will not detract from their value, I dont' think (apart from the damaged cards).

Well I'm onto selling and marketing now. (I know. That should have been in place a long time ago.)

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