Printing Custom Art For Custom Cases.

Infinite TreasuresInfinite Treasures
in Help Wanted!
I've been having a hard time finding complete games in the wild for some time. Everything in my collecting is from finding stuff at pawn shops and flea markets. I came across a website (thecoverproject) with some nice cover art I'd like to slap on universal game cases. I think this would be alot cheaper than buying complete games online.



My question to the community is what type of printer or paper is ideal for this project?

Comments

  • TWarwick07TWarwick07
    The cover project is an awesome site. i am actually doing the same thing as you. and from what i have found in the forums is that any kind of paper will do. i am using a light card stock that is a little more sturdy than regular paper but you can go to any office supply store and check out their selection of copy paper and choose the one you like best
  • thesubcon3thesubcon3
    I've been doing the custom cover thing for a long time now and I just use paper as it looks amazing anyhow and the thousands I'm doing would be too costly on card stock.
  • Infinite TreasuresInfinite Treasures
    I want to get into what this guy is doing. Money to be made here.



    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Super-Metroid-Nintendo-SNES-Custom-Collectors-Game-Case-Only-NO-GAME-/320801564205?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ab143662d
  • leatherrebel5150leatherrebel5150
    There is no money to be made there maybe be a handful of people who don't know what they're doing. But typically those looking for a box know about UGC's and know it would cost a buck a piece to make yourself. There something about selling these on ebay like that, that rubs me the wrong way.
  • SneakSneak

    Originally posted by: thesubcon3



    I've been doing the custom cover thing for a long time now and I just use paper as it looks amazing anyhow and the thousands I'm doing would be too costly on card stock.

    I hear you.  I'm the same way, granted I don't have thousands of UGC's (impressive BTW).   The covers look fine on regular paper, as long as you're printing it out on a good printer of course.  To each their own I suppose.




    Originally posted by: leatherrebel5150



    There is no money to be made there maybe be a handful of people who don't know what they're doing. But typically those looking for a box know about UGC's and know it would cost a buck a piece to make yourself. There something about selling these on ebay like that, that rubs me the wrong way.

    I agree.  It's kind of sad that so many people contribute to that CoverProject site (myself included), only to have some eBayer simply download all the artwork, print them off, buy a bunch of UGC cases, and try to charge extra (make a quick buck) for something people could do themselves for (as you previously mentioned) a low cost. 



    ....Again, to each their own. :/ 



    I'm guessing there has got to be some sort of a slim profit margin, preying on those buyers that aren't "in the know" and probably don't even realize these covers are available for download.  Then again, maybe it's people that don't have access to a good colour printer, and/or don't want to buy 100 UGC's (minimum quantity you can order) and are aware of the cover project site, and are simply willing to shell out a few extra bucks for this "service"?   I'm not sure..



    While on the subject, I've been trying to reach out to other NA members to see if we can't get some scans of some of their boxes that aren't available on the cover project site.  Sadly, I've had minimal success/response.   I realize it takes time and effort, and not everybody has a scanner at their disposal, so I'm guessing that's the main reasoning. 



    (in saying that, anybody that has boxes they're able to scan, that aren't currently on the cover project - feel free to PM me! - thanks in advance)






  • arch_8ngelarch_8ngel

    Originally posted by: Infinite Treasures



    I want to get into what this guy is doing. Money to be made here.



    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Super-Metroid-Nintendo-SNES-Cus...



    Selling them with the game would be one thing, but selling them separately with covers ripped from The Cover Project is definitely frowned upon.



    It's copyright infringement anyway, so it can be reported to eBay...




  • SneakSneak

    Originally posted by: arch_8ngel



    Selling them with the game would be one thing, but selling them separately with covers ripped from The Cover Project is definitely frowned upon. 

    That's exactly what this seller is doing.  Check that link - there is no game, just the case, and the artwork from the Cover Project. 




  • NatendoNatendo
    If your printer can handle it, I'd so go with a 60# gloss textweight paper... it'll give it a nice shine and would look really good in those cases. Alternately, a good 24# bright white paper (i love the hammermill brand) would also work very well. I'd stay away from the cheap 20# normal printer paper, as the colors will look much duller on it.



    Hope that helps.



  • ulasamosaulasamosa
    i dont use plain paper but I dont use card stock either. I just use a heavier weight paper. HP "all-in-one printing" paper to be exact. Its thick enough that the ink doesnt soak totally into the paper, which I really like. As for printers. Ive printed them on color lasers and everyday inkjets. They both look great.
  • TWarwick07TWarwick07

    Originally posted by: Sneak




    Originally posted by: arch_8ngel



    Selling them with the game would be one thing, but selling them separately with covers ripped from The Cover Project is definitely frowned upon. 

    That's exactly what this seller is doing.  Check that link - there is no game, just the case, and the artwork from the Cover Project. 



     



    I agree whole heartedly. The cases cost like 60 cents a piece and paper and ink are something you have around your printer all the time. print your own and if people want some for themselves refer them to the website for themselves. The people who make those covers spend their time working with photoshop and we can download them for free. trying to sell them seems a little on the scumbag side if you ask me


  • NathanOfLightNathanOfLight
    I printed mine on normal legal paper in landscape mode. Burns through ink REALLY quickly though when you print off the cover arts!
  • nerdygrrlnerdygrrl

    Originally posted by: Infinite Treasures



    I want to get into what this guy is doing. Money to be made here.



    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Super-Metroid-Nintendo-SNES-Cus...



    [/quote]



    Those are some pretty nice boxes.  They look just like the shock boxes used for the MVS carts. I am not sure I have anything in my Nintendo collection though that would warrant such a box.  I don't mind spending the $$$ on the MVS carts as some of them cost $100+, but nothing in my Ninty collection is that valuable, at least not anymore






  • NathanOfLightNathanOfLight

    Originally posted by: nerdygrrl




    Originally posted by: Infinite Treasures



    I want to get into what this guy is doing. Money to be made here.



    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Super-Metroid-Nintendo-SNES-Custom-C...



    [/quote]



    Those are some pretty nice boxes.  They look just like the shock boxes used for the MVS carts. I am not sure I have anything in my Nintendo collection though that would warrant such a box.  I don't mind spending the $$$ on the MVS carts as some of them cost $100+, but nothing in my Ninty collection is that valuable, at least not anymore





     



    They're universal media cases with printed cover art in them, not boxes!


  • ugly_monsterugly_monster
    I wouldn't say I agree with selling them, but he's taking the time and spending his money on the materials because he knows lazy people will pay. I wouldn't do it, but isn't that kind of what business is all about? It takes a little bit to make sure they are cut and fit perfectly. Just a thought.



    For universal cart cases I'd use some sort of glossy paper. Same with DVD cases. If you're going the jewel case route I'd definitely use a card stock. It's worth the time, thecoverproject is a great resource and those guys are just all around amazing for starting it up!
  • NathanOfLightNathanOfLight

    Originally posted by: ugly_monster



    I wouldn't say I agree with selling them, but he's taking the time and spending his money on the materials because he knows lazy people will pay. I wouldn't do it, but isn't that kind of what business is all about? It takes a little bit to make sure they are cut and fit perfectly. Just a thought.



    For universal cart cases I'd use some sort of glossy paper. Same with DVD cases. If you're going the jewel case route I'd definitely use a card stock. It's worth the time, thecoverproject is a great resource and those guys are just all around amazing for starting it up!



    The universal media cases' sleeves aren't perfectly clear, so for me, using glossy paper or the like is sort of wasteful since you can't see the effects completely. For DVD cases, that'd work better though.
  • arch_8ngelarch_8ngel

    Originally posted by: NathanOfLight






     



    They're universal media cases with printed cover art in them, not boxes!

     





    Just curious, in what way do you think that this style of "case" does not meet the definition of a "box"?
  • needler420needler420
    I'm about to use the cover project for my n64 games since they have no side labels its a pain to sort through them. I'm going to use the good paper. Its better then expensive CIBs and the start up is about as much money as one 1st party CIB N64 game.
  • MinusWorldsMinusWorlds
    Edited out.
Sign In or Register to comment.