Printing Magnetic Sheets/Boards and Counters

[Morrus]

If I were to make my own magnetic props (like the already existing Initiative Trackers such as the Combat Pad and the like), does anyone know of a good way to go about that?

Ideally I want to be able to print a custom-designed sheet, grab some cheap magnets to use as markers, and use them to track data in a "dog-can't-knock-thatover" kind of way.

This is the Combat Pad - a combination of magnetism and dry/erase-ism.

I want to use a similar technique to track other things.

 

[Gilladian]

At least here in the US, at any craft store you can buy sticky-backed magnets, magnet tape, and small sheet magnets. Business card sized is what I've seen, but I'm sure there are plenty of others. Use regular paper, print what you want it to say, stick it to the magnet and trim the excess paper away... OR laminate white paper on one side, then stick THAT to the magnet and trim, and you'll have something you can write on. Might not last as long as the store-bought magnets, which probably have a porcelain laminate finish, but it should be good for a while.

 

[Umbran]

Hm. If you want something cheap and simple... I was in Office Max yesterday, and saw paper that looked like it was designed to print skins for your laptop cover, and craft-sticker paper. Presumably, you could just put that trough an appropriate printer, stick it to a metallic sheet, print similarly for your counters and stick 'em to magnets, and you're off! Not commercial production quality, but probably workable.

 

[Mike Eagling]

At least here in the US, at any craft store you can buy sticky-backed magnets, magnet tape, and small sheet magnets.

This kind of stuff can be bought in the UK at Hobbycraft if not in a local independent art shop. Also, eBay is usually worth a look. I've found all manner of arty-crafty stuff on there that may fit the bill.

 

[Morrus]

Some excellent D.I.Y. suggestions - thanks!

If I were to want to make it a little more professional looking, and do a few of them, does anyone know of some kind of online printing service where I can upload a PDF page or something and have it sent to me as a thick card/dry/erase magnetic sheet?

 

[Mike Eagling]

Just found Abel Magnets by searching "printing to magnetic paper" on google (can't post a link as I'm too new!).

Again, might be worth searching eBay. There are companies on there that'll laser cut MDF or plastic to submitted designs. There are probably printers too.

 

[Morrus]

Just found Abel Magnets by searching "printing to magnetic paper" on google (can't post a link as I'm too new!).

Oh, that could work. I haven't used magnetic paper before - can you print straight onto it using a regular printer? Looks like that plus a random assortment of little coloured magnetic tokens could be the perfect solution. Though ideally I'd like something a bit firmer than paper.

 

[Mike Eagling]

Apparently so, either inkjet or laser. It's quite expensive though: £7.99 for 5 sheets. They also do dry-wipeable magnetic sheets. Have a look at magnetic-paper dot com (figured out how to avoid the non-linkiness).

 

[Umbran]

Though ideally I'd like something a bit firmer than paper.

So, you take the sheet, and you glue it to something sturdier. Or, you put it on a clipboard.

 

[gamerprinter]

You could also print to adhesive back paper on laser or inkjet, peel the backing off and stick it to magnetic sheeting. I can print directly to magnetic sheeting, but then I use an expensive sublimation printer to do that kind of work. I use a roll of 15" wide by 20 yards of magnetic sheeting. After printing I have a vinyl cutter that will then cut the printed magnetic sheeting into whatever size I predetermined it should be. While I am always looking for new map print products to create, I've avoided the entire magnetic sheet solution, at least commercially, since it's really too expensive to be practical for most gamers.