Monday, September 12, 2011

How To Create a Star Wars Custom Card

Supplies:
. Print of custom card front . Print of custom card back . Card stock . Dusk Mask . Glue (Spray can type) . Cardboard cutter . Self healing cutting mat . Ruler . Drop cloth . Art Roller
There are many techniques used to print, glue, score and how you cure the custom card. This is the way I do it and it works.
1. Print custom card: I use the brightest type of paper I can find, Photo paper would be the best choice. Next up is Inkjet print or color laser print. I Find that Color laser print brings the color out much better, but it's up to you. The 300 dpi jpg file is ready to go, choose paper you want to use and hit print.
2. Card Stock: Varius thickness's available. I use 80lb to 100lb thick pieces. Use what makes you gefortable as long as when you hold the card by the edge it doesn't bend.
3. Glueing: Once you set up the glueing area (drop cloth or newspaper) take both card stock, print (face down) and spray an even coat on both of them. Sparaying both sides gives you permanent attachment, doing only one side will result in print pealing after a few months. Once both have glue on them, place card stock (glue side up) on a flat surface and put glue side of print on top (glue side down). Take your Art Roller and flaten them together. Try not to get any wrinkles.
4. Scoring (cutting out card) I: The print is the exact size the vintage cards where. Place card on Self healing cutting mat, Use your ruler and carbord cutter to cut the white portion of the card. Line up ruller and cut all 4 sides.
5. Adding the back print to the back of the card: The back print is slightly bigger than the front (a bleed). Take your print (back of print/white side) and put it on top of 2 or 4 blank sheets of paper. The corners of the print should be clearer because of the contrast of the blank sheets. Take a pen and trace the corners, this is your guide so when you place the front of the card on top of it, it would fit within the corner markings. Take the card and the back print and spray an even coat on both. take the back print and place on a flat surface (glue side up). Take the card (glue side down) and place within your corner markings (should have 4 of them). Take your Art Roller and flaten them together.
6. Scoring (cutting out card) II: Place on Self healing cutting mat with fron of the card facing up. Scoring the back of the card is a little harder/tricky. Being that all you want to cut this time around is just the paper, you'll need to align your ruler at the edge of the front of the card. Begin the cut, make sure the ruller doesn't move or you may cut into the card itself.
7. Glue Healing time: Once you cut all four sides it's time for the glue to dry (heal). Find a flat, dry spot and place a heavy book (or many light ones) like your Huttese dictionary on top of the card. This will create pressure and ensure the card doesn't peel. Let it heal for 48 hours. That's it.

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