My Process: custom labels for Nexgen chips |
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Posted Thu Jan 13, 2005 11:33 am GMT by ky70
I thought I would create a topic talking about my personal experience with getting custom chip labels for my Nexgen chips. I know that I’ve searched every poker forum I could think of for this type of info before I got started and think this thread will be helpful to some.
The Chips: I knew I wanted to do custom labels for Nexgen chips (based on the positive opinions about these chips, the edge spots, and the recessed center which is ready made for a 1” label). I just bought 500 Nexgen’s (ordered Friday and received Tuesday) and I initially did not like the feel of them but I’m really starting to like these chips the more I "play" with them. They’re starting to feel better and better and they definitely look good sliding across the felt (sidebar: When I bet/call, I like to throw my chips out a variety of ways to give the appearance that I’ve played a lot of live poker).
The Labels: After stumbling upon the whole custom label market, my first thought was to do it myself. I saw plenty of people had done their own labels but the more I researched it the more I found little issues (what type of printer to use, what type of paper to use, what to set the margins at, what program to use for the design) that made me think I should let a pro do it. So I got in contact with the 2 main custom label makers that the masses seem to use, Jason (jasone@verizon.net goes by cin0s3 on Ebay) and Brent of Lynbark (lynbark@nc.rr.com goes by lynbark on Ebay). Let me say that both guys were extremely responsive and their customer service was great. I selected them because they allowed me to come up with an idea and then they designed a label based on my specific requests. They would e-mail me a visual sample (the quick turnaround was amazing from both, but especially from Jason) and if I wanted alterations, they made the changes quickly and e-mailed the amended custom label. I decided to use both guys at the end because I did not know which design would look best in person. I dealt with both guys directly (not using Ebay) and the cost from each guy was about $36 (including shipping) for 1000 labels. If you select one of their existing designs, the price is cheaper (I believe). After all the changes to the label designs, I ordered from Jason this past Friday morning and from Brent this past Saturday morning and received their labels on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. I liked both labels but the labels from Lynbark looked better to my eyes. I asked them both for the same basic design, butt I did ask for specific things for one that I didn’t ask for another (AK of spades on the labels from Jason didn’t look like it really belonged – but that’s my fault). The text on Lynbark’s labels were also more consistent, but I would not hesitate to use Jason again as I believe he could design just as good a label as Lynbark.
The Application: I searched every craft store I could find in search of that Krylon preserve it stuff to apply on the labels, but NO ONE seemed to have it. I’m too excited to put off applying the labels until I can hunt this down (and I only seem to find it online) so I sit down and prepare myself to apply the Lynbark labels. I already had my poker table up in the basement so I plunk down at about 9pm and begin to start labeling. I have 6 different colored Nexgen chips and six different label colors that correspond. I ended up getting about 100 chips done (2 different colors) in about 1.5 hours. The application is simple enough but I am being very careful about applying the labels, as I want them to look professionally done. I remember a thread where someone said it took them 2 hours to apply labels on 500 chips and this person either is great at applying labels or was not concerned with the small details (I have the label on both sides in the same position and the top of label on every chip is aligned below an edge spot).
The Conclusion: I’m extremely happy with how my chips look and the investment was well worth it. I’ll post pics when I’m done and my apologies for the long thread.
FYI, this is being posted in other poker forums also
Edited to correct some of my typing/English errors
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Posted Thu Jan 13, 2005 12:24 pm GMT by Fins
Thanks for the info ky!
Is your new avatar the lablels you went with... I like it better!
Look forward to pics,
Fins
Posted Thu Jan 13, 2005 8:14 pm GMT by ky70
Yes Fins, that is one of the labels and thanks for your opinions on my original label....it made me take a second look and try to make improvements. If I get motivated I'll knock out the rest tonight (but I doubt it)
Posted Fri Jan 14, 2005 1:31 am GMT by Nate PT
I bought 40 of these nexgens from 5star to sample them and in my opinion theyre a little too slick. When you apply the labels does it stop them from being so slick? Thats the only reason I might not buy these, did you find them to be too slick?
Posted Fri Jan 14, 2005 7:39 am GMT by ky70
The slickness was the first thing I noticed and the Nexgen's felt strange compared to my 9g "las vegas" chips (which have a GREAT feel). But the label in the middle does cut down on the slick feel as the ceterpiece is the slickest part. The more I play around with them, the less slick they feel to me .
Posted Fri Jan 14, 2005 12:12 pm GMT by speedracer
I was also very disappointed when I first got my samples of these chips. However, surprisingly, after carrying a couple around in my pocket for a few days they became much less slick. They feel great now.
I am considering getting a set and adding labels, but now I am a little concerned that the textured edge of the chip will be even less durable than the label. KY, have you noticed any wearing down of the textured portion especially in the edge spots?
Looking forward to the pictures as well.
Thanks,
Mike
Posted Sat Jan 15, 2005 3:56 am GMT by ky70
I'm finally finished....here are my pics...Although you can't tell on every pic, the text on the labels match the edge spots.
/img
Posted Sat Jan 15, 2005 5:17 pm GMT by Nate PT
Those look really nice, good job.
Posted Sat Jan 15, 2005 8:36 pm GMT by chris ford
WOW nice chips, I have a couple of samples of the nexgens, and they are kind of dull to look at, but with your custom labels they look awesome, great job
Posted Sun Jan 16, 2005 1:55 am GMT by Nugzy
Very nice chips, and very nice job on applying the labels. I like how you took the time to center the labels with the edge spots. You just convinced me to go with NexGen chips and custom labels. This might be weird, but if its not an inconvienence, could you post pictures of just the green and black chips stacked together? And maybe one of green and black chips scattered in a pot? I ask this because I will only be getting green, black, and purple chips, and want to see what they are going to look like. I cant get an accurate idea with all the other chips in your pics. Thanks in advance if you actually do it.
Posted Sun Jan 16, 2005 2:14 am GMT by Nugzy
Are the labels you got the matte or glossy? Which are recommended? Also, after you applied the labels, do they stick out so the chips are harder to stack? Do they get in the way when shuffling?
Also, I noticed on the yellow 500 chip, the text is off center. Did alot of the labels come this way or was he pretty good with centering the printing?
Posted Sun Jan 16, 2005 9:32 am GMT by Juliea344
I also did this process with my nexgens. After applying the labels the center of the chip is still slightly recessed so the lables won't rub together and get worn down. The labels were matte and I also used a matte protective spray. This was recommended by Brent of Lynbark who said the glossy was way too shiny. I would say about 10-15% of my labels were printed a bit off-center, but it didn't matter much because I didn't have text going all the way around the label such as those in the pics above.
Great Job... I love those chips.
Posted Sun Jan 16, 2005 10:44 am GMT by ky70
Thanks all....Nugzy, Juliea's post is on the money. I'll work on getting those pics for you.
I played with them last night for the first time and they were a big hit
Posted Sun Jan 23, 2005 5:03 pm GMT by Pocket Kings
After reading the forum, I did some looking my self for my labels. I found www.personalpokerchips.com. I ordered some labels for my Texas Holdem Chips and I was very pleased. I am a Big Irish fan and I made up a design with a Clover and they turned out great.
The only downside is the turnaround which is about 10 days. Tehy do put on the labels for you and ship them complete.
Just another idea for all you guys that want to customize your stuff!
 8)
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