"Passing on a good idea- counters" Topic

I have used 'topdowns' from PaperGeneral as a cheap alternitve to figures, also I have used counters while the armies I need are not fully aquired painted. However there are two problems with counters

Quality- lots of counters can be ink heavy, and even if you get great prints every time, the ink usage is horrendous

Weight- card is just too light, even if prints are mounted on Mount board.

I solved the second point first. I have some 30cm sq floor tiles- the self adhesive ones (6 for £2.50 GBP budget from B&Q). Simply stick the print on the back then cut up! I cover in clear sticky back plastic first to preserve the ink- a german MG section went through the wash and was stil recognisable (if a bit smeared) Once cut up they are about the weight of casino chips (You could make your own casino if you wanted.

The printing of so much meant I was casting around for a cheap way. Then I realised- Photo processors use LOTS of ink, and charge very little. In Boots a 4"x6"/10cmx15cm can be as low as 7p print if you do a 100 prints. Size your counters into a JPEG (you can get 12 1"x2" 'bases' in one photo) and just ask for multiples of each photo- a whole army for £5-7! Just stick on the back of the floor tiles.

Voila! Child proof armies!

Also use for map tiles.

Yeah, let me know how that"child-proof" thing works! When my kids were little some thing childproof had to be two states over.

Seriously, though, I've seen it used for maps but not counters--good idea.

Child proof- like I say wasked one and still recognisable. Obviously if small fingers REALLY went for it it wouldnt stand up- I basically mean beginner gamers, not 2 year olds, but in normal every day- what would you rather see dropped- this or 25mm? Freind of mine who runs games for 'gifted children' for the local education authority uses top downs- cheap(er) and replacable. He was impressed when I told him about using photos. The ink is a lot faster for starters.