"Rulesets: How many copies do you print?" Topic

Imagine that you've acquired a ruleset in digital format. How many physical copies will you typically print?

* none
* 1
* 2
etc.

one more than I need as I can't find the one I printed already

1.25

I will uaually play from the e version (hopefully not need it often during a game), with bookmarks (preferably my own, unless the reader app is grumppy about external references).

But I will have one printed out for broader reference by players, and probably make a few copies of select bits – basically a custom cheat sheet.

Hmmm. Your idea of "ruleset in digital format" is one of those 50+ page monsters with an "online community" and a Little Wars TV review, isn't it?

Because I'd be dealing more in terms of free one-page rules and running off a copy for each player.

I will print what I need for a game and make a QRS for the players from that.

Agree. One copy, plus QRS for each player. Rarely is though not sufficient.

Do not use digital

I'm with Fitzovich and Andrew Walters.

If there are softcover OEM copies available at a reasonable price, I will buy 2-4 of them.

If I really like the rules, I will massage the PDF (edit it to remove the ridiculous security measures that prevent me from uploading it to Lulu.com, or similar), and print off 2-4 hardcover copies, depending upon page count and delivered cost per copy.

Note that I have done this with PDF books which I purchased legally. I did POD copies because the OEM softcover books were selling for $200 USD per book, and higher… I also only do this for games I really, genuinely enjoy.

I've done this with four PDF books, so far: the first three cost me $20 USD/book, delivered (hard covers, low quality ink and paper; will only use high quality ink and paper from now on, in spite of the higher costs -- good, but high quality ink and paper is sooo much better…); the last one was $40 USD delivered (had to go with premium paper and ink, to get it printed, but it was worth it, to me).

Link to 2e BattleSystem softcover original next to my hardcover POD copy. This is the book that I had to print on high quality paper and ink (laser toner), to get Lulu to print it. It also was the most expensive @ $40 USD delivered (96 pages). Link to same two books opened, for size and quality comparison.

Link to the other three books, @ $20 USD/volume (300 pages per volume), delivered to my door: low quality paper and ink (inkjet, water soluble so never get them wet!). Note that the bleed-through on the pages was present in the PDF scan, and the original OEM copies -- they were printed on thin paper, with terrible bleed-through on the ink; they were also digest-sized books, and mine are full-sized (the pages were enlarged, making them easier to read). I would love to re-print these on high quality paper and ink -- maybe some day…

I hate PDF copies at the table. I am old school: I love printed books, preferably hard covers for durability and longevity. Cheers!

2 copies plus relevant charts

I will print the ones I want to play after reading through them. Depending on how often they get played I might print up another copy or two for the rest of the group to use at the table.

3

1 (2 if I forgot that I already printed it)
plus QRS and counters or play aids if needed.

5

One, plus a QRS for each player. I'll do my own QRS if the rules don't have one or it is useless, a good way to learn a set of rules.

Zero

Zero. Most digital sets I acquire are free ones that never get to the point of me seriously trying to get them to the table.

For ones I do play, I often print QRS's, tables, etc., but it's a long time since I printed a whole rulebook.