Game Designer

[tcabe]

Hi,

I'm a game designer and am thinking of using a machine like the Klik-n-Kut for prototyping and short production runs. I see the benefit as being able to create the design in the software and be able to print and cut.

Sounds like a perfect fit for games with no plastic components. What do you think; sound like it might work?

Thanks,

Tony

[Paperthreads]

I actually have a game designer customer coming to see a demo of the machine on Tuesday, as he is thinking of purchasing the same machine. Once he gets a look at it, and determines if it will work for him or not, I can see if he would be interested in giving his input to you!

[kabebout]

I''m a teacher and I cut cs number tiles for my students. I'm going to make letter and word tiles next. These would be like the tiles in Scrabble. You could easily make markers or print and cut cards like the ones in Monopoly. Are these the types of things you're trying to make? If you're spending a lot of time cutting out the pieces for your prototypes this is probably a smart alternative.

good luck, Karen

[tcabe]

I actually have a game designer customer coming to see a demo of the machine on Tuesday, as he is thinking of purchasing the same machine. Once he gets a look at it, and determines if it will work for him or not, I can see if he would be interested in giving his input to you!

A summary of the demo from either him or you would be great, thanks!

[tcabe]

I''m a teacher and I cut cs number tiles for my students. I'm going to make letter and word tiles next. These would be like the tiles in Scrabble. You could easily make markers or print and cut cards like the ones in Monopoly. Are these the types of things you're trying to make? If you're spending a lot of time cutting out the pieces for your prototypes this is probably a smart alternative.

good luck, Karen

Hi Karen,

That's what I thought too, but I'm concerned about the perceived quality of the pieces and the production process. Too bad I can't get a demo too! Machine capabilities aside, I don't know the materials well enough. Sturdiness, durability, etc.

For the types of pieces: characters on plastic card holder bases, tiles that create the game board, small square counters used for any purpose, and 2d pieces that lay flat on a game board. Essentially square, hexagon and character outline cut-outs. Nothing real complex because the detail is in the print, not the cut.

As an example: One game uses pieces to represent islands. I went to a local craft store and looked at their paper. I was thinking foam board would be perfect for this particular usage because its thicker and I want the islands to stand above the game board visually. However, I don't know if this is considered a material suitable for the KnK. I looked at chipboard also and some of it was real flimsy, but I see it listed as one of the thicker materials. The difference I saw was in the density ... a lot to learn. I really feel like it will take some experimenting on my part but I can't really do that without the machine.

Wow, I rambled. Hopefully not too much double talk. :) I just want to make sure it can do what I need before I invest the money!

Thanks,

Tony

[cdurnan1234]

Tony,
If you look at the newsletter from last month, I cut pieces of thin foil/metal with the KNK and plan to do some cutting of foam also.

You can also check in the gallery at these KNK sample cuts
http://www.paperthreads.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=527


I have some other pictures as well, but I didn't take them. So I want to check with the person I did to make sure it is okay that I post them. If so, I will post them.

Enjoy!
Chris

[guildofblades]

Hi Everyone,

Sounds like I'm the designer Michelle mentioned. Though we're both designer and publisher here. Yes, a fellow small board game publisher turned me onto the KnK machines and they appear to be a gift from above.

Presently we are looking to use these machines to do print on demand for playing cards for card games, to die cut pre printed chipboard game counters, to die cut circular playing pieces for a number of games, chipboard character cut outs for fantasy quest type games, different sized cards (think community chest type cards from Monopoly, but printed in color and nicer stock) for board games, custom die cut stickers and probably packaging for card game packs.

I'll be seeing the machine in action tomorrow and will be able to tel you about how well it cuts cover stocks and how good the cutting registration is. But wouldn't be able to tell you much more about it. If it cuts those things well, we're buying one (and maybe more if we really need to do a lot of cutting), then I'll have to toy with it to really see what else we can use it for.

Ryan S. Johnson
Guild of Blades Publishing

[cdurnan1234]

I thought some of these pictures cut with varying tools of the KNK and different materials would help with the creative thought process. Sandy sent me these pictures when I was doing the article for the newsletter. I ok'd it with her to post them here.



Enjoy!
Chris

[Beloved K]

oh I never thought about the balsa wood!! What awesome covers for a small scrap book that would make!! I am soooooo glad I upgraded and I got the thick blade!!!

WOOOO HOOOO!!

Lori

[tcabe]

Hi,

Those are great pictures. I really appreciate you showing me the capabilities and the different types of material available.

If I were to get the XL version, what accessories would you recommend?

Thanks,

Tony

ps. Any news regarding the demo?

[Paperthreads]

hi tony!

Maybe Ryan will report back on his thoughts on the demo. We were able to cut through his material, and I showed/explained the print and cut process to him, so it sounds like he is going to get a machine and play with it and work it all out.

Hopefully he'll pop in soon and give you an opinion.

The XL comes with EVERYTHING you need....BUT, if you want one, get it now, as I heard they are down to the last 10 then it goes on backorder until probably January.

[cdurnan1234]

Tony,
I personally have the punch tool, the silver blade, the thin and thick blades. I have dabbled with many of them and will probably try cutting some different things this weekend for the next newsletter.

http://www.paperthreads.com/newsletter/November2007/NovNewsletter.html

in this newsletter on the second page are pics of the metal I cut last time. They came out awesome.

I have the XL version. I love it. i can move rollers and put it where I want to and I have lots of rooms on the beds that came with it. They are positioned in front of and behind the knk so the material you are cutting doesn't bend when running through the rollers.

I know a few who have sold their elements and bumped up to the next size. so if you think you are gonna possibly want larger then go larger to start. If you have a purpose for your machine in mind you want be dissatisified. In fact, you might become addicted like the rest of us.

Also, I purchased mine from Michelle and had it the next week. But with the holidays things could be slightly delayed.

Enjoy!
Chris

[janbryson]

I got my 13" KNK from Michelle today! The shipping was so fast I had to call Fedex and reschedule it for when I'd be back from Thanksgiving! I thought it would take longer.

Jan

[tcabe]

Ok, I've ordered and now I'm rubbing my hands together and cackling maniacally. Actually, I'm really anxious since it's such a large purchase but from what I've read / seen, it sounds like it will do what I need.

Thank you all for your help. I'll let you know when it arrives and my first impressions.

Tony

[cdurnan1234]

Welcome to the addiction Tony! You have just enough time to read the manual cover to cover and seek out the videos in the store and read everything you can before it gets there. Better cancel the holidays because it does become an addiction quick.
Enjoy!
Chris

[Shirley803]

It is wonderful to get some addicted men join us! I don't think you will be disappointed in your new machine!

[Beloved K]

Woo hooooo!!!!! Maybe we can use these guys to get our hubbies more involved!!! LOL

Welcome to the addiction!!!

Lori

[tcabe]

Woo hooooo!!!!! Maybe we can use these guys to get our hubbies more involved!!! LOL

Welcome to the addiction!!!

Lori

LOL. I wouldn't go that far ...

It arrived today; I am happy. :)

I'm up to 6.2 in the manual and will hopefully at least finish reading it tonight, if not doing more of the tasks. It has been impressive. I don't have much in the way of paper so I'm using my kids construction paper. Tomorrow I am going to a local craft store and grabbing a nice variety of what I think would work well for games and then see what I can do with it.

I must say though, as I was doing some cutting my wife was eye-balling the results and going, "So, what can you do for Christmas?". Uh oh. *slaps forehead*

Tony

[janbryson]

LOL. I wouldn't go that far ...

I must say though, as I was doing some cutting my wife was eye-balling the results and going, "So, what can you do for Christmas?". Uh oh. *slaps forehead*

Tony

Ha! Have her check out the store category for Christmas (http://www.paperthreads.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=7_17_19). Lot's of good stuff in there! Better yet, have her join the forum! We'll take good care of her!:D

[Shirley803]

Better yet, your wife can learn to use it!

[cdurnan1234]

We all sound like a bunch of addicts offering the bad habit to someone else. hahah
Enjoy!
Chris

[janbryson]

LOL! You know Chris, my husband would probably agree with that one! How about yours??

Jan

[cdurnan1234]

No Comment.

Although when he saw me cutting tin and trying to cut leather pieces to replace the split ones from his saddle. His eyes lit up. I turned the machine off and walked away from him while he stood their and pondered. haha.

Enjoy!
Chris