A previous post about using card sleeves to protect all our cards for our board games got me thinking...
In this other post I got a little off topic and mentioned how I use hard plastic cases to hold many cards (60-120 approx each) for storing. That got me curious about how we all pack-up and store our games. Of course I know what I do but I'd like to see what you guys do to compare and maybe get some ideas.

I took a few pics of my Runebound box and uploaded to BoardGameGeek.com . In it I can fit everything that integrates into the core game; like all add-ons from the small expansions and Market cards and Heroes from the big box expansions. Plus the small deck expansions for the alternate play/end game.

I had trouble embedding the image into the body of this message so a link to BGG.com will have to do

The first image is everything tucked away:

Runebound Storage Image 1

The second image has a few items pulled out so you can see what I've done in more detail.

Runebound Storage Image 2

You can't see it but the actual board and manual rest perfectly on top and the box completely closes.

Hi H99, just following you here from the other thread. The boxes I made for RB aren't decorated yet, but here's a couple a shots. All boxes are constructed with

• cut matboard (black surfaced, and black core if I can find it.
• scotch tape (for initail assemble of the panels to hold substructures together).
• black butcher/craft paper in rolls (cut up and paste/wrapped to secure all parts as one pieces)

The first two forms of boxes were both made for Runebound cards. All of my boxes are designed for both storage AND play.

There's two designs here. On the left is a lip-lock version I did quite a while back based on how I did all of my Talisman deck boxes. On the right is a shell version; I did a bunch of these recently, though there's a small design flaw in how they work.

Here's the lip-lock version opened. As you can see, it is actually two boxes offset from each other in the halves inner dimensions. Yes, the lid as well has an inner box that is recessed, so both inner and outer boxes meet fully when it is closed. It is powerfully sturdy! Before the game, I shuffle the deck, put the separator at the back, and discards are place behind the separator during play. The box as a whole can be placed on the board location required, or even passed around to whoever needs (but can't reach) it.

The downside to the lip-lock design is the lids have to be put away somewhere else during play. And with the number of boxes need, it could be quite a pile of lids. So I decided to experiment with a shell design, as follows, for the various encounter decks. Take a fast peek at the first image at the top, then look at the sequence of smaller sub images below.

As you can see, no more lid problem. It should now be obvious why the first image had a box on the left with cut-out wedges. The wedges are measured so they don't overlap when the box is closed. But when open, and shelled, it's easy to draw cards. Again, a panel is used for separating the deck draw and discard parts. The design flaw I spoke of is that when the two halves are nested, they can be difficult to separate again. (I made them fit to perfectly, and the lid really grabs the inner liner). I have to take the deck out at the end of a game to separate them and put stuff away.

Both box styles are the same dimensions. I can fit about 8 of them into a one game "big box" with room to spare. I use my SoAK box (which we haven't played yet) to store boards, manuals, and odds and ends. I use the RB board for all the card boxes. (Sorry, I didn't have time to get a picture of those Hobby Lobby token boxes.)

As you can see, when all boxes are in place, the row is a little bit longer than the space provided for the decks. Our table is a little small, too, so that huge board doesn't leave much space on all sides. Still, its a pretty convenient arrangement, and most times, RB is just played by Barb and I. It is quickly becoming our game of choice, though we've just bought in MTG again after being away for 15+ years. I think RB will easily remain the top game around here, but MTG an Talisman will be around for "intermisions" in that RB ongoing series.

The shell boxes are bigger than needed for the encounter decks. Extra dividers are inserted in some of them; extra space is used for storing spare sleeves, Variant packs, etc. The boxes you see above hold the base decks, four expansion packs, two variant packs, and about 200 extra sleeves. Note how much room to spare I still have. The only exception is the Market deck box, which is packed.

And lastly...

This is the Purchase deck box for my Talisman game. Like boxes with appropriate colored/decorate boxes exist for the Highlands, Dungeon, Spell, Quest, and accessory card decks. This one has permanent dividers for the six "house ruled" classifications of Objects we play in our games: Followers, Weapons, Armour, Tools, Resources, Other. Each side of the box has a small panel with the label and some images indication which type of Purchase card is in each division. I may do something similar for the Runebound Market deck in the future, as we're already considering options for a four-divisions Market decks: Allies, Mental, Physical, Spiritual.

That's all for now. Time for the evening news and dinner.

Wow! JCHendee you've really taken this to the next level
So, do you store your cards in those boxes you made as well (not just use them during play)? I'm guessing they don't fit into your Runebound box!

Someone asked me:

"I was just looking at your Runebound storage ideas.
Where did you get the plastic bins that contain the cards and the figures?
How many of the small deck expansions do you have in that box?
thanks!"

Here are some details:
The plastic cases for the cards I picked up from my local nerd shop. The cases are called:
UltraPro 2-Piece Card Storage Boxes
http://www.401games.ca/supplies.html
I'm sure you could find those pretty easily.

The bins I use for the figures and tokens are from the dollar store. I've been back many times and I always seem to be able to get the same exact type. Those bins are pretty much 2x2 inch, maybe a wee bit smaller.
Mine came in 8 packs for $1!
The idea was to get little bins that didn't waste much space. A lot of tupperware have lids that extend past the edge of the bin wasting space in the box. Or course the lids have to extend a little bit but some are better than others.

With the exception of the character decks I have all of the small expansions in that box.
And from the big box expansions I have all Market Cards and Heroes cards in there too, basically anything that can integrate into the core game.
*I don't yet have any cards from the new big box expansion Mists of Zanaga in there. And I don't know if I will be able to. I might already be at the boxes limit.

The card boxes function for both play and storage. I use my SoAK (still not played) to hold boards, manuals, and extras. I use the core game box for card boxes. So far, all of them fit in with room to spare, seriously. The boxes are great because FFG boards are always MONSTER sized, and even a boarding house reach across the table doesn't always cut. So, if you can't reach a particular box, someone just hands it to you. Done!

Each card box also still has room to spare... except the Market. With extra separators, I won't need to make any new card boxes for a little while. Well... my birthday may change that. My wish list is loaded with almost nothing but Runebound stuff.

Miles contacted me by private message concerning how the boxes are actually made, costs, time, etc.. For a long time I've been meaning to put together a manual on how to make custom game card boxes. Between novel and deadlines, house maintenance & improvement, and my other game component pursuits, I've never found the time. I'm considering a series of posts to step people through making one type of card box to suit their need, complete with how to custom dimension the pieces needed, and do so accurately.

At least that way I'll be motivated by small steps... and in the end have material for a PDF manual that people can download.

Thanks, you've both provided great ideas.

I've been wondering for a while if it's possible to cut down on boxes. I feel slightly torn as the artwork on FFG boxes is gorgeous, but even one collection starts to take over space quickly.