Duplicating cards

By RogueFan, in Talisman Home Brews

I think I figured out how we can duplicate talisman character cards! What we do is print the character card onto a sheet of cardstock and then you put a glossy transparent acrylic "paint" on it. I forget what the glossy transparent stuff is called but I think it starts with a V. Tell me if this works for any one. Please try it out. It may be a little hard to print the back of the Talisman cards on the same exact sheet as the character is printed on but I think it is possible if your accurate enough.

There are "card varnishes" out there that come in spray on form. I haven't tried one yet, as they are rather specific to certain types of stock. I'm not sure how well they would work on plain cardstock, which doesn't have a real refined / fine finish to it. In order for the varnishing to work, it has to have a surface that is somewhat resistant to absorption so that the varnish dries on the surface before it has time to sink/soak in and weaken the stock.

I see. Im going to try this idea really soon and hope it works. Im just going to put a thin coat of varnish on the card that way it doesn't get soggy.

Okay then, make sure you keep us informed of how it goes... and exactly what materials you use.

You got JC. I'll probably get it done by Sunday. That ok?

Oh, I didn't intend any schedule. But if you've got the time, I'm curious to see how the stuff works out... though in the long run, it's probably not viable for a whole lot of cards all at once.

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I realize its not going to be perfect but I think I can get it very close if I do it corectly.

ITS WORKING!!! HELL YEAH MAN!!! ITS STILL DRYING BUT ITS FEELING AND LOOKING LIKE A TALISMAN CHARACTER CARD!!! ITS NOT AN EXACT DUPLICATE BUT ITS PRETTY CLOSE!!!

So how did you handle applying the back to the front for the card before varnishing?

I just took some basic cardstock and printed the front first. To keep the ink from screwing up when you put on the varnish you need to spray some hairspray on it. Then I put on the varnish. Its working right now. I have not perfected it yet. I just need to make another card and apply pressure on with a book to keep it from getting all curvy. But its defienetly working!

I took some images to Staples and got them to print the cards back to front....it worked out pretty well, and eliminates the need to glue front and back together.

Cool Zo... Did you get them all glossy?

Hey Zoz... how bad was the drift from one card to the next on front to back match up?

The drift was minimal: maybe a millimetre or so, tops. I laid out two fronts side by side, which takes up most of an 8.5x11" paper. Then flip it and do the same on the other side, with the backs. The cardstock I got was pretty close to the cards in the box, and I'm pretty pleased with the result.

Sounds good. If you get a chance, shoot us a picture.

That would be nice!!! Please do...