poker chip design

[zathras]

Anyone on here do any chip design/artwork/labels?

Thought I'd check here before heading over to CT..

[Wedge Rock]

Paging Trann, herta, et al.

[Trann]

What? I'm chillin' at home, d00d. You expect me to be online all the... oh. Damn.

[zathras]

I bought a custom set of ASM's about 5 years ago for a cash game. Unfortunately I've been limping along with plastic slug chips for tourneys and that's almost exclusively what we play these days...

sooo I'm gonna finally break down and buy a custom tourney set.

As much as I love clays, I'm leaning towards ceramics because
a) I don't want to wait 6 months for ASM
b) larger graphic area on ceramics
c) the clays would be more than twice the cost of ceramics

I have a rough idea of what I want as far as a theme but I have no photoshop skilz. I don't know what the going rate is for chip art assistance, but hoping to find someone willing to do it for some sample chips and/or promise of alcoholic beverages should our paths cross down the road.

If anyone has the time and is interested in working on this little project lemme know.

Z

[Quads]

Trann for artwork, Gene for chips.
Soup to Nuts.

[Hemps]

Give us the 5w's of what you want and I'm sure someone will take a stab at it.

[zathras]

Ok, here's what I'm thinking

I want a set that has meaning to me, and yet not too personalized.. ie, not "Zathras Poker" with pictures of me, my wife, and the dog... And I've already done the "King of the Hill" chips.

so I'm thinking since we just moved to AZ that a desert themed set would be nice.

I want 5 denominations using mostly standard casino colors.

25- green, featuring a saguaro cactus
100 - black, featuring a coyote. But not in the 'howling at the moon' pose. I've been here a year now and have seen MANY coyotes. Just saw one yesterday. I have NEVER seen one in that stupid ass pose.
anyway, continuing on...
500- light purple, featuring a mountain range
1000- yellow, featuring a rattlesnake
5000- brown, featuring a pueblo style house
(if I go for a 25k chip or plaque down the road it will be orange w/grand canyon)

both sides of a chip can be identical

How well can actual photo images be integrated into a chip design? I have pix in mind for some of these, but I'm not sure how good they'll look shrunk down to put on a chip. I'm also open to alternative ideas on different desert images on the chips.

numeric denominations on the chips, with no dollar sign
edge color stripes or something to make them easy to distinguish in stacks.

some sort of text which I'm not firm on yet. I was originally thinking "Desert Paradise Poker" but then I googled that name and discovered that there's a gay resort called Desert Paradise in California. doh. I don't know if that's really that big a deal... but it does sort of blow, so to speak... I'm open to suggestions.. "Poker in the Desert"?

Anyway, there's no time crunch or anything like that, but I am ready to move on ordering these as soon as I get the designs done.

[Wedge Rock]

For your T100 chip

http://www.blogcdn.com/wow.joystiq.com/media/2009/07/ah071509threewolkfmoon.jpg

[zathras]

nicely played...

[timsta007]

How about "Desert Poker Club"

[Hemps]

Anyone have the chip template for Photoshop? I remember one kicking around with the proper dimensions.

[Trann]

For your T100 chip

http://www.blogcdn.com/wow.joystiq.com/media/2009/07/ah071509threewolkfmoon.jpg

Maybe something more current...

http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lq1t3dlma01qa9armo1_r1_500.jpg
Oh, it's real...
Ref. Sharksplode (http://sharksplode.com/three-wheaton-moon/)

[Trann]

Some thoughts...

...a desert themed set would be nice....

25- green, featuring a saguaro cactus
100 - black, featuring a coyote. But not in the 'howling at the moon' pose.
500- light purple, featuring a mountain range
1000- yellow, featuring a rattlesnake
5000- brown, featuring a pueblo style house
(if I go for a 25k chip or plaque down the road it will be orange w/grand canyon)

both sides of a chip can be identical

All seems quite do-able...

How well can actual photo images be integrated into a chip design? I have pix in mind for some of these, but I'm not sure how good they'll look shrunk down to put on a chip. I'm also open to alternative ideas on different desert images on the chips.

I think you'll really have to find the right images to use because scaling down an image that isn't front-and-center foreground or something with a lot of small detail may not look as good as it could. The mountain range is my only concern: too close and it's one mountain, too far and it's just a series of peaks.

Once you have the images, though, Gene's quality is top shelf.

http://www.abcgiftsandawards.com/pokerchipcomparisonsm.jpg
Ref. Custom Poker Chip Comparison (http://www.abcgiftsandawards.com/pokerchipcomparison.htm)


numeric denominations on the chips, with no dollar sign
edge color stripes or something to make them easy to distinguish in stacks.

Both are easy; hopefully non-aligned edges (which are also cheaper).

Have you thought about a theme to the edge stripes/dots/pattern?

some sort of text which I'm not firm on yet. I was originally thinking "Desert Paradise Poker" but then I googled that name and discovered that there's a gay resort called Desert Paradise in California. doh. I don't know if that's really that big a deal... but it does sort of blow, so to speak... I'm open to suggestions.. "Poker in the Desert"?

You could do the personalizing here. (INITIALS) Desert Poker? (INITIALS) Paradise Poker?

[Quads]

High Desert Poker Room

[Hemps]

did a quick and dirty mockup of a 25 chip. I know it sucks but I also suck at paint.net
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c147/hemps/smallchip.gif

[Trann]

Anyone have the chip template for Photoshop? I remember one kicking around with the proper dimensions.

Just start with something oversized: scaling down doesn't really hurt the image quality a lot; it's scaling up that will kill you. A lot of my designs (seating, PMC chips) started in a 300dpi and 4cm (1.5+ inches) square document. One template I had was 3 inches square!

As long as you're designing larger, you'll be fine.

Edit: And be careful of gradients: they don't always print well (darker, lighter, or the dreaded banding)

http://www.tinypilot.com/misc/banding/banding-example.png

[Richard Cranium]

did a quick and dirty mockup of a 25 chip. I know it sucks but I also suck at paint.net
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c147/hemps/smallchip.gif

Reminds me of my set...

http://www.santapoco.com/images/azrm/pics/orange_closeup.jpg

I've actually been thinking of doing another set that's arizona themed. I want to incorporate the arizona flag on one side inside an outline of the state, and the other sides be different. I haven't mocked it up yet.

My thoughts on your T100 - ditch the coyote. do something different. A roadrunner, or a Gila monster or something.

[Richard Cranium]

Template for photoshop... I'll blank out one of my chips and save it as a blank psd with the outlines I used for the outside and inside. Give me a bit of time to do it.

Oh, and for the T1000, I'd skip yellow if you're going conventional colors and go copper if the printer can do it.

[zathras]

Template for photoshop... I'll blank out one of my chips and save it as a blank psd with the outlines I used for the outside and inside. Give me a bit of time to do it.

Oh, and for the T1000, I'd skip yellow if you're going conventional colors and go copper if the printer can do it.

I don't think we have copperheads in these parts... at least not any that have been on my porch... like this western diamondback...
The Perfect Man Cave (http://perfectmancave.com/forum/showthread.php?p=278696#post278696)

:)

I am open to other options on the 100 besides the coyote. We have seen bobcats and javelinas on our property... but those aren't necessarily associated with the desert like a coyote is. A roadrunner might be cool. maybe a roadrunner AND a coyote? hmmm... too cliche?


for the saguaro, I was thinking of an image of a single saguaro, with more prominence.. eg

http://www.ronsaari.com/stockImages/nationalParks/SaguaroNationalPark.jpg

http://www.everyonedoesit.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/saguaro_cactus.jpg

[Hemps]

Template for photoshop... I'll blank out one of my chips and save it as a blank psd with the outlines I used for the outside and inside. Give me a bit of time to do it.


You don't have to blank it out if you don't want. I can do that. Just looking for dimensions really.

[Richard Cranium]

Diamondback rattlers sure. I believe there are copperheads in Arizona. But the bigger reason to use copper is because it is a huge part of the history of Arizona. Thats why the star in the flag is copper.

[zathras]

hmmm.. good point. maybe instead of orange on the 25k chip of the grand canyon it should be a copper color. And maybe work the flag into the design.


For the mountain I was thinking of either of two distinctive mountains east of Phoenix- Four Peaks
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3386/3217130148_da16a40c84.jpg

or Red Mountain

http://my-photo-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/Red_Mountain.jpg

[Richard Cranium]

Four Peaks is awesome, I've hiked it and camped near the base of where the far left peak juts up several times. Great views of the metro area from up there at night, pretty insane actually you can see how far it sprawls.

Mt Humphreys in the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff would be good too.

For the brown, you could do "First Mesa". Hard to find a decent picture though, as cameras (and visitors) are not really allowed there. Or the "mittens" in Monument Valley would work.

[zathras]

I'd really like to use a shot of this pueblo style house for the 5k brown. I'm just not sure if it can be made to look good on a poker chip. There's a dozen or so different shots of it on my photobucket. Also a bunch of shots of a nice looking saguaro.
http://s1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff385/zathraaas/

And the wife suggested "El Pueblo Poker" for the text, and that's sort of growing on me...

[Quads]

red mountain gets my vote.

[zathras]

Here are a few more shots of Four Peaks, both shot by my wife. One from about 10 miles away and the other this morning with her phone from our deck (peaks are 23 miles away). It's a bit grainy but shrunk down to 1.25 inches might be fine.

So anyway, does anyone think all these images in this thread can be used to make a decent chip design?
http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff385/zathraaas/041.jpg

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff385/zathraaas/IMG_2482.jpg

[Trann]

I really like the contrast and strata that Red Mountain has in it. If that can be captured, I think that's your money shot chip.

http://my-photo-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/Red_Mountain.jpg

A good snake image needs to separate the body from the background (which is often ground clutter and similarly coloured). Found this western diamondback which qualifies...

http://cache2.allpostersimages.com/p/LRG/29/2906/QHUPD00Z/posters/carey-alan-and-sandy-western-diamondback-rattlesnake-coiled-to-strike-texas.jpg

The saguaro you offered looks great but I would be tempted to fudge the height so it fits on a chip better: chopping it a bit shorter means it can be a bit bigger on the chip and not so thin

http://www.everyonedoesit.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/saguaro_cactus.jpg

My favorite coyote poses are foxlike with the ears back and head down but it's not usually popular; the other would involve a profile which would look good framed in a circle; much of what I see has too many domestic dog qualities in how they are photographed...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/Canis_latrans.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RmLvHbVOSCM/TcqV1snd6hI/AAAAAAAACrY/s68PxuM1Ol0/s1600/coyote22121.jpg

Wasn't there a house picture in this thread somewhere? That would be the fifth chip...

[zathras]

Awesome rattler picture. That's one of the best ones I've seen. I've got a fairly realistic looking plaster cast rattler in a strike pose that I was gonna see if how good it would look out by a barrel cactus or something... but it might not be any better than that one..

And I like that coyote on the move also.

The house and saguaro pix are on the photobucket links.. (forget about the saguaro pix I posted earlier in the thread). There are a few dozen images so I didn't link em in here.

here are what might be the best of each.
http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff385/zathraaas/DSCN1208.jpg

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff385/zathraaas/DSCN1183.jpg

I am leaning towards the red mountain pic over the Four Peaks. It's got a lot more color and detail.

So, at the moment- these 2 pix plus the rattler, coyote, and redmountain on Trann's post.

Now, who can take these and turn them into pokerchip masterpieces? :mrgreen:

[Trann]

Yeah, that's a better cactus.

I'd lend a hand but I've got a lot of distractions on my plate for ten days come Wednesday... my response time will be spotty, if at all. I'll see what time is free before then but I encourage others if they have ideas.

[Trann]

Here, have a quick half-scale mock-up of the possible elements before clean-up or text. This will give you a sense of the shape of each chip, at least...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/m1.pnghttp://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/m2.pnghttp://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/m3.pnghttp://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/m4.pnghttp://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/m5.png

The only one on my radar would be the home with its low profile and lack of any great vertical elements.

[NOLATAC]

Guys, I know JACK shit about poker or chips, so forgive me if I suddenly and gingerly place my dick in my mouth (no, I really can't), but you do know about...

Industry Leader of Custom Ceramic Military and Law Enforcement Poker Chips :: CombatBet.com (http://www.combatbet.com?)

Not sure if guys like you consider these "real chips", but the company is run by a vet, female prior service Marine at that, and just trying to help out.

Feel free to kick me in the scrotum region is this is a newb mistake.

[SniperD5]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/m1.pnghttp://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/m2.pnghttp://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/m3.pnghttp://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/m4.pnghttp://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/m5.png



I think this is Trann's best work to date. Way to go buddy! ;)

[Quads]

Guys, I know JACK shit about poker or chips, so forgive me if I suddenly and gingerly place my dick in my mouth (no, I really can't), but you do know about...

Industry Leader of Custom Ceramic Military and Law Enforcement Poker Chips :: CombatBet.com (http://www.combatbet.com?)

Not sure if guys like you consider these "real chips", but the company is run by a vet, female prior service Marine at that, and just trying to help out.

Feel free to kick me in the scrotum region is this is a newb mistake.

Not a huge mistake but we do have a paid advertiser / forum sponsor who is outstanding for ceramic chips.

Gene at ABC and his forum here:
ABC Gifts and Awards - The Perfect Man Cave (http://perfectmancave.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=69)

His site here:
ABC Gifts and Awards | Poker Trophies | Custom Poker Chips (http://www.abcgiftsandawards.com/)

[BillyGoat]

http://www.postersguide.com/largeimage/356/3564041.jpg

http://image.bargainoutfitters.com/dimage/1399m2_ts.JPG?cell=200,200&cvt=jpeg

http://www.outdoor-dreams.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/rattlesnake.266171049_large.jpg

A few more Snake pics to consider

[zathras]

Not a huge mistake but we do have a paid advertiser / forum sponsor who is outstanding for ceramic chips.

Gene at ABC and his forum here:
ABC Gifts and Awards - The Perfect Man Cave (http://perfectmancave.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=69)

His site here:
ABC Gifts and Awards | Poker Trophies | Custom Poker Chips (http://www.abcgiftsandawards.com/)

I would say his bigger mistake is being in a mancave and admitting to not knowing Jack about poker! :)

The military site is an unknown and unless I know that I can stack 40 high without spinners I'm going to shy away from it. Plus it is apparently located in AZ since they mention AZ sales tax of nearly 10% which would nail me.

Plus Gene is a sponsor here and I know the quality is top notch. Although last I checked he doesn't do plaques yet... and I really think I'll be adding the 25k down the road. Maybe I'll just go with a 44mm for the 25k.. hmmm.

In the end I may end up going with Palm. I guess I better start seriously figuring out where I'm going to get these made.

@Trann- very nice mockups! Take a look at the photobucket link and see if you think any other house images would work better. The house is definitely the weakest of the 5 images, not enough vertical like you mention. Unfortunately I don't think I can get any better angle on it unless I can hover about 80 ft above one of my neighbors down below...

[abcgiftsandawards]

Plus Gene is a sponsor here and I know the quality is top notch. Although last I checked he doesn't do plaques yet... and I really think I'll be adding the 25k down the road. Maybe I'll just go with a 44mm for the 25k.. hmmm.



Plaques, 43mm, and 47mm coming very, very soon!

Thanks,
Gene

[Trann]

I found this one has some better balance...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/m5-2.png

[Trann]

So... here's what I'm thinking...

The chip face needs a border to separate the base colour from the photo so we create a ring: the photo won't be full face but the ring colour will match the chip's edge. The edge itself could be some diamondback or diamond set that has different pips/colours for each chip, kind of like how JP's are laid out...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/JPR-green.jpg

The text shouldn't be western -- they're almost too decorative -- and a straight-up serif (like Times) is too crisp so I found something that was lightly distressed and still clear. It's freeware, too, so that was nice.

I rarely do photos on chips. I also rarely do gradients. However, with a photo comes the need to possibly create a more realistic backdrop for it to reside on: a flat colour really kills the photo. So with the base colour and a slight highlight shift, the photo gets a bit more "pop" and the chip isn't so flat. My hope is that the subtle gradient won't produce banding and if it does, it'll almost look decent/intentional.

Now with the coloured gradient backdrop, I figured it should match the text itself for both the club name and the denomination, the latter having more weight to it. I also rarely drop shadow but it provides some separation and, well, there ya go...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/z500.png
Edit: minor change to size of denom to match others.

[zathras]

:eek: That is a really good design. I agree with your reasoning on what you did with the gradient and border. 100% WAF as well. Although we have decided we do want the text on these to be "El Pueblo Poker".

That other house image does seem to fit the canvas better, even though taken just as an image itself is nowhere near as good a shot as some of the others. But it does fill it out and therefore I agree does look better for use on the chip.

[zathras]

http://www.postersguide.com/largeimage/356/3564041.jpg


A few more Snake pics to consider

This one is really very good as well. Between this one and the other one, I would be happy with whichever one works best.

[zathras]

Plaques, 43mm, and 47mm coming very, very soon!

Thanks,
Gene

Awesome. Do you have any specials or offers for PMCers? :)

[Trann]

... "El Pueblo Poker".
I think I missed that meeting. Consider it updated: reload/refresh your browsers.

[Richard Cranium]

Anyone have the chip template for Photoshop? I remember one kicking around with the proper dimensions.

ceramic chip psd file (http://www.santapoco.com/chip_template_ceramic.psd)

[Quads]

Awesome. Do you have any specials or offers for PMCers? :)

Yes, he cuts deals to forum members.
I think it's 87% off, but you'd better check with him.

[Trann]

ceramic chip psd file (http://www.santapoco.com/chip_template_ceramic.psd)

FWIW, that template is a 461x461 @ 300dpi document with three layers: background, an outer ring, and an inner ring.

Really, guys: you don't need a template. Just pick a reasonable image size (larger than actual size), good depth (300dpi is what I'm using), put a full sized circle in there and have at it.

[zathras]

Yes, he cuts deals to forum members.
I think it's 87% off, but you'd better check with him.

:) I'm sure you didn't mean 87% off! lol. If that's true I'll get 5000 chips.
:mrgreen:

@trann- the update looks frickin awesome

[Trann]

Well, since we have a theme, it's much quicker to bang out the other denoms...

The cactus' blue sky background has to be yanked for a green chip. You might want to swap objects for the 25 -- green on green, after all -- or consider if a colour adjust will work for you (the second has been pushed as bright as I dare).

Edit: I've pushed the cactus less and lightened the background to continue with this solid colour theme... it might work.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/z25.png

[Wedge Rock]

Green cactus would pop on the yellow T1000 chip.

[Quads]

Green cactus would pop on the yellow T1000 chip.

Cash game.
Zat style.

[zathras]

Cash game.
Zat style.

you must have me confused with peterod if you think I'm playing 1k cash games.

my cash set has quarters.

But, yes, I think the green saguaro might work better on a different color... or perhaps a different shade. When I originally planned out the images/color combos, I wasn't really thinking about the gradient filling in the entire background.

[Trann]

Funny... to me, the brown background and earthy snake seem to work.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/z5000.png

Edit: whups; got the arrangements wrong; but will hold off in case it works.
Edit: hmm, this solid colour arrangement could work; I updated the cactus accordingly.

[Trann]

And because we have a bit of a shell game going on with the elements -- and the editing required to clean up the house and coyote are the most work -- here are the coloured blanks for 100 and 1000 to consider...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/z100.png http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/z1000.png

(Edits will replace these when they're done)

[zathras]

I like the results of the snake chip a bit more than the saguaro chip. I think it is the percent of the canvas that is covered by the feature vs the % of background color... The snake seems like maybe 50% whereas the saguaro seems like maybe 25%... perhaps if some of the other photo elements were left in the saguaro image.. ie, some of the ground objects. or a terrain horizon? I don't know- just tossing out thoughts...

The downside of going with the brown for the rattler is that I really wanted the house to be the 5k image.. it is sort of the 'highlight' of the set. it IS the El Pueblo, and therefore seems like it should be the most exclusive chip (future 25k plaque notwithstanding...)

I suppose I could always come up with a 6th image to use, and just go ahead and do the plaques right away and use the house on that. The house being a horizontal image would look a lot better on a rectangle anyways...

Maybe a scorpion... we got a few of them running around here. :) And that is certainly an iconic image associated with the desert.

[Trann]

I think it is the percent of the canvas that is covered by the feature vs the % of background color...
Good analysis. It'd be hard to include the original background because of how thin the detail is and difficult to separate from the blue but I could find some other horizon-like image that would provide better separation and use that as the background.

I really wanted the house to be the 5k image.. it is sort of the 'highlight' of the set.
A reasonable expectation; I'll correct sometime this eve (I hope).

Don't change anything just yet; we'll see if we can make your original ideas reality first.

[Richard Cranium]

FWIW, that template is a 461x461 @ 300dpi document with three layers: background, an outer ring, and an inner ring.

Really, guys: you don't need a template. Just pick a reasonable image size (larger than actual size), good depth (300dpi is what I'm using), put a full sized circle in there and have at it.

Dood asked for one, so I posted one.

[zathras]

Good analysis. It'd be hard to include the original background because of how thin the detail is and difficult to separate from the blue but I could find some other horizon-like image that would provide better separation and use that as the background.


A reasonable expectation; I'll correct sometime this eve (I hope).

Don't change anything just yet; we'll see if we can make your original ideas reality first.
Well depending on how soon Gene is ready to start testing his plaque production I might as well go for it.. I'm willing to be his guinea pig if he needs...

Here is one of 3 scorpion pix that I uploaded to photobucket. Not a great background but still might look cool on one of the chips... would contrast nicely on the black, no?

This lil feller scared the piss outta my wife a few months ago as it was floating next to her in the pool.

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff385/zathraaas/019.jpg

[zathras]

So tentatively-

green 25 saguaro
black 100 scorpion
purple 500 mountain
yellow 1000 coyote
brown 5000 rattler
orange/copper 25k pueblo plaque

[Trann]

Made some updates so roll back and reload. You may want to sit on these a week just to let them sink in and be certain you don't want to change things up.

The scorpion you offered is definitely the best of the lot so I played with the exposure to get more contrast. Rather than cut it out of the background, I shaped the background, blurred the edges to soften, and make the scorpion darker to stand out.

Similarly, the coyote's background is very complex so rather than cut and shape, I filled the gaps and made it full faced.

[Trann]

And have a plaque: the horizontal alignment really helps with the pueblo pic...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/z25k.png

[Trann]

Dood asked for one, so I posted one.

I get; just trying to help d00ds realize there's nothing special about some templates.

[Gadgets]

Let's get serious this should be the plaque.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g257/Gadgets19/zath25.jpg

[abcgiftsandawards]

I get so many requests for a poker chip template...too bad not all customers are PMC guys so I can't just automatically ask them if they have the talent to design a circle on a computer. :mrgreen:

I get; just trying to help d00ds realize there's nothing special about some templates.

[zathras]

Let's get serious this should be the plaque.



lmao.. someone's got a good memory...
hmmm. I need to have my wife contact her and see if she wants back in the king of the hill this year...

@trann I'd like to see what that other house image looks like on there- the one that was much wider and showed more of the right side.

The other thing I'd like to explore is the saguaro against a soft blue sky instead of the green background (but still keeping the green border, and maybe have the terrain flipped 180 horiz so that the rise is on the opposite side from the saguaro. Since the theme on the others is not necessarily a solid color, I think it might work.

Good suggestion on pulling back for a week or so and letting them sink in. I will do just that. With company coming in Friday I won't have much time to dick around with this anyway.

[Trann]

I get so many requests for a poker chip template...too bad not all customers are PMC guys so I can't just automatically ask them if they have the talent to design a circle on a computer. :mrgreen:
High-larous.

@trann I'd like to see what that other house image looks like on there- the one that was much wider and showed more of the right side.
...
The other thing I'd like to explore is the saguaro against a soft blue sky... the terrain flipped 180 horiz
Reload.

[Hemps]

I get so many requests for a poker chip template...too bad not all customers are PMC guys so I can't just automatically ask them if they have the talent to design a circle on a computer. :mrgreen:

Sorry for trying to help. Guess I should just mind my own business. Didn't know there wasn't specific criteria ie size, dpi, rgb or cmyk.....

Oh and nice work Trann.

[JCinPA]

So... here's what I'm thinking...

The chip face needs a border to separate the base colour from the photo so we create a ring: the photo won't be full face but the ring colour will match the chip's edge. The edge itself could be some diamondback or diamond set that has different pips/colours for each chip, kind of like how JP's are laid out...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/JPR-green.jpg



JP's?

What

The


Fuck!?

Didn't I send you a fucking nice bottle of scotch for that design??? :rolleyes:


Mumble, mutter, mutter, mumble.....

[Trann]

I typed JPR, didn't I? Hard to see through the bottom of my glass...

[Wedge Rock]

Easy to confuse the old guys...

[km630]

New to the thread. I like the concept a lot. And, I like all the image choices except the saguaro. That is because it does not take up much space. Considering the lack of fill on the saguaro, why not find a night shot with the moon in the background? At least then you would have something that filled a little bit more of space.

I was thinking something along the lines of this image. I have also put in the link just in case I cannot hotlink to the image.

http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ldppt4YSj81qa944oo1_400.jpg

I found it with a google images search for saguro and moon.

[Wedge Rock]

I like that alot. Black 100 chip?

[zathras]

I was brainstorming on a desert themed set back in 08/09, well before we moved out here. At the time I did have an image very much like that in mind for the 100. It had a howling coyote against a giant full moon and a night sky.

Once we moved here and I discovered that 95% of all artwork featuring coyotes (and there's a LOT of it here) shows them in that howling pose, I abandoned the idea of using that particular image for the 100.

I'm not totally against the idea of the black 100 featuring a night sky with *something* silhouetted against a full moon. It's a great concept.
But at the moment I'm really digging the current look of the saguaro chip Trann has up (so the saguaro would be out as what to put on it). And I've never seen a coyote/full moon image where he wasn't howling.

And while the moon by itself might be cool, that doesn't say 'desert'.

maybe if I can find an image of a coyote on the move (like the current coyote pic), but silhouetted on a ridge against a full moon, that might be the way to go for the black chip. And then move the scorp to the 5k.

That idea aside, if the scorp stays on the black chip, I think it works well- but I think the image needs to be enlarged somewhere between 25-50%, so that it is more prominent.

[km630]

Your set, your choice. I was just throwing out my unsolicited advice. If you like the saguro in the daylight, I say go for it.

[pauld22]

maybe if I can find an image of a coyote on the move (like the current coyote pic), but silhouetted on a ridge against a full moon, that might be the way to go for the black chip. And then move the scorp to the 5k.



Cool idea for a set. Found these f-ing around on google...

http://pixdaus.com/pics/1286623683mit64PX.jpg

Not in a full howl and thought this pic was pretty awesome...

http://pixdaus.com/pics/1271738083vbYTeRG.jpg

[zathras]

I have been looking these over again today.
Trann when you get a chance I have a few thoughts...


I copied all the images onto a word doc and printed it actual scale so I could see them all life size at a single glance.

There are 2 distinctly different schemes going on-
a) natural image background (25, 1000, 25000)
b) solid color gradient background (500, 5000)
plus the 100 is sort of a mix of both approaches

I'd like to settle on a single approach to provide a more unified look and feel to the chips as a set. As much as I like the color gradient, I really love the look of the 25 (I want to kiss it), so I'd like to see what the others look like with that same approach.

First, if we go with the full image background, I think we need to increase the width of the color band.. perhaps a 50% increase? maybe as much as 100%? I think that will give more of a solid quick denomination recognition by color, of a pile of chips. I know the larger the ring, the less room for image... so there's a happy medium there somewhere.

Can the text outline border be a pixel or two wider so that it stands out better against the varying background images? I really like the font you've found and the concept of gradient-filling it with the chip base color.

Some chip-specific requests
100 black
I'd like to see what a black night sky with a full moon would look like. Have the moon rising over a ridge, with perhaps 80% of the moon visible above the ridge, and the coyote on the run on the ridge. Coyote darkened or possibly even a silhouette.

500 purple
change the purple sky to blue.

1000 yellow
use the scorpion image, with its background, but probably 100% larger.

5000 orange (instead of brown)
not sure what background to use here. any suggestions?

25000 tan/brown (instead of orange)
I'm not lovin the pattern. It just makes it look too different from the rest of the set.

I know we still have to address the issue of edges (spots/patterns/text or whatever)


I don't know if you're back home yet or not, but no real hurry on this. I'm headed off to vegas tomorrow for the weekend. Then KOTH "Hell week" sets in and I will have no time to think about this project til after opening sunday. So I s/b ready to jump back into it the week of the 12th...

Z

[Trann]

Since the 25 is your fave, we'll butcher that first and see if it's still is your fave: doubled colour band (nudged cactus down and poker text up to fit), increased text outline 1px, took liberty of adding border line between colour band and chip background.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/z25.png

[zathras]

Yes, yes, yes.
I printed it full scale and definitely love it. I think the larger color band is going to work well. I like the thicker text outline too.

Any opinions from others on the circle border vs no border?

[Trann]

I've updated the round chips...

100 has no current background because I can't create a horizon-like ridge and capture the detail of a coyote on it; maybe it's too 3-wolf moon for me but the separate elements don't mix well to me. But if you can find something or give me the pieces, I'll drop them in.

5000 could have some generic desert floor without a horizon (akin to scorpion).

Updated plaque: tanned it up but left out the pattern.

[zathras]

ahhh life is calm once more...
so, time for me to push this back on to the front burner....

For the 100, what about using this image, and then putting a silhouette of the coyote in front of it? I don't know if that could be made to look good or not. If not, I'm willing to entertain other ideas.
http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff385/zathraaas/dsc_5007-full-moon-rise-l.jpg
On the 5000 I like the idea of a generic desert background. maybe some landscape with some small cactus in it or something... If you google cholla or prickly pear there are a zillion pix. I'm not sure which one would give the best effect.

The final step is the edgespots I guess. I haven't thought much about that yet either. Open to suggestions.

[Trann]

Ok, 100 and 5000 are updated.

My only comment to you about edge spots is realize that aligned costs more than unaligned so if your edge spots wrap onto the surface of the chip, you have to decide if it will matter to you that they are unaligned or not.

The simpler edge spots are just on the edge, of course.

[Trann]

Also updated 25k chip by increasing size of text to something more appropriately scaled to the chip.

[zathras]

I like all of these. Nice job on the 100. 5k looks good too!

I am getting a quote on the alignment of the edgespots. If I can afford it I think I would want them aligned.

This is my first cut at edgespots. I'm going for a progression approach of complexity of spots increasing on the higher denoms. Since the color ring on these chips isn't very large I don't want the spots to overtake too much of the surface, hence 2's and 3's only.
I don't know of an edgespot mockup tool other than the ones used for the clay chips like the one on CT... so that's what I used. I assume anything you can do on a clay you can do on a ceramic since it's just an image.

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff385/zathraaas/elpuebloedgespots.png

any and all comments and suggestions are welcome...

[zathras]

I really like this color combo- it screams southwest. I think it might look good to have the plaques use this scheme, with the alternating yellow and turquoise triangles against the beige border. Sort of similar to your original idea, but spaced out a bit.
http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff385/zathraaas/Plaquecolors.png

Also, I will be ordering dealer buttons. Can you throw the house pic from the plaque (sans denom) onto a round 2" image with a white border and the word DEALER on it?

[Trann]

Oo, that is a good one. I'll see how it looks on the existing 25K brown and maybe show an alternate that uses that scheme exactly. Tonight.

[Trann]

I lied. Tonight.

[zathras]

no problem. My wife comes home this evening after being gone 11 days. I won't be on tonite...

ok, that's a lie too. I'll be on, later...

[Trann]

Love the honesty. 8)

[Trann]

25K updated.

[abcgiftsandawards]

The gradient on the black chip needs to be lightened...when that is printed it's going to look completely black everything else looks great!

-Gene

[Quads]

25K updated. Here's the set.


no honey badger?

Those looks bad ass. Nice work Trann.

[zathras]

Looks very nice. Wife approves as well. What about putting the spots on em? I'd like to see how that looks.

[Trann]

Here's the set with spots; no obvious colour clashes either. Given that the colour band would be wider than the spots on the edge, you could easily use the same spots on all chips.

At Gene's suggestion, I replaced the black background with a deep blue-black gradient. It can be made lighter.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/z25.pnghttp://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/z100.png
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/z500.pnghttp://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/z1000.png
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/z5000.pnghttp://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/z25k.png

[zathras]

hmmm... well, I was originally kind of keen to have some sort of fancy spot progression pattern like in the mockup....
It never occurred to me to use the same spots on everything.

But, after printing these out lifesize and looking at them, I am liking the symmetry of using that same pattern on all of the chips, especially since it brings the whole set together with a desert color theme. My wife really loves it, btw.

One final thought- lets see how the whole set would look if you exchanged the light tan with the darker beige on the 25k and on all the others. ie, use the darker beige as the alternating spot with the turquoise. This might give better contrast for the yellow and orange chips.

[zathras]

no honey badger?

Those looks bad ass. Nice work Trann.

The honey badger is not a native to the Arizona desert. If I ever make a middle eastern themed chipset (or wherever the fuck he's from) I'll consider him.

[Guma]

This is a great design!

I see some things we would have had a little difficulty with in printing, but I know Gene has perfected some printing methods and was able to overcome some issues we would have faced. I am excited to see these get printed!

[zathras]

Yeah, I'm really excited to get these. I've been wanting this set for several years, and the time is finally right.

Here's what my set will be

25 x 160
100 x 200
500 x 120
1000 x 200
5000 x 80
25k x 15
plus a few dealer buttons.
That should handle 20 player deepstack tourneys.

Going to order a few extras of each for sample sets. Set to Trann for all the excellent graphics work. Set for framing on the poker room wall. Sets to a few relatives.

Can't wait to unload my slugged plastic chips! :) They've had a good run but it's time for them to find a new home!

[Trann]

Refresh.

Before you go ordering, I strongly suggest a sample set. As I've said in the past, I don't normally do gradients or photos and, although I have great confidence in Gene, you should see how they're going to be reproduced in the medium first.

[zathras]

Refresh.

Before you go ordering, I strongly suggest a sample set. As I've said in the past, I don't normally do gradients or photos and, although I have great confidence in Gene, you should see how they're going to be reproduced in the medium first.


I think you exchanged the wrong colors. spots s/b turquoise and the darker beige, the only light tan would be the border on the 25k.

Good idea on the sample set.

Is there any special artwork needed for the edges?

[Trann]

Ah, misread; try again.

As for artwork, Gene would know what he needs but I'm guessing he can do the alignment because the markings are equidistant and a solid colour band.

[zathras]

Ok, I printed these out and stared at them for awhile. I like the improvement in the contrast on the yellow- but the other 4 I think the first color scheme worked better. So I'm leaning towards the tan/turq combo rather than the dark beige/turq combo. What's your opinion?

[Trann]

I actually like having one pattern on all chips in this design but it's not my design 8)

[zathras]

I actually like having one pattern on all chips in this design but it's not my design 8)

I am in favor of that too- but which pattern? You've done all 3 possible permutations-
1) light tan & turquoise
2) light tan & dark beige
3) dark beige & turquoise

I'm saying I think I like the 1st one better. even though it seems the spot contrast isn't great on the yellow chip, the overall set is better than option 3 (how they are now).

If anyone is interested in seeing both side by side, I have a word doc here that has both sets on it, that I used for printing life size chips to look at.

http://www.zathras.com/pix/poker/elpueblochips.doc

[Trann]

The most recent has the least clash with the base chip colours, I think.

[zathras]

The most recent has the least clash with the base chip colours, I think.

:shipit:
But before we :shipit: can you mock up a 2" dealer button using the house image, with a white border and "DEALER" in white text using the same font as on the chips?

Gene- I'm ready to order a sample set of these bad boys. These are on smooth blanks right and not textured correct?
What do I need to do next? Should I go thru your website or what? Do I need the psd files? or can you work with the png's here? and what about the edgespot artwork?

I have my credit card out of my wallet sitting on my desk, ready for action.

[msuroo]

This has been a fun thread to follow - set looks great!

[Trann]

Took the liberty of using the alternate angle of the home as it accomodates the uniform shape better.

Also took the liberty of showing an alternate design that washes out the image at the edges to make the dealer chip look less like the player chips.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/zdeal.jpghttp://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/PMC/zdeal-alt.jpg

I'll see if Gene needs the PSD before shipping it; he may be good with these as-is.

[zathras]

awesome... love the faded look on the one on the right...

[zathras]

Update-

Wow- has it been 2 months? well, since then, I ordered and received a set of prototypes. The purple and green came out a little too dark so I had Gene & Trann tweak them a bit. The next prototypes were done and Gene sent a pic, but I wanted one more tweak to lighten up the text just a bit.
Got the word a few days ago that they are now finished and should be on their way next week! Pics will be forthcoming!

[Quads]

w00t!

[Guma]

WTF no pics? You Tease!

[Pocket King5]

This process was cool to follow, the finished product will be amazing, no doubt!

[zathras]

WTF no pics? You Tease!

Soon, my friend... soon...

Nov 30, 2011 7:15 AM
On FedEx vehicle for delivery
PHOENIX, AZ

[zathras]

They were waiting for me when I got home. Really really happy with these. Gene did a fantastic job on bringing Trann's artwork to life. I stacked 100 high with no problem. Beautiful!

First game has been scheduled Sat Dec 10th. $10 buyin with a $10 rebuy. You are all invited. Be here by 6pm. :)
For those who can't make it, hope these pictures suffice.


http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff385/zathraaas/DSCN1449.jpg

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff385/zathraaas/DSCN1446.jpg

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff385/zathraaas/DSCN1448.jpg

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff385/zathraaas/DSCN1447.jpg

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff385/zathraaas/DSCN1450.jpg

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff385/zathraaas/DSCN1452.jpg

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff385/zathraaas/DSCN1453.jpg

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff385/zathraaas/DSCN1457.jpg

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff385/zathraaas/DSCN1459.jpg

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff385/zathraaas/DSCN1460.jpg

[Quads]

MUST
NOT
FAP.

[Doctor_XXX]

Fudge (only I didn't say 'fudge') ;)

Those look outstanding. Nice work, gents! :cool:

[abcgiftsandawards]

Thanks for posting the photos zathras! I really wanted to get photos of these to post, but seeing as it's nearly 9pm and I'm still working...it just wasn't going to get done!

By the way...how did you get T's wife to come by and snap a picture of the plaques? ;)

[Calgary Dave]

Jesus those are gorgeous!!!!!

[detroitdad]

Very nice. I really like the plaques. I'm not usually a big fan of different images on each chip. These work.

B

[Irish]

Wow, those came out great!! Nice work all around - the concept, design & chip production.


By the way...how did you get T's wife to come by and snap a picture of the plaques? ;)

LOL, gotta love when your sponsors are connected closely enough with the forum to be able to tap into our "inside" jokes. :mrgreen:

[zathras]

Thanks for posting the photos zathras! I really wanted to get photos of these to post, but seeing as it's nearly 9pm and I'm still working...it just wasn't going to get done!

By the way...how did you get T's wife to come by and snap a picture of the plaques? ;)

lmao!

ironically, my wife took all those pix except the last 2. I don't know what she did on the plaques pix- she usually checks and reshoots if one is f'd up.. I think she was getting bored/irritated with me and my new toys by that point and just said fuckit...

I will try to get a shot of them in their first action on the 10th...

[monkey_booger]

Good work by you , Trann, and Gene. Very nice!

I only wish I had Quad's willpower.

[pauld22]

MUST
NOT
FAP.

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee201/Bravothreezero/robocop-fap.gif


Well done all around.

[Pocket King5]

^^^ that is one of the funniest things ever!


Amazing looking set of customs! They came out really well. Im a sucker for orange 5000 chips, the snake looks great! Fine work Gene. I cant wait to see these in action at your next game!

[zathras]

Couple more pix

Dealer button close up and a stack of 150! :)

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff385/zathraaas/DSCN1468.jpg

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff385/zathraaas/DSCN1470.jpg