Best place to print a custom game board?

H All!

Thanks for the help in creating my original enlarged map board. I found an original scan of a board online (I cannot remember the original creator, but I searched for “High Res Axis Allies Map.” If you were the creator of this, thank you very much! Kudos!

I wanted to do a 4 foot by 6 foot enlargement. The original file wasn’t high res enough for that, so I worked on it in Photo Shop by increasing the size and dpi. I’m pretty much a novice to Photo Shop, but it wasn’t that difficult after some google queries on how to do it.

Once I had it enlarged to the size and resolution I needed (beware, this apparently can bog down your computer if you are using a basic MacBook), I then went about finding a print shop. I ended up going to BannerBuzz.com. I’d never heard of them before, but their website was easy to use and the price was good.

I put my 4x6 map on vinyl, had it laminated, and had it shipped to me for about $50 total. The process took roughly ten days from me uploading the file, choosing the options, proofing it, and having it created and delivered.

The map looks great. in retrospect, I might have increased the resolution just a touch more, but I’m pretty pleased with it. If anyone wants the file, I can upload it or send it to you - Remember, it is a 4’ by 6’ version of the 1984-87 map, as in the original Milton Bradley version, and if you are a newbie to this, I can answer questions that I learned through the process.

Thanks to all the people who assisted in this!

To fit the entire G40 game pieces, you will need 2 boxes and that will include space for alot of HBG printed pieces, etc including roundels, etc

@jeffcamis:

Can someone recommend a printer for a custom map make that doesnt charge 250 plus.  Im located in north jersey area.  I need a custom map for aa 50th anny edition.  I have tge file i want to use.  Thanks. Jeff.

I’m not from New Jersey, but I am in America… I got my Scrim/Outdoor Banner Vinyl AA50 map made for like $60.

Did it at FedEx Office Print & Ship Center… I would imagine you have one like that in Jersey… also maybe try a Kinko’s if you have one of them. If you can’t find one locally, try the FedEx online shop and have it sent to you.

@CWO:

Just as a general suggestion: if you’re going to the trouble of carving the map out of wood, it might be a good idea to limit the actual woodwork to the most basic elements (country shapes and names), without carving into the wood the kinds of details (like IPC values) that might potentially be subject to adjustment under house rules or other types of setup changes.

Right, definitely don’t want to carve the lettering and numbers. My original plan was to do an iron on ink transfer before I poly the whole thing, but now I’ll look at options for changeable IPC Values. Thanks!

This pic is of IL’s map and I am making a custom table for these smaller 1 on 1 games. Will have the wing affect on end like my 2 custom gaming tables with 1 dice box and battle boards. I will post pics when I get it done. Guys in group looking to play this game.
I’ll be able to take it anywhere I want to play.

Yes IL I know about the flooring. Just ain’t around. I’m still looking.

image1(13).png
Battle Boards.png

And here’s my new 1942 map

my1942custommap1.jpg
my1942custommap2.jpg

@CWO:

@John:

Congratulations to you, and KNP! :-D

Hear hear!

Appreciate it Marc! :-)

@CWO:

@ozimek1:

You could have painted at the borders, IPC values, territory names etc. on the glass. That way you could easily use the 3D map for different games by changing the glass overlay :)

I think that having different sheets of painted glass for different games would be an expensive proposition.  I don’t know how much Rorschach’s setup cost him, but the acrylic sheet which covers my own AA50 table set me back over a hundred bucks.

Yeah, I originally was going to etch all the borders onto the acrylic, but when you’re looking at $50 (give or take) per sheet for this size it would be far too expensive.  But, to be honest, the sheet is so close to the table anyway there is absolutely no mistaking the territories, so it’s all good.

And this way, if we want to play a different game, we just pop in a flat MDF panel underneath instead of the AA50 board and you’re good to go!

The entire table (not counting countless hours of time) cost me about $150 … still no legs on it though.

And, Jeremy and I finally finished our game.  17 rounds, 9 weeks (about an hour and a quarter, hour and a half a week) … Allied Victory when the Brits waltzed into a sparsely defended Berlin.