Page: Guide.PlastifyPage2 - Last Modified : Tue, 23 Jun 09 - 4490 Visits

The first thing I'll try to teach is how to plastify a reference sheet. It should be one of the easiest thing to do. You will require:

• Scissors or Exacto Knife
• Book Plastic
• Cloth
• Bone Folder
• Ruler
• Pen

As you can see in the picture, this reference sheet is thin. The difference with thick ones is that we can plastify both side and then cut everything at the same time instead of cutting each time you plastify a side.

1. Plan ahead your plastic: In my case, I have 6 reference sheets to plastify. So I want to optimize my plastic to make sure I don't have any losses. I also need to consider that since these sheets are double sided, I need twice the amount of plastic. So in this case, I need 12 sheets not 6.
2. Take measurements: Now you want to start taking measurements of the plastic you need. For a reference sheet, you want the plastic to be larger than the sheet. So make sure you have enough space all around your sheet. This margin is also useful if you to not stick your sheet correctly straight.
3. Trace your lines: I put a small mark on both sides of the line I need to trace and then I trace a line with a ruler. Sometimes, the measurement will match the lines which comes with the plastic. Since my plastic lines are 1 inch squares, I try to make sure that each line I draw are in increments of 1/4 of an inch. This makes sure that sometimes, it falls directly on the line.
4. Cut the sheets: It's time to cut. Either use scissors or an exacto knife according to your tastes.
5. Place your sheet: Take a sheet and peel off a side of the sheet. Now take the reference sheet and place it above the plastic sheet. Make sure everything is aligned and press the sheet against the plastic.
6. Unroll the plastic: Turn the sheet over and use a towel to press the whole exposed surface. Then peel of a bit more plastic and again use the towel to stick the plastic to the sheet. I generally move the towel with my fingers from left to right. Continue until all the plastic covers the sheet.
7. Press with the bone folder: Then use the bone folder to press the plastic all over the sheet. This make sure the plastic is correctly attached to the cardboard. I generally press the plastic vertically, horizontally and diagonally.
8. Do the back side: Then repeat steps 5 to 7 for the opposite side of the sheet.
9. Let it rest: Let it rest more than 3 hours. If you have cheaper plastic, you might want to put it under a press.
10. Cut around the sheet: Now the only thing left to do is to cut the exceeding plastic with a pair of scissors or an Exacto knife. You now have a new plastified reference sheet.

Other Components

There other components you can plastify with the technique above.

• Cards: Generally, you want to sleeve cards because it's much faster to do. But if you cards have very odd shapes or sizes, it could be a good solution.
• Thin Tokens: In some games, there are very thin tokens. You could use this technique to plastify each token individually since these tokens rarely comes in a tray.

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