Page: Guide.PlastifyPage3 - Last Modified : Tue, 29 Mar 11 - 3946 Visits

This page will show you how to plastify a series of square tokens which are still in their tray. The best thing about plastifying tokens is to have them in the tray. If they are punch out and you still have the tray, you can try to place them back in the tray (I did it once). You don't want to do individual token plastification because it take a huge about of time. I did this with Arkham Horror and it was a pain to cut all these heart shaped tokens. You will need the following tools:

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

1. Take measurements: The first thing you need to do is to take measurements. It does not matter if the plastic is smaller than the tray, as long as all the tokens are covered it's OK. So don't leave a space of plastic all around your tray. In my example, the tray will cover exactly half the width of the roll. So I'll just cut in the middle and get my two sheets.
2. Trace your lines: Trace the cutting lines according to the measurements you have taken. I generally put marks on both sides of the line and then draw my line.
3. Cut the sheets: Cut the sheet of plastic along the lines you have drawn.
4. Place your sheet: Peel off one side of the sheet and place your tray of token on the sheet. Make sure that the tray is correctly aligned with the plastic. When everything seems OK, stick the side of the tray to the plastic.
5. Unroll the plastic: Turn the sheet over and use your cloth the pressure the plastic on the tray. Then unroll some plastic and continue to press with your cloth by moving back and forth.
6. Use the bone folder: Press the plastic on the tray with the bone folder. Make sure that every token is correctly stuck to the plastic. You can also use the side of the bone folder to press on the lines between the tokens but generally it does not change anything.
7. Do the back: When you are done, repeat step 4 to 6 for the back of the sheet.
8. Let it rest: Make it rest for at least 3 hours. You can place it under a press if you think the plastic does not stick well.
9. Cut the tokens: You now have to cut the tokens along the punching lines to cut the plastic and separate the tokens from the tray at the same time. You need to use an exacto knife for this. When you cut, there is always an angle in your blade so that when you will finish your cut, there will still be uncut plastic at the end. This is why after each cut, you need to rotate your sheet and start cutting in the opposite direction to make sure the end of the line is cut correctly.
10. Punch the tokens: When every things is cut, you just need to punch out the tokens. The tokens will be easier to punch since they have been cut out from the tray.

Other components

• Other shapes of tokens: You can do other shapes of tokens, but there are not always cut as easily than the above. I'll probably make another page to show how to cut circular or odd shape tokens. The problem with circular tokens is that your blade cannot cut both plastic at the same time. You need to cut the top and then the bottom separately.

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