Using the AI art I created a few weeks ago, I sent off my designs for Utu. Today I received the printed pieces, and I’m thrilled.
But there was work to be done. One of the things I wanted to test with this printing was a “dual-layer mat”, which is a fancy board-gaming term for a two-part chipboard mat where pieces are placed. The top layer has punch-outs where the pieces go, and the bottom layer is solid. In this way, the pieces can be placed in the punch-outs and don’t slide around if you accidentally bump the mat.
The first step was to order a leather punch kit. These are shaped metal, sort of like cookie cutters, used to punch through leather for things like belt holes. The kit I bought had a variety of pieces and shapes, which was important because I needed punch-outs of several different sizes.
Using a rubber mallet and a plastic cutting board, I pounded the punch kit pieces through the chipboard. It was pretty tedious.
Then I glued the backing onto each mat, and the result was exactly what I wanted.
Here are the pieces for the fully printed game, ready to be played!
It’s a big step up from the secondhand hex tiles and cardstock I ran through my trusty old Brother laser printer:
This project has been a ton of work, and it’s stretched me in some new creative directions. But that’s one of my goals with board game design, so I’m happy with it. Although I don’t think this will be the “final” printing of Utu, it’s a great start and a way I can introduce the game to more people and get feedback on it. Onward and upward!