The Cover Project

Artist's Corner => DS Case Covers => Topic started by: monkeyagent on November 03, 2021, 10:17:53 PM

Title: How to print great covers on the cheap with Staples Online
Post by: monkeyagent on November 03, 2021, 10:17:53 PM

I spent some time reading through the posted guides and recommendations for printing game case covers and found the options to be underwhelming for my personal taste. Printing on an inkjet looked odd to my eye with water solubility as a liability. Finding a local print shop was weirdly difficult and expensive (my local Staples shop wanted to charge $12 USD a sheet!). I'd also ordered from a few cover printing places online only to be disappointed with the results for the price.

Fortunately, I found a relatively cheap option to experiment with in Staples' online printing service. After a few orders, I have covers that to me, look to be on par with 3DS covers in terms of weight, texture, and color. I've printed covers for my PSP, PS2, Wii, and NDS games with similar results (the paper weight being lighter than the standard covers for those, but I find I kind of prefer it).

Using this methodology, I've printed about 36 covers for around $22

(https://i.imgur.com/KySNYRf.jpeg) (https://i.imgur.com/KySNYRf.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/2VVxuxM.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/2VVxuxM.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/Ao6z7XU.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/Ao6z7XU.jpg)

The highlights here are:

• Use the "Professional" service for the right paper options.
• Choose the right paper size to enable the right gloss options.
• Putting in more covers will save you money (there's a flat base shipping cost of around $5)
• Trimming the sheets is up to you.

On to specifics!

First, place/arrange your covers on a 3300 x 5100 px canvas (can fit 3 NDS covers or 2 DVD/PSP covers). I use GIMP for this, but as long as the final file matches that resolution, you should be good using any program.

• I'm assuming you're using covers that are scaled to proper dimensions and would otherwise print as desired.
• Make sure your final/exported image has no outside margins; you want to center-align the covers to minimize white space on the outside (any margin is part of the image and gets printed)
• I suggest leaving plenty of vertical space between covers to make trimming easier

Next, go to the Staples website and navigate to the "Professional Print" services:

https://www.staples.com/services/printing/copies-documents-printing/professional-print/ (https://www.staples.com/services/printing/copies-documents-printing/professional-print/)
(In the nav: Services -> Printing -> Document Printing -> Professional)

Once you find the right page, follow these steps through the wizard:

1. Upload your prepared sheets (you can do more than one at a time with the same settings)
    - If you upload more than one file, you will have the option to print double-sided; If you do, make sure you select "Head To Head" and that each set of pages is positioned exactly
2. Select "Print to the edge"
3. Select "Ledger" (11"x17") for paper size (this has more paper options than legal)
4. Select "Portrait orientation"
5. IMPORTANT! UNcheck "Scale to fit"
6. For paper, select "Gloss Text 32lb (80lb text) • Lightweight, gloss • For flyers, brochures"
    - This closely matches the weight of 3DS covers. NDS covers are a bit thicker so you might try "Gloss Cover"
7. Select "Color Ink"
8. Select "No Finishing"
9. The price should come out to about $0.96/sheet + $5 flat-rate shipping

Once your order is in, it will take anywhere from a week to 3-4 weeks to reach you. Once they arrive, you simply need to trim up the sheets and you should be good to go!

(https://i.imgur.com/NtHWhf4.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/NtHWhf4.jpg)

A few quick notes on trimming, from my own experience:
- Don't try to freehand cut with a knife/blade/razor; you need a proper paper trimmer/slicer for this, which can be had for as low as $13 online (or check out your local library/school).
- Take your time; a poorly trimmed cover is not going to look great.
- Do a few practice cuts; different paper weights cut differently.
- I found it quite difficult to cut very thin slices. Try to line up the right cut on the first try. Cutting again to compensate for a poor cut can make problems worse.
- Print an extra (or two) of your favorite covers to replace the first one (or two) you'll inevitably mangle.

I hope this is helpful to folks struggling find/make/get nice covers for their collection!

Title: Re: How to print great covers on the cheap with Staples Online
Post by: FreemanC17 on August 08, 2023, 09:56:41 AM

Everything looks good, but I do have one question: Any particular reason to check "Print to the edge"?

I noticed it enlarges the image on the website, changing it's dimensions and running the risk of not fitting properly in the designated case (printing PSP and CGC SNES covers).

If i'm paying money, the last thing I want to do is fudge it up by accident lol.

Title: Re: How to print great covers on the cheap with Staples Online
Post by: Arseen on August 09, 2023, 10:36:55 AM

Quote from: FreemanC17 on August 08, 2023, 09:56:41 AM

Everything looks good, but I do have one question: Any particular reason to check "Print to the edge"?

Only with certain covers types when printing without the option enabled would lead cover not fitting to the paper.

Not sure as I have not printed in a while (case 1) and I never use Letter (case 2) but such cases are, for example: PS2 covers to A4 paper and Universal game case to Letter.