Custom Set Advice/Set Ideas (2 Viewers)

[allforcharity]

Def go to @ABC Gifts and Awards for your ceramic needs

 

[Marhault]

If the trademark is owned by someone else, there is always a chance that it will be denied. The more concerned the chip maker is (China = low concern, US producers = much higher) the less likely it would be made.

And Sunfly is conveniently located in China hmmm

 

[Marhault]

So after some severely drunken poker the other night. Some friends of mine were sitting around and discussing the idea of a custom set. These guys aren't chippers mind you, but they do enjoy seeing my new acquisitions. One of the ideas proposed was that I do a set kinda like these mixed sets people put together, but instead of going with the actual chips, which can be costly or downright difficult to complete, that we do a replica on a ceramic chip. More specifically a Sunfly 43mm hybrid ceramic chip. We drunkenly decided it would be a great idea to do like an "all time Vegas" lineup or something along those lines. Here's how I would see that working.

Starting with a denomination I'd start a thread for nominations and once nominations are complete people would vote in a poll I'd try to get a concensus on what the best looking Vegas chip that is live or retired for said denomination. Obviously since it will ultimately be my set if the vote goes to something I can't stand then I will hold executive decision as to which is choosen . Then the process is repeated throughout the lineup. Ideally covering a full cash and tournament set.

The stipulations would be that obviously colors would be a concern so no like or same color chips in the cash or tourney set individually. However there could be similar colors as long as they are a chip that won't have overlap between the 2 like for example a $1000 tourney chip and a $1 cash chip. The other stipulation and this is a big one. A casino can only be represented once in this lineup. So we have to make sure that whatever we choose is the best of a particular casinos lineup as they won't be represented again.

Once they are all selected (this will be a long term process) the colors and inlay will be as closely made to match the chips choosen down to spot patterns. This will require edge alignment. The thing that will be included to tie this whole thing together would be on the chip edges it would say "Vegas All-Stars" or something like that to make it a cohesive "set" and maybe a denomination there as well depending on space and capability. It's also possible to add something similar to the face but I'm leaning away from that as I want them to as closely resemble the actual chips as can be done in a ceramic.

I've already contacted Sunfly about issues with replica chips, they basically told me they operate off the assumption that it's my responsibility and as I'm in no way wanting to profit and the fact that these will be on ceramic as opposed to clay I feel like we are safe.

So what do you guys think?

 

[FordPickup92]

So after some severely drunken poker the other night. Some friends of mine were sitting around and discussing the idea of a custom set. These guys aren't chippers mind you, but they do enjoy seeing my new acquisitions. One of the ideas proposed was that I do a set kinda like these mixed sets people put together, but instead of going with the actual chips, which can be costly or downright difficult to complete, that we do a replica on a ceramic chip. More specifically a Sunfly 43mm hybrid ceramic chip. We drunkenly decided it would be a great idea to do like an "all time Vegas" lineup or something along those lines. Here's how I would see that working.

Starting with a denomination I'd start a thread for nominations and once nominations are complete people would vote in a poll I'd try to get a concensus on what the best looking Vegas chip that is live or retired for said denomination. Obviously since it will ultimately be my set if the vote goes to something I can't stand then I will hold executive decision as to which is choosen . Then the process is repeated throughout the lineup. Ideally covering a full cash and tournament set.

The stipulations would be that obviously colors would be a concern so no like or same color chips in the cash or tourney set individually. However there could be similar colors as long as they are a chip that won't have overlap between the 2 like for example a $1000 tourney chip and a $1 cash chip. The other stipulation and this is a big one. A casino can only be represented once in this lineup. So we have to make sure that whatever we choose is the best of a particular casinos lineup as they won't be represented again.

Once they are all selected (this will be a long term process) the colors and inlay will be as closely made to match the chips choosen down to spot patterns. This will require edge alignment. The thing that will be included to tie this whole thing together would be on the chip edges it would say "Vegas All-Stars" or something like that to make it a cohesive "set" and maybe a denomination there as well depending on space and capability. It's also possible to add something similar to the face but I'm leaning away from that as I want them to as closely resemble the actual chips as can be done in a ceramic.

I've already contacted Sunfly about issues with replica chips, they basically told me they operate off the assumption that it's my responsibility and as I'm in no way wanting to profit and the fact that these will be on ceramic as opposed to clay I feel like we are safe.

So what do you guys think?

I think alot of great ideas have been thought of while drunk
Sounds like you have the right plan in place

 

[RichMahogany]

Get samples before you order. I personally think alot of ceramic chips that imitate clay chip edge spots are fugly and pointless, it’s not a good use of the potential of a ceramic chip IMO

 

[Marhault]

Get samples before you order. I personally think alot of ceramic chips that imitate clay chip edge spots are fugly and pointless, it’s not a good use of the potential of a ceramic chip IMO

A lot of custom ceramics have edge spots I guess I'm not picking up what you're saying. @MegaTon44 set has edge spots and looks fantastic. Obviously it's different than clay but I'm thinking of something similar. These chips will basically have the mocked up inlay of the chip they are imitating but the color and edge spots will be within the limitations of the ceramic chip but as close of an approximation as can be made.

 

[MegaTon44]

A lot of custom ceramics have edge spots I guess I'm not picking up what you're saying. @MegaTon44 set has edge spots and looks fantastic. Obviously it's different than clay but I'm thinking of something similar. These chips will basically have the mocked up inlay of the chip they are imitating but the color and edge spots will be within the limitations of the ceramic chip but as close of an approximation as can be made.

Thanks! I think @RichMahogany means that ceramic chips that mimic typical clay chip spot patterns (eg 418, 6D18, etc) waste the potential of ceramic chips. I happen to agree with this. There's plenty of real estate, tons of colors and cool design options that you should go wild. We designed my chips to be more of a Bud Jones design. With limitless options, you'd definitely want any budget-friendly custom ceramics to be built with imagination (I know I don't have it, but @p5woody and @BGinGA do).

 

[RichMahogany]

A lot of custom ceramics have edge spots I guess I'm not picking up what you're saying. @MegaTon44 set has edge spots and looks fantastic. Obviously it's different than clay but I'm thinking of something similar. These chips will basically have the mocked up inlay of the chip they are imitating but the color and edge spots will be within the limitations of the ceramic chip but as close of an approximation as can be made.

Read what I wrote again. Ceramics that imitate clay edge spots. Obviously lots of ceramic chips have edge spots

 

[Marhault]

Read what I wrote again. Ceramics that imitate clay edge spots. Obviously lots of ceramic chips have edge spots

Ah ok. So what would you recommend then? I mean I'm more concerned with inlay imitation. I'm thinking more along the lines of the Aria ceramic replicas that I've seen in the gallery. They seem to imitate the Aria spot patterns I think. I'll have to dig them up again to double check.

You think a better idea might be to just mimic the best inlays then have the chip colors and edge spots operate independent to that? If I'm being honest I'm not a huge fan of of the bud Jones style but megatons set makes it look damned enticing.

 

[Poker Zombie]

I personally oppose "replica" chips. I trust that you aren't going to sell a ceramic "Sands Casino" $5 chip somewhere down the road, but that cannot be true forever. People die, chips get sold at a garage sale, and the next thing you know, a Sands Casino $5 chip is up on eBay, pilfering some poor noobie for 30x it's worth because they - and the seller - simply did not know any better.

Now a casino inspired set is fine by me, but to replicate an authentic chip - it's opens the door to dishonesty, and is detrimental to our hobby of chip collecting.

 

[RichMahogany]

I always think it’s better to go original. What’s the point in having a different label on each chip that’s not an direct homage to the chip in question? To me it would make the set feel that it had no cohesion.

If you want to see an example of your concept executed flawlessly, look up @courage old school Vegas tribute set made by CPC.

 

[Marhault]

I personally oppose "replica" chips. I trust that you aren't going to sell a ceramic "Sands Casino" $5 chip somewhere down the road, but that cannot be true forever. People die, chips get sold at a garage sale, and the next thing you know, a Sands Casino $5 chip is up on eBay, pilfering some poor noobie for 30x it's worth because they - and the seller - simply did not know any better.

Now a casino inspired set is fine by me, but to replicate an authentic chip - it's opens the door to dishonesty, and is detrimental to our hobby of chip collecting.

That's why I would include something to indicate that the chips aren't authentic such as the edge wording or something similar.

I don't completely disagree with you, but hell just about any custom chip created in here, especially relabeled Paulson chips could be thrown on eBay, advertised as some closed old school card room and sold for a mint thus duping some poor unsuspecting customer. I honestly think that is much more likely to happen in a relabel situation than something like imitating an inlay on a chip that's not even close to the same material.

It's just an idea that I'm spitballing nothing has been created yet. That's why I'm throwing it out there. I'd love to have something unique to myself but I'm having a hard time getting traction on it. Hell the guys I actually work and play with didn't necessarily like my prison themed idea. I guess they liked the idea just not my vision of the execution. Maybe now that I'm looking away from CPC chips it's a bigger possiblity. That surely would leave me the freedom to be creative with the colors and design of the chip itself.

 

[RichMahogany]

Found one quick pic

 

[Poker Zombie]

The courage set is an epic Hall of Fame level set. It's a perfect tribute without being a replica.

That's why I would include something to indicate that the chips aren't authentic such as the edge wording or something similar.

I don't completely disagree with you, but hell just about any custom chip created in here, especially relabeled Paulson chips could be thrown on eBay, advertised as some closed old school card room and sold for a mint thus duping some poor unsuspecting customer. I honestly think that is much more likely to happen in a relabel situation than something like imitating an inlay on a chip that's not even close to the same material.

Sure, any quality chip can be relabeled and passed. I also disagree with most relabels, except maybe for fracs that never existed.

Yes the chips can be great, but as the Courage set shows, you can get the exact same effect without blurring any lines.

 

[Marhault]

The courage set is an epic Hall of Fame level set. It's a perfect tribute without being a replica.

Sure, any quality chip can be relabeled and passed. I also disagree with most relabels, except maybe for fracs that never existed.

Yes the chips can be great, but as the Courage set shows, you can get the exact same effect without blurring any lines.

There's no doubt that's great. It's also been done. Plus I just don't feel like it's for me.

Now that my idea is in the light of day you've gave me some pause there's no doubt. I think you're right I probably need to go with something more unique to me and my life. I'll see what I can get mocked up with my Penitentiary Poker Club idea and see how it feels being on a ceramic as opposed to a CPC chip.

Appreciate the input zombie.

 

[Poker Zombie]

Not a problem. I remember how long I debated over my customs design. I too, walked the route of work (firefighter), and casinos. I don't remember who suggested a card-playing zombie, but I met Mrs Zombie because of a series of games featuring that zombie.

The full story is here. Perhaps it will spark an idea of something personal in your life. Perhaps not. A muse can come from anyplace, but one that gets your spouse to play poker is a good one.

 

[allforcharity]

Ceramics have unique design strengths that would be overlooked (and wasted) if used as a medium solely to imitate a spotted clay chip.

 

[Marhault]

Ok so after playing with them for a while now I think at the very least I want to go ahead and give you the green light to move forward with design. Whether I end up going with Bosco or ABC can be a decision I make after I get the design done and see how it sits with me. I decided to not go with Sunfly simply because I didn't like the hybrid as much as I'd hoped. It felt light to me and I didn't like the glossy almost bubbled up inlay.

@timinater is going to be designing things for me. This has taken me a lot of thinking and testing sample after sample after sample but I've narrowed it down enough that I'm ready for him to start the design process in earnest so I'll copy and paste what I've sent him here in hopes that one of you artistic geniuses can give me some further ideas as far as how this all comes together. I'll also update this thread with the design process as long as @timinater is ok with that. I love getting advice. So here's what I sent Tim.

So for design I do have a few things that I'd like to add to what I've already given you. One thing I love about ceramics is having denominations on the rolling edge. So I really want that.

Because I'm looking at a more traditional ceramic design as opposed to a edge spot clay mock up that also saves the effort of having to worry about edge alignment.

I'm very open on the design honestly. Right now I'm really thinking of going simple with the name and sticking with "The Pen" I'm not sure what else I want on there except maybe location "Marion, Illinois" I know some chips have things like "lounge" or something I kinda like "The Pen" then maybe "Cardroom and Social Club" or something along those lines. I don't wanna busy it up with too many words though so I'll probably let you kinda run with that.

Rolling edge again I want the denomination and maybe like barbed wire or razor wire would be better but I don't know if you can do that. Or you can alternate on different chips like razor wire then handcuffs or something again I'm very open on that.

Inlay I really like the tower idea I had given you a link to in my idea post (this was also earlier in this thread for anyone wanting to dig it up) If you need the link again it's probably back in our conversation or just let me know and I'll dig it up again. Something involving that tower because it's so iconic to our institution in particular.

Denominations I'm wanting a cash and tourney setup. I'll add the color next to the denomination if I'm partial to a specific color.

Cash
$0.05
$0.25
$1.00 (Blue)
$5.00
$20.00
$100

Tourney
25
100
500
1000
5000 (Orange)
25,000
100,000

One other thing I'd like to have is a chip in the lineup that represents the "thin blue line" in some way by it's color scheme. If you don't know what that is it's usually represented by a blue line on a background

But I'm partial to the one with the American flag like so.

I don't know how to incorporate that, it's a simple color scheme but I'll leave that up to you. If I could somehow get a chip in the tourney and cash lineup that represents that in someway without the chips being too similar that would be awesome.

Well anyway I know that's information overload. Most of it is just brainstorming so most of it is very flexible. I know as a designer you know way better what will work and what won't on a chip so I'm looking forward to what you come up with.

If any of you guys have some ideas I'd love to hear them. Anything from names to colors whatever. I'll also attach the tower pics.

 

[Steamtrain]

The Cathedral

 

[FordPickup92]

Get samples before you order. I personally think alot of ceramic chips that imitate clay chip edge spots are fugly and pointless, it’s not a good use of the potential of a ceramic chip IMO

Just tell us how you really feel!

 

[RichMahogany]

Just tell us how you really feel!