"Secret Menu Item" Group Buy Through 2/22/19 (1 Viewer)

[CdnBeerLover]

Received my sample set today (thanks @ABC Gifts and Awards for making samples available for purchase!), and figured I'd compare them against my Chipco, PGI-made Chipco, and GOCC chips.

The lineup
PGI Yak $1
PGI Yak $5k
Chipco Yak $5 (unplayed)
ABC "Chipco" Sample (unplayed)
GOCC Yak $20 (unplayed)

First impressions

Side View

Feel
The ABC chips are slightly rougher feeling than the Chipco Yaks and the GOCC chips. The PGI chips have a slightly different feel, but are relatively close. However, that may be due to them having time on the felt.

Weight (avg based on weighing 10 chips)

Chip	Weight
PGI $1	10.7g
PGI $5000	10.3g
Chipco $5	10.4g
GOCC $20	10.2g
ABC "Chipco"	10.2g

Height
The ABC "Chipco", Chipco, and GOCC chips are the same (no, I'm not breaking out the micrometer). The PGI $5k, chips are a touch taller. The PGI $1 are noticably taller.

Printing
Font on the ABC "Chipco" is clearly readable on the edge, and is comparable to Chipco and GOCC. Seems to be a touch larger as well. The PGI chips are a bit muddier (looks like they used a bold version of their font).

Face View

Print quality is excellent imo. The centering of the face was not 100% centered on all of the chips (such as the $1 and $100 in the picture), but that can be said for the Chipco and GOCC chips I have as well, so it didn't surprise me.

From a colour perspective, I personally would avoid using the 25c and the $2.50 in the same game...the blue in the middle of the edge spot on the 25c was the only difference I could perceive as different when I held the chips out at arms length. I would also avoid mixing the $5 and $5000 for the same reason (although I wouldn't expect them to be in play at the same time).

Edit: the $5 and $5000 isn't as bad as I originally thought. However, the 5c and $2.50 are impossible for me to distinguish at arms length. The only thing that allowed me to tell them apart was the different wording on the edge.

My favorite chip is the $1...love that shade of blue.

Overall

• If you are in the market for a ceramic set, these are an excellent choice.
• If you like Chipco chips and are in the market for a set, order these.
• If you like GOCC chips, they are very close to the GOCC chips I have, and I believe you would like them.

Just my $0.02.

 

[Wyldfyre]

Thanks for the review! I received my sample but was wondering what the opinion was of others and how they compared to others.

 

[Sprinsd]

Received my sample set today (thanks @ABC Gifts and Awards for making samples available for purchase!), and figured I'd compare them against my Chipco, PGI-made Chipco, and GOCC chips.

The lineup
PGI Yak $1
PGI Yak $5k
Chipco Yak $5 (unplayed)
ABC "Chipco" Sample (unplayed)
GOCC Yak $20 (unplayed)

First impressions

Side View
View attachment 241789

Feel
The ABC chips are slightly rougher feeling than the Chipco Yaks and the GOCC chips. The PGI chips have a slightly different feel, but are relatively close. However, that may be due to them having time on the felt.

Weight (avg based on weighing 10 chips)

Chip	Weight
PGI $1	10.7g
PGI $5000	10.3g
Chipco $5	10.4g
GOCC $20	10.2g
ABC "Chipco"	10.2g

Height
The ABC "Chipco", Chipco, and GOCC chips are the same (no, I'm not breaking out the micrometer). The PGI $5k, chips are a touch taller. The PGI $1 are noticably taller.

Printing
Font on the ABC "Chipco" is clearly readable on the edge, and is comparable to Chipco and GOCC. Seems to be a touch larger as well. The PGI chips are a bit muddier (looks like they used a bold version of their font).

Face View
View attachment 241794

Print quality is excellent imo. The centering of the face was not 100% centered on all of the chips (such as the $1 and $100 in the picture), but that can be said for the Chipco and GOCC chips I have as well, so it didn't surprise me.

From a colour perspective, I personally would avoid using the 25c and the $2.50 in the same game...the blue in the middle of the edge spot on the 25c was the only difference I could perceive as different when I held the chips out at arms length. I would also avoid mixing the $5 and $5000 for the same reason (although I wouldn't expect them to be in play at the same time).

Edit: the $5 and $5000 isn't as bad as I originally thought. However, the 5c and $2.50 are impossible for me to distinguish at arms length. The only thing that allowed me to tell them apart was the different wording on the edge.

My favorite chip is the $1...love that shade of blue.

Overall

• If you are in the market for a ceramic set, these are an excellent choice.
• If you like Chipco chips and are in the market for a set, order these.
• If you like GOCC chips, they are very close to the GOCC chips I have, and I believe you would like them.

Just my $0.02.

Nice review. I thought ABC acquired the Chipco assets so their chips would be the same as the old school Chipcos. No?

 

[CdnBeerLover]

Nice review. I thought ABC acquired the Chipco assets so their chips would be the same as the old school Chipcos. No?

If I understand the lineage, ABC acquired the assets from PGI, who originally acquired the assets from Chipco. The difference in feel I perceived between the Chipco-made and ABC " Chipco" chips is not great, and in every other aspect, they are the same.

That said, I will check them against other Chipcos I have (other Yak denoms, Tournament Players Club).

 

[EventHorizonVII]

Such a great deal. Man... Bad timing for me. Good luck to everyone who gets dibs!

 

[18xx Board Gamer]

These sound identical to me. They feel the same, too, except for the excess flashing on the stack of $20s (purchased from a vendor on AliExpress). The print quality of the Pacifics is much better.

 

[courage]

 

[sir bluffs alot]

Getting excited...

 

[18xx Board Gamer]

Is there a design tool for these?

 

[Darson]

Since we're all sharing our proofs!

 

[sat guru]

@18xx Board Gamer

There is no specific design tool. I know someone who designed something in powerpoint and it looks great. Here is my relatively uninformed experience as I have never taken a design or art class and people who design on a day-to-day basis can provide more insight:

It helps me to have a graphics program. I didn't have either a program or experience and just muddled along until I figured it out but my designs are pretty basic. (E.g. I would have to research how to draw/design the Ape in Darson's example above before I could to do it but there is a lot of free art out there.) Gene will print samples of your design (recommended) and can also provide suggestions on how to improve the elements of a design so it prints better (see post #68 in this chain).

If you want to go the "design" software route then one option is to search for Free Vector Illustrator (here is a [LINK] to the MAC ones.) One of the top-of-the-line options is Adobe Illustrator [LINK] which is very expensive, powerful, and overkill. But AI has a free 7 day trial (just make sure you turn the trial off). There is a lot of free art out there (search for "free vector art"). Design software typically are behemoth programs and it helps to have a fast processor. But I use a 2014 mac mini and while it sometimes takes a while for the software to do it's thing the lag isn't terrible. Creating images of this size isn't particularly taxing on a computer. There are lots of resources on the web to learn about what to do too.

If you (or anyone else) want the AI basic template (free version TYVM) with matching face colors I can send you the AI file. (Gene provided the CYMK colors in post #1.) Just PM me for it.

HTH

 

[18xx Board Gamer]

There is no specific design tool.

I don't use Macs or Windows... all I've got is Linux/Ubuntu with GIMP and Inkscape, which is probably good enough. I just need to learn how to use them. Was hoping for a tool similar to what CPC has. Found a Matsui tool but it seemed a bit buggy.

 

[18xx Board Gamer]

So, I found this on @ABC Gifts and Awards's web site:

For best results, artwork dimensions should be at least 300 dpi sized to 1.565" diameter for the faces, and .133" x 4.92" for the edges.

Not sure if it applies to these chips, but I can create "artwork" with these specs using GIMP and Inkscape. For the face, I'd create artwork at 1000 dpi, sized 1565x1565 pixels. Edge stripes would be 133x492 pixels. I think that would do it.

 

[yone]

So, I found this on @ABC Gifts and Awards's web site:



Not sure if it applies to these chips, but I can create "artwork" with these specs using GIMP and Inkscape. For the face, I'd create artwork at 1000 dpi, sized 1565x1565 pixels. Edge stripes would be 133x492 pixels. I think that would do it.

I believe the ‘inlay’ size for this project is 1 inch diameter.

 

[Darson]

Not sure if it applies to these chips, but I can create "artwork" with these specs using GIMP and Inkscape. For the face, I'd create artwork at 1000 dpi, sized 1565x1565 pixels. Edge stripes would be 133x492 pixels. I think that would do it.

For what it's worth, I created artwork in png format that was approx 1000x1000 pixels for the centers of my Apes chips.

 

[ABC Gifts and Awards]

So, I found this on @ABC Gifts and Awards's web site:



Not sure if it applies to these chips, but I can create "artwork" with these specs using GIMP and Inkscape. For the face, I'd create artwork at 1000 dpi, sized 1565x1565 pixels. Edge stripes would be 133x492 pixels. I think that would do it.

For this group buy, just a 1 inch circle, minimum 300 dpi. Doesn't really matter what program you use.

 

[Darson]

Just to make you all jealous. Check out dem colours!

And in case it wasn't obvious, I'm offering royalty free use of the Apes centers for anyone who wants to order these through Gene. If you need a $100, let me know and I'll send Gene the artwork. Note you don't have to use the same colours as me.

 

[sat guru]

Are the $5 more orange than red? It could be the light in the photo.

 

[18xx Board Gamer]

I hope people order extras of their custom sets, so they can sell me samples

 

[CantSpellPoker]

Are the $5 more orange than red? It could be the light in the photo.

It’s definitely not a traditional “fire engine” red, it has a strong orange tint to it.

 

[18xx Board Gamer]

For this group buy, just a 1 inch circle, minimum 300 dpi. Doesn't really matter what program you use.

So for the edges you just want any text to be added? No pic?

 

[Sprinsd]

Just to make you all jealous. Check out dem colours!

View attachment 242018

And in case it wasn't obvious, I'm offering royalty free use of the Apes centers for anyone who wants to order these through Gene. If you need a $100, let me know and I'll send Gene the artwork. Note you don't have to use the same colours as me.

Nice! How long did it take for your order to arrive?

 

[Darson]

Nice! How long did it take for your order to arrive?

It's not with me yet - I have Gene working on some other stuff which he will add to my order before shipping.

Note that, as per the OP, Gene may or may not start producing before the end of the group buy which is mid Feb so I'm not expecting mine before then. The photo is just to tease me!

 

[yone]

I wonder if the green chips next to Darson’s apes are mine

 

[ABC Gifts and Awards]

Are the $5 more orange than red? It could be the light in the photo.

A little bit of both...the red has a hint of orange to it, but...for some reason this photo on PCF looks significantly different on my two different monitors, and both are very different from my phone and real life. I'm not sure how the photo looks so much different on my phone and on here.

So for the edges you just want any text to be added? No pic?

You just send us the text you want on the edge, and the font, and we'll get it setup.

I wonder if the green chips next to Darson’s apes are mine

If you zoom in close enough you will definitely know the answer to this.

 

[ABC Gifts and Awards]

Just to test if I upload the photo from my phone to see if the colors are more accurate...

Nope...still looks way different than the photo on my phone.

 

[Venturalvn]

These are printing already?! F yeah! Wait...I need to get cracking on my artwork

 

[Schmendr1ck]

These are printing already?! F yeah! Wait...I need to get cracking on my artwork

I need to win the lottery. SO MANY CHIPES that I want are for sale right now, and the checking account (and Mrs. S) will scream if I buy them all...

 

[Venturalvn]

I need to win the lottery. SO MANY CHIPES that I want are for sale right now, and the checking account (and Mrs. S) will scream if I buy them all...

There's always chips for sale, but deals like this don't come around often

 

[CdnBeerLover]

I will check them against other Chipcos I have (other Yak denoms, Tournament Players Club).

So, I checked them against Yak $25, $100, $500, and $1000 (all Chipco-made), Tournament Players Club $25, and Casino Aztar Roulettes. The ABC chips feel slightly grittier, so they are slightly harder to shuffle. Otherwise, they are the same. I'm not in the market for chips (some of the players at our game may be, though, so having the sample helps ), but these would definitely be on my short list.