So, I dug around a bit in search, but I couldn't find anyone talking about this particular topic. And it's something I've been thinking about a while, and need to start exploring with a client.
Printing game manuals.
Specifically, printing a community project game manual. But getting it printed at like a *real* print shop so it has the same look and feel as something that would come in a game box.
Does anyone know of any places that hit the mark for this, or specifically (if they even exist) any places that specialize in printing small bound booklets like game manuals?
Thanks!
Printing Game Manuals
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irrezolut
- FC-ID: RES-SG
- Pronouns: he/him
- Location: Oregon, USA
- Link: https://www.irrezolut.com/
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malyzar
- FC-ID: CAP-EH
- Pronouns: he/him
- Location: Kansas City
- Link: https://mattcolewilson.com/
Ah, good question. It depends on what generation you're trying to replicate. I think you could recreate fith-gen and up manuals pretty accurately by just getting a saddle-stitched booklet from most any print shop. Nothing too complicated there, aside from sizing and choosing the right paper, unless I'm not thinking of some nuance?
But older stuff like NES or Game Boy would be much more difficult to replicate because the printing technology has changed so much.
@breakfastcowl works in a print shop and knows way more about this than I do, so I'll let him answer.
But older stuff like NES or Game Boy would be much more difficult to replicate because the printing technology has changed so much.
@breakfastcowl works in a print shop and knows way more about this than I do, so I'll let him answer.
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breakfastcowl
- FC-ID: HAL-AI
- Pronouns: He/Him
Oh hell yeah, any commercial printer could easily accommodate, although with them you'd usually have to be dealing with higher volume print runs.
Truth be told once you have your print-ready layout ready to go you could very easily get a "proof of concept" one-off or small test batch easily printed at even the likes of a FedEx Office or small local print shop. Pulled a random PS2 manual here to check and yeah, saddle-stitch is all you'd need with maybe, say, a 60lb.-80lb. cover stock for the front/back and 60lb-80lb. dull or gloss text for the body; benefit to this option is you can still have your spreads laid out full bleed on regular old 8.5"x11" and trim down, no custom stuff or larger stock needed.
Do you have any college or university nearby? Many institutions have their own print shop or facilities on site and some open their services to the public; you could probably have a better chance of something a little fancier even with lower quantities (as well as maybe someone who's a little more interested in your project than a corporate retail chain) -> with options like perfect binding if you're trying to emulate the feel of a larger special boxed set game manual/guidebook or something.
Whoever you go see, bring in actual game manuals with you to show them what you're after, they'll often have sample stocks on hand you can feel and see and match.
Truth be told once you have your print-ready layout ready to go you could very easily get a "proof of concept" one-off or small test batch easily printed at even the likes of a FedEx Office or small local print shop. Pulled a random PS2 manual here to check and yeah, saddle-stitch is all you'd need with maybe, say, a 60lb.-80lb. cover stock for the front/back and 60lb-80lb. dull or gloss text for the body; benefit to this option is you can still have your spreads laid out full bleed on regular old 8.5"x11" and trim down, no custom stuff or larger stock needed.
Do you have any college or university nearby? Many institutions have their own print shop or facilities on site and some open their services to the public; you could probably have a better chance of something a little fancier even with lower quantities (as well as maybe someone who's a little more interested in your project than a corporate retail chain) -> with options like perfect binding if you're trying to emulate the feel of a larger special boxed set game manual/guidebook or something.
Whoever you go see, bring in actual game manuals with you to show them what you're after, they'll often have sample stocks on hand you can feel and see and match.
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irrezolut
- FC-ID: RES-SG
- Pronouns: he/him
- Location: Oregon, USA
- Link: https://www.irrezolut.com/
So it would be "modern", using the current gen XB and PS consoles as the template. I did a beta version where I really had to get some heavy ass paper in order to get super small details off of a desktop printer.
I'm currently toying with some vendors and me and the client are thinking of eating some cost getting a few test prints, really. Just to see how it will come out without any additional layout or optimization work. It's like 28 pages iirc. I've been somewhat reticent to really dig in because it's already pretty thick AND I'm not sure how much real interest there would be (versus covering the printing cost, especially).
Full on commercial would be great, but the highest cost and probably biggest real investment. A lot of the websites that take print jobs like this and quote you on saddle stitch kind of seem like they're not going to be great. But we might just bite the bullet and check one or two out and see if they hit the mark.
Thanks for the input!
I'm currently toying with some vendors and me and the client are thinking of eating some cost getting a few test prints, really. Just to see how it will come out without any additional layout or optimization work. It's like 28 pages iirc. I've been somewhat reticent to really dig in because it's already pretty thick AND I'm not sure how much real interest there would be (versus covering the printing cost, especially).
Full on commercial would be great, but the highest cost and probably biggest real investment. A lot of the websites that take print jobs like this and quote you on saddle stitch kind of seem like they're not going to be great. But we might just bite the bullet and check one or two out and see if they hit the mark.
Thanks for the input!
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breakfastcowl
- FC-ID: HAL-AI
- Pronouns: He/Him
Gosh yeah it's aggravating to deal with stuff sight unseen (esp. when you have to $$ up to meet a minimum order qty).
For what it's worth, even a small shop's commercial Xerox/Canon/etc might give you a leg up on those small details you mentioned.
Hope it works out, sounds like a pretty cool project
For what it's worth, even a small shop's commercial Xerox/Canon/etc might give you a leg up on those small details you mentioned.
Hope it works out, sounds like a pretty cool project
