I like to travel light and so I usually pack several gaffed cards in with my normal deck. Of course the problem is that the box becomes very tight and also limits me to only a few gaffs. Does anyone know (1) if an expanded box is sold and/or (2) if there is a way I can expand a box myself? I know I can purchase unfolded, flat boxes - but can they be expanded?

The reason I don't keep the gaffs separately is because I've gotten very good at switching in the gimmicks by going to and from my card box.

Thanks and may you all have a healthy, prosperous and peaceful New Year.

Dov Feder

Have you thought about combining two boxes together to get your expanded box?

Thanks for the suggestion. I do still want the box to resemble a "normal" one. I was thinking of just clipping the sides or flaps to expand the box. But it just doesn't look right to me.

If you do it right, it should for the most part still look like a normal box. The big difference is that it will have two side seams instead of one. How many extra card are you trying to get the box to accommodate?

If you have some skills with graphic software it is not very complicated to unfold a cardbox, scan it and stretch the sides and ends to your desired dimensions with your software. Then print on heavy paper and fold and glue. An increasement of just 2 mm in thickness would leave space for several gaffs and be barely noticable. I have once altered the dimensions of a case for mini cards (for Tommy Wonder's Squeeze). It worked perfect.

Troels

That's a great idea and I've been playing with it for quite a while. However, I can never get the colors right. I'm using the latest version of photoshop with a HP all in one desk jet printer but I guess I lack the technology to fine tune the output. But you are right, that is the best solution I've come up with so far.

Troels,

I assume you use photoshop as well. If so, can you please share your print setup wit me? Do you let photoshop control the printing or the printer? What is the best resolution to scan at and print? Any other thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

You should be scanning at least at 300 dpi. If you really want to get the colors right, some of the threads on marking your deck list the panatone colors used on bikes. You can use panatone colors in photoshop and then have a professional print off a few, though that might be more time and expense than you want to put into it.

I would be great. I'll do a search for Pantone colors and deck marking. However, if I can't find the thread you're talking about I may come back and ask for a reference to it. I really do appreciate you taking the time to get back to me. I'll let you know how things go

Making Custom Card Boxes

http://www.ee0r.com/boxes/

Make your own custom card box size.


This prints on blank card stock, no brand name, just a white box but you can make any size you want.

Hope this is of some help.

RUDY! RUDY! RUDY! I've never known anyone named Rudy before and I always wanted to do that. Thank you for the link! That will be a great! teaching to. I can use that and work from there. Thanks again.

Dov

Dfeder

Have fun making card boxes!

R

You'll never be able to match the colors exactly, especially with an ink jet printer. The other problem is finding and printing on a heavy enough stock.

I'm going to try glossy index card stock. I'll post my results. Want to thank you all for your responses.

http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/S5472
http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/S5471
http://themagicwarehouse.com/TA4229/Empty-Bicycle-Box.html
http://www.king-magic.com/bicycle-card-box-p-1566.html best price but ships from China

Penguin's price is crazy.

The China site is $0.36 but I wonder what shipping is? I emailed them for a shipping quote for a dozen of ea to Ohio. let you all know when I hear back - or if I hear back.

This is great stuff. Thank you all for your thoughts and ideas

Have you considered using heat to stretch the box?

I never even thought of using heat. I didn't think cardboard stretched unless you are thinking the heat will loosen the glue so the box can be pulled apart slightly. That's worth trying. Thank you.