How would I bring this hot stamp back to life? (Queen of Clubs) (2 Viewers)

[wtlau]

Question for the experienced customizers here. Apologies if there’s already a thread for this, I couldn’t really find an end-to-end process thread so putting it out to the group.

I was going down a bit of a rabbit hole and found a TRK design for hot stamped chips that I thought were great.

Queen of Clubs chips
https://chipguide.themogh.org/cg_chip2.php?id=UKXXQQ&s=&v=226896

Mockup I’ve done based on the site.

I know nothing more about them outside of the link from chipguide. Pretty sure I can’t buy them anywhere, so would probably have to put a set together myself if I wanted one.

I think these are the key considerations for building from scratch:

1. Design itself - can they be recreated?
Was a TRK design from the 70s, so not a current casino. Not sure about the IP itself, but a quick search of UK IPO trade marks and designs for the logo didn’t turn up anything. I’m assuming it’s possible to do from this

2. Chips - CPC obvs but are there others?
CPC SCROWNS and colours seem to work. I’m assuming that I have to do blanks as it’s not a mold that they hotstamp. What percentage/how many extra should be ordered for trial/error or hotstamping defects?

3. Hotstamping - Where and how much?
Looks like there are some PCFers with expertise in this, I’m sure I can find some companies to do this too. I think there are 9 custom dies that need to be created here for the full set. Also consumables and labour as part of the process. Would anyone know the ballpark for how much this would run? Added twist, I’m based in the UK so would ideally take that into consideration

4. Cost - how can I lessen the sting?
Appreciate that this is uneconomical at home game one set volumes. I’m in principle okay with this as it would be a passion project. Are there ways for me to optimise the cost?

I think those are the main considerations. First two I feel pretty comfortable with, it’s more the hotstamping and overall experience from the forum I have gaps. How do I navigate? Anything I missed? Thanks to all in advance.

 

[Machine]

Well done, and thought out. I would address IP first; it's better to make subtle changes to the design and stamp. I think there are some improvements to be made to the Q typeface aka font. Maybe change the crown a little bit, the width of the Q so it's not exact.

I would change the inserts, repeating inserts is a tourney thing and having different inserts would be enough of a change to design, not to run over IP. It will also help those that are some version of color blind as well.

I like the 12 1/2 chip, but not sure how well it would play. I think most UK sets are 10p / 50p / 2 / 10 - and I wouldn't do the other denoms maybe a few 50s jic. I think some of your colors clash, not a fan of red and green specifically.

Small crown is a great choice, but I wouldn't rock the colors you have or small crown without getting samples, which could be a little challenging right now. The company selling these chips will have a bit of a gap in production.

Yes some PCFers create hotstamps.

I'm not just blowing hot air, I think IP is important and try to respect it, here is a tribute chip I created:

left is my small crown CPC and right is an original TRK from the casino

 

[ekricket]

1. Yes
2. Blanks are best. CPC was the only place left to get high quality. There are vintage blanks floating around (Roman’s, tmolds) but not a lot of variety.
3. About $250 for 9 dies plus however much the stamper wants (maybe $20-$40 per rack)
4. Fake chips from Tina. Tina will also ignore IP and print an exact copy if you want

 

[wtlau]

Well done, and thought out. I would address IP first; it's better to make subtle changes to the design and stamp. I think there are some improvements to be made to the Q typeface aka font. Maybe change the crown a little bit, the width of the Q so it's not exact.

Thanks for the feedback! Appreciate the IP elements of this, and will look into rework later on in the process. I like the spirit of the tribute you created as well.

I like the 12 1/2 chip, but not sure how well it would play. I think most UK sets are 10p / 50p / 2 / 10 - and I wouldn't do the other denoms maybe a few 50s jic. I think some of your colors clash, not a fan of red and green specifically.

I like the 12 1/2p too - it’s quirky and it may work for a micro stakes cash game. To your point, I wouldn’t necessarily use it, or all the other denominations though (would probably cut out the 50p and £10 for an actual set). The mockup I’ve put up is a straight copy of the original chips for my completeness OCD.

I’m more interested generally in the process of creation, rather than the design specifics at this point. Will definitely keep your points in mind if it’s viable to progress.

 

[Machine]

Ekricket does hotstamping, yes, the process is viable, but it's not going to be a super quick turnaround. The company that would make the blanks is moving locations so it will take some time to set up. The good news is blanks are easier than an order with labels, but you'd still have to wait for the mold to be on schedule. Schedule can be 6 to 8 months or more.

 

[allforcharity]

Save money on dies by reducing the number of denominations - you have way too many.

Two fracs only. Either 10p and 50p or 5p and 20p (could be 25p)
For pounds, only 1, 5, 20(25), 100.