SUITS : A complete custom set of chips, button, felt, cut/seat/playing cards (1 Viewer)

MrRossKeys

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SUITS Chips HERO-1.jpg

PROJECT COMPLETE. HOORAY!

Jump to Review of Chips

Jump to photos of completed project (chips, table, playing cards, etc)



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ORIGINAL POST

It's been a while since I've posted anything to PCF, but since 2018 when I started this journey I've created 3x CPC custom chip sets and 1x Sunfly ceramic sets in addition to purchasing a few retail chip sets. I've learned a lot about what I like and don't like from PCF and all our wonderful members, but ultimately I've learned most from experiencing my custom sets (and others sets) in play. The feel of certain molds, the weight of the chips, the design of the colors and edge spots...

Anyway, I've set out to create a new custom theme that I can use across all of my poker products. The hope is to create something that I can enjoy for the next decade (until the design bug bites again). The objectives for this project:
- A simple and easily recognizable theme name
- Vibrant colors that are easily distinguishable
- Compilation of design elements I like from other chips/cards/casinos/etc...
- Enough chips/cards/products to cover multi-table action

TABLE
I purchased a custom poker table from Tony Chan (love it!) in 2019, and I've recently found that he sells custom cloth. I'm going to order new custom cloth and add LED lights to the table when I install the new cloth. I'll probably post a before/after thread of the project when I begin, but I'm waiting to order the new cloth until I finalize my poker chip designs.

POKER CHIPS
This project started out as another CPC custom set, but in searching the forum for inspiration I found the infamous Tina threads and was pleasantly surprised about the quality of the poker chips for the price. I know ceramics are not for some. I have really disliked the Sunfly chips I ordered back in 2019... enough that I rarely pull them out for any action. I wasn't a fan of the colors mostly, and I felt that the shape of the chips was also "odd." I've read that others have said that the Sunfly chips don't stand on end, and I can agree that mine don't. But mostly, the colors did not represent very well, and I did not feel that there were many options to choose from their palette. I was blown away by the colors on the chips in the Tina threads. Apparently a 6-color printer is better at color rendition than the traditional CMYK printers at Sunfly!! Specifically yellows, oranges, and reds feel promising on the ceramic chips where those were the colors lacking for me in the Sunfly chips.

So, a CPC project that would probably cost over $4K all-in (to cover the number of chips I want to order) vs. a Tina ceramic that could cost as little as ~$700 all-in has definitely got me feeling cautiously optimistic. I've spent eons of hours reading the lengthy first group-buy-thread (205 pages!!!!) just to ensure that I have up to date information about the pros and cons. As it stands currently I am looking to create 39mm textured chips on the diamond mold.

I'm also planning to make bounty chips and bluff-catcher chips ("show me" chips??) but I haven't decided if I want 39mm, 43mm, or other.

PLAYING CARDS / CUT CARDS / SEAT CARDS
I had tried to create custom playing cards once before. I designed the card back and made 4 different colors. I sent them out (Poker chip lounge maybe??) and when I received them we put them in play right away. Unfortunately the ink started to wear off while playing which rendered them useless (I could tell which card was the Ace of Hearts from looking at the back of the card within an hour of playing!). That experience deterred me from reordering cards.

BUT, I am a degenerate (like all of you) and therefore I can't stop myself from "branding" all of my poker supplies (haha). So this go-round I have designed a playing card and created 8 variations of color. This gives me 2 decks per table for a 3 table tourney with 2 more decks as backup.

The custom cut cards and the seat cards were ordered from a vendor on Etsy who makes student ID type PVC cards. I should receive them within the next few days and will post how they came out. If I love them I'll definitely order more products from them as the pricing wasn't terrible.

I have yet to determine the right vendor for the playing cards, but I'm sure there are a few more the choose from now than there were in 2019.

DEALER BUTTON
This one was easy! My favorite dealer button of all time is the one from The Mirage... white base, gradient of bright colored palm trees, black text... GLORIOUS! My dealer button(s) will be pretty much the same color palette applied to my logos. Since I'll need at least 3, I may make them all the same or customize the base color on each... we'll see.

MOCKUPS
3D Stacks5.png

Working workspace 12 chips std.png

I can't begin to tell you how many iterations and changes are represented here. This all started using the CPC tool builder and migrated into a crash course in Illustrator when I decided to do ceramics instead. I've already created the side edge art, but it isn't updated to the current faces.

The thought behind the Tournament Set was to create bright chips (hence the white "inlay") using pretty traditional color schemes. The T500 is always the toughest to nail because in my opinion MANY tourney sets (including my first custom set) have dirty stack issues with black and purple in low-lighting. This T500 is my attempt to inject some "white" into a normally darker purple chip.

The T100 is the star for me in the lineup. These colors on black are playful and vibrant. The T25 uses Dayglo Green as it's base color and it seems to jump off the screen (hopefully it will print this way too)! T1000 is my nod to the Riverboat set, and also a nod to my first CPC custom tourney set which was made up of all quarter-pie spots (I won't do that again:rolleyes:). T5000 is a color combination that my wife loves, and hopefully the neon pink base will really scream when printed.

The T10,000 is meant to look like the corsage in the middle of the inlay logo of suits. It can also represent a bow on gift wrapping. I wanted a heavily weighted design for the T10,000 and this design sort of came out of me one night while moving the spots through the chip. It's the gift at the end of play (or the curse if someone bets it into you while you're holding a weak ace ugh..)

For the Cash Set I've banged my head against the wall a gazillion times. I wanted to go with black inlays, but I also wanted to go with gradient chip colored inlays (like the Boulevard chips).... I ultimately incorporated a palm tree (one of my nicknames for my wife) onto the black inlay and used the suits and corsage for the color "pop" of the chip.

The "Suits" moniker works to describe the different card suits as well as a suit for a wedding where the groomsmen would wear a corsage (boutonniere is harder to type, so I've been referring to it as a corsage... don't kill me :x). The color inspiration of the set have come from EVERYWHERE... late nights looking every cash set imaginable online. I think the overall feel was/is inspired a lot by Casa Mangos, Viva El Donkey, Casino M8trix (local casino near me), The Boulevards, and The Nest chips.

Originally the base colors were in a more "traditional" order... salmon .5¢, white .25¢, blue $1, red $5, green $25, gray $100. However, I wanted to feel a color progression in addition to a spot progression, so... in a bit of frustrated inspiration, I viewed the chips for an hour with only the chip bases showing (no inlay) and came to the realization that I wanted white as the left book-end and gray as the right book-end. From there the colors fell into place.

The styles of the edge spots mimic the styles from the tourney set while taking a unique twist. And I knew I wanted the logo colors to pop out and not share as much of the base colors of the chips. All-in-all I think this set has been the most challenging, but I do think I've achieved my goal of the chips feeling unique individually and discernible together. See this splashed pot graphic with perfect photo lighting (lol):
Chips and Felt rd5.png


For Playing Cards I've mocked up a bunch of colors on a design I created (with the help of some assets from a designer on Fiverr).

Retro1.png
Retro2.png
Retro3.png
Retro1 invert.png
Retro2 invert.png
Retro3 invert.png
Retro4 invert.png


TO DO:
- Decide if the text/content in the inlay needs to be larger
- Finish up the edge spot artwork
- Create the dealer buttons, bounty, bluff-catcher chips
- Confirm all chip colors used match up with listed Pantone colors for Tina and co.
- Finalize felt cloth design
- Stop myself from changing it all again when I see someone else's cool chips

Am I missing anything?
Like any of the colors? Chips?
Hate any of the colors? Chips?
Please be nice I am a mere fragile humble human who can't stop dreaming about poker chips!
 
Last edited:
where's my invite?

I like the chips, especially the $5, don't think I've ever seen a quarterpie with 4 different colors. I feel like the edge spot color could be something brighter though.

As for the card back design, personally it's a little too busy with patterns and different motifs for me. You have the simple border pattern, followed by the flowy floral border, and then underneath are sketchy/pencil-y suits. I feel like these ideas clash too much, and your designer should condense.
 
With cards back I would make name Suits like watermark or shade
 
Welcome back, @MrRossKeys , you've certainly been keeping yourself busy. Great looking designs and I love it when everything comes together like this. Matching chips, cards and felt brings it to another level for home game hosting. Just don't forget my invite. ;)

I need some time to digest your TB;DR but will post some quick comments after my Thursday night game at @TheRealTeddyKGB Going for a Three Peat in HU tournament! Cheers
 
Neat project!!! Welcome to the cards mold/Tina chips rabbit hole. Yes, I know you're planning on diamond mold. I think Tina chips will serve you well as long as your expectations aren't too high. I assume you've gotten samples. You may also get some negative nellies in here telling you not to waste your money, but you've already figured out that you can get what you want in a fully custom design for a LOT less money. So don't let them talk you out of it.

Glad you figured out the T100/T500 dirty stack issue. I didn't and designed my set with blurple T500 chips. Luckily the costs are so reasonable, I just had the chips remade with a lighter lavender color.

I definitely recommend going with 43mm or bigger for Bounty, Show'em and other auxiliary chips. DO NOT get Dealer Buttons from Tina. Stick with the experts at BR Pro Poker for those. Nothing Tina can make comes close. Reach out to @Himewad when you are ready to order. He has a whole crew of DB collectors that will help you easily reach the minimum order so that you can have rolling edge art on your buttons.

I know you said you gave yourself a crash course in Illustrator, but you may still want to let one of the pro designers give your set a final go-over just to be sure you covered everything. The guys that have done multiple sets with Tina know what colors will print well, and you said colors that pop! are a big desire. I also started my design with the CPC tool, and I used a lot of Dayglo colors. Then I handed what I did over to @timinater and he did a fantastic job selecting the right colors. I feel like he really nailed the dayglo pink, peacock, tiger and others that I used.

Can't wait to watch this come together. Please keep updating this thread as you progress through your design and start getting chips and supporting stuff.
 
Neat project!!! Welcome to the cards mold/Tina chips rabbit hole. Yes, I know you're planning on diamond mold. I think Tina chips will serve you well as long as your expectations aren't too high. I assume you've gotten samples. You may also get some negative nellies in here telling you not to waste your money, but you've already figured out that you can get what you want in a fully custom design for a LOT less money. So don't let them talk you out of it.

Glad you figured out the T100/T500 dirty stack issue. I didn't and designed my set with blurple T500 chips. Luckily the costs are so reasonable, I just had the chips remade with a lighter lavender color.

I definitely recommend going with 43mm or bigger for Bounty, Show'em and other auxiliary chips. DO NOT get Dealer Buttons from Tina. Stick with the experts at BR Pro Poker for those. Nothing Tina can make comes close. Reach out to @Himewad when you are ready to order. He has a whole crew of DB collectors that will help you easily reach the minimum order so that you can have rolling edge art on your buttons.

I know you said you gave yourself a crash course in Illustrator, but you may still want to let one of the pro designers give your set a final go-over just to be sure you covered everything. The guys that have done multiple sets with Tina know what colors will print well, and you said colors that pop! are a big desire. I also started my design with the CPC tool, and I used a lot of Dayglo colors. Then I handed what I did over to @timinater and he did a fantastic job selecting the right colors. I feel like he really nailed the dayglo pink, peacock, tiger and others that I used.

Can't wait to watch this come together. Please keep updating this thread as you progress through your design and start getting chips and supporting stuff.
I was cruising the Alibaba app the other day, and saw the ceramic diamond mold. So if he really wants it, I think Tina could even do that for him.
 
I was cruising the Alibaba app the other day, and saw the ceramic diamond mold. So if he really wants it, I think Tina could even do that for him.
Tina has offered diamond mold for as long as I've known about her. I think Sean just preferred cards mold, as did I and a few others who got this thing rolling two years ago. So the diamond mold has just never gotten a footing on PCF.
 
Tina has offered diamond mold for as long as I've known about her. I think Sean just preferred cards mold, as did I and a few others who got this thing rolling two years ago. So the diamond mold has just never gotten a footing on PCF.
People probably avoid the diamond mold because it’s usually associated with cheaper plastic chips?

@MrRossKeys - Ot sounds like you might be too invested in this whole boutonnière concept to be talked out of it, but I have to tell you it just looks odd there in the middle out the suits. Like it’s a 5th suit? Frankly it’s confusing because it’s not immediately apparent that it’s a flower, but even if it were, I’d wonder why you were trying to make a flower look like a 5th suit. It’s just confusing because I know there are only 4 suits, but I’m seeing 5 shakes there and I have to try to figure out what’s going on? If you’re determined to keep it as it is, I’d try to make it look more like a flower, and I’d try to separate it more from the suits - maybe with a color that’s clearly different (the pink is very close to the orange,) maybe make it bigger or smaller, or separate it with lines?

Anyway, I appreciate the passion of your project and I’m not just trying to shoot holes in it. But if you’re honestly looking for feedback, there it is.
Good luck with it.
 
where's my invite?

I like the chips, especially the $5, don't think I've ever seen a quarterpie with 4 different colors. I feel like the edge spot color could be something brighter though.

As for the card back design, personally it's a little too busy with patterns and different motifs for me. You have the simple border pattern, followed by the flowy floral border, and then underneath are sketchy/pencil-y suits. I feel like these ideas clash too much, and your designer should condense.

Welcome back, @MrRossKeys , you've certainly been keeping yourself busy. Great looking designs and I love it when everything comes together like this. Matching chips, cards and felt brings it to another level for home game hosting. Just don't forget my invite. ;)

I need some time to digest your TB;DR but will post some quick comments after my Thursday night game at @TheRealTeddyKGB Going for a Three Peat in HU tournament! Cheers
Bay Area representing! Definitely sending the invite when ready!

Thanks for the feedback on the cards. I'll print my own tests and probably lower the opacity of the sketched art in the background. I do want to include the "traditional" floral patterns with the more modern.... more to do...
 
Neat project!!! Welcome to the cards mold/Tina chips rabbit hole. Yes, I know you're planning on diamond mold. I think Tina chips will serve you well as long as your expectations aren't too high. I assume you've gotten samples. You may also get some negative nellies in here telling you not to waste your money, but you've already figured out that you can get what you want in a fully custom design for a LOT less money. So don't let them talk you out of it.

Glad you figured out the T100/T500 dirty stack issue. I didn't and designed my set with blurple T500 chips. Luckily the costs are so reasonable, I just had the chips remade with a lighter lavender color.

I definitely recommend going with 43mm or bigger for Bounty, Show'em and other auxiliary chips. DO NOT get Dealer Buttons from Tina. Stick with the experts at BR Pro Poker for those. Nothing Tina can make comes close. Reach out to @Himewad when you are ready to order. He has a whole crew of DB collectors that will help you easily reach the minimum order so that you can have rolling edge art on your buttons.

I know you said you gave yourself a crash course in Illustrator, but you may still want to let one of the pro designers give your set a final go-over just to be sure you covered everything. The guys that have done multiple sets with Tina know what colors will print well, and you said colors that pop! are a big desire. I also started my design with the CPC tool, and I used a lot of Dayglo colors. Then I handed what I did over to @timinater and he did a fantastic job selecting the right colors. I feel like he really nailed the dayglo pink, peacock, tiger and others that I used.

Can't wait to watch this come together. Please keep updating this thread as you progress through your design and start getting chips and supporting stuff.
Thank you so much for the response! I read a bunch of your posts in the original GB of the cards mold thread and I always appreciated your input (you're a PCF celebrity in my mind!)

I don't mind having a pro look at my colors. I was/am very fluent in Photoshop and Lightroom (I'm a videographer and photographer) so I wasn't starting my Illustrator journey with no experience.... it's just the first time I was "forced" to render something in Illustrator that I couldn't fake in Photoshop, haha.

I'd also be interested in the CMYK colors for any of the chips you felt really popped in your set... then I could cross reference with mine or even replace those that are close.

And yes, for the dealer button I think I'm ordering from Poker Chip Lounge or BR... gotta remember where I got my last set from (which I love).
 
People probably avoid the diamond mold because it’s usually associated with cheaper plastic chips?

@MrRossKeys - Ot sounds like you might be too invested in this whole boutonnière concept to be talked out of it, but I have to tell you it just looks odd there in the middle out the suits. Like it’s a 5th suit? Frankly it’s confusing because it’s not immediately apparent that it’s a flower, but even if it were, I’d wonder why you were trying to make a flower look like a 5th suit. It’s just confusing because I know there are only 4 suits, but I’m seeing 5 shakes there and I have to try to figure out what’s going on? If you’re determined to keep it as it is, I’d try to make it look more like a flower, and I’d try to separate it more from the suits - maybe with a color that’s clearly different (the pink is very close to the orange,) maybe make it bigger or smaller, or separate it with lines?

Anyway, I appreciate the passion of your project and I’m not just trying to shoot holes in it. But if you’re honestly looking for feedback, there it is.
Good luck with it.
Appreciate the feedback! On the chips it's definitely harder to tell what it is. On the felt it's much larger. Something for me to consider redesigning.
 
Absolutely adore the 10k chip. It's actually started me down a ceramic design avenue with similar non-standard geometric patterns not possible with clay chips -- thanks for the inspiration.

I've typically used some type of star image (5-sided, 6-sided, asterisk, etc.) when adding a fifth element to the classic four suits lineup. Seems to work pretty well visually without exploding any heads. FDL is also a decent choice, and usually my pick when needing a unique sixth design.
 
Absolutely adore the 10k chip. It's actually started me down a ceramic design avenue with similar non-standard geometric patterns not possible with clay chips -- thanks for the inspiration.

I've typically used some type of star image (5-sided, 6-sided, asterisk, etc.) when adding a fifth element to the classic four suits lineup. Seems to work pretty well visually without exploding any heads. FDL is also a decent choice, and usually my pick when needing a unique sixth design.
Thanks! Yea the non-standard designs is a whole huge undiscovered avenue of possibilities!

Funny you mention FDL... That was the mold I used to mock these up when they were going to be a CPC set. The star was another thought that I had...
 
Faces and Edges Full.png

Nice to see everything coming together on one page. More tweaks to do before finalizing, but I'm digging it for the most part! My knock-off Mirage dealer buttons came out well if I do say so myself...

Does anyone think I'll need more nickels or quarters? I've never ordered 5¢ chips before, but I've gotten player interest in some limit-mixed games with smaller buy-ins. I'm ordering 100/80 respectively (110/90.. 10 extra each for breakage/loss).
 
Are you going to add irregular lines to your edge spots to make them more clay like?
 
Absolutely adore the 10k chip. It's actually started me down a ceramic design avenue with similar non-standard geometric patterns not possible with clay chips -- thanks for the inspiration.

I've typically used some type of star image (5-sided, 6-sided, asterisk, etc.) when adding a fifth element to the classic four suits lineup. Seems to work pretty well visually without exploding any heads. FDL is also a decent choice, and usually my pick when needing a unique sixth design.

Thanks! Yea the non-standard designs is a whole huge undiscovered avenue of possibilities!

Funny you mention FDL... That was the mold I used to mock these up when they were going to be a CPC set. The star was another thought that I had...
40mm cards mold ceramic poker chips for satellite

These are listed on the Alibaba vendors product page as examples... non-standard geometric shapes indeed.
 
Looks like I'll be ordering the items from these vendors:

Chips : Alibaba "Tina"
Dealer Button : BR Pro Poker
Playing Cards : ?????
Seat and Cut Cards : Etsy vendor (already ordered)
Felt Cloth : Chanman

Spoke to someone other than Tina ("Lyman") earlier today and he gave me the rundown on pricing, shipping, and turnaround times. Says that it's a 5-7 day turnaround for manufacturing after the samples are approved. It also appears that there is a slight shipping discount above 2,000 chips and a bigger discount above 10,000 chips.

I'm planning to order ~1,400 39mm chips and probably 50-100 43mm chips from them. If anyone likes any of my designs and is interested in getting some of these chips from themselves (whether samples or a full set) please let me know and I will place your order with mine and ship them out. Don't think I can rival the group buy pricing (because this is nowhere near the 10,000 chip minimum), but I've already received an inquiry from a member to get a set of these for themselves.

Also, @Himewad I'll pm you about the Dealer button if you are at all interested in getting any (per @TX_Golf_N_Poker 's recommendation). Same for anyone else who is interested... let me know within the next week. I think I'm planning to place orders on all of it before Christmas :sneaky:
 
First time poking in here to see what you're making and I have to say I'm quite impressed! I love the way you are using a ceramic chip to it's fullest with bright colors and spots that aren't trying too hard to emulate what is in clay.

My only suggestion is to duplicate and mirror the backs of your cards, meaning use the logo twice on the back of the card, and each one mirrored to the other (top to bottom). Something like this (excuse my very fast cut-and-paste demo here):

Retro1-example.png


The thinking is if you have the cards like the example in your OP, cards that are turned around with respect to the rest of the stub are essentially "marked". If only one card is turned 180 degrees to the rest, it's obvious which one it is. You'll see that most card backs are mirror versions top/bottom so prevent this.

Just a suggestion if you are going to the effort to make custom cards.

Looking forward to seeing your updates on this project. :tup:
 
First time poking in here to see what you're making and I have to say I'm quite impressed! I love the way you are using a ceramic chip to it's fullest with bright colors and spots that aren't trying too hard to emulate what is in clay.

My only suggestion is to duplicate and mirror the backs of your cards, meaning use the logo twice on the back of the card, and each one mirrored to the other (top to bottom). Something like this (excuse my very fast cut-and-paste demo here):

View attachment 1038299

The thinking is if you have the cards like the example in your OP, cards that are turned around with respect to the rest of the stub are essentially "marked". If only one card is turned 180 degrees to the rest, it's obvious which one it is. You'll see that most card backs are mirror versions top/bottom so prevent this.

Just a suggestion if you are going to the effort to make custom cards.

Looking forward to seeing your updates on this project. :tup:
.............just..............BRILLIANT!

Now that you've pointed it out it seems so obvious. I owe you a drink at the bar. Cheers!
 
Going to fill in some of the empty space in the design, but this is the direction of the cards with mirrored graphics.
Retro Mirror1.PNG
Retro Mirror2.PNG
 
Diamond Mold vs. Hybrid

I mentioned earlier that I am less of a fan of the cards mold and that I had chosen diamond mold for these chips. However, I've spoken to a few members here including @Himewad who praise the hybrid as an improved option over cards mold.

Does anyone else have any feedback on whether hybrid might be a better option? If they grip better, last longer (colors), look sharper (graphics), then I can totally see choosing those over diamond mold. I don't mind not having a mold as much as I mind the chips feeling good and lasting for many years without color fading.
 

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