RPG ESSENTIALS: Acrylic Creature Tokens for TTRPGs

Printing and Production Underway + Pictures of the Binder Pages
about 1 month ago – Mon, Aug 12, 2024 at 05:22:16 AM

Printing and Production Underway!

Our manufacturer is in full swing. In fact, I just got another proof from them this morning. We're working to finalize some of the packaging. Between the binders and the packs of acrylics, there's a lot to figure out to ensure they can make the trip across the seas without damage. I'll share some more details on that in the next update. I have full confidence in them delivering great a product to us! 

However, today I'd like to show off samples of the Binder pages.

Binder Pages

I recently received samples of the binder pages, and I am very pleased. How excited can one be for binder pages, you ask? Pretty excited! If you look at the images below, you'll notice that the binder sleeves actually have a flap that covers the top of each pouch to ensure that the tokens won't fall out. For any token fan, you got to be pretty pumped up for that! 

Have a Great Day,

Darryl T. Jones (aka Splattered Ink)

Updated Timeline - Unboxing of New Samples
3 months ago – Mon, Jun 24, 2024 at 01:36:42 PM

Let's talk about the new timeline, 

New Timeline

I want to keep you all in the loop and discuss the new possible timeline. Before getting into it, I should emphasize that the new timeline is not set in stone and is susceptible to change. The new timeline for the completion of manufacturing is 90 days from now. This was likely expected. After all, we're starting over with our new manufacturer. If there's anything I can do to speed things up, I will. Of course, I'll keep you all in the loop.

However, our new manufacturer has already proven to me that we made the right choice! They've already produced a proof of tokens and a binder!  

New Binders and Tokens - Unboxing Video

Click here for an >unboxing video!Or scroll through the photos below.

I am so blown away by how the binders came out. I think you will too, when you see the pictures below. The gold pops off of the black base of the binder, and I love how the binder looks sitting on the self. 

I open it for the first time on camera, and we can react to how it looks together. 

Here is the link to the unboxing video again if you missed it above.

Adventures Await: Arcane Armaments - Kickstarter is Live Now!

"Adventures Awaits: Arcane Armaments is a collection of 200 unique magic items for Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition. They’re perfect for filling the chests, vaults, and magical caches hidden across your world, or for spicing up encounters by giving the players’ adversaries tools and tricks they might not expect. Whether it’s enchanted swords, arcane-infused armors, or strange and intriguing wondrous items your campaign needs, this book has them all." - From the Kickstarter page

Go over and check out this kickstarter! This indie publisher out of New England is doing some great things, and we should go show them some love. 

Here is the link to the kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/adventuresawait/adventures-await-arcane-armaments-0?ref=3ph9ci

Thank you all,

Darryl T. Jones (aka Splattered Ink)

Pivot! - New Manufactures, Boda Games
3 months ago – Tue, Jun 04, 2024 at 10:38:54 AM

Pivot!,

Firstly, I want to continue saying sorry for all the delays we've faced so far. We've learned a ton from this campaign, and we've been working diligently to try to get you guys your tokens as soon as possible. Last week, we finally had to make the tough decision of changing our manufacturers. This decision was not made lightly. On our end, we're taking a hit financially because we're losing the deposits that we've made with our previous manufacturers. Also, we're cutting ties with the possible progress that the old manufacturer has made, but we no longer feel confident in their ability to provide you your tokens. As mentioned in the previous post, there has been delay after delay on their end, and they're not communicating new timelines or where they are currently with our project. While this is somber news, we're excited by our new manufacturing partners, Boda Games! 

We have full confidence in their abilities to provide great tokens to you all, and I assume that a lot of you have probably heard of them before or at least have received games that they manufactured. They've worked on several big-box hits like Everdell, Hegemony, and Planet Unknown. Additionally, we've worked with them in the past on several other projects, and they've always delivered for us. Here is a link to the BODA Games website if you want to check them out: https://bodagames.com/

I am just sorry that we didn't switch sooner. Of course, you always want to assume the best and not make a decision that is going to make your business lose money, but my priority is to get all your tokens to you. Thank you all for your understanding. The overwhelming support in the last post was so appreciated, and I can't say thank you enough. 

Thank you all,

Darryl T. Jones (aka Splattered Ink)

The Process Continues - April Update
5 months ago – Tue, Apr 30, 2024 at 10:15:10 AM

Hello Adventures,

Thank you guys for all of your continued patience and support. Splattered Ink is a very small team, and we're taking the hits as they come. Currently, the biggest hurdle that we face is manufacturing. 

Sadly, manufacturing is taking longer than I originally planned or expected. I've sent in everything in a timely manner, but on the manufacturer's end, there has been one delay after another. In October, I originally received samples that the color was messed up on due to the manufacturers changing their printers during the course of the project. This didn't get resolved until December, which should've allowed for manufacturing to start in January. In February, Chinese New Year routinely shuts the whole industry down. Work resumed in March, but they have not given me a new timeline for when the project will be finished. I was only given an estimate of 90 days. 

I am yet to receive a concrete completion date. I am as frustrated by this whole series of events as all of you. I wish there were more that I could do, but the process is out of my hands. I thought the project was close to wrapping up and would headed to fulfillment, but sadly, that is not the case. I will continue to regularly check with our manufacturer to try and get your tokens to you as possible. It is unlikely I use this manufacturer in the future, but at this point in the process, I am committed.

Thank you all. 

Sincerely, 

Darryl T. Jones (aka Splattered Ink)

Missing Villager Tokens & PNG sizing
6 months ago – Sun, Mar 24, 2024 at 07:15:13 AM

Greetings from Gary Con!

I hope you're having a warm spring. It's been below 30 and snowing most of the time I've been in Lake Geneva. However, Gary Con has been a blast!

I'm still showing the original samples and everyone loves them.

Updated Delivery Timeline

There has been another delay. For reasons that are out of my hands, after Chinese New Year, I was told by our manufacturer that it would be another 90 days before the order was done. Unfortunately, there's nothing I, or any of us can do but be patient as most of the order has been paid for. I know this isn't what you want to hear. It isn't what I wanted to hear either.

This means we're looking at fulfillment beginning in July.

Also, it's important to note, refunds are not available at this time as manufacturing has begun.

Missing Villager PNGs

It's been reported to me that the Villagers set was not included in the last PNG distribution. Check your inboxes, they should be there now!

PNG sizing

In the zip folders, you should have received a file, "READ ME - sizing instructions for VTT.txt". Some of you have asked about sizing for VTT platforms, so I'm including that text here for easy reference.

--== READ ME ==--

FORMAT & RESOLUTION: All tokens are in PNG format and drawn at a very high resolution, 700dpi. This is so you can zoom in without pixelation while using your chosen VTT application. This also allows you to use these tokens at double or even tripple their intended size and you wont lose any detail (for example if someone casts an Enlarge spell).

SIZE: Artwork is often larger than its bounding box. This allows for wings, tails, weapons and other details to extend beyond the creature's predetermined size. 

• Medium creatures are designated at 1 unit square or 5'x5'
• Large creatures are designated at 2x2 units square or 10'x10'
• Huge creatures are designated at 3x3 units square or 15'x15'
• Gargantuan creatures are designated at 4x4 units square or 20'x20'

To allow for the details that extend beyond the bounding box of a creatures designated size, most medium sized creatures are 1,200 pixels wide. That means the medium creatures in this collection are 1.724 units square. You can manually enlarge these tokens when you place them in your VTT. Some VTTs, like Foundry allow you to set the Scale(Ratio) for your tokens. Which means that for recommended scale in Foundry, set the Scale(Ratio) to 1.714 in Token Image Settings for medium tokens that are 1200 pixel wide.

SCALE:

• Medium (1x1 bounding box) creatures that are 1200px wide = 1.714 Scale(Ratio)
• Large (2x2 bounding box) creatures that are 1600px wide = 1.142 Scale(Ratio)
• Huge (3x3 bounding box) creatures that are 2800px wide = 1.33 Scale(Ratio)
• Gargantuan (4x4 bounding box) creatures that are 3500px wide = 1.25 Scale(Ratio)

Most (not all) token files of each creature size are the same number of pixels square. 

Look at how many pixels wide each file is and divide that number by the width (at 700 pixels per inch) that the designated bounding box size is for that creature. Using Huge from above, divide 2800px by 2100px getting 1.33.

--== End READ ME ==--

Big Announcement Coming!

This fall we'll be making more tokens! But, not before you have these beauties in your hands! I can tell you what the announcement is, but it rhymes with Gnome of Feasts and Fauxbald Dress. Any guesses?

Thank you all for your continued support! Keep Adventuring,

Darryl T. Jones (aka Splattered Ink)