DIY Gaming - How to Make a Tri-fold Gameboard

More commonly known as the quadrifold game board, the true tri-fold's secrets are released in this tutorial on how to make game boards!
Get the graphic for this Saboteur game board mod here: bit.ly/1B1pGLs
Printed dimensions - 23 x 25 inches
Intro - 0:00
Supplies - 1:50
Prepare Chipboard - 2:42
Attach Layers - 5:15
Hinge-craft - 5:57
Wrap the Backing - 7:46
Apply the Front - 11:28
Supplies:
- chip board or paper board (2 layers of 25 - 30 pt.)
- bulletin board paper
- scor tape (or book-binding tape)
- printout of playing surface
- super 77 spray glue
- glue stick
- double sided mounting film (double stick paper)
Tools:
- scissors
- ruler (tape measure optional)
- pencil
- exacto knife or razor blade
- dull side of a table knife (for scoring the chip board)
- (optional) masking or painters' tape
Stay tuned for future projects with DIY gaming!

[@aoifebrady3977]

Just finished making my first game board as a wedding gift for some friends. I must have watched this video 20 times in the past couple of weeks, from rough planning to final production 😄 Thank you so much for your in-depth description and demonstration, I can honestly say you're responsible for how well the board has finally turned out!

[@pubmeeple]

Right on! Cool to know we're apart of something that significant!

[@jensenbodhi6045]

i dont mean to be off topic but does anybody know a way to log back into an instagram account..? I was stupid lost the account password. I love any tips you can offer me.

[@reedbrenchley]

Probably the best game board video I could find - especially a trifold! (and loved the dialog in-between clips) I also must have watched this video 20+ times planning and then when creating, pausing it for every step of the process. I'm surprised on how involved it was to make this kind of game board but I'm happy with the results! I did a 27x27 inch game board for my game, some things I found difficult on this scale was putting the spray glued pieces into place, getting it to line up right as well as smoothing it out without getting wrinkles. The other problem I had was the glue stick, maybe mine was old but it didn't hold at the joints very well when I began bend the print side.

[@eloisaborges3420]

Im from Brazil and my project from my college is to do a board game! and i did a huge board and started looking for a tri fold board tutorial to make it fit to the box! happy that i finally found it! it was impossible to find in portuguese but im thankful to myself that i know english hahaha, thank u

[@1lesserevil]

Your tutorials are amazing, simple, and dorky... in a good, funny way. Thank you! My initial attempt at a DIY was good for test play but I wanted to step up my... game... and get that "finished" look. Your tutorials pointed out EVERYTHING I wanted to learn. LET THE DIY BEGIN!!

[@pubmeeple]

Wow thank you! Good luck with the DIY

[@Anders23]

I just made a board for my Psycho Raiders game leaning on this tutorial and it went great. Better than expected, actually. Thank you!

[@Absooh]

Best tutorial I could find on the web. And it is funny! Good job

[@pubmeeple]

Hey, thanks!

[@alexdamado]

Great tutorial, funny but still instructional. Been waiting for this and was not disappointed : )

[@pubmeeple]

Glad I could finally deliver

[@jasminenorman2895]

Thank you so much ! I’m just starting my Etsy and can’t afford to bulk order game boards yet so I will be doing this method for now !

[@FaatiBomBom]

I love you for making this tutorial. Just what I needed!

[@RodgaRouge]

Wow, it's just fantastic congratulations!

[@scottbiggs8894]

I see lots of people having trouble finding supplies, especially chip-board. Art supply stores that cater to art majors at your local college or university are almost guaranteed to have all the supplies. And you'll get the stuff immediately, avoid shipping costs, and be supporting local businesses.

[@zemmnighteither8495]

Very well made Video, I especially enjoyed the commentary. Some valid points about luke vs Vader. This is the kind analyses I need in tutorials.

[@VVestlink]

Awesome tutorial mate! hard to find but totally worth it!

[@RiverwestRich]

Totally agree on Link. Great video too.

[@eduwoodentoysgrace4077]

DIY is much fun.As a Game Manufacture we use machine a lot,some times make proto by hand to test the idea.

[@olipops1312]

this is so helpful, thanks!!!

[@jahniedez6834]

GREAT VIDEO- VERY HELPFUL!! Thank you so much! Would it be too much to ask for a higher rez redo of this? I got confused when I didn't see the numbers on the quadrants anymore...

[@joaoolinda]

Your videos are so good quality and funny man! You really deserves more subscribers!

[@pubmeeple]

We're getting there as the word gets out. Thanks for the sub!

[@jonathancherian1651]

Noce video. Lots of Info for my school project. ThX Bro.

[@waydeholland2988]

Thanks!!! Please make a vid on a six fold board:)

[@evanmcanney6449]

What weight of chipboard was used? This appears to contain massive risk of wasting all that material by cutting too deep. Isn't there a better way to hinge, with something like a fabric tape?

[@pubmeeple]

Fabric tape is a fantastic idea, definitely worth a try! I believe the chipboard weight used in the video is 60pt (about 1mm thick)

[@thesmothersotr]

Awesome tutorial my friend

[@TheDea6]

Thank you for making this video. I'm making a game in my design class final at school, and I find this very similar to binding a hard cover book. But I might want to use a matte board in stead of a chip board :/ Idk if I'll be able to make the folds as nicely since the board is much thicker.

[@pubmeeple]

Matte board is harder to work with and much thicker, but the idea is the same. Not sure if it would fold well

[@kawaiiteacher1393]

The constant Zelda vs Star Wars argument had me dying! 😂 Great vid BTW; VERY helpful. Thank you!

[@pubmeeple]

Thank you!

[@jarick098]

Great tut guys!

[@pubmeeple]

Thank you!

[@SheezyBites]

Trying to make a six fold board and somehow this is the most useful tutorial I've found despite not even being for the right thing... shame you never made this a tetralogy

[@pubmeeple]

In talks with Disney to pick it up so JJ can work on the next arc...

[@rick9663]

this made my head hurt.

[@JCGO713]

Sou do Brasil e gosto bastante das dicas do seu canal, parabéns! ( I'm from Brazil and I really like the tips of your channel, congratulations!)

[@pubmeeple]

Much thanks! (Muito obrigado!)

[@MarthaCQ121]

I really like your videos. Very helpful, but how could Link have found bottles of live ysalamiri to keep Vader from using the force. Thanks for the tutorial.

[@pubmeeple]

Thanks, we certainly enjoy getting feedback! Either Link would find a treasure chest of bottled ysalamiri somewhere in the same dungeon before fighting Vader as he's often provided means for defeating his opponent in conveniently marked treasure chests (along with a fanfare of discovery). Either that or they'd be in breakable pots right outside the boss door (next to the one with a fairy).

[@MarthaCQ121]

I see so they were dormant. Now that can work. Thanks!

[@lcampbell7330]

I just finished designing my game board, however I made it on a poster board. Can this be cute and made into a tri- fold board with the proper backing or should I just leave it whole?

[@pubmeeple]

Laura Campbell, poster board tends to crease unevenly and presents a thicker material than I use for folded board graphics so you'll want to scor it on your folds to get the even creases. It's possible to use your poster board instead of the top layer of chipboard. Make your hinges and wrap your backing around layer 2 BEFORE you attach layer 1 (the poster board) to the top. You'll still cut the poster board in half, but poster board should be thick enough you don't need to reinforce the front hinges, just be ready for them to bulge a bit when folded (scoring will help with this a bit). If your wrapped back layer is exactly the same size as your game board, you won't get the iconic "frame" you see around game boards, but if the edges are flush it will still look good. Practice with scraps before you commit all your hard work to knife and glue. Good luck! If it works out, send a pic to [e-mail]

[@bklyngirlost]

Thank you for the video! I have medium weight chipboard that is .057 (I assume that's the pt size). Is there a reason I should make my board with 2 sheets of 25-30 pt chipboard instead?

[@jonathancherian1651]

nice

[@josephlevin]

I was considering using premade, separate backing boards, black matte, about 5mm thick and maybe 12.5x10" each, to make a trifold board. What can you recommend to provide the hinge? I am hoping not to do much in the way of cutting anything other than the printed paper board, as my accuracy with thick cardboard seems to be terrible no matter what I do. At the hinge, I was considering 2" black bookbinding tape for the back of the board, and white for the front of the board, so there is less chance of it showing through the paper. I am considering using window film for the front of the board once the paper gameboard is attached, and using label paper to print the actual board on. Am I correct in assuming I would need to provide a gap between backing boards equal to the thickness of the backing board, at the hinge? I'd appreciate your thoughts on this idea. Thank you for your video and I hope I am heading in the right direction.

[@wlehglowdiehburnett3845]

Soo what are the measurements for the chip board to start with and how larger is the finished product

[@pubmeeple]

That depends on your board dimensions. The instructions are done in such a way that you can plan your board size first and build your backing off of that. The total size of the chipboard is 1/2 inch longer in both directions than your game space. The board in the video has a total size of 23.5 x 25.5 inches

[@Vessmeister]

I have 4 quarters of a game board I've already printed that I want to add to a tri-fold base do I just make the base as instructed and instead of placing 1 graphic, line up and place the 4 graphics? Will it still work as intended?

[@pubmeeple]

It should. I have done something similar and had no problems. You may even find it easier to assemble.

[@betsypinkney]

This is amazing! I'm going to try to make this today for my school but I have worked questions 1. Where can I buy these supplies? 2. We are actually going to draw the board. So I need blank paper to put on it. Would it work? Or would it not.

[@betsypinkney]

* two questions

[@pubmeeple]

Kitibelle Most of these supplies are found at a hobby/craft store. I'm able to pick up everything locally, not sure what's in your area. Blank paper is fine, thin poster paper (not poster board) is probably best as it will accommodate larger sizes.

[@evanmcanney6449]

Would also be useful if you could devise and show an effective way to make the board double-sided. Two different games in one board.

[@pubmeeple]

It's been awhile since I've tackled these projects but if I were to go about a double sided board I think I'd treat the intended back graphic the same as the wrapping material, provided I could print it with the extra room needed to wrap around the outside

[@franciscohenriques9322]

What's the top printed in?

[@kevinqueen6246]

You should be able to do this without using the knife to score, heavy pressure with something like a large wheel, like a pizza wheel, the goal is to crush the paper In going to try that so its more rigid

[@KatherineOutten]

Hey! I'm looking to make a game board like this, but if i want the board to be 20 inches by 20inches with 10 2 inch squares along each edge how big should the print out be and how big should the board itself be? thanks!

[@pubmeeple]

If you're wanting the playable area to be a 20 x 20, then that's the size of your printout (not including margins of course) and the chipboard will be about 1/2 inch longer both ways (20.5 x 20.5). If you're wanting your total board size to be the 20 x 20, then make the printout 1/2 inch shorter (19.5 x 19.5). The idea is this will leave you a 1/4 inch border between the edge of the print and the edge of the board. But you can play with the sizes to make it look however you want

[@KatherineOutten]

Thank you so much! One last question, I'm designing a box for the game too, how deep would you recommend I make it? I was thinking 2 inches deep, but I'm not sure if that will fit the folded board and cards nicely

[@pubmeeple]

It's a lot of work to make a box only to find out it doesn't fit. I'd start by getting a box close to the size you want and testing it out first. There are a lot of factors in box size: printing cost, shipping, and even MSRP is based on box size. For prototyping, you're going mostly for presentation. I'd base that decision on what you want people to "see" when they open it. Loose components stacked inside? Organized in an insert? Etc. Then build accordingly.

[@KatherineOutten]

+Pub Meeple I'm doing it all myself, designing, getting it printed and then putting it together myself, as I'm a student and on a schedule but thank you!

[@Celso8205]

Incredible work. I have a project in mind but I don't think I would be able to make the board myself. I don't supose I could send you the board design and you would make it for me would you? I would pay of course.

[@pubmeeple]

+Celso8205 Thanks for the confidence but I'm not in a position to begin manufacturing boards. Mostly we're just providing info on prototyping. There are some dry-erase boards on Amazon for pretty cheap that someone found in the comments below...

[@Celso8205]

+Pub Meeple That's too bad, but thanks anyway, and thank you for the tip about the Amazon board, I'll check it out

[@haroldagas]

what printer did you use for printing the front coz I'm having some difficulty if I use a normal printer... I am making a monopoly-like game

[@pubmeeple]

This was printed at a local office supply store. I'd look around where you are and see what printing services are available.

[@Davidzxcv1]

question: what happens if the board is for example a 9 x 9. Is it problematic that the cut is between the squares in the center of the board? I want to make one like that

[@pubmeeple]

I don’t think so. Once it’s laid out flat, it should all line up. It’s not uncommon with professional productions. Just make sure the seam isn’t confusing or obfuscating important information

[@Davidzxcv1]

@@pubmeeple thanks!!

[@sugarsugar181]

How did you print off the game front?

[@pubmeeple]

I took a flash drive to Office Max and had them print it on a thin, no gloss stock. Make sure they print actual size

[@beluga2630]

How did you print that big paper

[@pubmeeple]

I had this printed at Office Max, a local supply shop that can also do larger prints

[@narjish3751]

i have this product design project for school and i'm making a board game but on each side of the board there is going to be a different game, basically 2 games on one board, do i need the bulletin poster paper? if i do how do i put it on the board because both sides will have a game on it? can you stick or glue printer paper on bulleting poster paper or will it not stick? can i have a quick reply because my coursework is due on the 15th February and i haven't even started making my product and this is 50% of my gcse grade for product design, thanks.

[@pubmeeple]

does not sound like the bulletin paper is what you need. What you might try is putting the second game on the back using the same technique used here with the bulletin paper (just pretend my bulletin paper is another game I'm gluing on)

[@narjish3751]

@@pubmeeple thank you so much

[@pubmeeple]

@@narjish3751 good luck on the project!

[@narjish3751]

Pub Meeple thanks I’m gonna need it...like a lot, but hopefully this tutorial will help me

[@lepreemo]

What size was the total unfolded size? I designed a board game that is a hex pattern but I filled the edges to make the image squared at 30"x30". That looks to be pretty close to about 15" each square and I'm wondering if if it can even be made a bit thicker. I made a mosaic for the original "creator" version and I had another version printed on a single piece of banner material but the furls stay when rolled and it cracks the printed when creased. It is someone critical for the board to remain flat as the pawns actually stack on each other to queue up fights between players and the "influences" of the game. i.imgur.com/ODuwCQB.jpg

[@pubmeeple]

Jon Lepree the one in the video is printed at 23" x 25". I would expect a crease at the folds but not cracking unless you're using an ink printer on a thicker material that doesn't absorb. Thicker materials don't crease well and gloss finishes don't absorb ink. A laser print will solve the absorbing problem but most banners cannot be printed with a conventional laser printer. I print all my gameboards on really basic banner paper (cheapest at the copy store). Remember too that these are just prototypes. A manufacturer will do a much better job at a clean board

[@elizabethramey9094]

So I'm trying to make a trifold board But all I can find is 12" x 12" chip board. How can I adapt your method?

[@pubmeeple]

You may have to lay it out so that the 12" squares make up the 4 quadrants separately, then attach them together with a method similar to our bi-fold video where we start with 2 completely separate halves. I've come to like that method less than this one, but it still works. You'd still need to set up the seams like they are here in this vid.

[@TheKdayotte]

where is a good place to get chipboard? I'm having trouble finding any.

[@pubmeeple]

This is one of our most frequent questions, so I'm beginning to understand it's tough to get. I get all mine locally at either Hobby Lobby or Michale's, both are craft stores. I've seen it online as well but loathe buying it and paying shipping for a paper product. My next suggestion would go to a place where they make frames (also found at department craft stores).

[@Robinfoote11111]

If theres an officeworks near you they usually sell it, its only $2-4 depending on size at my local one.

[@scottbiggs8894]

Go to the art stores that cater to art majors at your local college. I've had bad luck in the big chains.

[@darrenwalters9886]

@@pubmeeple Anywhere there's an artist that's been in the trenches and knows their stuff, is familiar with chipboard. InstyPrints has chipboard available, and not just in bulk for other businesses, or just plain wealthy people, but also the little guy. Festivus for the restofus. Thank you InstyPrints!

[@darrenwalters9886]

Thank you. That's a hell of a lot of info to convey in one short video; nice job. About 40 or 50 steps by my count. If I don't make the board myself, at least I'll know what the artist has to do. FYI: Link beats Vader by grapple-hooking onto the Millennium Falcon in a chaotic frenzy, and sucker punching from behind with the z-target. May the Schwartz be with us, everyone. Especially you, Tiny Tim. Rough stuff headed your way chief.....but wait, Scrooge was as good as his word. Last but not least, may heavily licensed and copyrighted behomoths and franchises continue to choke out any and all market innovations and new possibilities. Not. Thanks for nothing Scrabble. You've had what.....50 years of market domination? Also, this is not lazy. I like the voice over dubbing, then using that as a playback track while demonstrating the visuals in several spots when the splainin' gets to be a little too difficult to follow. Nice job, editor, film crew.

[@pubmeeple]

Thank you!

[@darrenwalters9886]

@@pubmeepleI do wonder if you all of your outer edges lined up, though. You didn't use anything professional, like a guillotine cutter, so I wonder how hard this was to keep everything perfectly lined up, square, and true. Probably just skillz, as they say.

[@pubmeeple]

@@darrenwalters9886 so when we made these we had the idea that we'd show prototyping using whatever we could find cheap and local. So scissors and makeshift scoring tools, etc. We wanted to convey that anyone could prototype and prototyping should be done on the cheap. So yeah, no guillotine or specialty tools. I'd say everything turned out far from perfect, but passable for getting a demo together

[@darrenwalters9886]

@@pubmeeple I think you did an excellent job with limited resources, and that's sort of where I'm at as well. Very good job, and keep up good work.

[@theuniquekoala5579]

is there an alternative for chip board because my local stores don't sell any.

[@pubmeeple]

+The Unique Koala, if you have a place that does custom framing for photos they'll usually have a chipboard or an alternative mat (usually black) that's about 1mm thick.

[@theuniquekoala5579]

ok cool cause my local michaels does not provide any chipboard.

[@pubmeeple]

+The Unique Koala: interesting. I wonder if they call it something different. When I go to Michael's it's by the framing department. It's usually sold there in smaller sheets than the one I show in the video. Anyway, you can use any non-foam 1mm paper stock they have. Chipboard is nothing but pressed paper, doesn't matter what color.

[@theuniquekoala5579]

+Pub Meeple well I got kinda lazy and instead found an okay alternitave. I used the backing of my old spiral notebooks. the backing really did represent chipboard to me and it happens to be 1 mm thick. I went to office Depot to pick up some 1 cent notebooks like this. the problem was that I could do the exact steps as you due to the small size. but I successfully made a board. so im really happy. I managed to make it look flush. but there were still blimishes every now and then. this is a long reply.

[@theuniquekoala5579]

+The Unique Koala I meant to say couldn't when I said could

[@theULTIMATEgamerPS3]

I found one of these on amazon for $8. Chipboard alone cost $6-$15... Maybe you could save your money AND time by just buying a pre made one...

[@pubmeeple]

theULTIMATEgamerPS3 Agreed. There are some nice pre-mades out there. Most I've seen have a dry-erase finish but if it's the size you want it could most likely be re-covered. I've never tried to cover that slick material though; I'd be interested to see how it turned out

[@theULTIMATEgamerPS3]

+Pub Meeple I might end up getting one. I was thinking about attaching each of the four sections separately with Velcro that way I can make multiple games and only have to buy one board. Thanks for all of you diy's though!

[@BloodyWolf6789]

+theULTIMATEgamerPS3 Could you post the link to the pre-made one on Amazon?

[@theULTIMATEgamerPS3]

BloodyWolf6789 www.amazon.com/Folding-Blank-Board-Pebble-Cover/dp/B005T3NWOY?ie=UTF8&keywords=game%20board&qid=1459274954&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1 If the link is bad just search for game boards on Amazon or Ebay.

[@BloodyWolf6789]

+theULTIMATEgamerPS3 Thank you sooo much!

[@leandrosroliveira]

Or you can just buy a used monopoly for 3€ and glue your game on top 😆👍 Excellent work!

[@jonathanroy6258]

Have you seen how long that dude can run :), made me laugh way too hard

[@elizabethl7439]

me thinking: wow theyre class a nerds. Me realizing that i watched the whole video and also was pretty impressed with the results in MY gameboard........

[@martinmalave3732]

Crear video

[@retrotechnerd]

Knob.