Introduction: Laminated Catan Cards
This tutorial will teach you how to laminate your Settlers of Catan game cards.
Step 1: Why?
Do you hate it when your pristine Settlers of Catan resource cards become grimy and gross from the natural oils that excrete from your skin?
I know I do.
If you follow this tutorial, you will no longer have this problem. Also, your Settlers of Catan game cards will be waterproof, human-liquid proof and last until the plastic coating biodegrades in 2745 AD.
They will be completely impenetrable to wayward soda spills or domesticated animal byproducts. Heck, after this tutorial you can even play Catan in your bath tub if you want to. I wouldn't advise doing that. But who am I to judge?
I know I do.
If you follow this tutorial, you will no longer have this problem. Also, your Settlers of Catan game cards will be waterproof, human-liquid proof and last until the plastic coating biodegrades in 2745 AD.
They will be completely impenetrable to wayward soda spills or domesticated animal byproducts. Heck, after this tutorial you can even play Catan in your bath tub if you want to. I wouldn't advise doing that. But who am I to judge?
Step 2: What You Will Need...
What you will need:
[ ] A Pouch Laminator
[ ] (New) Settlers of Catan game cards
[ ] School Card Size Laminator Pouches (2-12" x 3-5/8") 3 or 5 Mil
You will need one pouch for each card. You can purchase the cards in packs of 100 online rather inexpensively. Simply count how many resource cards, development cards, etc. that you would like laminated, and purchase AT LEAST that many.
You would think that I wouldn't need to explain this. But, since this is a tutorial, I need to assume that the reader is a drooling nincompoop and needs absolutely everything spelled out for them.
You're welcome.
Although you may use your old, human-sweat-saturated Settlers of Catan game cards, I purchased a new "deck" of Catan cards. For me, it was worth the extra eight bucks or-so to laminate cards that were never used in a game of Catan.
[ ] A Pouch Laminator
[ ] (New) Settlers of Catan game cards
[ ] School Card Size Laminator Pouches (2-12" x 3-5/8") 3 or 5 Mil
You will need one pouch for each card. You can purchase the cards in packs of 100 online rather inexpensively. Simply count how many resource cards, development cards, etc. that you would like laminated, and purchase AT LEAST that many.
You would think that I wouldn't need to explain this. But, since this is a tutorial, I need to assume that the reader is a drooling nincompoop and needs absolutely everything spelled out for them.
You're welcome.
Although you may use your old, human-sweat-saturated Settlers of Catan game cards, I purchased a new "deck" of Catan cards. For me, it was worth the extra eight bucks or-so to laminate cards that were never used in a game of Catan.
Step 3: Step 1
Plug in the laminator and power that baby up. Most laminators will have a small chart on it describing the best setting to use for different laminate thicknesses and materials.
If your nose catches a whiff of burning plastic, that is pretty normal. Laminators take a few minutes to warm up to the appropriate temperature. Continue to Step 2.
If your laminator catches on fire and attempts to burn your house down, DO NOT CONTINUE TO STEP 2. I'd call the fire department or something. You know, it might be a good idea to leave the house while you are at it.
If your nose catches a whiff of burning plastic, that is pretty normal. Laminators take a few minutes to warm up to the appropriate temperature. Continue to Step 2.
If your laminator catches on fire and attempts to burn your house down, DO NOT CONTINUE TO STEP 2. I'd call the fire department or something. You know, it might be a good idea to leave the house while you are at it.
Step 4: Step 2
While the laminator is getting ready for a marathon of laminating dozens and dozens of little pieces of cardstock and plastic, now would be a good time to get your Settlers of Catan cards ready for theoretical invincibility.
Place every card in its own lamination pouch. This will take some tender love and care. While you are doing this, you may want to reevaluate your life and see where your priorities are. I mean, you could be volunteering time in a soup kitchen, feeding hungry people in need. But noooo. You are sitting at home, getting ready to laminate some cards for a board game. Seriously… what the heck?
If you need help, see the picture above.
Place every card in its own lamination pouch. This will take some tender love and care. While you are doing this, you may want to reevaluate your life and see where your priorities are. I mean, you could be volunteering time in a soup kitchen, feeding hungry people in need. But noooo. You are sitting at home, getting ready to laminate some cards for a board game. Seriously… what the heck?
If you need help, see the picture above.
Step 5: Step 4
Once the cards have passed through the laminator, they are now laminated. Let the cards cool, and then bask in the glory of your beautiful creation. You have now successfully fused plastic and paper.
Even though plastic-coated-paper is basically a slap in the face to environmentalists, enjoy playing with your new, state-of-the-art, everlasting Settlers of Catan game cards that will most-probably stay on this earth longer than you will.
Even though plastic-coated-paper is basically a slap in the face to environmentalists, enjoy playing with your new, state-of-the-art, everlasting Settlers of Catan game cards that will most-probably stay on this earth longer than you will.