Forum: boardgames.stackexchange.com
Tags: <custom-game-pieces>
Title: Where to buy or how to cut blank hexes for own game prototype?
Question: Fellow board game player wants to test his game prototype, which uses a number of hex pieces (prefreably smaller than Catan or Eclipse ones). Is there a place to buy some blank ones? We could then use adhesive paper labels printed on inkjet printer. Or maybe there is a place to send full-hex graphic design and receive cutted pieces? Alternatively, do you have working DIY methods for cutting uniform hexes?

Answers:
sents: text: Yes, you can buy blank hex pieces.
text: Print&Play
text: Productions offers cardboard hex tiles in several different sizes through Boards & Bits .
text: Chipboard Shapes - Hex 1.19"
text: [35 pcs]
text: $2.00Chipboard Shapes - Hex 1.5" [20 pcs]
text: $2.00Chipboard Shapes - Hex 2.2" [11 pcs]
text: $2.00Chipboard Shapes - Hex 2.6" [22 pcs]
text: $3.00Chipboard Shapes - Hex 3.9" [8 pcs] $3.00
text: You could also get wooden hexes from WoodNShop for $0.15-$0.42 each, or at a discount by the 100s.
text: I am unsure if these would fit your purposes for tile laying, as I have heard complaints that the tile dimensions are not uniform enough for such a purpose.
text: C/O HEXAGON 1/8
text: X 1 $0.15
text: C/O HEXAGON
text: 1/8
text: X 2 $0.20
text: C/O HEXAGON
text: 1/8
text: X 1 $0.32
text: C/O HEXAGON
text: 1/8
text: X 1 $0.42
text: C/O HEXAGON 1/4
text: X 2 $0.20
text: There is also plastic tiles , if you are so inclined.
text: With a little bit of work to remove the mesh backing, you could use actual hexagonal tiles from your local hardware store .
text: I don't know of any board game manufacturer that creates hex tiles with custom graphics.
text: Board game maufacturers are capable of creating protype board games, but my guess is the cost is prohibitive.
text: If you want to cut your own uniform hex tiles, you are going to need a die cutter ($600), and a custom die .
text: You probably don't even need hex tiles for testing purposes.
text: If the hex tiles need not be rotated, then square tiles can be offset every other row for the same effect as a hex tile.
text: If orientation is important, wooden tiles/disks can be substituted for hex tiles.
answer_details: author: boardgames.stackexchange.com/users/1873/user1873
score: 10
sents: text: Quilters and schools often use die-cutters to make shaped pieces.
text: Hexagons are one of the standard die types, and are available in a variety of sizes.
text: Many cut multiples at once, tho the standard sized template is a 5x8" block with 1 large, or 2, 4, or 6 hexagons of smaller sizes (3", 2", 1" face to face) Search for Hexagon die cut to find more variety than is worth listing here.
text: Craft stores and school supply stores often also have them.
text: To use them, however, you'll want a die-cutting press - itself a hundred dollar item.
answer_details: author: boardgames.stackexchange.com/users/1047/aramis
score: 4
sents: text: at the Wikipedia entry for hexagons( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexagon )
text: there is a really neat gif on how to draw a normal hexagon with a compass and a straight edge.
text: Otherwise I've used TheGameCrafter.com in the past.
text: They have a Hex playing cards .
text: although that's probably larger then catan.
text: (3.75in X 3.25in).
text: and you can even get blanks there (if they have them in stock.)
answer_details: author: boardgames.stackexchange.com/users/None/
score: 3
sents: text: Another source worth checking out, specifically for the games market, is Blue Panther LLC: they seem to make pieces specifically for gaming and can do custom cuts or engravings when you're ready to take that step.
text: Have a look at http://www.bluepantherllc.com/ for the details.
text: I've done my own prototyping with wood pattern blocks, an educational tool you can find at a lot of school-supply stores; I was lucky enough to find a bag of nothing but hexes, but the shop I got it from has no idea what the model/part number on that bag was (if any) and I can't seem to find specifically hex-shaped pieces online, just a set of hexes, triangles, squares, etc.
answer_details: author: boardgames.stackexchange.com/users/2007/Steven Stadnicki
score: 2
sents: text: Disclaimer:
text: I own this business.
text: Prawn Designs , based in California, sells custom bits and bases , including hexes.
answer_details: author: boardgames.stackexchange.com/users/7288/Bob Schrempp
score: 2
sents: text: FYI:
text: It isn't going to look as pretty as real hex tiles
text: but if you are just prototyping a game then you can functionally simulate Hexes tiles with Square tiles since six squares can fit around each square if you stagger rows.
text: Drawing dots one quarter and three quarters down each edge and connect the nearest dots with lines makes the hex nature of squares more apparent.
text: Real life example of someone using just square tiles to create a hex board: https://www.boardgamegeek.com/image/786116/beehive
answer_details: author: boardgames.stackexchange.com/users/18119/Trevor
score: 2

Summary of the answers:
You can buy wooden or cardboard hex tiles. You can also custom game pieces.
 If you want to cut your own uniform hex tiles you will need a  die cutter and a  custom die .  Or wooden tiles or discs can be substituted for hex tiles. If you draw dots one quarter and three quarters down each edge and connect the dots with lines, this gives a hex appearance.  Blue Panther LLC make pieces specifically for gaming and can do custom cuts or engraving and Prawn Designs in California, sells  custom bits and bases , including hexes.