MVS Collectors: Cardboard Box Production

Lately I have been debating on how to store my MVS carts. I have a few complete MVS kits and I enjoy having the cardboard box as my containter. I tried one of Big Bears cases (which are bad ass), but I decided that I wanted to go with the original cardboard look. Besides that, I'd like to get some crisp boxes for my poor originals. I am talking with a company who says they can duplicate any box exactly. I sent them in a crisp original MVS box to look at and am awaiting a quote. I got a quick quote on the 100 of the same size box for 0.77 a piece. The price droped with higher quantities. There is also a setup fee(of course) that I have not been quoted yet. I am guessing it will be much less then $2.00 a box when the whole deal is done. I am definately getting some for my collection, if anyone is interested in getting some, let me know. I'd like to get a quote on a high number if possible. I am not looking to make money on this, this started purely for my personal collection. The price I pay is the price you pay, simple as that. If anyone is interested email me at splurge@satx.rr.com . I hopefully will get the final price per box by Friday. I, in no way, am trying to steal buisness away from anyone, so please dont take offence.

Thanks all!
Brian

I am also looking into reproducing the labels. I have looked into a few companies, but not made any progress.

hmm. sounds interesting. i may buy a few.

Originally posted by NeoTurfMasta:
<STRONG>I am also looking into reproducing the labels. I have looked into a few companies, but not made any progress.</STRONG>

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the labels are probably something you could do on your own with the right logos and font. kinko's makes decent sticker sheets that would work well with something such as this.

good luck!

Thanks bugula! I'll check that out. I'd like to get them to look identical to SNK original.


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Update:

I just got word from the box guy. Here is a copy of his email:

O.K. I can do that but I would suggest that you get more than that.
There will be a die charge of $300.00 this is a one time charge and the boxes are $1.81 ea on 250 qty. Please call to let me know how you want to do it.
Thanks


I did not expect the fee to be so high. If my math is right:

$1.81 * 250 = $425.50
Setup fee = $300
Total = $725.50

725.50/250 = $2.90 each

Hmmmm... The setup fee is a bitch. What do you guys think? I don't have that kind of cash to put into this kind of investment. I have had a few people email me about these but I dont think it is enough to fill 250 orders. If there are any investors that are interested, let me know. I cant take this bill myself. People who emailed me: If your still interested, please send me an exact number of boxes you are wanting to get so I can tell this guy a final number and get a quote.

Thanks all

TURF MASTER this is AWSOME!
I was going to propose this to everyone as well. if these will be identical to the ones snk had made I will order A very large quantitl from you. keep us updated.

I sent him my new Nightmare in the Dark MVS case and he said he could do it no problem. I will ask him once again if they will be exactly exactly perfectly identical...

Originally posted by NeoTurfMasta:
<STRONG>I did not expect the fee to be so high. </STRONG>

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the real way printers, etc make their money is from the setup charge as everything after that is pretty much automated. even if you decide to do a small run now, you'll be able to do another run later at a lower cost as you've already paid the die charge.

i'd suggest you get the die made and do a small run based on interest and then do a larger run later if interest picks up as the initial brunt of the cost will have been absorbed.

i am a bit concerned though who these might be selling to as i don't need to wade through bootleg MVS kits as i'm already worried with bootleg carts. seeing as the boxes would be one of the toughest things to fake.

just a bit of my paranoia coming through...

[ July 25, 2001: Message edited by: bugula ]

Originally posted by bugula:
<STRONG>
i am a bit concerned though who these might be selling to as i don't need to wade through bootleg MVS kits as i'm already worried with bootleg carts.

just a bit of my paranoia coming through...</STRONG>

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I completely understand, I thought about that too. The price is a lot more then I hoped to spend. On getting different numbers heres what he says:

Here's the quote for 400 boxes $1.60 ea 100 Qty. is $4.07 ea Plus the one time die charge $300.00 and shipping.
Thanks

This is the first time shipping fee has come into the picture, but I should have guessed. I had hoped the fee would include shipping. I know very little about this industry. Thanks for the help.

Originally posted by bugula:
<STRONG>the labels are probably something you could do on your own with the right logos and font. kinko's makes decent sticker sheets that would work well with something such as this.

good luck!</STRONG>

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So have you made some stickers at Kinko? If I see correctly the serial # is stamped in...so the label is actually blank when it is made. A seperate machine stamps the matching serial #'s on later? It would be nice to see a perfect replica of the sticker.....I'm just scared we'll start seeing.......multiple #00001 copies of MVS games poping up on ebay......from anyone in particular? <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0"> Don't want to see the MVS tainted by more than just bootleg carts....if you catch my drift..... <IMG SRC="smilies/ohno.gif" border="0">

Originally posted by NeoTurfMasta:
<STRONG>Here's the quote for 400 boxes $1.60 ea 100 Qty. is $4.07 ea Plus the one time die charge $300.00 and shipping.
Thanks

This is the first time shipping fee has come into the picture, but I should have guessed. I had hoped the fee would include shipping. I know very little about this industry. Thanks for the help.</STRONG>

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now we're getting a glimpse of what Big Bear had to go through to get his boxes made and they weren't cardboard. <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

there's been a saying that i've heard over the years and that's "i didn't get into this for money, if i did, i'd be a cardboard box manufacturer." guess i know why. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

the cost is justifyable if you really want to store your carts like that.

Originally posted by djbomberman:
<STRONG>So have you made some stickers at Kinko? If I see correctly the serial # is stamped in...so the label is actually blank when it is made. A seperate machine stamps the matching serial #'s on later? It would be nice to see a perfect replica of the sticker.....I'm just scared we'll start seeing.......multiple #00001 copies of MVS games poping up on ebay......from anyone in particular? <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0"> Don't want to see the MVS tainted by more than just bootleg carts....if you catch my drift..... <IMG SRC="smilies/ohno.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

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my thoughts exactly.

i have made stickers at kinko's and they have several types of sticker paper to use.

the label design would be easy to recreate if the logos were available in a vector format and if we knew the font used for the game title, copyright info, etc.

i think it's safe to say that if someone were to do something like this, they shouldn't number the labels as they could find their way onto carts and matching boxes.

Since my decision can effect the Neo scene, I think it's up to everyone to decide if this is a good thing. There are strong consequences that can happen from these. Bootlegs may go up and I dont know if I want to be paritally responsible for that. I don't have to have these, but I would like to. I wanted to get a small amount, but as you can see, it is very costly to get just 100. <IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0">

personally, i don't have an interest in owning any of these as i only like my complete kits to be in their boxes.

if this is handled responsibly it shouldn't become a problem. by responsibly i mean, one source should handle the boxes (and labels if there are to be some). the boxes should not be sent without first being 'tagged'. whether this be a game label (without numbers) applied or some type of physical mark, distinguishing these from the original SNK boxes. by doing so, it would be easy to tell which is which if the time ever came for someone to want to bootleg kits. the mini-marquees at this point would be the only thing really stopping them from doing a decent bootleg kit.

actually, i take that marquee part back. if someone was slick enough to get sheets of acetate and was a decent enough silkscreener, they could produce somewhat believable marquees that would look real in photos.

Silkscreening isnt even necessary at this point... with the right opaque printer you could simply scan in an original marquee and print out a brand new fake within minutes. Of course said printers are between 5k and 25k but if someone had access to one at work they would be in business.

Originally posted by ExeterIsLame:
<STRONG>Silkscreening isnt even necessary at this point... with the right opaque printer you could simply scan in an original marquee and print out a brand new fake within minutes. Of course said printers are between 5k and 25k but if someone had access to one at work they would be in business.</STRONG>

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i'd love to be friends with the person that's got a printer at work that can print nicely to acetate.

me love him long time.

At first I thought that was not a bad idea, NeoTurfMasta. However, in thinking more about it, it seems to me that it would not be a good idea to make these boxes, UNLESS they're a completely different color than the existing MVS cardboard ones. They could, as pointed out by others here, be used for fakes.

I bought 50 red MVS cases from Big Bear, and I love them! Seriously, you can't judge them until you try them out. They're very high quality, will fit the MVS artwork (larger color sheets) very nicely in the front and back, and have some space inside to store the mini marquee and even long sticker.

It seems kind of pointless to have cardboard boxes made when Big Bear is already offering the excellent red custom fitted MVS cases, and at a very reasonable price too. Although, I will say that any full MVS kits that I get, stay in their original cardboard boxes . . . I like keeping them original! <IMG SRC="smilies/eek2.gif" border="0">

If you can have them for $3 each,count on me for 30 of them

Well guys, I called it off. I dont have the cash to front the production, and there seems to be a lot of negative feeling towards it. I had a few interested people, but it just wasnt enough to fill 200+ box orders. Thanks to all who were interested, I just wont be able to do it at this time.



[ July 26, 2001: Message edited by: NeoTurfMasta ]

the one time die charge

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That's a normal issue. In printing, Die's are expensive.
However, you might be able to cut em a deal.
You pay, when their done, have them hand over the die to you.
Then you can have more made cheaply forever.

Also, On the sticker issue guys.
IMO, it is not cool to make them exact.
I suggest you have a the #'ing be :
serial# Homebrew.
That way, anyone can immediatly tell it's a fan made reprint. & not a part of snk's run.
Having it be exact, is wrong, & would hurt the communitty in th long run.
Just my 2cents.

but when you buy a new MVS you haven't any case?

Originally posted by robert:
<STRONG>but when you buy a new MVS you haven't any case?</STRONG>

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you get the cart (in a bubble wrap pouch), the stickers/marquee/flyers/dip sheets all in a cardboard box.

This is a great thread.
You guys are basically breaking down what SHOCK went through with the release of SHOCK BOX.
I mean this is a very light outline of what SHOCK went through because the manufacturer will promise you anything to get your business. A sample can be misleading and the manufacturing does'nt always go smoothly.
I thought about the idea of cardboard boxes long ago but I did'nt want to be accused of ruining the authentic collecter's MVS market in some type of way.
I mean once you get the cardboard box created you still need the artwork,etc
This basically boils down to counterfeiting.
the reason for the SHOCK BOX was to build and customize your own MVS library.A Fun Homebrew project where you could get over that psychological hump of not having that COOL INSERT and a manual.
I've gained alot of experience and I am grateful for that. I intend to release the black case in the future.I have redesigned the site and made it more user friendly.
The price has even decreased on 'SHOCK BOX' in anticipation of a new RUN not because business is slow.I am working hard to make it affordable for ALL to own SHOCK BOX.I have recieved alot of repeat business and those of you who are interested in the black who purchased @ the 9.99 price will be given a great MAKE-UP DEAL!! That 1st time support from people like chimpmeister & Mouse Master was really BIG-TYME <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">
Insert participation has slowed abit. i am still waiting for the all important faq's from designers..basically an outline of what they do to print out there inserts....
My medical condition is improving with everyday (THANKYOU!) and we'll be stepping up and kicking some butt in the future!
Anyone is welcome to participate in this HOME BREW greatness. I will have an outline of instructions on the site,basically everything you need to know.
The Snug cases I mentioned,sold after my last post.I will comb through some more stock to see what I uncover.
Check out the site @SHOCK BOX user friendly designed site!!!
Thankyou-BB <IMG SRC="smilies/tickled.gif" border="0">

BB:

Glad to hear everything is going smoothly. <IMG SRC="smilies/glee.gif" border="0">

Just a little update:

After I told the manufacturer that I wouldnt be able to do it he never contacted me again. I asked him twice to return the box I sent him, no box, no reply. It's funny, he was quick to reply when I was trying to make these boxes. Oh well...