All Microgame Design Group games come with unmounted counters. While this may be a nuisance to the purchaser, it is a significant saving for us. Besides keeping costs down (both physical components and postage), there is a great deal of personal time saved with this shortcut. The time and money saved enables us to come out with more designs per year. Also, by keeping our costs low, we can do more games on obscure topics with less concern about recovering costs.
There are a variety of ways to construct counters. Note that before play, the owner must prepare the counters. Glue the counter sheet onto Bristol board or heavy cardstock and cut out the individual counter. Posterboard is usually too thin (but is fine if doubled up) and corrugated cardboard is too thick. Also, a paper cutter can be helpful at producing sharp, square units.
Cardboard: An important first step in constructing counters is the choice of backing. The best choice is Bristol board or heavy cardstock, which can be purchased in most art shops. Poster board or cereal box cardboard is usually too thin (but is fine if doubled up) and corrugatedcardboard is too thick.
Glue: A number of glues can be used to mounter counters.
White glue is an obvious choice but when it dries, the counter become very hard, which most gamers find undesirable.
Perhaps the simplest and most cost effective is rubber cement. Rub both surfaces and wait until they get tacky before mounting.
Another popular option is spray adhesive. While providing a smooth coating, this stuff is messy and doesn't wash off easily so don't do it on the kitchen table. Best to take it to a well ventalated area with lots of newsprint underneath the target.
Mounting: Mounting is a straight forward task. It is better to lay the paper down and place the cardboard onto the paper. This will reduce the chances of wrinkling. When placing the cardboard, start by placing one edge of the cardboard onto the paper so as to line everything up (especially important for double-sided counters) and then slowly lower the other side of the cardbord onto the paper.
When mounting double-sided counters, mount the first side of the counters as described and then cut away three of the four sides of the counter array. When placing the second side, use the cut edge to line up the cardboard with the second sheet. A light table or window is helpful for proper alignment.
Cutting: Again there are several choices.
The obvious choice is scissors but depending on the thickness of the cardboard, this could be a difficult job.
The most popular choice is a razor and straight edge. While tedious, this approach produces fine, square counters.
A third alternative is to use a paper cutter. The paper cutter must be a strong one with sharp edges, otherwise the counters can get mangled.
When cutting counters, cut away three of the four sides on the mounted counter array leaving a good inch or more of dead space or buffer on one side. Now place cuts from the edge opposite the buffer towards the buffer without going through it. This will create a series of strips of counters all attached by the buffer. Finally cut across the strips to produce the individual counters.