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Replica System/Expansion Boxes


cOLeCoHiTMan

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Since people have made replica labels, started boxes for Donkey Kong and Turbo, and now there will be one for the arcade controller.

 

1) what the demand for a replica ColecoVision box? I've never seen one and from ones on ebay they are in bad condition.

 

2) what is demand for replica boxes for expansion modules?

 

3) Would anyone be interested in taking on this endeavour this if there is demand? ;) Guesstimates on cost?

 

With no styrofoam inserts, they should be able to be mailed flat which would reduce packaging for shipping.

I know with no styrofoam they aren't of much use for storing, but how many of us have our systems packed away?

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It's a great idea Brett, and I've though of doing it. About the largest I can print is 12 x 18. However I could do a longer print, but I think the widest is about 12" or 13" for me. If I can find a way to engineer a box using limited dimensions, it would be a great project to undertake.

 

One thing I can do is create the artwork in Photoshop. If I take the time to generate high quality 600 dpi files, then it would be a matter of finding the right vendor at the right price to print these boxes. Depending on cost, it might require prepaid commitments to do this.

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The only thing is to make a replica box that is that big in great quality, it would be very pricey and I would think it would need styrofoam inserts just to have the box hold it's shape. I don't know maybe Phattyboombatty can work some magic ;)

 

Maybe a box that wouldn't fit a colecovision but instead would look like a store display might be a better option, I don't know just throwing some ideas out there. ;-) I saw a few of those last year of real store display game boxes that are extra large game boxes that looked super cool.

Edited by RelliK111
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Is that possible to have styrofoams inserts without a mold?

 

I'm actually checking for this as I want styrofoam insert for the Arcade Controller

 

Actually I believe the answer is no... but I would love to be wrong.

Edited by opcode
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I'm sure this can be done but, there are some major hurtles. The first issue is how does one print on corrugated board? You don't. It must be done at a professional printer (he will not do it because it will have copyrighted info on it). Card stock can easily be used but, many systems boxes were corrugated board. Which means you now have to reinforce the card stock box. The largest card stock print I can make is 13" x 19". In theory I can print larger but, I'm limited to 13 inches wide. Good luck finding a good card stock that is larger than 13" x 19".

 

Formed styrofoam you will need a mold but, cut styrofoam you would not. That in itself has issues. Cut styrofoam will not look as pretty as molded. In other words, you will not have nice rounded corners and the name molded into the styrofoam. Cut styrofoam (or just stiff foam rubber) is most commonly used with low production runs. If you go will cut foam I would highly recommend using stiff foam rubber and not styrofoam. Basically, you would cut pieces of foam and glue them together with a hot glue gun to make the shape you need.

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The original colecovision box was NOT corrugated, it was basically card stock.

 

Regarding the foam inserts, you might be able to approximate them by wrapping a colecovision unit and/or place-holders made of wood (or something) with wax paper and spraying "Great Stuff" foam or something similar into the correct size/shape box.

 

Even if you did decide to make molds out of wood, it might not be that difficult for someone who has a good workshop.

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The original colecovision box was NOT corrugated, it was basically card stock.

 

Never actually handled a CV box but, that make sense considering they use a full styrofoam insert. Even if it is card stock like (most likely chip board, about 2-3 times as thick as card stock) there is still the problem of being able to only print 13" x 19" and finding large enough white card stock to print it on if you can over come the size issue.

 

Regarding the foam inserts, you might be able to approximate them by wrapping a colecovision unit and/or place-holders made of wood (or something) with wax paper and spraying "Great Stuff" foam or something similar into the correct size/shape box.

 

Even if you did decide to make molds out of wood, it might not be that difficult for someone who has a good workshop.

 

Well, I would think that is doable but, you would need to make sure the wood box could come apart to release the foam pieces. Also your foam insert would be colored yellow. Not a big deal but some may not like that.

 

The best diy way I can think of to make a "commercial" like box is to use one of these type of standard boxes:

 

280_xl.jpg

and cover it with really big printed labels. Now, since the box is white, the box designer would be very wise to use white (or at least a light gray) as the background color for any labels he/she comes up with. The reason being is it would be very difficult to cover 100% the entire box with a label to hide the white. Plus you want to minimize your ink/toner usage on something that large. And for those wondering, yes I've looked into this.

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I tend to agree with Phil. The other way to do it (or phrase it), would be to print several precision decals that would then be placed over a properly manufactured box of the correct dimensions. This would not be difficult to render and print, but it would be difficult to place each decal with exact alignment.

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  • 3 years later...

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