[argentis]

Hi guys, I've got some Cardinal chips from Wally world, and I got to thinking that if I could label them, I'd have a cheap, unique set of chips. Has anyone else done this, and what were the results? For me right now, this might be my best path to a set of custom chips, unless I win the lottery or something like that.

I await your responses and/or flames,
Argentis

[philhutchings]

i have 600 cardinals also, no labels though. Did you get a good batch? i've noticed the chips i bought 3 yrs ago were alot higher quality than the cheapies there selling now, anyways if they wiegh 7.5 and are really stable u have the ones i do, if not there lesser quality (seriously my cardinals are nearly as stable as chips in the casino, i prefer my nexgens but my cardinals are more stable). If there lesser quality definately don't go to the expense to label them.

anyways labelwise i wouldn't recommend it, these are inexpensive chips and proper lables would cost u nearly double the cost per chip labels and also make ur chips unstable in a stack since they are not recessed. These are great non-denominated low cost chips, if your worried about people sneaking chips in your could use those little coloured dot stickers to mark ur chips as yours. If you want denominated chips there are cheap alternatives on the net for composite 11.5's with labels already on them for $50-100 for a 500 chip set, maybe even someone here may be selling an old set. Or if you want to label your own chips the Nexgen line is relatively affordable but by the time u pay to label them properly your nearly in the price range of a ceramic. I'd say leave em alone.

Yay for cardinals though, there my 2nd table, travel and emergency replacement set. you can't beat 200 chips for $10 (what i paid and bought 3 cases).

[WolfPack]

if I was in a tight money situation I don't think I would bother labeling cardinal chips. I would just wait till I could get a set that is made for labeling (nexgens or progens).

My first set I made the mistake of buying super diamonds and labeling them, I only kept them for a month becuase I wasn't happy with them.

also the cardinals as well as my super diamonds had the problem of labels rubbing together.

back when I labeled the super diamonds my daughter wanted her own labeled chips so I gave her some cardinals and my extra labels.

for the record

labaled super diamond


labeled nexgen


cardinal

[KingZilla]

I too, would advise against labelling these type of chips. I labelled superdiamonds and the problem is that there is no recessed inlay area. Putting labels on increases the thickness of the chips and it's just not good. If you use vinyl labels they will stick together tenaciously. Paper labels won't do that, but will still make the chips thicker. I'd say either use the chips as they are, or get chips with a recessed inlay area.

[abby99]

As already mentioned, labeling chips without a recess doesn't work well. Watching for a sale on Nexgens and labeling those seems like a much better alternative with a reasonably low cost.

If you're determined to do something with your Cardinals, perhaps they could be cold-stamped (inexpensive) or lazered.

[argentis]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm not dead-set on labelling these chips, I just thought that if I could, that would tide me over until I can get the cash together for a nice set of chips. Not a big deal, I just was looking at some label sellers, and thought that if they would work, it would be a cheap substitute until I can afford some nice customs down the road.

[jalsing]

I labeled my first set which were Cardinal's and though they don't have the recessed area I don't really have a big problem. Of course, I have a bit of play in my case so the extra thickness doesn't affect them. I agree though that more investment will probably be in the labels than the chips themselves, so maybe wait till you can get a set you'll be happy with that can accommodate a label better.

[Hog Wild]

We label non-recessed chips All the time. Just ask the Faux guys...

We use 2mil vinyl that is the thinnest on the market...

If you want a cheap custom set and would pay $65 for 1000+ labels.

These do work.

[KingZilla]

To follow up on my post, I found this deal on progens.
Click here:
10g Pro-Gen Hi-Grade : The Net Workz, Inc., Casino Supplies, Novelties, Collectables and MORE!!!

At 26¢ per chip, this is a pretty good deal. If you have the resources to buy these, check it out. Progens are pretty much the same as the Wallson/PI clays.
I recently purchased a set of these:

Poker Chips - Clay Poker Chips - Clay No Metal Insert 10 gram Casino Pyramids Poker Chips

These chips are essentially the same as Wallson/Progen/PI Clay, just a different mold. I can tell you that I am absolutely THRILLED with the quality of these chips, even if the inlay isn't my all time favorite. I have experience with Paulson chips and IMO, the hype about these chips is true: In a blindfold test, I CANNOT tell the difference between these chips and Paulsons. I was able to break one in half with my bare hands, but it took maximum effort. For the price, I have not found a better chip yet and only 34¢ per chip with inlays, ready to play. You may want to check these out for only a few cents more per chip. Good Luck.