TFT Gamemasters Screen -- What needs to be in it?

[JLV]

Or maybe come with a built in pizza stone...

[Ronald]

For some reason I was just thinking about the Hackmaster 4e screen which was laminated so wet/dry erase markers could be used on it.
I have not used a screen in quite some time, but I wonder if any of you see value in such a feature?
I also have no idea as to the feasibility of manufacture.

(Also useful for easy cleanup of stains, spills, smudges, fingerprints, etc.)

[JLV]

That's an excellent idea, but I have no idea what it would do to production costs, timelines, or profit margins.

[Steve Jackson]

It would add cost. With current tech, it would probably not change production time.

I'm not sure I see the value in making the ref screen shiny/water-resistant - reflective things, in fact, are harder for me to read. But I will invite others to speak on the subject.

[JLV]

I suppose you WOULD have to do it to both sides, wouldn't you? I was thinking more of the GM side of the screen though, so he could literally take notes on things that needed to be done, or adjust results for a specific issue for his campaign, etc., with a grease pencil or something.

Reflective on the player side would be a pain in the tochus. That's a problem for me -- remembering that the PLAYERS will want to read the information on their side and use this thing too! ;-)

[ak_aramis]

Originally Posted by Steve Jackson

It would add cost. With current tech, it would probably not change production time.

I'm not sure I see the value in making the ref screen shiny/water-resistant - reflective things, in fact, are harder for me to read. But I will invite others to speak on the subject.

The potential advantages of a laminated screens:

• The ability to use overhead pens to call out session-specific items
• Tape does not lift text off (neither by pulling the ink/toner off nor by pulling the fibers it's on/in away from the substrate)
• Resistance to spilled beverages (provided the edges are sealed, too)
• Slightly improved wear and tear resistance

Drawbacks:

• increased Glare (many paper screens have glare, too)
• increased price
• increased shipping mass

Also, matte finish lamination exists, and is a standard in naval charts, and used by some pilots for checklists, Terminal Approach Charts, Terminal ground/taxi charts, and terminal data pages. It has an added benefit: one can write upon it with pencil. (Erasing needs a gum or vinyl eraser; rubber won't do; it damages the finish. Scotch tape, however, will lift the pencil...)

[JLV]

Originally Posted by ak_aramis

Also, matte finish lamination exists, and is a standard in naval charts, and used by some pilots for checklists, Terminal Approach Charts, Terminal ground/taxi charts, and terminal data pages. It has an added benefit: one can write upon it with pencil. (Erasing needs a gum or vinyl eraser; rubber won't do; it damages the finish. Scotch tape, however, will lift the pencil...)

That last is quite true -- we used that when I flew Helicopters for the USAF (which was almost 30 years ago); I'd frankly forgotten that.

However, having said that, it might be more expensive than regular lamination.

(Which also raises the point that if we can find a print shop willing to do the job, we could always just laminate them ourselves...)

[Rick_Smith]

I do not see any need for the ability to write on the GM screen. It's job is to hide my secret papers, and provide info in a big, easy to read format.

Warm regards, Rick.

[ak_aramis]

Originally Posted by JLV

That last is quite true -- we used that when I flew Helicopters for the USAF (which was almost 30 years ago); I'd frankly forgotten that.

However, having said that, it might be more expensive than regular lamination.

(Which also raises the point that if we can find a print shop willing to do the job, we could always just laminate them ourselves...)

Relative cost varies by size - for pouch laminators, it's about 30-50% extra. For 3x4' maps, it's more than 10x the cost, due to low demand.

[JLV]

Originally Posted by Rick_Smith

I do not see any need for the ability to write on the GM screen. It's job is to hide my secret papers, and provide info in a big, easy to read format.

Warm regards, Rick.

That may be true, Rick, but other folks would seemingly like to have the capability.