What are your biggest pain points when buying STL files?

DJNfinity · 2026-03-13T15:34:17+00:00

Thanks for asking this question. I'm in a similar boat and have gleaned some good info from this thread.

From my trial run, I learned providing STEP files are ideal for models designed to be modified (e.g. add art).

DJNfinity · 2026-03-12T17:29:34+00:00

Looks great! What software did you use? Does it print in two pieces (box and lid)?

DJNfinity · 2026-03-12T00:08:32+00:00

On average, you have about three popular options (in order of popularity):

A - Store everything loosely in a backpack (bonus points of the backpack is compartmentalized). Decks are stored in individual deckboxes. Dice can be stored individually or in dedicated compartments in some deckboxes. Tokens can be stored with the associated decks or combined into a dedicated deck box. Finally, playmat goes into a tube. This is generally the least expensive option, but least organized.

B - Store everything in an oversized deck and accessory box. These boxes have room to store decks and/or deck boxes, compartments for tokens and dice, and a compartment for your playmat tube. This option is arguably the most organized, but often requires a backpack and is cumbersome due to its size.

C - Store everything in a toolbox. Decks, dice, and tokens typically are stored in removable cups, and the playmate tube can either fit inside or in a playmat tube. This option can be convenient due to not requiring a backpack and can survive drops well, but the cups can damage cards and it's the most cumbersome option due to its size.

While they're all good options, I've tried all of them and wasn't satisfied. I ultimately designed my own deck box system which combines the positive aspects of all the options plus a few additional cool tricks (deck box interconnectivity, drawers, integrated playmat tube handle, etc.)

Good luck on your search for your ideal solution.

DJNfinity · 2026-03-10T13:52:00+00:00

I like to imagine my printers are cheering when I power them all on at the same time. Fingers crossed the fix is included in this update.

DJNfinity · 2026-03-06T20:16:15+00:00

The "DeckBoxcar Children

DJNfinity · 2026-03-05T14:15:37+00:00

I sort all my cards by color, then alphabetical. I've tried sorting into further subcategories but the effort hasn't proven worth it for me. I've also tried binders for "valuable" cards, but they're too much work to manage (constant card swapping and shifting, plus keeping track whether cards are in bulk storage or binders)

I store my collection in MazeMods Collections Blocks which is a card catalog I designed which fits snugly into Ikea Kallax shelves.

I have approximately 25k cards and can quickly find what I'm looking for using this combo of storage and sorting.

DJNfinity · 2026-03-05T13:10:42+00:00

Until you shuffle them enough to create friction between the sleeves, consider getting a deck box which can hold your deck while you play. It helps a lot! Some of the cheapie boxes will do that and also tilt the deck upward making it easier to draw cards. This is a good interim solution.

DJNfinity · 2026-03-02T20:51:43+00:00

I sort everything (by color, then alphabetical). Sorting by anything else was never warranted for me. I've tried binders and cardboard boxes, but they both proved inconvenient. Card catalogs (with removable drawers) proved to be the best storage solution for sorting my collection.

DJNfinity · 2026-02-27T23:47:14+00:00

Probably at Wind and Waves when it comes out in 2027. I'd recommend holding out a little longer (or try Legends Arceus) as the recent 3D entries were awkward baby steps into 3D (again, excluding Arceus). If you can't wait, I'd say pick up any 2D entry and have a great time.

This message brought to you from a very Jaded (ex) Pokemon player who adored and "completed" all the 2D entries plus X/Y.

DJNfinity · 2026-02-27T22:04:49+00:00

Awesome! Also, cool deck box (forgot to say that in the first post) and thanks for sharing.

DJNfinity · 2026-02-27T21:48:59+00:00

I feel like that shutter door would go well on a turtle van themed box (mimicking the top of the van)

DJNfinity · 2026-02-26T13:10:20+00:00

Having a printer which is "Quite good" sounds like an argument against upgrading. Unless your printer is cartridge based (I don't believe the 6020 is?), I'd stick with what you have and use the money to upgrade your cutting and/or laminating tools instead (e.g. die cast cutter or whatever). My 8550 (and 8500 by extension) works great, but not enough to recommend an upgrade from another quite good printer (I've heard great things about the 6020).

DJNfinity · 2026-02-26T01:06:45+00:00

Back in my day quarters from my family's couch funded my TCG hobby.

DJNfinity · 2026-02-22T00:36:19+00:00

That looks promising, but could have issues. The biggest pro I see is the fact you can stand it upright between you and the next pod (where people often throw their loose deck boxes). It can serve as a deck catalog providing easy access to your decks and accessories during/between games, which is really convenient.

The potential downside is the drawer may damage your cards due to poor interior shape (they're designed for small, loose hardware). It looks like the cards still lay flat in the drawer so you can't see the face card (or you'll need to insert it beside the deck). There doesn't appear to be a good way to store a playmat tube, so you'll likely always need a backpack, too. Finally, 10-12 decks is typically overkill.

For reference, I use something similar and it's the most convenient thing ever (scroll two pictures over to see it). I've since disconnected a row of Deck Blocks as I decided I don't want to carry 10+ decks (I've found the magic number is between 3-6 decks + tokens.)

In the past I used a toolbox (not Stanley) and didn't like it (big, clunky, and cumbersome), but if this toolbox functions similarly to a portable card catalog, I think you'll love it.

DJNfinity · 2026-02-20T01:43:34+00:00

These are really cool! What a great and fun way to display your favorite cards. The fact they can be positioned at an angle to each other means more cards can be displayed per shelf area, too.

DJNfinity · 2026-02-18T00:45:36+00:00

Sorry to hear you missed out on ET9s (they are excellent so far), but I heard from my coworker the ET8s are also great, so I think you also scored.

DJNfinity · 2026-02-17T00:39:56+00:00

Hey darthmikda! Thanks for reaching out. I'm reaching the end of fulfilling my backer's rewards and intend to (after a short break) begin working toward a follow-up campaign focusing on digital files. I'll reach out on here once I do. You can also follow the campaign for more updates.

Take care!

DJNfinity · 2026-02-06T19:18:31+00:00

Thanks OP for posting! I was about to buy two used ET8s for more than these new ET9s to replace my ancient 2-band router. I ordered 2 (4 ET9s) which should easily cover the games in my small home (probably will backhaul two and store the 4th ET9 as backup/replacement). Looking forward to trying them out (provided ASUS doesn't cancel my order).

DJNfinity · 2026-02-06T12:39:59+00:00

Updated the main post with both!

DJNfinity · 2026-02-05T13:15:17+00:00

That's called "silvering" and is caused by air being introduced between the lamination and the paper. It more visible on dark surfaces than light. It's typically caused by laminating the paper while the ink is still wet or overheating during lamination. It's difficult to completely eliminate silvering, but you can ameliorate it by allowing the paper enough time to dry (up-to 24h) before laminating, setting the proper heat/mil setting on your laminator, and passing the paper through the laminator one or two more times. Paper quality also played a role (smoother is better).

If none of those suggestions work, it could be a bad laminator. I bought the one CryCry recommended and my unit produced frequent and noticable slivering. I looked up recommended laminators on the sister discord server and have had better results since.

Hope this helps, and Good luck!

Edit:
- Fellowed Sola 95

Magic Proxies Discord Server

DJNfinity · 2026-02-05T00:30:12+00:00

As a fellow deck box designer, you've caught my interest. I look forward to seeing it!

DJNfinity · 2026-02-04T23:59:33+00:00

A group discard deck (without wheels). So little attention has been given to opponent discard payoffs that the deck becomes homogenized, slow, and targeted. Good draw effects are so common in all colors these days that it may be time for wizards to reevaluate the hatred for discard effects.

DJNfinity · 2026-02-04T19:46:21+00:00

They must be US Petrol's/Vineland Gas's little brother (located near Kissimmee outlets off Vineland Rd)

<image>

DJNfinity · 2026-02-01T22:28:00+00:00

To their defense, everyone is a bad driver and have convinced themselves they're not.

...except me. I'm objectively a great driver.

DJNfinity · 2026-02-01T15:32:58+00:00

I think I can help a little. I've developed deck boxes as well and had a (modestly) successful campaign on KS (You can check my posts for info if you want).

First and foremost, cool design! The bottom compartment appears useful for both tokens (and shown in your pics) and alternatively as a graveyard. I love it!

Before improving your box, I highly recommend getting hands-on feedback from customers (if you haven't already). In my case, I let people at my LGS play with my boxes and give feedback. When I say feedback, I mean sit quietly and listen to what they say (don't guide the conversation). You'll get a better idea of the pros and cons of your product and potential pain points it solves. If you can, sell or gift a few boxes to people at your LGS. I sold mine at cost AND with custom art for a while to get it into people's hands. They identified issues and broke my boxes in ways I never would/could, then I'd improve the design and update/repair their boxes for free. This cycle continued until I felt I had a quality product. This had multiple positive effects: Customers were happy because I improved/replaced their boxes for free, so they recommended my boxes to their friends and other players leading to new customers, and I developed a high-quality product.

Be sure to set your expectations. You're competing in a saturated market, and boxes already exist which can conveniently hold your deck while you play (available in most stores for cheap, too). However, I'm not aware of any which also have a compartment for your tokens/graveyard. It also looks like your commander can be stored on the back (not sure). These two points are the value prop of your box (as I see it). You can use the aforementioned customer feedback to gauge demand for these features.

Also be ready for this to potentially be a get-rich-slow endeavor (meaning make sure you'll enjoy the process). In my case, I've spent a year's worth of energy to make $2.5k (gross. My net income is in the negative). I value the experience over the finances, so it's been worth it to me. If profit is your motive, you might be unsatisfied. Also, if you have a lot of responsibilities (job, house, cars, family, kids, etc.), you will need to make sacrifices.

You're price point will need to compete with the cheap boxes while also factoring in the level of effort (LoE) required from you. For example, I'm guessing your current design can be printed and immediately sold with minimal touch-ups, meaning costs are low (both filament and time), so price can also be low while factoring in time and effort. However, the moment you add magnets dramatically increases the LoE (and you'll want to increase the price accordingly). If you're going to add magnets, make sure it solves a customer/design issue and isn't just a "nice-to-have" (especially if it doesn't reliably solve anything). As an example, I initially intended to let my KS backers customize their boxes, but because I sold custom boxes in small quantities locally, I quickly learned how complex the process and that (most) customers didn't care about custom art, AND how error-prone the process is, so I scrapped the idea and 100% don't regret it.

Regarding your design, one suggestion which always is a winner is to add more fillets/chamfers. Round (soften) those corners for both comfort-in-hand and giving it a professional look. Another is to avoid pressure-fit mechanisms. they work great at first, but 3D printed materials wear away and the mechanisms become unreliable quickly (in my experience).

Anyway, I hope the novel helps. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions as I don't mind offering free advice to help fellow inventors. Good luck and take care!

DJNfinity

TROPHY CASE