Help with decal identifiers (or some sort of stickers)

[Viperion]

Hi all,

This is my first post. I did research my question beforehand and I did find some suggestions, but now I'm looking for specific links to products.

The thing is, my best friend and I own different full games and expansions. We want to join our tiles in a big game, and it is all ok when it comes to the expansions (they have a small watermark that identifies them, depending on the type of expansion, right?); however, when it comes to the main game (for example, the main game tiles in the Big Box and the ones in the standard 3rd edition, which have no watermark) we would like to know, at the end of the game, which ones belong to whom.

So, I saw several options, including marking the tiles on the side of the pile with a line and so on. I don't want to "give away" the nature of the tile while playing (to keep "chance" and "strategy" intact). The best option for us was to find super-tiny stickers that would be transparent and would have a letter in them. The issue is that I haven't found stickers that would fit such criteria unless they're quite big.

I really only need two letters ("G" and "R"), but I would buy the complete alphabet if needed. The only thing I would like is for them to be smaller than 5mm in diameter (if possible), or the smallest possible for them not to interfere much with the aesthetics of the tile. Also, the glue should be as unabrasive as possible, so it won't take the design away when trying to take it away or replace it.

The only tiny-enough stickers I've found have been jewel mocks. They aren't flat and that interferes with building the tile piles. So, I was wondering:

Has anyone managed to find sticker/decal identifiers that would be the tiniest possible (even if they have nothing to do with the letters of the alphabet)?
If so, where can one get them?

Any answer is much appreciated.

Thank you all for reading

Linkback: https://www.carcassonnecentral.com/community/index.php?topic=6663.0

[kothmann]

Hi @Viperion.  Welcome to the Forum.

I don’t know about stickers.  My experience (not with Carcassonne tiles) is that the glue always finds its way to the edges of the sticker.

I made a set if double-sides tiles and made a custom flower icon on one side of each tile so you could olay a regular single-sided game with the tiles.  You can see the set here:
https://share.icloud.com/photos/020DOlwCbW_r8GrldUf2GkmdA

But I would probably go with a marking on the backs on your tiles and then use a bag for drawing tiles so the backs don’t matter.

Whatever you decide please post a photo of your final landscape—should be epic!

[Ker42]

Hello, Viperion, and let me welcome you to the Forum as well.  A non-sticker option would be to sleeve all the tiles and then slide in a small slip of paper with your initial.  Might want to put the paper slip on the back of the tile though, so as not to block any features, and as kothmann said, use a bag.  I recommend Swan Premium Card Sleeves (47x47mm).  Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[Viperion]

But I would probably go with a marking on the backs on your tiles and then use a bag for drawing tiles so the backs don’t matter.

This was also an idea I saw, yes. Thank you so much for your honest opinion. The tiles in the picture look rad, btw. I think I WILL use a bag anyway, now that you mention it.

A non-sticker option would be to sleeve all the tiles and then slide in a small slip of paper with your initial.  Might want to put the paper slip on the back of the tile though, so as not to block any features, and as kothmann said, use a bag.  I recommend Swan Premium Card Sleeves (47x47mm).  Good luck and let us know how it goes!

This is also a good idea. Would the sleeves prevent me from using the 9x9 tile grids? (because of making the tiles slightly "broader".

Thank you both for your suggestions 

[Ker42]

Hmm, I don't use tile grids, but the sleeves don't add much extra width so they might work okay.  I like the added benefit of protecting the tiles from people who like to snack while they play.   

[Meepledrone]

If you sleeve the tiles, you can paint a dot with a permanent pen on the front of the sleeve for one of the sets. You can avoid adding stuff in the sleeves: Just sleeve the tile and paint the dot on the sleeve.

[Viperion]

You're all right.

So I'll avoid the grids, use the sleeves, and put the identifier in the front.

Thank you all. You've been super helpful!

[Halfling]

I would buy an old C1 version as it is easy to separate C1 and C2/C3 tiles.

Simples.

[Viperion]

I would buy an old C1 version as it is easy to separate C1 and C2/C3 tiles.

Simples.

I should've thought about that before going into a shopping bender and getting a ton of expansions, mini-expansions, and Spin-Offs in one go...

I have a problem... A Carcassonne problem.

[DIN0]

The best problem to have