Where to find a designer for table game layout (felt)?

I have a new table game (poker variant). I am looking for a designer to create the layout for me. Should be able to create a PDF or AI file ready to print. Any recommendation? I cannot afford to pay a high hourly rate. Thanks.

Quote: RoyalBJ

I have a new table game (poker variant). I am looking for a designer to create the layout for me. Should be able to create a PDF or AI file ready to print. Any recommendation? I cannot afford to pay a high hourly rate. Thanks.

I'd look for a local design person on craigslist and put "design" under their gigs section. Lots of artists out there. Or call a local art school and ask for their career department.

If you are located in the northwest, you can try out Andrographics. They provide the felts for our casinos and the cost per felt is between $100-$115. I've worked with them for years to alter the layouts and add all sorts of designs to the layouts, so they should be able to print up your design if you provide them with a PDF.

Andrographics.com

Brian

+1 for Andrographics; I've used them in the past as well. And you're going to want someone who's actually done layout art before, as opposed to just a generic graphic designer, because if not you're still going to need someone to fit your design to the dimensions of the felt so all the bet spots are in the right positions. I used TCS/John Huxley for a rush job recently and it was about $140 for the rush art charge, flat fee (not hourly). If you already have a vector logo you'll be in better shape -- that's something you can use your outside artist for -- but unless you know exact dimensions, I'd leave the actual layout to the layout specialists.

I used to use Paulson & Sons whic I believe is now GPI Partners. I was very happy with their work.

http://www.gpigaming.com/casino-table-layouts

Several questions here for me:

1) How much of the layout do you already have done in your mind (i.e. are you going to need a "logo" developed, do you know what spots you want, colors, fonts, etc.)? Or are you starting from scratch on those things.

2) ME is right, you want someone that has done this before. I have used an independent graphic artist and she knows what she is doing having gone through the process on several of my layouts and others. $75 per hour is her design rate. Going direct with Andrographics/MidWest Gaming/GPI is good if you already have an idea of what you want done. If you need help with logo design or have a greater desire to have control over a custom layout design, I would get it done outside of the manufacturer's but get the chosen manufacturer to give you specifics on their dimension template for BJ size table, etc.

Either way you go, I would get control of the .ai file art so that you can have anyone make subsquent revisions. My experience has been even with great design, there is nothing like seeing the layout in full size to help you see where things need to be moved slightly this way or that way. You are going to manufacture at least two layouts before you get one that you love for the game.

PM if you are interested in my graphic artist contact. Good luck!

I used eTable Games to do some art works. Nice job and low cost. These guys designed Shortie Blackjack and Break Poker. They also do art work. However, I don't think they do complicated stuff. Talk to Wayne over there.

Forgot to thank U. It's working out very well.

Wayne is a blackjack tournament genius!