Ark Nova “Each Time” Standees

Ark Nova has nine different “Each Time” cards that have been a challenge for my fellow players to remember. While playing at Atlanta Game Fest, Andy Austin suggested I craft some sort of visual reminder. These standees resulted and were an immediate success in my very next Ark Nova game at our local game store. To make a set for yourself, see the instruction video below, and you can download the PDF file HERE.

My first idea was paper mounted to a metal sheet with a fold-out easel stand. Then either magnetic disks in player colors could be placed beneath icons, or the animal icons could be printed onto the magnetic disks and placed in one of the four bands of player colors.

However, the corners and edges of sheet metal have to be made safe to prevent a nasty cut. Although I might craft that for my personal use, I needed an easier and affordable design that used less specialized materials. So, I decided to create a standee that was the same size as an Ark Nova card. That’s large enough, especially with a vertical presentation, to be seen across the table. Also, standees can be stored in an Ark Nova box, even if (as in my case) it has an aftermarket organizer.

I also came up with a single design that could be implemented in two different ways. The first uses a single strip of printed cardstock folded to create its own base using a tuck flap. A card sleeve is used to hold the folds in place. And the standees can be stored flat by removing the tuck flaps and straightening out the bases.

The second version builds upon this design: cut off the triangular base and use one or two acrylic card holders to add weight and stability to the base. These stands are small enough to fit into my box, and I bought THESE from Amazon.

These standees are crafted using basic tools and techniques, and the video below may be all you need. For those who prefer the written word, this article should suffice by itself for most folks. But, if you need more details on the paper crafting tools and techniques used, see my article
“Board Game Crafting: Papercraft Tips & Techniques.”

Instructional Video

I printed my standees on 8.5x11 inch cardstock of 110# weight using a color laser printer. I then made 4 vertical cuts (longest edge) to create 3 strips that are each 2.5 inches wide and 11 inches tall. Measure in 2.5 inches from the left edge and use a straight edge to guide your craft knife from top to bottom. Repeat this process until you’ve cut all your strips.

Vertical cuts every 2.5 inches from the left edge

The extra little strip that remains has fold marks and that can be used as a guide for scoring (not game “scoring,” but the technique of making a straight and shallow dent into the paper so your folds are straight and crisp). And it also illustrates a side view that shows the direction each fold should take.

Score each of the standee strips horizontally (that is, parallel with short edges). I use a folding bone, but the back of butter knife or similar dull edge can be used. Don’t apply too much pressure and tear the paper. You only need a shallow groove. Score on the opposite side of the printing so the artwork isn’t damaged. I also like to score on the side that will be the inside of a fold (but either side still works).

For each horizontal score, “front” refers to side with printing and “back” is the completely blank side of a strip.

Using guide on last strip for horizontal scoring

The 1st score is 3.5 inches from the top edge, and the inside of the fold is on the back
The 2nd score is 7 inches from the top edge, and the inside of the fold in on the front
The 3rd score is 8 inches from the top edge, and the inside of the fold in on the back
The 4th score is 9 inches from the top edge, and the inside of the fold in on the back
The 5th score is 10 inches from the top edge, and the inside of the fold in on the front

Optional: I have a Corner Cutter and for a cleaner look I made a small (3mm diameter) cut at the top corners of the first fold (while in the folded state). To make the bottom of the strip easier to tuck, I made a large (8mm diameter) cut on the bottom edge of the strip.

Insert the first fold into a card sleeve and use the second fold to line up to the bottom of the sleeve. Tuck the last flap of your strip so it’s inside the first fold of your strip. When viewed from the side, this creates a triangular base and the standee should be tilted so the weight is evenly distributed and it stands on its own. To fold flat for storage, untuck the flap and pull the strip just a smidge from the sleeve so that the bottom of your strip can fold up and cover the icon.

The second version of the standee provides more stability using one or two acrylic standee bases. You only need the first fold. The second horizontal that is 7 inches from the top edge is a cut instead of a fold. Or you can simply fold the bottom of the strip inside the first fold so that it can be used in either of the two modes.

I have more helpful board game resources, guides, and player aids HERE.