So, you’ve got your hands on one of my killer murder mystery games and you’re ready to bring it to life with some old-school printing.

Let’s make sure your printouts are as sharp as your detective skills!

All about the Paper: Choosing the Right Stuff

First things first, let’s talk paper. You want your murder mystery documents looking as good as the plot, right?
So, ditch the dodgy printer paper and grab some cardstock for those important character sheets and clues. It’ll make ’em feel extra special.
For the bulk of the game, like the storyline, regular paper will do just fine.

  • Cardstock or Thick Paper: For documents like character sheets, clues, and invitations, opt for cardstock or heavy-duty paper to give them a professional look and feel.
  • Regular Paper: For the documents that are just for you as the host, eg. The Host Guide, The easy Host To-Do List, The Character Overview – Or… If you want to safe paper, you can choose not to print these pieces of the party kit and just view them at the computer or phone

Printer Settings: Level Up Your Print Game

Your printer is about to become your new best friend. Make sure it’s feeling its best by setting it to color mode and cranking up the quality to high. This way, your Character Cards, Invitations, Evidence and more will look as fabulous on paper as they do in your imagination.

  • Color Mode: Ensure your printer is set to color mode for accurate color reproduction.
  • Print Quality: Choose the highest print quality setting available for sharp images and text.
  • Paper Size: Select the appropriate paper size for your documents. My games comes in a standard US Letter Size, but can be printet on A4 if that is what you have at hand.

Color Schemes: RGB vs. CMYK

RGB and CMYK Color Modes

Okay, let’s get a little geeky. There are two main color modes: RGB (Red, Green, Blue) and CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black (Key)).

  • RGB: Designed for digital screens, RGB colors may appear different when printed (the screen has light coming from it and paper does not)
  • CMYK: Specifically designed for print, CMYK colors will be a bit more muted.

All my game materials come in RGB colors, because it gives the best color result if your printer (or the print store) converts the colors automaticly to fit your specific printer settings. This also means that your printet version will look slightly different that it does on screen (or if you use two different printers), and that’s normal.

Here are some additional tips for you

Test Run Your Printer

Before you print the whole shebang, do a quick test run on a couple of pages. Make sure everything looks sharp, the colors are popping the way you want, and there are no weird smudges. This way, you can avoid any last-minute panics and ensure your murder mystery looks as good as the plot.

  • Double-Sided Printing: If your printer supports double-sided printing, utilize this feature to save paper where it makes sense (eg. do not print the evidence on double-sided paper).
  • Paper Fasteners: Consider using paper fasteners or binders (I recommend Manila Folders) to keep your game organized.

And there you have it!

By following these tips, you can ensure that your printed murder mystery game looks its best and provides an enjoyable experience for your guests.