# Action Cards

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The following instructions use a Cricut Maker 3 and Design Space's Print then Cut feature to create the Technopoly action cards. All cards can be made without a Cricut using a printer, ruler, and paper cutter or scissors.&#x20;

## Materials

| Card                     | Materials                   | Amount     |
| ------------------------ | --------------------------- | ---------- |
| Randomized Algo          | 8.5" x 11" orange cardstock | 3-6 sheets |
| Panoptic Sort            | 8.5" x 11" yellow cardstock | 3-6 sheets |
| Reusable dry erase label | 12" x 12" White vinyl       | 1-2 sheets |

{% hint style="info" %}
Amount of materials depends on assembly method.
{% endhint %}

## Dimensions

| Component | Dimension           |
| --------- | ------------------- |
| Cards     | 3” W x 2.25” H      |
| Vinyl     | 3.347” W x 2.111” H |

***

## How to Create Action Cards with Cricut and Design Space

{% hint style="info" %}
Save graphics and projects to a separate “Technopoly” folder created in Design Space for easy retrieval during game production.
{% endhint %}

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Start new project.

Open a blank canvas by selecting **New Project.**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Upload files into Design Space.

Do not remove image background.

Convert image to **Flat Graphic** to prompt **Print Then Cut** function.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Resize graphic in Design Space canvas.

Dimensions: 3” width x 2.25” height
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Add an offset.

Select the graphic and click **Offset.**

Change offset distance to 0.05 inches.

Select the **squared** corner.

Change offset color to **White**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Group all layers.

Select all layers in the right-hand side panel.

Click the **Group** icon.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Flatten image.

Select the newly grouped layers and click **Flatten.**

This triggers Cricut's **Print Then Cut** feature and ensures the Cricut will only cut around the edges of the card.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Duplicate graphic.

Duplicate until you have a total of 16 cards.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Make Project

Click **Make.**

Change material size to 8.5 inches x 11 inches.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Send graphics to printer.

Click **Continue** and then **Send to Printer**.

Toggle **Bleed** to the off position.

Toggle **Use System Dialog** to the on position. This helps to choose the correct paper tray if needed.

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Print your cards.

Cards will print with a sensor around the graphics to signal the Cricut to cut in the correct places.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Connect to your Cricut and cut the cards.

{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## How to Make Reusable, Interactive Cards

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Add a rectangle shape to the canvas in Design Space.

Resize the rectangle to 3.347" width x 2.111" height.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Set operation to Basic Cut.

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Duplicate rectangle.

Duplicate until you have a total of 16 rectangles.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Group all rectangles together.

Hide grouped shapes until ready to cut. Make the shapes visible when ready to cut.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### When ready to cut, click Make and prepare white vinyl on an adhesive mat.

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Adhere vinyl to back of each Randomized Algo and Panoptic Sort card.

{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Participants in group game design jam can use dry-erase markers to write on the white vinyl.
{% endhint %}