The instructions for how to use these templates assume some familiarity with how the countersheetsextension and Inkscape works. See Cards, Your First Countersheet and Editing Counters before diving in to use these templates.

The file prototype_cards.svg contains 13 simple card templates that can be used for quick prototypes. There is a data file prototype_cards_all.csv that can be used to get example cards using all template. There is a text below each card template in the SVG describing how it is used and what the id for each interesting element in that template is.

The simplest way to make cards from those templates is to copy the relevant sections from the prototype_cards_all.csv file (or, make a copy of that file and delete the parts that are not needed).

Note how different card templates can be used in the same file by having an empty row in the spreadsheet (CSV-file) and then a new header row.

Of course it is impossible to provide templates for all possible card layouts. Start from the template closest to what is required and then edit it in small steps, running the extension often to verify that nothing is broken (and save frequent numbered backups or/and use a version control system!).

All the templates are in standard 2.5x3.5 inches size, which is often the most convenient size to use for prototypes because of how readily available backing cards and sleeves are in that size. To make cards in other sizes re-size the templates you are going to use obviously, just like re-sizing anything else in Inkscape. You might want to also adjust the size of the page, or/and create a cs_layout layer, and experiment with different registration mark lengths to get the best possible layout for your card size on each sheet.

It is possible to make double-sided cards. See the Double-Sided Counters page for a description how to do that. If all the backs will be identical though, like in many card-games, it can be more convenient to just include the card-backs as if they were card-fronts to appear on their own sheets (e.g. first include 54 card fronts, then 54 backs, resulting in 6 sheets with the card-fronts followed by 6 identical sheets of card-backs).

The two files cards_bleed_3x3.svg and cards_bleed_4x2.svg each have only a single card template (a title, an image, and a block of text). Unlike prototype_cards.svg those templates contain bleed, by having the background of the cards stretch out 3mm extra in all directions. Both files also contain cs_layout layers to make the cards (with bleed) render as 3x3 or 4x2 respectively per sheet. Notice that you need to make sure the Bleed option is enabled in the dialog when running the countersheet for those templates.

Of course bleed can also be added to any of the 13 templates in prototype_cards.svg. Just make the background rectangle of a template larger.

By default the bleed around cards will only be visible along the edges of each sheet. To also get some bleed between cards on a sheet add some Spacing when running the countersheetsextension.

See also: Editing Counters, Editing Templates, Templates and Examples