Bagthulhu - the diabolically adorable Cthulhu dicebag

Manufacturing Sample
over 5 years ago – Wed, Sep 05, 2018 at 12:55:19 AM

Ok, the second sample from the manufacturers is done. From the photos it looks pretty good. I've asked them to ship it to me so I can make final checks. Fingers crossed it all goes well and we'll be able to start production.

As you can see the new colour is significantly deeper than the first sample, and it's definitely more of a forest green than the colour I originally had, but I think it fits the general aesthetic better of the two choices we had.

The next thing we're looking at is safety testing. Typically in manufacturing, it's the responsibility of the manufacturer to make sure that what they produce will pass international safety tests. But when you import something, it usually becomes your responsibility to sell a product that meets the standards of where you're importing to, and you can't really ensure that without testing.

Safety testing of this type is primarily for childrens toys, and while technically Bagthulhu is not a toy, because it is intended for adults, a child could still see one and pick it up, so I want to make it as safe as it can be. Barring the soul rending horror, of course.

Currently it would cost more than the production entire run to test for every safety standard in every region we're shipping to. 

We're investigating some options, but what I'm hoping is that of the major regions' standards we can take the highest one, get that testing done and certified, and work on the basis that it will meet the lower standards by virtue of passing tougher tests already. I'll keep you posted.

Quick question
over 5 years ago – Wed, Aug 29, 2018 at 12:33:33 AM

The manufacturers have asked for a few more days to get the finer details of the next sample done. So I'm busy fidgetting while I wait.

In other news, packaging is something that needs to be sorted out. I have the option of having the Bagthulhus packaged in paper or in clear plastic bags.

Honestly, I would prefer paper myself if I can afford it (it may actually be more expensive, not sure yet), simply because it's recycleable and more biodegradable. I'd rather not have a whole bunch more plastic bags go to landfill if I can avoid it. That being said, the paper packaging will get wrinkled in transit, (there will still be outer packaging on your parcels to protect them). So I guess the question becomes, is that something that would bother you folks?

It's a choice between the disposable bag looking more rumpled on arrival and being recycleable, or looking neater and being non recycleable.

Also, we finished the reflective Backpackthulhus ^_^

Reflective backpacks
over 5 years ago – Wed, Aug 22, 2018 at 09:42:33 PM

Teeny tiny update

Reflective fabric for the backpacks has arrived! I had to go through to the manufacturer of it, who only sells to large scale wholesalers, and there's not many left in New Zealand, but they put me on to one, who then redirected me to a separate division (still technically the same company), who wasn't sure they had any at all, but afterwards found they had four metres left. So I got all of it and it arrived today ^_^.

We're currently finishing up the reflective backpacks.

The manufacturer has told me that they'll have photos of the next counter sample this week (bit late, but still progress), and if it meets approval they can ship it to me next week. They've also sourced the second fabric option. This one is more of a dark emerald green with a hint of blue in it, but it's richer than the other option. Not quite what I was hoping for but all round it could be much worse.

I'm going to be working on tag designs and info soon.

Colours
over 5 years ago – Sat, Aug 11, 2018 at 11:23:27 PM

Super quick update

I just got an email from the manufacturers. They've found another colour option. It's a bit darker and more insidious and I rather like it. They're going to make a second sample in it. *Fingers crossed* *Toes crossed* *Eyes crossed*

Little update
almost 6 years ago – Mon, Jul 30, 2018 at 12:40:15 AM

I spent most of last week in bed thanks to what we think was a nasty case of food poisoning. It was not fun >.<.

The manufacturers seem to be having trouble with colour for the outer layer. I've tried to give them some options, but if we do have to go with the colour fabric they originally found, would that be ok with you folks? It's like the dark green in the original KS photos but duller. In the right light you can't tell the difference, in the wrong light you definitely can. It's still insidious, just not as rich as I had hoped for.

The light and the camera make a big difference, which makes it harder to show you. All the same, I'd appreciate your thoughts?

Also, the next batch of Bagthulhu dice are being engraved and we're sending the non reflective backpackthulhus today :).