Travel Mexican Train for lefties, too! We redesigned our popular Double 12 Travel Domino Playing Cards with 4 corner numbers for left-handed folks, legibility improvements, new add-on cards, and frustration-free packaging. Read on to learn more about the redesign: what, why, and how!
Table of Contents
New Features Make Playing Travel Dominoes More Inclusive
Why redesign the cards? When it came time to reprint, we knew we could always make it better! Especially when we learned about how to design cards for left-handed folks. This is what's new:
1. Four corner numbers for left-handed players (and right-handed players, too!)
Version 2 has the index numbers in all four corners, so they can be fanned in either direction for lefties or righties. (As the daughter and son of left-handed parents, we can’t believe we missed this during our first design!)
Although many left-handed folks are used to a world in which all playing cards are right-handed and fan them “backwards”, it just doesn’t feel right to them. We can do better!
Having the numbers in all four corners means that the cards perform the same – whether you are right-handed or left-handed.
2. Better legibility: especially the corner numbers
Refined Corner Number Font
We refined the hand-drawn “font” used for the corner numbers to make the numbers slightly more legible (a mild “serif”) such as the swoop at the top of the number “1”.
Bigger Corner Number Size
We increased the size of the corner numbers so they're a little easier to read, but not so big that they ran into the white space needed for the pips.
Consistent Corner Number Color
After several tests, we changed the color of the corner numbers to a consistent neutral gray color, for two reasons:
To focus the eye on the central pips when laid out on the table like dominoes. The corner numbers are great for fanning in the hand, but not part of the normal domino playing experience.
For some (not all): the numbers are actually a little bit easier to read and sort in the hand when they’re a consistent color. The eyes read the number instead of looking at the color.
Cohesive Color Scheme
The color scheme is still fun and bright, but as a rainbow they’re a little more cohesive, in the same color family.
Careful Color Arrangement
The colors were carefully arranged by number to make sure that no two cards and no two colors looked too alike at a glance. We looked at pip size (scaling the size for small and large numbers) and pip shape (regardless of size, some pips on different numbers are arranged into similar shapes, like an X or a ⃞ or a solid grid).
3. New Add-ons and Bonus Cards
New Mexican Train Rules Card, "In a Nutshell"
Version 2 has a very short and simple rules reminder card for playing Mexican Train.
How do you fit the rules of Mexican Train on a domino-sized card? With a very succinct summary of the rules in short steps. This card serves mostly as a reminder for those who haven't played in a while. and includes a link to the full rules on our website.
Updated Mexican Train Scorecard Matches New Color Palette
We created Version 2 scorecard to match the new color scheme.
We share free printable scorecards and cheatsheets on our website for classic games.
4. Frustration-free packaging
Version 2 has a cellophane wrap with an easy-open strip. A clear wrap on the outside of the box gives you peace of mind that the set is new, un-tampered, and contains a complete deck of cards.
Easy-Open Strip is Frustration-Free
Some people like to leave the bottom half of the cellophane on the box to protect it from moisture (or to use as an emergency gum wrapper!).
About Cellophane Sustainability (vs Plastic PVC Shrink Wrap)
Shrink wrap is made from PVC plastic, which is non-biodegradable and non-recyclable. It is a major contributor to microplastics pollution and gums up the works at recycling centers. It is also a little bit cheaper, and it's everywhere.
We upgraded the Version 2 wraps to cellophane. Cellophone is the catch-all word used for both "true" cellophane and "synthetic" cellophane.
- "True" cellophane is a more sustainable clear wrap: invented in the early 20th century, made from plant-based cellulose (like wood pulp), and is biodegradable and compostable.
- Regrettably, the cellophone used in the Version 2 domino wrapper is "synthetic" cellophane, which is another form of plastic.
True cellophane was not an option with our printer, but we hope by supporting cellophane and requesting it, we can show market demand. Whether shrink wrap or synthetic cellophane: do not compost or recycle the exterior wrappings that come with your domino box.
Version 1 Sale: Domino-Size “Micro” Playing Cards
As of this writing, the new Version 2 design is currently only available in the “Domino Size”, which is a quarter the size of a standard playing card and approximately the same as a traditional domino tile.
We intend to introduce the new version to our standard playing card size during the next reprint.
Sale on Version 1 (V1)!
We believe that Version 2 is a big improvement, and we intend them to replace Version 1. That means we’re letting our remaining Domino-Size Version 1 cards go. There are only a few left, so grab a couple extras for your car, go bag, or purse.
Sale price applies automatically, while supplies last.
Final Words
We can’t wait to hear what you think of the new design! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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