Modern Box Archival: A Cleaner Solution = Less Trashy!

Discussion in 'Transformers Toy Discussion' started by Superquad7, Sep 3, 2013.

  1. Superquad7

    Superquad7 OCP Police Crime Prevention Unit 001 Super Content Contributor

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    http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/tutor...ox-archival-cleaner-solution-less-trashy.html

    Click the link above for the full tutorial article. What follows is just an abbreviated version of what I do with most of my "modern" cardbacks and boxes:

    For cardbacks, what I do is I trim the insert from inside the bubble, and affix it to the cardback nicely. I use a basic boxcutter to trim off the bubble:

    [​IMG]


    Cyberverse cardbacks will fit a standard 8 X 11 binder:

    [​IMG]


    Boxes are a bit more complex, but it's basically the same process:

    [​IMG]


    With a few crafty tricks, I come up with something like this:

    [​IMG]


    Many boxes have bios or even more traditional "Tech Specs", so I generally am able to treat them separately:

    [​IMG]


    When I'm finished with both cardbacks and boxes for a series, I put them in a scrapbooking binder album like this:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    For now, I have my instructions in those small Sterilite containers, labeled by series:

    [​IMG]

    We'll see if I can come up with something better for those :) 

    At any rate, lmk what you think and such. :) 
     
  2. Cyclonus79

    Cyclonus79 Decepticon General

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    That's some organization right there bud! Definitely crafty.
     
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  3. Erland

    Erland Well-Known Member

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    wow, just wow.. that's a lot of work.. but I like it.. I like the idea but, i'm not sure if I can cut them up..
     
  4. gawddammit

    gawddammit Rocketchoochoo

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    Better than my current system: throw it all in a box.
     
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  5. Superquad7

    Superquad7 OCP Police Crime Prevention Unit 001 Super Content Contributor

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    At one point, every bit of my paperwork was in one larger Sterilie tote. The last time we moved, it was one of the heaviest things that I had to move. Granted, if I stacked up everything now it would be even heavier (especially since much more has came out since then), but at least this way you're right - it's much more organized and manageable. It's much more fun to have now instead of a file of cardboard.

    I don't have everything done yet, but I'm light years ahead of where that pile in a tote was!

    [​IMG]

    (The larger tote I discussed can be seen to our left there. This photo was taken when I began this process a few years ago. Here, I've just unpacked what I have and began to wort by generation.)


    You're right - it IS a lot of work. And yeah, if one can get over cutting up boxes, this is a good option. I know a lot of collectors just throw the boxes and cardbacks in the trash, and I certainly understand that. However, this is my compromise. This system allows the collectors to retain the enjoyable information and artwork from the box without it taking up as much room as just keeping the boxes/

    :lol  See above!
     

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  6. BWfan86

    BWfan86 Well-Known Member

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    I actually really like this idea
     
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  7. unicron nemesis

    unicron nemesis Collector + Photographer

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    I actually do the exact same thing minus the clear binder. I just ziplock them together by series.
     
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  8. Cracka J

    Cracka J judas in my mind TFW2005 Supporter

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    Why not just scan them and keep virtual records/archives without any of the physical clutter?

    I junk all my domestic boxes but if I wanted to keep them for reference I probably would just scan archive them to avoid the physical side.
     
  9. Chaos Muffin

    Chaos Muffin Misadventure Veteran

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    Pretty cool and crafty fun. Ive always loved the idea of filing away boxes & cards, but since im running out of room and becoming overwhelmed, Ive been throwing all cards/compressed packages into the same store box with the toys. Helps me keep my organizing to a minimum, or Ill get overwhelmed.

    Usually leave an inch or 2 on the insides of each box to fit it all in. That way if I get my Armada box out, all the art is in there with it, or whatever I need to ebay it off someday lol

    You gave me an idea. Im going to decorate my worm tackle box storage cases with TF art & symbols. The bookshelf looks good with them all lined up on it. From Joes to Kreons. Instead of pulling a book out, I'll pull a case of Cobra Commanders out.
     
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  10. SMC92

    SMC92 Well-Known Member

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    I just rip open the box, grab the transformer and throw there rest away, even use google for the transformation videos haha
     
  11. destrongerlupus

    destrongerlupus Well-Known Member

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    This is grand! I've been clipping and binder'ing art, techs, and other assorted paper bits off and on for years, it's a great way to "have your cake and eat it to" or "be a MIB collector without needing those pesky boxes" ;) 

    I REALLY love that you've pretty much gotten this down to a formal system. My nigh-legendary laziness has kept my own package-clipping from reaching such organized beauty, but I LOVE a good "system" (for anything) when I see one!
     
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  12. jamspeed

    jamspeed Follow me on Instagram _jamspeed_

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    This is what I want to do, but don't want to spend the time.
     
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  13. Superquad7

    Superquad7 OCP Police Crime Prevention Unit 001 Super Content Contributor

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    I'm glad some of you guys are digging my system here. As said, if you're just tossing your stuff out, I totally understand - and I'll even discuss that a bit more later - but this is just my way of how I enjoy things. In undergraduate studies, I was focused on package design at one point, and packages have always been very interesting to me. A little tidbit: a good chunk of the money you pay for a product is the consumer buying the package - in some cases nearly 30-40% of the total cost!
     
  14. Autovolt 127

    Autovolt 127 Get In The Titan, Prime!

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    That's an amazing organizational system.
     
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  15. Seawing

    Seawing Lurker of the depths Moderator

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    I am planning on doing something like this for my boxes/card backs/etc. Is there a specific brand of binder inserts that you use? Do they have a "ziploc" type feature on them to seal them?
     
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  16. Superquad7

    Superquad7 OCP Police Crime Prevention Unit 001 Super Content Contributor

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    Thank you!

    There's no specific brand for the sleeves I use. Unless you buy them in bulk, they can actually be a little tricky to find. Mainly, I go to Michael's - armed with their weekly coupon - and buy they packs they have there. As I mentioned, the binders do come with a few pages (10-15 or so?), but if you have a few cardbacks, it's best to get a few packs of the sleeves as well.
     
  17. Timothy.R

    Timothy.R Well-Known Member

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    just curious.. why are you saving all of this stuff?

    i can't see much resell value in cardbacks and broken down boxes. you can't really seal anything back up since you're tossing the plastic bubbles. and i don't see much need for directions (i don't use them in the first place) but even if you do, it's easier finding a transformation guide video online.

    that being said, i save cardbacks.. though, i take the bubble completely off. i'd rather have the outline of where the bubble was than having the plastic edges still attached. i used to leave them attached, but now i prefer just removing the bubbles entirely.

    i like when the card actually has the artwork of the character on it. i really wish the movie lines would have used the art work for the card rather than the little front bubble insert. i used to keep the front of the bubble insert things, but i stopped doing that a bit ago.

    the only boxes i keep are the masterpiece boxes, i like the way they look, and if i ever move again or something, it's really easy to just put them back in their boxes. i used to keep other boxes, but they just took up too much space, and, when broken down they're not nearly as neat as the cards are.
     
  18. Gingerchris

    Gingerchris Telly-headed Tyrant

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    I used to cut up my boxes like that through G1, G2 and most of Beast Wars but I've since come to regret it. From the end of BW up to around halfway through Armada I just binned the inserts and kept the outer boxes intact but stored flat. Now I keep all the boxes complete and rebox figures after they've had a stint on display.
    Personally I blame Alternators because I felt that Smokescreen looked so nice he should be stored back in his box when finished with and then it just carried on from there.
    For carded figures I just bin the bubbles keep all the other gubbins in a plastic storage box.

    Everyone is different.
     
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