I have built custom tags - square, so that I can use the CD covers. I didn’t like the round version so much and the figures from the 3D printer aren’t my thing either. The square capsules are more expensive, but for me personally it was worth it.
I used the square QUADRUM coin capsules from Leuchtturm (the normal ones, there are still Mini and High, although production of the Mini will soon be discontinued).
The matching foam inlay is included and since 2023 the QUADRUM capsules have also been available with a 10 mm cut-out - making them perfect for use with 10 x 3 mm magnets. For better durability on the box, I would possibly recommend 12 x 3 mm for these capsules, but I have not tested this in relation to the antenna.
The inside dimensions for the covers are 43 mm or a maximum of 43.5 mm square, in case anyone wants to rebuild the tags.
For the back, I used the title again or, for series with several episodes on a custom tag, the title lists as well (for Benjamin Blümchen, for example, there are always 10 episodes on a tag).
Leuchtturm also offers matching storage cases - ours fits 150 of the QUADRUM capsules. So the capsules don’t fly around everywhere.
The only drawback is that the capsules don’t close as tightly as the round version, so I’ll have to come up with a solution for that. But for now, I’m very happy with this version.
And cheers to the filter for the last tonie played in the Teddycloud - it REALLY made my work easier when assigning 100 custom tags…!
great thing. Next version of teddycloud will have a “TeddyStudio” where you can print originally only round labels with the image and infos from tonies json / tonies.custom.json, now becomes also the square version
You can probably order any of the magnets in the right size, I just didn’t take the really cheap ones because I was a bit worried that they wouldn’t be quite as strong as the others (I’ve actually experienced this, I don’t know if they were somehow “stretched” in the material). But you have to test them if in doubt.
It’s best to call the ebay dealer if he doesn’t have the desired quantity in stock - unfortunately, sending an email (also directly via ebay) doesn’t work because he has problems with his mailbox and they don’t arrive. However, he is super nice and will be happy to reorder the desired quantity promptly.
He also exchanged one of the two cases for me without any problems, which was unfortunately warped on delivery.
Two of my RFID tags were unfortunately broken (but only 2 out of a total of 300…), but he offered me replacements straight away, which are unfortunately still in the post at the moment.
I also deburred the capsules, some of them have quite annoying manufacturing residues on the edges, which I personally didn’t like.
With regard to the problem that they sometimes open again very easily, I put a thin strip of sellotape over the inside edge of some of them on two sides so that the capsule closes better as soon as it is pinched. On the ones where this didn’t work, I glued the edges shut with some Tombow Mono Liquid Glue (it sticks well, but is elastic). So they don’t fall apart so easily, but I can still open them easily to change the covers if necessary.
I now have a total of 300 custom tags, of which around 30 are still empty.
Unfortunately, they don’t quite fit in the two cases, because contrary to the manufacturer’s instructions, only about 145 instead of 150 tags fit in there… I think that’s a bit modest, but it works quite well here because she usually has her bedtime stories right by her bed anyway.
Exactly the one linked above. According to the article description, it has a height of 74 mm.
Or do you mean the capsules? Then the 10 mm, the size mentioned indicates the diameter of the recess in the foam - in this case 10 mm for the 10 x 3 mm magnets. If you use larger magnets e.g. 12 mm, then order the capsules for 12 mm accordingly.
The RFID tags are flat, so you don’t need a recess for them.
Exactly. The size indicates the size of the coin that should fit into the cut-out - this therefore corresponds to the diameter of our magnet that we want to use instead of the coin.
The coin capsules themselves are always the same size.
Latest Update:
Although only 145 capsules fit into the storage case in the slots provided (one less per row than specified), you can easily place up to two capsules flat on top of each other. This means that, if necessary, more tags can fit into the case than the 150 specified by the manufacturer.
I successfully flashed our CC3200 yesterday. Everything works great.
Now I wanted to realize these square tags myself. I like them very much. The most important thing for me is that small children can’t get them open because of the magnet. Does it hold really well?
I would also like to know how it works practically with printing? Do you cut them out yourself or are they printed cards or sheets? What program or formatting do you use?
My plan is to print a picture with four covers on one card for some of them. For example, four “Benjamin Blümchen” episodes… one cover in each corner. Then the names as a list at the back.
How strongly the capsules stick together depends on the glue you use to seal them — and the amount. I used Tombow’s Mono Liquid Glue Multi. It’s flexible, sticks very well, and can still be opened again. I sealed 1/3 to 1/2 of the length in the middle of all four sides with the glue (see photo above). So far, not a single capsule has opened – but mine is already 7 years old, so no one really tries anymore.
I use Affinity Designer to create the covers. I created a template for this purpose, into which I then simply insert the covers and add the labels. I print on normal 80g paper and fit as many covers as possible onto one A4 sheet (which, given the size, corresponds to 24 pieces). I cut them out either by hand, with my plotter, or with a cutting board.
In principle, Excel or similar programs are also suitable for the template; you just need to be able to set the frames or resize and position the images accordingly.
I wouldn’t actually recommend four images on one cover. The covers are already so small that you can barely read them – with four images, I don’t think you can see much anymore. For example, for Benjamin Blümchen, I used 10 episodes on a custom tag and took the image from the first episode. At the back, I included the list of episodes. That works great here. The children usually have no problem remembering which story was on which Tonie.
I could export it as an SVG, but the Affinity file itself doesn’t work. I’ll have to take a look at it in the next few days; I probably won’t be able to do it today.
I could also create a PDF, but that doesn’t help anyone with inserting the covers.
However, I can highly recommend Affinity Designer if you often work with vector graphics. For example, I also use it to create my plot files. And (at least so far) it’s not a subscription model, just a one-time purchase.
I got the capsules and magnets today. Chips are on the way. I must look, wich glue I will buy. The one you use, is not in our Stores…maybe I find something similar. Magnets could also be a little bit stronger, but are okay.
