Help Crafting Folding Vinyl Board

Hello,

I like Vinyl chess boards, but don't like them rolling up. I want to create a folding version by adhering a stiff cardboard-like backing to a cheap vinyl board for travel. Do you have any suggestions for good material?

Thoughts?

What about 3D printing a thicker one?? I hear they’re even printing steaks these days…

Here is the problem with the idea.  all vinyl will develop a memory.  Even if you adhere it to a still backing the vinyl will develop bumps where the board is folded.  It is the nature of the material.  

Remember, even the inexpensive single fold boards sold by wholesale chess use a different material.  See link here:  Single-Fold Regulation USCF Chess board - 2.25" Squares (wholesalechess.com).  These boards need to make a seam between the 2 cardboard pieces inside the material to keep the bump from forming.

Just my opinion of course.  I might be wrong..but I know a little about chess equipment.

thanks

Shelby Lohrman

ChessSet.com

Rochester Chess Center

If you're ok with the red, white, blue colors, QBoutique still has stock of the 2021 US Chess Championship board. Shelby's hybrid "VinylPad" with vinyl top and thin mousepad backing. It can be gently folded for hours at a time without much memory retention. 

Or if you're in the DIY mood: Glue your roll up vinyl board onto two sheets of polycarbonate cut down to size. The vinyl board will act as the center hinge for the 2 sheets of polycarbonate. Should be strong enough if you're careful. The World Chess folding wood board board uses felt as a center hinge. A strip of wide filament tape can reinforce the hinge.

On holiday I am using silicon board. 

I only use a vinyl board nowadays and I can confirm what Shelby said about vinyl developing a memory: in no time the boards lays flat (I trimmed the borders):

A few months ago I had a similar idea and wanted a cardboard board. I designed a simple chess pattern and asked the print shop to print it on "sticker" paper:

I would cut the board in half along the center line and leave a tiny space to account for the fold. I would glue the stiff material to the backside. I would not try to "fold" the vinyl. Thank you Shelby for the tips, I agree with your assessment.

But what do you think about my cutting the board in half? A bit ugly perhaps, but I'm thinking to try it...

@bananamoon I like the idea of asking a print shop to custom print a board. I have not considered that possibility. Perhaps I have them print two sides on heavy quality paper and adhere their prints to stiff material. I still don't know what material to use.

long long time ago House of Staunton sold linen chessboards:

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/folding-tournament-board