An enhanced reel strip includes a base reel strip and an overlay strip, wherein the base reel strip has symbols applied thereto and the overlay strip has designated portions thereof removed to create cut-outs. The base reel strip and overlay strip are affixed in such a manner that the symbols of the base reel strip are visible through the cut-outs of the overlay strip. The joined strips produce an enhanced reel strip. Furthermore, these enhanced reel strip production methods dramatically improve the quality and appearance of reel strips while utilizing a relatively simple manufacturing process that maintains cost effectiveness.