1.Clarify your own needs
Product specifications
Determine the type of board game components (cards, chessboards, models, dice, packaging boxes, etc.).
Clarify material requirements (e.g., whether cards require lamination, UV technology; wooden or plastic accessories, etc.).
Whether special processes are required (hot stamping, embossing, magnetic packaging, etc.).
Quantity and budget
Estimate the first batch of orders (small batch trial production or large-scale production).
Set a budget range and distinguish between “ideal price” and “acceptable upper limit”.
Design file preparation
Ensure that the design file meets the printing standards (resolution, bleed line, color mode, etc.).
Whether the printing factory needs to provide design optimization services (such as typesetting adjustment, cost optimization suggestions).
2.Find candidate manufacturers
Serching channel
Online platform: Screen board game printers through B2B platforms such as Alibaba, Global Sources, ThomasNet, etc., and check customer reviews and cases.
Industry community: Join the board game design forum (BoardGameGeek, Reddit’s r/tabletopgamedesign) and Facebook group to get recommendations.
Exhibitions and events: Attend board game exhibitions such as SPIEL Essen (Essen Exhibition in Germany) and Gen Con, and directly contact printers.
Recommended manufacturers for reference
Internationally renowned manufacturers:
Panda Game Manufacturing (Canada/China, serving large projects)
LongPack Games (China, good at complex components)
Whatz Games (Taiwan, China, small batch friendly)
Dobeta Games (China, cost-effective)
3.Key factors for evaluating printing factories
Professionalism and experience
Ask whether similar board games have been produced (such as sets containing cards + chessboard + models).
Request samples or case photos to check process details (such as whether the card edges are neat and whether the packaging box structure is firm).
Minimum order quantity (MOQ)
Small teams give priority to manufacturers with MOQ 100-500 pieces to avoid inventory backlogs.
Beware of the trap of “ultra-low MOQ but extremely high unit price” and compare multiple quotations.
Cost transparency
Request a detailed quotation, including itemized costs (such as mold fees, paper weight, special process surcharges).
Watch out for hidden costs: transportation costs, tariffs (for overseas manufacturers), design modification fees.
Production cycle and reliability
Clarify the total time from proofing to delivery, and confirm whether a buffer period is reserved (to avoid delays in exhibitions/crowdfunding schedules).
Ask if there is a delay compensation clause.
Communication and service
Test response speed: send an email or message to observe the timeliness of the reply.
Confirm whether there is a dedicated person to connect and language support (such as English customer service).
Whether to provide one-stop service (design guidance, logistics delivery).
4.Proofing and testing
Must-do steps
Even if the cost increases, be sure to request a prototype.
Simulate actual use when testing samples: shuffle cards to test the wear resistance of cards, whether the folding chessboard is fragile, and the compression resistance of the packaging box.
Common proofing problems
Color deviation (Pantone color number proofreading is required).
Cutting error (check whether the component size is accurate).
Material mismatch (such as the promised 300g cardboard is not thick enough).
5.Contract and risk control
Contract terms
Specify quality acceptance standards (such as AQL sampling standards).
Instalment payment ratio (such as 30% advance payment + 70% final payment).
Intellectual property protection: require the signing of NDA (non-disclosure agreement) to ensure that the design files are not leaked.
Risk plan
Reserve the right of legal counsel to review the contract.
Consider purchasing product liability insurance (for possible product defects).
6. Long-term cooperation optimization
Small batch trial order: For the first cooperation, you can place a small order to test stability.
Feedback iteration: Collect players’ opinions on materials (such as card feel and box durability) and improve together with manufacturers.
Supply chain backup: Establish 1-2 backup suppliers to avoid out-of-stock due to sudden problems.
At the same time, each factory has its own advantages, such as the price of cards is good, such as the price of chessboards is good, which causes the price difference between factories. If the quantity is large, the price impact is still relatively large. Some customers can choose to print separately to control costs. I hope every customer can find a suitable supplier. Dobeta games, always welcome you！
