At Hero Time, we truly care about helping you turn your game ideas into a solid, finished product. That’s why we’ve built a dedicated team to support you in every aspect of game development. From artwork and graphic design to rulebook editing, prototyping, manufacturing, and shipping, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Whether you’re launching your first game or you’re a seasoned creator, you can count on us to make the process smooth, efficient, and enjoyable. And if you ever get stuck or need help in any of these areas, don’t hesitate to reach out to our project managers. They’re here to support you, answer your questions, and help you move forward with your project confidently.
You can reach Pablo (pablo@herotime1.com) who has experience in release a game in the past.
At Hero Time, we understand that a board game is more than just a set of rules and components—it is an immersive experience that captures the imagination of players. A crucial aspect of this immersion is the game’s artwork and graphic design. Art plays an integral role in enhancing a game’s appeal, defining its theme, and ultimately influencing its marketability. A well-designed board game is not only visually striking but also intuitive to play, making it a desirable product for both casual players and collectors alike.
Matching Art Style to the Game’s Theme
The visual identity of a board game should align seamlessly with its theme and mechanics. The artwork serves as the first impression, setting the stage for the game’s narrative and emotional tone. A horror-themed game about vampires, for example, can be illustrated in a gothic, eerie style with deep shadows and intricate detailing. Conversely, the same vampire-themed game can take on a lighthearted, cartoonish approach, appealing to a family-friendly audience.
By ensuring that the art complements the game’s theme, designers create an experience that resonates with players. If the art style clashes with the mechanics or story, it can create confusion or even deter potential buyers. The key is to establish a visual language that enhances gameplay and keeps players engaged.
Drawing Inspiration from Existing Games
One of the best ways to develop a game’s artistic vision is to analyze existing board games. Game creators should explore different styles, identifying what works well within their desired genre. Observing successful games helps in understanding how art can drive engagement and attract an audience.
For instance, fantasy-themed games often employ lush, intricate landscapes and mythical creatures, whereas sci-fi games may lean toward sleek, futuristic aesthetics with metallic tones and sharp lines. By analyzing what resonates with players, designers can refine their artistic direction while ensuring originality.
Consistency in Art Style
Maintaining a consistent art style across all elements of the game is vital for an immersive experience. This includes the game box, board, cards, tokens, and even the rulebook. A cohesive visual approach fosters brand recognition and enhances the professional appearance of the game.
Consider a game with mismatched artwork—if the cards have a hand-drawn watercolor aesthetic but the board is rendered in digital realism, it can create a jarring effect. Such inconsistencies disrupt the game’s immersion and can make the product appear unpolished. A unified style ensures that every component feels like part of the same world, enriching the player’s experience.
The Marketability of Well-Designed Games
From a commercial standpoint, visually appealing board games tend to perform better in the marketplace. The box cover is often the deciding factor for potential buyers browsing a store or Kickstarter campaign. A compelling cover with engaging visuals will draw attention and invite potential players to learn more about the game.
Furthermore, clear and well-organized graphic design improves playability, making the game more accessible to a wider audience. Iconography, font choices, and color schemes should be chosen carefully to facilitate quick understanding. If the art is visually stunning but the icons and text are hard to decipher, it can negatively impact the user experience.
Final Thoughts
Art and graphic design are not just decorative elements—they are essential components that contribute to a game’s identity, playability, and success in the market. At Hero Time, we emphasize the importance of high-quality, well-integrated artwork to ensure that our clients’ games are visually compelling and functionally efficient. By aligning art with the game’s theme, maintaining consistency, and prioritizing marketability, creators can craft board games that captivate players and stand out in a competitive industry.
In the end, board games are about storytelling, engagement, and enjoyment. Thoughtfully designed art enhances these aspects, transforming a game from a simple pastime into an unforgettable experience. Whether you are a new designer or an established publisher, investing in top-tier art and graphic design will always be a step toward success.
As creators of board games, we pour immense effort into designing unique mechanics, stunning artwork, and compelling narratives. However, bringing a board game to market also means navigating the complex world of intellectual property (IP) protection. Without the right safeguards in place, the originality of our designs and brands may be at risk. Fortunately, there are several effective strategies to protect our game’s design and brand identity, ensuring that our hard work is not exploited by copycats.
Securing a Design Patent in China
One of the most effective—yet often underestimated—ways to protect a board game’s design is by securing a design patent in China. While many creators focus on trademarking their game title or logo, this alone provides little protection in the Chinese market. In fact, due to the common issue of trademark squatting, a trademark registered in China may not prevent unauthorized use or production of your game.
China has long been known for its rapid manufacturing capabilities, offering significant advantages in terms of efficiency and cost. However, this same advantage can become a vulnerability when knockoffs start to appear. This is where the value of a design patent becomes clear. The Chinese government has taken meaningful steps in recent years to strengthen its intellectual property enforcement, and holding a valid design patent enables us to take swift legal action against factories attempting to replicate our product.
A design patent provides legal recognition of a product’s visual appearance, covering aspects such as the shape, layout, configuration, and decorative features of game components. What makes this particularly powerful is that even if a counterfeiter changes the design slightly, the core protection offered by a well-crafted design patent can still apply. It is one of the few legal tools in China that allows a game creator to shut down unauthorized production quickly and effectively.
However, it is important to note that a design patent only covers the physical appearance of a game—it does not protect the gameplay mechanics, rules, or ideas. For creators looking to protect how their game plays, other strategies such as copyrighting the rulebook or publishing detailed gameplay documentation may be needed.
Applying for a design patent in China involves several key steps:
Conducting a Patent Search: Before filing, it’s crucial to ensure that the design is novel and has not been previously registered.
Preparing the Application: The patent application should include detailed illustrations and descriptions of the game’s unique design elements.
Filing with the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA): Once submitted, the patent undergoes an examination process before being granted protection.
By taking this proactive measure, we not only deter counterfeiters but also strengthen our legal standing in case of disputes. Protecting our game at the design level ensures that our original vision remains intact and exclusive to us.
Protecting Our Brand on Amazon
Beyond safeguarding our game’s design, protecting its brand identity is equally important. Many modern board games are sold through e-commerce platforms, and Amazon stands out as one of the most significant marketplaces. To ensure that our brand remains secure, we can leverage Amazon’s Brand Registry Program.
Amazon Brand Registry offers several advantages, including:
Trademark Protection: Registering a trademark for our game name and logo allows us to prevent unauthorized sellers from using our brand.
Automated Protections: Amazon’s automated tools help detect and remove counterfeit listings that infringe upon our brand identity.
Access to Legal Support: Amazon provides access to intellectual property attorneys who specialize in brand protection, further reinforcing our defenses.
To enroll in the Brand Registry Program, we need to:
Obtain a Trademark: Registering a trademark in key markets (such as the United States, European Union, or China) is a prerequisite for the program.
Submit an Application to Amazon: This includes providing trademark details and proof of ownership.
Utilize Brand Protection Tools: Once approved, we can actively monitor and report any infringing listings.
By establishing strong brand protection on Amazon, we can prevent counterfeiters from misrepresenting or devaluing our game, ensuring that customers receive authentic products directly from us or our authorized sellers.
Exercising Caution When Selling on Walmart
While Amazon provides extensive brand protection tools, Walmart’s marketplace presents additional challenges. Walmart’s platform is growing in popularity, but it does not yet offer the same level of IP protection as Amazon. This makes it a riskier environment for board game creators who have not fully secured their design and brand rights.
To mitigate these risks, we recommend delaying the sale of our game on Walmart’s marketplace until we have:
Secured a Design Patent: Ensuring that our game’s visual elements are legally protected prevents unauthorized replication.
Registered Our Trademark: Holding a registered trademark reduces the likelihood of brand misrepresentation.
Established a Strong Presence on Amazon: Gaining brand recognition and enforcing protections through Amazon first allows us to build a reputation and establish precedence in case of disputes.
Walmart’s open marketplace model means that third-party sellers can list similar or even counterfeit products more easily. By waiting until we have robust protections in place, we can better control our game’s distribution and prevent unauthorized sales.
Final Thoughts
The board game industry is a thriving and competitive space, making intellectual property protection a top priority. By securing a design patent in China, we can prevent unauthorized manufacturers from copying our game. By enrolling in Amazon Brand Registry, we can safeguard our brand identity and ensure that customers receive authentic products. Finally, by exercising caution with Walmart’s marketplace, we can minimize the risks of brand infringement and unauthorized sales.
At Hero Time, we are committed to not only manufacturing high-quality board games but also helping creators protect their intellectual property. By taking these proactive steps, we can confidently bring our games to market, knowing that our creativity and hard work are secure. Protecting our ideas is just as important as bringing them to life, and with the right strategies, we can ensure that our board games remain uniquely ours.
When it comes to manufacturing playing cards, efficiency and cost-effectiveness are key factors to consider. The size and number of cards that fit onto a printing sheet can significantly impact production expenses. As a board game manufacturer, we prioritize helping our clients maximize each print run to get the best value while ensuring high-quality results.
Understanding Printing Sheet Efficiency
One of the most critical aspects of playing card manufacturing is making the most efficient use of printing sheets. The dimensions of each card affect how many can fit on a single sheet, which in turn impacts material usage and cost.
For smaller production runs—typically under 10,000 copies—we use standardized sheets measuring approximately 540 by 740 millimeters. Since each machine setup incurs additional costs, optimizing how many cards fit on each sheet is crucial to keeping expenses down.
For example:
Poker-sized cards (63 x 88 mm) – We can fit 65 cards per sheet.
Bridge-sized cards (57 x 88 mm) – We can fit 71 cards per sheet.
By slightly reducing the card width (as in the case of bridge-sized cards), we can increase the number of cards per sheet, ultimately lowering costs. If you’re uncertain about the best layout for your game, our project managers are always available to assist you with these calculations.
The Importance of Bleed Areas and Cutting Precision
When designing your playing cards, it’s essential to include an extra 1.5 millimeters of bleed on each side of the card. This ensures that when the cards are cut, there are no unintended white edges, preserving the aesthetic and professional look of the final product.
Bleed areas act as a safety margin to accommodate any slight misalignments during the cutting process. Without proper bleed, even minor variations in cutting could lead to visible white strips along the edges of your cards, negatively impacting their appearance. Our team ensures that every sheet is properly aligned and cut to perfection to maintain high production standards.
Cost Implications of Different Card Sizes
Choosing the right card dimensions isn’t just about aesthetics or game mechanics—it also has a direct impact on production costs. The more cards we can fit onto a sheet, the lower the cost per unit. For instance, a deck with 55 poker-sized cards will use more sheets compared to the same deck using bridge-sized cards, resulting in higher production costs.
Manufacturing efficiency is particularly important for independent game designers and small publishers, where cost control is essential. By optimizing the number of cards per sheet, you can reduce waste, minimize setup costs, and maximize your overall budget.
Larger Print Runs: Increased Flexibility and Savings
For larger print runs exceeding 10,000 copies, we have more flexibility in sheet sizes, allowing for even greater efficiency. Larger sheets can accommodate additional cards per run, which further reduces unit costs. This is because high-volume printing allows us to optimize every step of the manufacturing process, from material procurement to machine setup.
Bulk production also benefits from economies of scale. The more units printed, the lower the cost per deck. This is why larger publishers often aim for higher print quantities to reduce expenses and improve their profit margins. However, even smaller print runs can be cost-effective with careful planning and layout optimization.
Other Considerations for Playing Card Manufacturing
Aside from dimensions and sheet efficiency, there are several other factors to consider when manufacturing playing cards:
1. Card Stock and Finish
Choosing the right card stock is crucial for durability and gameplay experience. Options include standard cardstock, premium linen-finish paper, and plastic-coated varieties. Each choice affects the feel, longevity, and cost of your deck.
2. Printing and Color Quality
High-quality printing ensures vibrant colors and sharp designs. We use advanced printing technology to maintain color consistency across all cards in a deck, preventing variations that could affect gameplay.
3. Customization Options
Custom backs, foil stamping, embossed textures, and unique shapes can add a premium touch to your playing cards. While these features may increase costs, they also enhance the perceived value of your game.
4. Packaging Considerations
The way your deck is packaged—whether in a tuck box, rigid box, or plastic case—affects both cost and consumer perception. Thoughtful packaging design can make your game stand out while keeping it protected during shipping.
Conclusion: Maximizing Value in Playing Card Manufacturing
By carefully planning your playing card dimensions and optimizing sheet usage, you can significantly lower manufacturing expenses while maintaining a high-quality product. Understanding how many cards fit onto a sheet, allowing for bleed areas, and considering alternative card sizes are all strategies to make your project more cost-effective.
If you’re unsure about the best approach for your specific game, our team is here to help. We work closely with game creators to ensure their designs are optimized for cost and quality, making the manufacturing process smooth and efficient. Whether you’re producing a small run or a large-scale print, making informed decisions about dimensions and printing layouts will help you get the most value out of your investment.
Let us guide you through the process and ensure your playing cards meet the highest standards of quality while staying within budget.
At Hero Time, we understand that selecting the right playing card size is a crucial decision that impacts gameplay, aesthetics, and production costs. Through our extensive experience in board game manufacturing, we’ve found that the amount of content on a card and how frequently it is handled are key considerations. Here’s our expert breakdown of factors to consider when choosing the ideal card size for your game.
The Importance of Card Content
The first thing to evaluate is how much information each card needs to convey. If your cards contain a lot of text, intricate artwork, or detailed icons, you will need a larger size to maintain readability and visual appeal. For example, tarot-sized cards (70 x 108 mm or 70 x 120 mm) provide ample space for detailed graphics and extensive descriptions. These are commonly used for games with storytelling elements or cards that require significant visual or textual detail.
On the other hand, if your game uses simpler cards with minimal text, icons, or illustrations, a smaller size may be more appropriate. Mini cards (44 x 68 mm) are ideal for compact information, quick-reference cards, or status effect indicators. Their small size helps keep components organized and reduces table space usage.
Standard Options and Their Applications
There are several commonly used card sizes in board games, each suited for different gameplay mechanics:
Poker Size (63 x 88 mm): The most widely used card size, poker-sized cards are a versatile choice for many board and card games. They provide enough space for moderate amounts of text and artwork while being easy to shuffle and handle.
Bridge Size (57 x 88 mm): Slightly narrower than poker-sized cards, bridge-sized cards are often preferred when players need to hold multiple cards at once. This makes them a great choice for games that involve a lot of hand management.
Square Cards (68 x 68 mm or 58 x 58 mm): Square cards are less common but can offer unique design opportunities. They work well for tile-based mechanics, abstract strategy games, or games where players need to arrange cards in different orientations.
Ergonomics and Usability
Beyond the content, another important factor is how the cards will be handled during gameplay. If cards are a major interactive element, such as in deck-building or drafting games, a size that is easy to shuffle and hold—like poker or bridge size—will improve the user experience.
Conversely, if cards are primarily for reference or are laid out on the table rather than held, larger or uniquely shaped cards may enhance the game’s thematic and functional design. Tarot-sized cards, for instance, work well when placed face-up as character cards, event cards, or storyline elements.
Cost Considerations
From a manufacturing perspective, choosing a standard card size is typically more cost-effective than opting for a custom size. Standard sizes allow manufacturers to use existing molds and cutting dies, reducing setup costs and production time. Custom sizes, while offering unique aesthetics, often require additional expenses for tooling and may limit your options for protective sleeves and storage solutions.
Final Thoughts
At Hero Time, we’re committed to helping board game creators make the best manufacturing decisions. Selecting the right playing card size for your board game is a balance between functionality, aesthetics, and cost. Understanding how much content your cards need to display, how players will interact with them, and the financial implications of different sizes will help guide you to the best choice for your game. Whether opting for the familiarity of poker-sized cards, the space-saving benefits of mini cards, or the grandeur of tarot-sized cards, making an informed decision will enhance your game’s playability and appeal.
At Hero Time, we know that creating a board game from scratch is an exciting and rewarding endeavor. But it requires careful planning, research, and testing to bring a vision to life. Whether we’re designing a fast-paced party game or a deep strategy experience, each step in the development process plays a crucial role in shaping the final product. Here’s our guide to the essential steps in board game development, from the initial concept to a functional prototype.
Defining Our Target Audience
Before we start designing a game, it’s crucial to identify who will be playing it. Understanding our target audience helps shape everything from complexity to theme and gameplay mechanics. We consider factors like age group, gaming experience, and preferences. A game for families will differ greatly from one designed for hardcore strategy enthusiasts. The better we know our audience, the more engaging and successful our game will be.
Researching Similar Games
Once we have an idea, we research other games that share similarities in mechanics, theme, or playstyle. This step helps us understand what works well in the market and how we can make our game stand out. We play different board games, analyze their strengths and weaknesses, and take note of what makes them enjoyable. By studying existing games, we refine our own mechanics and avoid common design pitfalls.
Establishing the Player Experience
We think about the emotions and experiences we want to evoke in our players. Should our game be tense and competitive or lighthearted and cooperative? The experience we aim for influences game mechanics, pacing, and player interactions. Games like Codenames create moments of deduction and teamwork, while games like Risk evoke feelings of conquest and strategy. Defining these aspects early on helps us create a cohesive and immersive experience.
Designing the Game’s Goals and Mechanics
Every great board game has a clear objective and an engaging way to achieve it. We decide on the game’s win condition—whether it’s earning the most points, reaching a certain goal, or outlasting opponents. From there, we develop core mechanics that drive gameplay. Will our game use dice rolling, deck-building, worker placement, or deduction? The mechanics should align with our theme and contribute to an intuitive yet challenging experience.
Playtesting, Refining, and Iterating
No game is perfect on the first try. Playtesting is one of the most critical steps in development. We start by testing with a small group of friends or fellow designers to identify fundamental flaws. Then, we expand to a broader audience, including people unfamiliar with our game. We gather feedback on rules clarity, balance, pacing, and overall enjoyment. Each playtest session provides valuable insights, allowing us to tweak mechanics, adjust difficulty, and improve the player experience.
Considering Artwork and Visual Design
The visual elements of our game, from illustrations to iconography, play a significant role in its appeal and clarity. Even in the early prototype stages, we consider the kind of artwork and design direction we want. We look at games with similar themes and styles to understand what works well. Whether we aim for a whimsical, minimalist, or highly detailed aesthetic, ensuring our visuals align with our target audience enhances immersion and enjoyment.
Final Thoughts
At Hero Time, developing a board game is a journey of creativity, problem-solving, and continuous refinement. By understanding our audience, researching existing games, defining player experiences, fine-tuning mechanics, and playtesting rigorously, we transform ideas into playable and engaging prototypes. With dedication and iteration, our games have the potential to become tabletop favorites enjoyed by players around the world.
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