How to Choose a Board Game Manufacturer

To choose a board game manufacturer, build a shortlist of four or five factories and test each one. Compare how they communicate, how they organise the work and what their past clients say. Price matters, but it is not what decides whether your game comes out right. Board game manufacturing companies differ most in communication and in the system behind the work. This guide shows you what to check and what to ask.

Where Board Games Are Made

Most board games in the world are made in China. The reason is not cheap labour. Most of the work is done by machines, and a printing press runs about 10,000 sheets an hour. What matters more is the supply chain: the paper, the board, the plastic and the machines are all made nearby. Many factories elsewhere still import parts from China.

We are a board game manufacturer in China, based in Yiwu, about 300 km from Shanghai. If you want to make your game closer to home, our guide to board game manufacturers by country covers the USA, the UK, Europe and Australia.

Build a Shortlist of Four or Five Factories

Start with four or five factories that make games like yours. You can find them in three places:

• A web search for board game manufacturers in China or in your own country.
• Designer communities, such as Reddit's Tabletop Game Design forum and the Board Game Design Lab Facebook group.
• BoardGameGeek's list of game manufacturers.

Then read what past clients say. Search each name in those communities and on review sites. The best board game manufacturers are not always the biggest. They are the ones whose clients would hire them again.

Communication Comes First

Good communication is the most important thing to look for. A game has many custom parts, and every detail must pass from you to the people who make it. Without clear communication, details fall between the chairs. Nobody owns them, and they come out wrong. Three things to check:

• Someone answers you quickly. You need answers to keep working on your game. A team that takes a week to reply slows your whole project. We reply to quote requests within 48 hours.
• The line to the factory floor is short. Each extra person between you and the machine is a chance for a detail to get lost. Ask who will speak to the production team, and how.
• They speak your language well. Your contact should write clear English and understand game terms.

When working with Chinese manufacturers, plan around the time difference. Send all your questions in one message, not many small ones. Use lists and screenshots, and write short, clear sentences that cannot be read two ways.

Look for a System, Not Just a Price

Choose a manufacturer that works to a clear system. If the organisation is a mess, your game will be a mess. Making a game has several handoff points, where work passes from one team to the next. Each handoff must be checked and confirmed, so nothing is missing. At a well-run factory, you sign off each stage in writing:

1. The quote: every part, quantity and price is confirmed in writing.
2. Your files: the factory checks your artwork and sends an artwork issue report listing every problem.
3. The print files: you approve the files as they will be printed.
4. The sample: you check a pre-production sample, and any problems go into a sample issue report.
5. The full parts list: you approve every part's specification, the insert and the assembly order.
6. Mass production: you receive quality-control photos, videos and reports from the factory floor.

The industry calls these checkpoints approval gates or sign-offs, and the full parts list is the bill of materials (BOM). The reports help you manage your project, and they make sure your game is made properly. Our own work rests on four pillars: system, communication, standard procedures and personal care. Our quote-to-order process lists every step.

Questions to Ask Every Manufacturer

Ask every factory on your shortlist the same questions, so you can compare the answers side by side.

Do they own the factory?

Ask this first. Some companies that sell board game manufacturing do not own a factory. They pass your order to another factory and add a margin. This is the trading company vs manufacturer question. A trading company (a middleman, or broker) can quote a low price, because it often does no quality control of its own. But it adds one more step for details to get lost, and it depends on a factory it does not control. Ask to see the factory, and check that its name matches the certificates and the contract.

What games have they made?

Ask for a list of games they have made. Buy one or two that are like yours, and check the print, the board and the box. You can also ask for a sample pack of materials and finishes.

Which certificates do they hold?

Ask for the certificates, not just the logos. Look for ISO 9001 (quality management), FSC (responsible paper) and BSCI (fair working conditions). If you make a Disney-licensed game, you also need Disney FAMA. Check that each certificate names the factory itself and covers games. Our guide to Disney FAMA and other factory certificates explains what each one proves.

What is the minimum order quantity?

Every factory has a minimum order quantity (MOQ), because setting up the machines costs the same for 500 games as for 5,000. Our minimum is 1,000 sets, and we can help with 500 if really needed. For a few copies only, a print on demand service is the better choice.

How do samples and prototypes work?

Ask what a sample costs and what it includes. A pre-production sample (PPS) is a hand-made copy of your final game, for you to check before mass production. We include one free pre-production sample with your 50% deposit, and shipping is charged. A prototype is different: it is an early copy for testing or showing to backers. Our guide to board game prototype printing explains the difference.

What happens if something goes wrong?

Ask how mistakes are handled, and get the answer in the contract. Every factory makes some mistakes, such as scratched cards, cutting errors or extra glue. A clear contract states your game's specification, the quality standard and what happens when a part is wrong. Avoid factories that make promises but will not write them down. You can read our terms and conditions.

Is the price clear?

Ask for a price for every part, not one total. A quote broken down by part shows where your money goes. It also shows where you can save, for example with a thinner board or fewer colours. Our guide to what to include in a board game manufacturing quote helps you ask for one.

What other services do they offer?

Ask what else they can help with. Many factories can connect you with artists, help with crowdfunding, arrange safety tests or ship your games to backers.

Plan Shipping and Import Duties Early

Shipping and import duties are part of the price, so plan them before you order. Shipping cost depends on weight, distance and speed. Import duties depend on your country, and they can change quickly, so check the current rate before you order. A door-to-door service with duty paid (known as DDP, delivered duty paid) handles customs for you. Our guide to shipping costs for board games explains the options.

Why Creators Choose Hero Time

Kickstarter lists Hero Time as a recommended manufacturer. That is thanks to the many five-star reviews game creators have left us. Every creator works with a project manager who speaks fluent English and talks directly to our production floor. Our factory holds ISO 9001, FSC, BSCI and Disney FAMA. If you are comparing factories, contact us and we will answer your questions.