If you’re a board game publisher based in Europe, North America, Australia or elsewhere in the world, manufacturing in China is
Despite the recent tariffs and other trade disruptions, China remains the world’s top market for board game manufacturing. As we’ve covered on our About Us page, the combination of great value, extensive supply chains, and manufacturing expertise available in China mean there’s a good reason it’s the most common place to manufacture games.
Working with a manufacturer on the other side of the world introduces a new set of challenges, especially if you’re a creator doing this for the first time or a small publisher trying to scale your game’s production.
Time zone differences, language barriers, and differing business norms between your country and China can all potentially lead to miscommunication, delays and frustration if not managed properly.
The good news is that with the right combination of preparation and a reliable manufacturing partner, these challenges are very manageable.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to collaborate effectively with a Chinese board game manufacturer so you can keep your project on track and get the best value from your game’s production run, all without common headaches and issues.
Tips for Working With a Chinese Game Manufacturer
Choose a Manufacturer That Offers Guidance & Expertise, Not Just Printing
Not all game manufacturers operate the same way. Some act primarily as print vendors — they’ll take your files, run the job, and ship it, no questions asked.
This might sound efficient, but in practice, this usually leads to problems if there are issues with your files or components that could have been caught earlier. These problems then go into your final game, resulting in a subpar product and the need for reprinting.
Instead of viewing all manufacturers as the same, look for a manufacturing partner who offers a significant amount of guidance during the process. A good manufacturing partner will review all of your files, flag problems before production starts, and offer suggestions to improve durability, reduce weight, or help you to save on cost.
They’ll also help you make informed decisions about materials, finishes, inserts, and packaging based on your goals. We work closely with our creators to catch issues early and offer proactive support so you end up with the best version of your game possible.
Plan Around Time Zones and Communication Styles
China is in a very different time zone from most of the US and Europe. This means you should expect a delay of 12 to 24 hours between any emails or messages, especially if you’re working through details that require confirmation with production teams.
To make communication smoother between different time zones, it’s helpful to batch all of your questions or feedback together instead of sending frequent short messages.
Be clear and structured in how you communicate. Using lists, bullet points and screenshots to get your points across can go a long way toward avoiding misunderstandings.
Also, be aware that English might not be your account manager’s first language. Try to stick to concise, clear language without ambiguity, as the language gap may cause your manufacturer to interpret things differently if your statements or questions have multiple meanings.
Be Clear and Precise With Your Files
The most common delays in board game manufacturing don’t come from equipment problems or other production issues, but from unclear or incomplete game files. It’s common for creators to submit artwork that’s not print-ready, resulting in delays as it’s modified and updated.
Make sure your files are correct and production-ready. If you need help, feel free to contact us and we’ll help you with your file and artwork prep. Taking the time to double-check your artwork before submitting it can potentially save you weeks later working with us to fix any errors.
Understand the Manufacturing Process & Timeline
The manufacturing process for a board game includes several phases. These include quoting, reviewing your files, production of your sample, mass production, packing and shipping. Each phase in the process takes time, and most factories will not begin production until they receive both your final files and your deposit.
To get your game made on time, it’s important to plan ahead. If you’re crowdfunding and have a deadline, or need to get your game into stores by a specific date, make sure you communicate those dates early and build in buffer time.
While your manufacturer will do their best to meet your deadlines, rush jobs introduce risk, affect your game’s quality, and can lead to additional costs.
Also, remember to keep in mind that lead times for your game vary depending on the production season. The months leading up to Chinese New Year are really busy. During Chinese New Year, production is paused for 30 days. These events need to be factored into your production plan.
Understanding the overall process and timing of how your game is made will help you to make better decisions and avoid last-minute surprises and delays.
Consider Shipping, Tariffs and Assembly Options
Shipping your games from China to the US or Europe is a key part of the process, and one that requires careful planning. Shipping costs, customs clearance and import duties can significantly affect your budget for getting your game into your customers’ or backers’ hands.
For US-based publishers, recent tariffs on games and related products have increased the cost of importing goods directly from China.
To reduce your exposure to tariffs, you may want to consider hybrid manufacturing or assembly models. For example, you can talk to our team about making some of your game’s components in China, then assembling in the United States to limit your tariffs and trade-related costs.
This can help to reduce your game’s value for customs, as well as simplify the last-mile delivery to your warehouse or fulfillment center.
If you’re not sure what the best approach is for your situation, we’re happy to advise you about shipping, tariffs and other logistics topics that are related to making and selling your game.
In Conclusion
Working with a manufacturer in another country can feel daunting at first, especially if you’re in the process of making your first game.
There are lots of factors to consider, including the geographical distance, the regulations and laws involved in international trade, and the cultural and language barriers that exist between different countries.
However, with the right preparation, and just as importantly, the right choice of manufacturer, it can become a reliable partnership that gives you a lot of confidence not just in your abilities to design and create your game at a conceptual level, but also bring it to life physically.
A key part of this is treating the relationship as a collaboration. With clear communication, trust, and realistic expectations, we can help you make your game to your standards and vision, with help when you need it to make sure production is smooth rather than stressful.
Regardless of your time zone or the type of game you’re making, we’re here to help. If you’re a game publisher looking for help with manufacturing, contact us and we’ll assist you with every step in the process, from artwork prep to manufacturing, shipping and more.
