When players open up your game’s box, the foldable game board is usually the first thing they see. It’s the centerpiece of your game, where everything happens during gameplay, and it’s an important part not just for your game’s mechanics, but also for its visual identity.
Because of this, how your board folds, feels, and handles over time has a big impact on players’ experience and your game’s perceived quality.
While the right game board design and materials can make your game easy to set up, play and store, the wrong one can lead to warped edges, visible seams, or a box that doesn’t quite close properly.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common types of foldable game boards, the most common materials used to make them and a few design tips to help you choose the right option for your game.
Need help with your game board design or any other aspect of game manufacturing? Reach out to our team and we’ll help you with advice, suggestions or a quote for making your game.
Common Styles of Folding Game Board
The folding type of your game board determines how your board opens, how compact it is when inside the box and how visible the fold lines are when players use it. Below are the main options used in most board games today.
Single Fold (Bi-Fold) Game Boards
This is the most common folding style, with one fold straight down the middle that results in two panels. This type of game board is commonly called a “bi-fold” board, and it’s a good choice for games that have a rectangular box, due to its greater length than width when folded.
No-Fold Game Boards
No-fold game boards are even simpler than bi-fold game boards. This type of game board is a flat piece of cardboard that doesn’t fold into a smaller shape. This type of game board is cheap to produce, but is limited to a small size so it fits within the game’s box and other packaging.
Single-fold and no-fold boards offer several advantages. They’re sturdy and durable, generally cost-effective to produce, and quick to set up and put away. However, they’re limited in size; in the case of a no-fold board, very significantly.
It’s usually recommended not to pass 280*280MM if you plan to use a no-fold game board for your game.
When it comes to no-fold boards, these can also be used to give a game a premium look and feel in some circumstances. For example, rather than to save costs, some games use a totally flat no-fold board for their premium edition so the play surface is totally flat and crease-free.
Quad-Fold Game Boards
A quad-fold board is divided into four equal panels that fold down into a quarter of its full size, making it compact when folded. This design lets large boards fit into small boxes, making it a popular choice for games with bigger play areas or compact packaging.
The key advantage of a quad-fold game board is that it allows a game with a large board to be compact and easy to store when it’s folded up. This type of game board also feels professional and polished. Due to its dimensions, a quad-fold board is ideal for square game boards.
The downside of a quad-fold game board is that it’s generally more expensive to manufacture than a simpler bi-fold game board. This type of board also has more fold lines, which may be visible on the game’s play surface when it’s in use.
Other Game Boards
Although most game boards fit into the above categories, some games use six-fold and even eight-fold boards or other game board designs. For example, six-fold boards are often used in many current Euro and Indie games due to its ability to expand to a large size during gameplay.
These types of boards are popular for games that need a large play area, as they can fold out from a small size and, when not in use, collapse into a small footprint. A six-fold board can get as large as 560x860mm.
The downside of these boards is they can be more complicated to design due to their intricate folding pattern. Six-fold boards also need to be cut very precisely, which can potentially lead to higher manufacturing costs compared to simpler board types.
Materials for Folding Game Boards
Once you’ve chosen the folding type for your game board, the next decision is what materials to use. Your choice of material affects quite a lot of things, from how heavy your game board feels to how long it lasts.
Chipboard
Most foldable game boards are made using thick chipboard (often called greyboard). This is a dense cardboard material that provides structure and rigidity for your game board.
Chipboard is typically 1.5 to 2.5mm in thickness. It’s strong, stable and ideal for games that are played over the long term. The chipboard used to make a game board is covered with a printed and laminated paper sheet to provide its finished appearance and outer layer. We at Hero Time often recommend to move forward with a 2mm high density cardboard to ensure durability.
Chipboard gives a professional, durable finish while keeping the production costs for your game reasonable. It’s the go-to material for almost all medium to high-quality games.
Alternative Materials for Foldable Game Boards
While chipboard is standard for most games, there are a few other materials that might be used in special cases:
- Lightweight cardboard. This might be used for travel or mini games. It’s cheaper, light in weight and takes up limited space, but is less durable than other materials.
- Wood or MDF. Wood or MDF might be used for some games to create a deluxe and higher-end feel. Wooden game boards are less common than cardboard, are heavier, and more expensive to ship.
- Plastic. In some cases, such as for young children’s games, plastic may be used for the game board. Plastic is durable and water-resistant, meaning it may be more suitable for games that could get wet, scratched or bent easily.
Get Expert Help with Your Game Board Design
Your game board is much more than just a surface for your game. Rather, it’s the foundation of your game’s entire playing experience. Choosing the right fold type and material gives players a product that feels solid, professional and satisfying to use.
If you’re not sure which option is best for your foldable game board, our team can help. We’ve produced thousands of boards for creators worldwide and can guide you on materials, folding types, and finishes that match your vision and budget.
Contact us today to discuss your game board’s design and materials. We can help you choose the right materials and create something that looks beautiful, feels great in players’ hands, and stands the test of time.
