At Hero Time, we know that every board game is more than just a set of rules and a board—it’s an experience. And a huge part of that experience comes from the components. The feel of a wooden token in your hand, the weight of a solid metal coin, the snap of a well-molded plastic figure—all of these details matter. As a leading board game manufacturer in China, we take pride in creating high-quality, customized game pieces that bring ideas to life.

Let’s take a closer look at the different types of board game pieces and how we manufacture them. Here are some of the key components that make up a board game:

• Game Box
• Playing Cards
• Token Sheets
• Foldable Game Boards
• Player Boards
• Rulebooks
• Paper Money
• Notepads
• DM Board
• Dice
• Wooden Meeples and Parts
• Standard Plastic Components (think cubes)
• Custom Plastic Components and Miniatures
• Other Sourced Products

 

The Materials Behind the Magic

Board game pieces can be made from a variety of materials, each offering unique textures, durability, and aesthetic appeal. At Hero Time, we specialize in working with:

• Wood: Classic and durable, wooden components are a favorite for their natural feel. We use precision laser cutting and eco-friendly dyes to ensure a smooth, high-quality finish.
• Plastic: Ideal for miniatures and tokens, plastic components are manufactured using injection molding, allowing us to create intricate and detailed figures.
• Cardboard & Paper: Perfect for standees, tiles, punchboards, playing cards, and rulebooks, we use high-density, FSC-certified cardboard and specialized playing card paper for a sturdy and premium feel.
• Metal: For that extra weight and luxury, we also produce metal coins, tokens, and components through precision casting and finishing processes.
• Acrylic: Used for certain game components, acrylic materials add durability and a sleek aesthetic.

 

Crafting the Perfect Piece: Our Manufacturing Process

Every piece we manufacture goes through a structured process to ensure quality and consistency. Here’s how we bring your board game components to life:

1. Design & Prototyping

Everything starts with a concept. We work closely with game creators to refine their ideas and provide guidance on materials, sizes, and costs. Instead of creating 3D models for every component, we lay out everything in a very clear Bill of Materials (BOM) for the game publishers to confirm and the factory to follow. For 3D-printed components, we do provide digital 3D models for approval. Before moving to mass production, we produce a prototype—this is the first time you get to see and feel your game pieces in physical form. We make adjustments based on feedback to ensure perfection.

2. Material Sourcing & Preparation

Quality begins with the right materials. Unlike other manufacturers that always chase the lowest price of materials and change suppliers, we maintain consistency and always source from the same raw materials suppliers and maintain our strict QC practices.

For example, some raw materials suppliers will provide paper or cardboard that isn’t perfectly flat, which harms the user experience. Our suppliers know to only provide the driest, smoothest, and flattest materials to ensure quality all across.

The sourcing of materials is the first stage of the production process, and it can easily influence all the following steps.

3. Production & Crafting

The actual production process depends on the material:

• Wooden components are laser-cut or CNC-machined, then sanded and painted with water-based, non-toxic dyes.
• Plastic miniatures go through injection molding. A metal mold is created, and molten plastic is injected under high pressure to form each piece with precision.
• Cardboard tokens, standees, and playing cards are die-cut from thick, high-density board or specialized playing card paper, ensuring crisp edges and smooth finishes.
• Metal coins and tokens are stamped or cast in molds, then polished and sometimes plated for an extra shine.

Each piece is inspected for flaws, ensuring everything meets our high quality standards before moving to the next stage.

4. Finishing & Quality Control

Once production is complete, finishing touches like painting, embossing, and custom engravings are applied. Wooden pieces are varnished, metal components are coated to prevent tarnishing, and plastic miniatures may be pre-painted if requested.

Before assembly, our in-house QC team goes over every component to ensure they meet our quality standards. We adhere to international safety standards and conduct thorough testing to ensure that all components meet regulatory requirements.

5. Assembly Process

One of the most overlooked steps in board game manufacturing is the assembly process. Many manufacturers fail to implement a structured assembly system, resulting in missing components in final products.

At Hero Time, we use very clear assembly orders and logic, along with a highly trained full-time team, to ensure that every game is assembled correctly. We also have a strict assembly QC process that dramatically reduces errors. While the industry average sees around 20 games per 1,000 with missing pieces, we have lowered this number to under 5.

Obviously, our assembly process is a bit more expensive than our competitors, but it is worth it to ensure that no game is shipped with missing pieces.

6. Packaging & Logistics

Finally, we carefully package your game pieces, ensuring they arrive in perfect condition. Whether you need standard packaging or custom inserts, we handle it all. Our streamlined logistics services help ship your board games directly to fulfillment centers around the world, ensuring a smooth transition from production to delivery.

 

Why Work with Hero Time?

We understand that manufacturing board games can be overwhelming. That’s why we do everything in our power to make the process Easy, Right, and Affordable. Unlike many manufacturers, we own our factory, which means complete control over quality, costs, and timelines. Our team is made up of full-time, well-paid professionals who are passionate about their work—ensuring that every component we produce meets the highest standards.

From ideation to production, we’re here to bring your board game vision to life. If you’re ready to create game pieces that enhance your players’ experience, reach out to us today and let’s make something incredible together!