At Hero Time, we understand that board game manufacturing can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to navigating Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs). If you’re new to the process, you may wonder why manufacturers require a minimum number of units and how it affects your game production. As a company dedicated to making board game manufacturing transparent, efficient, and accessible, we want to shed some light on MOQs and how they impact your project.

What is MOQ and Why Does It Matter?

MOQ refers to the smallest number of units a manufacturer is willing to produce in a single order. In the board game industry, this can range from a few hundred to several thousand copies, depending on the complexity of the game and the materials used. The reason for this requirement is simple—manufacturing involves multiple fixed costs, including machine setup, raw materials, and labor. Producing in bulk helps ensure that these costs are spread across multiple units, keeping the per-unit price reasonable for both the manufacturer and the game creator.

At Hero Time, we strive to balance cost-effectiveness with flexibility. While many manufacturers impose high MOQs. Many manufacturers like Panda and Long Pack have an MOQ of 1500 or 2000 sets. Our MOQ is only 500 sets to support small game publishers. Our goal is to make board game manufacturing accessible, whether you’re launching your first Kickstarter campaign or scaling up an established publishing business.

The Challenges of Low MOQs

Many game creators, especially independent developers, hope to manufacture a small batch for their initial print run. However, lower MOQs come with trade-offs. When producing a limited quantity, manufacturing costs remain high because machine setup, material preparation, and labor expenses remain unchanged. Some low-end manufacturers may use manual labor for production, but that has its own drawbacks. We implement a standardization standard in our factory to ensure all games use the same size materials and even cutting and gluing molds. This guarantees that even small game publishers with low print runs of only 500 sets will have their entire process automated at an affordable cost.

Another factor to consider is supplier availability. Many of the raw materials used in board game production—For custom dice, we use special silicon molds and liquid resin. For miniatures, we use 3D printing. The raw material challenge lies in custom-sized paper, as it requires custom orders. Hence, we implement our standardization standard., and premium card stock—are sourced in bulk. Suppliers often require large orders to justify production, which is why manufacturers enforce MOQs. If an order is too small, it might not be possible to source certain materials at reasonable prices.

That being said, we know every game creator’s journey is different. We’re always happy to discuss options, whether it’s grouping your order with others to meet supplier requirements or exploring different material choices that allow for smaller runs without compromising quality.

Why Hero Time is Different

Unlike many manufacturers in China, we don’t operate as a middleman—we own our factory, which means we have full control over production timelines, materials, and quality assurance. This allows us to offer flexible MOQs without unnecessary markups. We also believe in transparency, so you’ll never be left guessing about pricing, timelines, or quality expectations.

To help you make the most cost-efficient decisions, we encourage you to download our component guide, which outlines the optimal sizes and materials for board game production. Download the guide here.

Additionally, our experienced project managers are available to discuss your unique needs and provide tailored solutions to optimize your production run. Whether you’re planning a small first run or a large-scale print, we are here to ensure a smooth and cost-effective manufacturing experience.

We know that bringing a board game to life is a labor of love. That’s why we go beyond just manufacturing—we collaborate with creators, helping them navigate logistics, quality control, and fulfillment so they can focus on what they do best: making amazing games. Unlike many manufacturers in China, we don’t operate as a middleman—we own our factory, which means we have full control over production timelines, materials, and quality assurance. This allows us to offer flexible MOQs without unnecessary markups. We also believe in transparency, so you’ll never be left guessing about pricing, timelines, or quality expectations.

We know that bringing a board game to life is a labor of love. That’s why we go beyond just manufacturing—we collaborate with creators, helping them navigate logistics, quality control, and fulfillment so they can focus on what they do best: making amazing games.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re considering manufacturing your board game but aren’t sure how MOQ will affect your project, let’s talk. Our team is always available to discuss your needs and find a production solution that works for you. Whether you’re making a small first-run or planning for mass production, we’re here to make the process as easy, right, and affordable as possible.

Contact us today, and let’s turn your game idea into reality!