In this guide, I’ll explain how and where you can produce your card or board game at different stages — from a prototype to thousands of copies. Game production isn’t very complex. Most board games don’t include electronic parts, firmware, or software that would significantly complicate the process.
While designing the packaging, remember to keep it as simple as possible. Otherwise, the design process can take forever.
Prototype
To make a proper prototype (not a hand-drawn one), you don’t need a specialized board game manufacturer. Instead, you can:
- Arrange cards on PDF sheets (A4 or A3 format)
- Prepare additional materials such as rules (should fit the game box, A6 format, for example)
- Find a local or online printing company that prints on A3 or A4, 200+ gsm paper
- Order prints
- Cut the printed A3/A4 sheets into cards with knife or special paper cutter like Vaessen Creative 2207-108 and round the corners using a corner cutter (e.g. from AliExpress or local paper shop)
- Playtest, collect feedback, apply changes, and repeat
This approach allows for very fast iteration. The print quality won’t be perfect, but it’s good enough for testing. Otherwise, you may waste time and money on shipping multiple versions from a professional manufacturer.
If your game includes wooden or plastic elements (e.g. figures), you can use a 3D printing service (like JLC3DP) or invest in your own multi-color 3D printer, which typically costs €550+ (for example, we use P1S Bambu Lab).
Small pre-production batch
Once your prototype is tested, it’s time to produce a small batch. Don’t overproduce — around 50 copies is enough for testing, gathering feedback, sending review copies to YouTubers, and showcasing your game at events.
One company that can produce even a single copy is launchtabletop.com. It’s based in Hong Kong, but in my experience, small orders from Asia can be faster and easier than from some European manufacturers. Services like Launch Tabletop or JLC3DP are highly automated, offering user-friendly interfaces where you can preview products, configure options, and get pricing without emails or calls.
Production
When producing a large number of copies, consider the following:
- Shipping logistics: Transporting 1,000+ games internationally involves customs, paperwork, and potential delays.
- Samples: Always request samples before committing to a full production run.
- Lead times: Ask how long production takes and how quickly additional batches can be made.
- Batch size: Start with the smallest cost-effective batch. Printing 10,000 copies with errors or low demand can be costly and wasting of your time/money.
- Local production: If your game is simple (cards, box, rules), consider local or online print shops. Some may offer print-on-demand services, allowing you to produce games only after receiving orders.
How SalutCard can help with game production
SalutCard is a tool that helps you create game cards using templates and a data-driven deck editor. This allows you to easily update card designs, modify values, and export files for printing.
Most importantly, you can test your cards online before printing them.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at: salutcard@proton.me