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Game Box Inserts

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Thu, 07/18/2019 - 19:20
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I'm at the stage now where I'm building my game with all of the physical components. I've got everything covered except the game tray insert. I'm looking to get custom trays but I have no clue where to get them. I've been on Google researching and I can't find a place that'll do what I want. Most expect large runs and I'm not ready for that yet.

Does anyone know of a good place to go. I've inquired about them at Boardgamesmaker.com, which is where I've gotten most of my stuff made. This company is fantastic for those doing prototyping as long as you don't mind spending a little extra for small runs.

Printninja always pops up and I've contacted my 3D printer guys. It seems thermoforming and vacuum forming is expensive and not doable for small runs because you need to pay for the setup, tools and dies.

Any help or guidance you can provide would be great. I've got a couple more steps to take and then it's on to kickstarter!

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Thu, 07/18/2019 - 22:59
#1
questccg
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I agree with you 100%

I am working on a "customizable" card game and I have the same issue. I wanted one of those black plastic INSERTS too... But it's just not feasible ... especially since I want to use a service like "The Game Crafter".

Another issue is CARD SLEEVES. Most of TGC boxes are great for JUST the cards... Add sleeves and then they no longer fit in the box.

I'm really frustrated over all of that... IDK what to do either.

Right now I've abandoned and will probably go with just cards with UV Coating... Simplest solution. But I know the cards won't be the BEST protected and if buyers add their OWN sleeves, the box will have a hard time accommodating them.

SO VERY FRUSTRATED ATM!

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Sat, 07/20/2019 - 07:20
#2
I Will Never Gr...
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Honestly ..

Nobody will do a vac-formed plastic tray for you without massive setup fees and minimum runs.

Your options are;

3d printing (DIY with your own printer or Shapeways or similar service) - not cheap

Cardboard - DIY (cheap, but not pretty)

Foamboard - DIY (cheap, but not pretty)

Vac-forming - DIY (mid-high initial expense and a lot of set-up, not realistic for one-off's but great if you're going to do more of it as a hobby) or Professional (low cost per piece but high minimums making it expensive overall).

You're probably best to not have a tray at all unless you're going for a full on manufacturing run of your game, especially if it's a prototype.

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Sat, 07/20/2019 - 15:38
#3
Jay103
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I Will Never Grow Up Gaming

I Will Never Grow Up Gaming wrote:
Nobody will do a vac-formed plastic tray for you without massive setup fees and minimum runs.

Your options are;

3d printing (DIY with your own printer or Shapeways or similar service) - not cheap

Cardboard - DIY (cheap, but not pretty)

Foamboard - DIY (cheap, but not pretty)

Vac-forming - DIY (mid-high initial expense and a lot of set-up, not realistic for one-off's but great if you're going to do more of it as a hobby) or Professional (low cost per piece but high minimums making it expensive overall).

You're probably best to not have a tray at all unless you're going for a full on manufacturing run of your game, especially if it's a prototype.


Yup.

If you're building it yourself, you're not going to get a vacuum-formed tray (unless you build your own vac former, which is actually doable if you're very handy.. search online)

Cardboard divider and putting things in bags is probably the way to go if you don't have a 1000+ unit manufacturing run. Shrinkwrapped card deck, poly-bagged tokens, etc.

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Sat, 07/20/2019 - 17:12
#4
questccg
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Got to be a better way!?

Jay103 wrote:
If you're building it yourself, you're not going to get a vacuum-formed tray (unless you build your own vac former, which is actually doable if you're very handy.. search online)

This is one of those things that The Game Crafter (TGC) should have. But the REAL PROBLEM is box SIZES. Everything is shaped to fit 2.5" x 3.5" Poker cards (and derivatives) and there is NO EXTRA ROOM in the box for SLEEVES, especially if they are slightly bigger.

Then that puts the whole "Card Sleeves" out-of-whack and just really frustrates me ... Because there doesn't seem to be a SIMPLE solution.

Golly dash darn... Really not happy with this.

Like I said, I am opting for UV Coated cards so that you can use the included Dry Erase Marker to mark the abilities directly on the card without the need to buy Card Sleeves.

Best solution so far... Still not very happy!

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