Inlay: how to choose the right one

Inlay: how to choose the right one

Choosing the Right Inlay for Your Board Game: Plastic, Paper, and Pulp Trays

While the box of a game can be considered the first impression, the inlay is one of the first things you notice after you open the box. A well-designed inlay enhances the user experience by organizing components, protecting game pieces, and creating a memorable unboxing experience. And who doesn’t love to organize things?A good inlay has many different functions at the same time. It protects the game components while the game is being transported. It creates an appealing look when the box is opened. It makes it easy to start a game and clean it up afterwards. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of three popular types of inlays: plastic, paper and paper pulp formed trays.

Plastic Inlays

Plastic inlays are molded to securely hold each piece in a dedicated slot, preventing shifting during transport. They’re a favorite in games with a lot of components due to their durability and precise customization options. The precision with which you can make different slots to specifically hold a certain component makes them very convenient for complex games to help speed up setting the game up. With plastic inlays you can opt for 1 large tray, or separate it into different separate trays that can be taken out of the box and placed on the table to play with. Miniatures and components with unique shapes can be placed in their dedicated slots for optimal protection, with the option to add a lid on top to prevent things from moving around all together.

Pros:

• Long-lasting Durability: Plastic inlays resist wear and tear, keeping pieces in place over time.
• Custom Fit: Allows for detailed molding to fit specific components, enhancing presentation and protection.

Cons:

• Environmental Impact: Plastic has a high environmental footprint and may not appeal to eco-conscious gamers.
• Space Requirements: Plastic trays can be bulkier, adding to box dimensions.

Paper Inlays

Paper inlays are an environmentally friendly, cost-effective choice. These can range from simple cardboard dividers to more complex constructions with multiple wells to place different components in. Depending on the size of the game box and the weight of the components it can be made from heavy card stock or e-flute backed cardstock. It can be a paper in a specific color or it can be printed in 4C, giving extra room to show off beautiful artwork and increase the game experience!

Pros:

• Cost-Effective: Compared to plastic, paper inlays are economical and effective.
• Sustainable: Recyclable and made from renewable materials, making it the greener choice.

Cons:

• Limited Customization: Can’t achieve the same intricate compartmentalisation as plastic.

Paper Pulp Formed Tray Inlays

Paper pulp trays are created from molded recycled paper, offering a balance between customization and detailed structure a plastic tray gives, but retaining sustainability of a paper based product. These inlays are growing in popularity as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic. Similar to plastic trays they require a mold, but at the same time that allows for precise details and highly specific compartments. As the industry becomes more aware of its ecological footprint, expect to see more and more of these in your favorite games.

Pros:

• Eco-friendly: Made from recycled materials, paper pulp is biodegradable and reduces plastic usage.
• Good structure: More structured than flat paper, it offers a stable base for components.
• Customizable designs: Allows for tailored slots and shapes without the environmental cost of plastic.

Cons:

• Less precision: Paper pulp trays lack the exacting fit of plastic, which can mean less secure component storage.
• Higher costs than standard paper inlays: Pulp inlays are generally more expensive than basic cardboard inserts.