Boda Games

Printing on wooden components

Wooden components are a staple of board games for as long as they have been around. They fit together perfectly with paper cards and punchboard game boards to create the classic board game experience. Everyone knows the piles of wooden cubes, discs and rectangles that are so common euro style games. However, you can do a lot of things with wooden components, both in terms of size and shape as well as printing. The three most commonly used methods for printing artwork, numbers and symbols on wooden components are silk screen printing, heat transfer printing and UV printing. Even though they overlap in certain areas, each of these printing methods has their own advantages. Picking the right one for the components in your board game will elevate the experience. We will explain the process, the advantages and the limitations for each of them.

Silk Screen Printing

Silk screen printing is done by pushing the ink through a stencil or screen. The screen is made of a fine mesh material that is stretched across a frame. In the screen, the areas where the ink should flow through are left open, and the other areas are blocked. Then, ink will be applied to the screen on one side, and the other side of the screen will be placed against the wooden component. A squeegee is used to push the ink across the screen, letting it flow through the areas that are open. That ink adheres to the wood and forms the design. Then, the parts will be laid out to let the ink dry, so it sets and adheres to the wood.

Benefits:

Silk screen printing produces a very durable print. The mesh screens allow for highly detailed, intricate design. The colours are vibrant and mask the underlying color well.

Downsides:

For each color a separate screen is necessary. For small print runs, it requires an investment in the screens. The set up and production process can be time-consuming. Gradient colours and photographic graphics cannot be done by silk screen.

UV printing

UV printing is done with a large UV printing machine that prints the UV ink onto the wooden component. In the UV ink there are special compounds that harden when exposed to UV light. Much like your printer at home, this is done line by line as it builds up the graphic from top to bottom. After printing, it immediately cures  it with UV light. This rapidly solidifies the ink on the surface of the wood. This process makes the ink resistant to smudging and more durable.

Benefits:

UV printing allows for high resolution, full colour printing with a fine level of detail. The colours are vibrant and opaque. UV printing can easily accommodate variable data, such as numbers or unique designs on each component.

Downsides:

UV printing prints on the surface, so it has a higher potential for rubbing off due to abrasion. It does not mask the underlying paint color as well as silk screen printing.

Heat Transfer Printing

Heat transfer printing is done by first printing the design on a special carrier paper with special heat transfer inks. The paper is placed over the wooden component(s) and aligned. Then, the heat press machine simultaneously heats the paper and applies pressure to it. The heat activates the ink and causes it to subliminate from the carrier paper and adhere onto the wood. Finally, the carrier paper is removed. The wooden components then cool down to allow the ink to set.

Benefits:

Heat transfer printing allows for full colour printing with high detail and resolution. The process is suitable for small and large production volumes. Heat transfer can be applied to a variety of surfaces, including textures ones. Setup time and cost is low.

Downsides:

It is less durable when regularly exposed to moisture or abrasion. The texture of the wood affects the print quality. It is less suitable for dark surfaces, as the heat transfer print does not cover the underlying color as well as silk screen printing.

Want to see more examples of wooden components Boda Games Manufacturing has produced? Have a look at the wooden components section on our website, as well as our brochure. Have an idea for printing wooden components for your next board game? Get in touch with us!

Read more...

Boda Games @ Essen Spiel 2023

Essen Spiel 2023 is only a few weeks away and we can't wait! The biggest board game convention in Europe, Essen Spiel the event every fall that everyone in the industry looks forward to. Whether you're looking to play some board games with like minded people and pick up the latest and hottest releases. Or looking to pitch your newest game design to both world famous and small indie publishers alike. Or connecting with a board game manufacturer like Boda Games, who can help bring your game to life. With more than a 1000 exhibitors in 6 halls, this is the event you don't want to miss. Here is what you can expect according to Spiel's website: THE WHOLE GAMING WORLD GETS TOGETHER AT SPIEL ESSEN - BE THERE! We are the world's largest public fair for board games and bring together passionate game fans with national and international exhibitors in Germany in the heart of the Ruhr area. Here you can discover new titles from all over the world, enjoy the company of other gamers and above all play as much as you want. Because playing is in the heart of SPIEL.Thousands of new releases, which will be shown and sold for...

Read more...

Adding a Finish part 1: Spot UV & Hot Foil Stamping

In this series we will take a closer look at the types of finish you can add to board game components. They are commonly used on the game boxes in order to help the artwork stand out. But can also be applied to other paper components such as punchboards, game boards, cards and more. The first two that we will discuss are the ones most commonly found when you look around at a board game store. These are spot UV and hot foil stamping. What do these terms mean exactly? And what kind of effect do they add to your components. And more importantly: how does the manufacturing process work? One of the nice things about being a board game manufacturer is that we apply a lot of different techniques that are normally only used in specific parts of the printing industry. As board game publishers and designers continue to seek out new ways to make their game. We keep on expanding our portfolio of technologies. As a result, our board game manufacturing capabilities include a lot of specialized printing techniques. The two that we will discuss today are printing techniques that aim to enhance the visual appeal of printed materials....

Read more...

Gencon 2023 – Boda Games booth 2603 + First Exposure Hall

With excitement in the air and dice rolling, the biggest board game convention in America, Gencon, is just around the corner. We are thrilled to announce that Boda Games will be exhibiting at Gencon, taking place August 3 to 6. With not one, but two booths, we are all set to make a big splash and connect with the thriving board game community! Our presence at Gencon is not just about showcasing our manufacturing services and products; it's about fostering creativity, forging new partnerships, and bringing innovative board game ideas to life. With booths in the main hall (booth 2603) and the First Exposure hall, we have a fantastic opportunity to engage with publishers, designers, and fellow gamers alike. For those who are unfamiliar with Boda Games, we take pride in being a leading name in the board game manufacturing industry. With years of experience and a passion for crafting high-quality games, we have had the honor of bringing numerous successful board games to life. Our dedication to excellence and attention to detail have earned us the trust of game creators worldwide. Boda Games' booths at Gencon In the main hall, you'll find us at booth 2603, where we will be showcasing some of...

Read more...

Artwork guides – white lines when exporting to PDF

White lines that appear in exported PDF's are a common question we get from customers. In the process of preparing all the artwork for their board game, artwork files are commonly exported as PDF's. These PDF's are sent to Boda Games and we check whether they are ok for manufacturing. Quite often we get concerned messages from customers who cannot understand why their exported PDF is showing white lines. And more importantly, whether these white lines will show up when we start printing the paper components. We will explain why the white lines appear when exporting to a PDF and how to prevent that from happening. In this guide, we are using InDesign from Adobe.    [caption id="attachment_25530" align="aligncenter" width="486"] Another example of artifacts appearing in a PDF file[/caption] Why white lines are visible First of all, in general the white lines that are visible will not show when printing on a high resolution device, even if they are visible on low resolution devices such as monitors. The reason these appear is due to image flattening in combination with anti-aliasing and the existence of transparency effects in the file. When you flatten on export, the page gets cut up into pieces. The way the...

Read more...

Origins Awards 2023

Origins 2023 Game of the Year nominations

We are thrilled to announce that four outstanding board games, developed by our esteemed customers, have been nominated for the prestigious Origins Game of the Year Awards 2023. To Adam's Apple Games, Smirk & Dagger and Fireside Games, we would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the talented teams behind these exceptional games, whose creativity and innovation have captured the attention of the gaming industry. Their nominations for the Origins Game of the Year Awards serve as a testament to their unwavering commitment to crafting immersive and engaging experiences for players around the globe. As a manufacturing company, we are honored to have played a small part in their remarkable achievements.  Once again, congratulations to the deserving teams behind these remarkable board games! Your passion, talent, and dedication have earned you well-deserved recognition in the gaming industry. We eagerly await the announcement of the winners and will be cheering for you every step of the way.  Below are each of the nominated games.  Boop - Smirk & Dagger Games   Boop: A deceptively cute, deceivingly challenging abstract strategy game for two players. Every time you place a kitten on the bed, it goes “boop.” Which is to say that it pushes every other kitten on the...

Read more...

UKGE 2023 – Boda Games

UK Games Expo 2023 - June 2nd until June 4th! The biggest board game convention in the United Kingdom is back for another year. And with more exhibitors, more events and bigger than ever before. Once again held in the amazing NEC Convention Center and Hilton Hotel in Birmingham, the UK Games Expo 2022 promises to be 3 days of non stop fun for all board game fans out there. What can we expect at the UK Games Expo this year? From their UKGE : “UK Games Expo (UKGE) is the largest Tabletop Games Convention in the UK – where all aspects of the tabletop gaming hobby are represented under one roof. The next UKGE will be from Friday 3rd June to Sunday 5th June 2022 at the NEC, Birmingham and Hilton Metropole Hotel. At UKGE there are two huge halls full of exhibitors who want to show you their games. You can see them, you can try them out, and if you like them you can buy them. We also have a huge library of games to borrow and play on hundreds of tables of open gaming – open for anyone to play anything in. You can also meet costumed groups dressed as your...

Read more...

Certification of quality Boda Games

As a company that specializes in OEM manufacturing of board games for publishers, Boda Games Manufacturing takes pride in its commitment to quality. In order to ensure that our products meet the highest standards. We have obtained several certifications from reputable organizations. Below is an outline of the different quality certifications that Boda Games holds.   FSC Certification The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international non-profit organization that promotes responsible management of the world's forests. FSC certification ensures that the paper and wood used in our products comes from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. By choosing FSC certified paper, our customers can be confident that they are supporting sustainable forestry practices.   BSCI Certification The Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) is a European initiative that aims to improve working conditions in factories worldwide. BSCI certification ensures that our products are manufactured in facilities that provide fair wages, safe working conditions, and respect for workers' rights. This certification demonstrates our commitment to ethical business practices and the well-being of our employees.   Disney FAMA Certification The Disney FAMA (Facility and Merchandise Authorization) program is designed to ensure that products featuring Disney characters and imagery. Meet Disney's strict standards for safety, quality, and ethical production....

Read more...

Boda Games @ GAMA 2023 in Reno

 The GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association) Trade Show is an annual event that brings together publishers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and other industry professionals in the tabletop games industry. This year's event is set to take place in Reno, Nevada from April 24th to April 28th, 2023. At the GAMA fair, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with industry leaders and experts, attend seminars and workshops on various topics related to the industry, and check out the latest products and services offered by vendors and manufacturers. This event is also a great opportunity for businesses in the tabletop games industry to network, form new partnerships, and discover new opportunities for growth and expansion. Boda Games Manufacturing's participation in the GAMA fair is a clear indication of their commitment to the industry and their desire to connect with publishers and other industry players. We are excited to see what new developments and opportunities will arise from our participation in this year's event! If you're a publisher attending the GAMA fair in Reno and are interested in learning more about Boda Games Manufacturing's services, we'd love to hear from you! We invite you to contact us to set up a meeting during the fair. During the meeting, you'll...

Read more...

Packaging board games

When it comes to packaging board games, there are two common methods: shrink-wrapping and using stickers to close the box. While both methods achieve the same goal of securing the contents inside the box, they differ in several ways, and each method has its own unique benefits. Shrink-wrap packaging   Shrink-wrapping involves using a plastic film that is wrapped tightly around the entire box and then heated to create a seal. The primary advantage of shrink-wrapping is that it creates a tamper-proof seal that cannot be easily removed or resealed without leaving obvious signs of tampering. This makes it an excellent option for games that are being sold in retail stores or shipped long distances, as it provides an extra layer of protection against damage and theft. Sealing stickers packaging   In contrast, using stickers to close the box is a method using less plastic. This involves placing a strip of adhesive tape or a sticker over the opening of the box. Between the top and bottom part, to keep it closed. Normally, we place 2 stickers on each side of the box to make sure it is sealed well, but for bigger games this can even be increased to 4 stickers. With one on each...

Read more...