Tutorial

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 side. The adhesive tape can be plastic film, or made from paper. While it may not provide the same level of security as shrink-wrapping, it is still an effective way to keep the contents of the box from falling out or becoming damaged during transport.

Benefits of stickers

 
One benefit of using stickers over shrink-wrap is that they offer more design flexibility. On stickers you can custom print logos, artwork, or other branding elements. Thus making them an excellent option for promotional or branding purposes. Shrink-wrapping, on the other hand, offers less flexibility in terms of design options.

A further benefit of using stickers to close a board game box is that they are generally considered more environmentally friendly than shrink-wrapping. Stickers use less plastic than shrink wrap. They can also be made from biodegradable or recyclable materials, reducing their impact on the environment. Additionally, stickers are easier to remove from the box than shrink-wrap. Which can be difficult to recycle or dispose of properly. For board game publishers looking to reduce their environmental impact. Using stickers instead of shrink wrap is a simple and effective way to make a positive difference.

In summary, both shrink-wrapping and using stickers to close a board game box have their unique benefits for packaging. Shrink-wrapping provides a more tamper-proof seal for retail and shipping purposes. While stickers offer easier access to the game components and more design flexibility. Ultimately, the choice between the two methods. Will depend on the specific needs of the game manufacturer and their target audience. Boda Games is able to offer all these different packaging options. To help make the game exactly as you want it.

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Boda Games Tutorials: Player Mats

Player mats: how to prepare the artwork for them? A player mat is a great component for a medium to heavy board game. Normally, each player gets their own player mat, which can be used for a number of different things. Some board games use them to keep track of player statistics or their resources. Then, other board games use them as a reference sheet for the players, showing them different moves and options they have. And other board games have a different function for it altogether. Thus, it is safe to say it is a very versatile component. That can add a lot of depth to any game. They can be made from either cardboard or from punchboard, depending on what you plan to use them for. Sounds great! But how do I make them? No worries! We've gotten plenty of questions from our customers on how to best prepare the artwork. So we have prepare this guide to explain it. This tutorial shows you how to prepare the artwork for your player mats. We will use the Boda Games Template Generator to generate a custom sized player mat template and then paste your artwork into the file to get a...

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Create cut lines – Boda Games Tutorials

Cut lines: what do they do and how do you create them? Cut lines are one of these things that seem very simple at first, but they can cause a lot of delay when not done right. In order to make sure you don't lose a lot of time. Emailing back and forth with the graphics department, trying to understand what is wrong. This tutorial will explain to you how to prepare your cut lines the right way.     First of all, what are cut lines? When a cardboard component of a board game gets made. It will need to be cut to size. This applies to both complete game board, as well as tokens. Whether they are already punched out or not. In order for us, the manufacturer, to know what part is the artwork. And what part is where it needs to be cut. For that, we need the cutting lines. These cutting lines should adhere to the minimum distances required for bleed and margin. Also check our Punchboards article for more information on bleed and margin. Common problems A problem that the Boda Games graphics & artwork department encounters a lot. Is that we will be sent a .PDF that includes...

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How to curve text – Boda Games Tutorials

Curve text: what does it mean and why is it important? One of the great things about a board game, is that it is literally a blank slate. Game designers and artists take this blank slate and fill it with artwork, bringing the paper components to life. When you have a great theme and beautiful artwork, the next step is to use a font for all the text that matches with it perfectly. A lot of game designers and artists look beyond the standard font types available in programs like Adobe Illustrator to find the perfect fit for their game. Custom fonts Custom fonts can be found and purchased online, or even created by the artist himself. Using custom fonts can, however, lead to complications when preparing the files for printing. Boda Games has prepared a video tutorial showing the problem that can occur when using custom fonts. After that, we show you the solution to this problem. By curving the text before exporting the file as a .PDF file, you can avoid this problem. And ensure that your files appear the same way at our graphics department as you originally made them. Problem: font not available A common problem with preparing artwork files....

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