I don’t know a lot about manufacturing.
I’ve made a lot of playable card and board game prototypes over the last decade but I’ve never published one.
So I haven’t had to go through the manufacturing process yet. I have however looked into it and even had some samples sent to me.
But I still have a lot of questions.
Which is why I am happy to interview our first board game manufacturer.
If you have questions you would like me to ask manufacturers in the future then please let me know in the comments below.
About Eva and DoFine Games
Name – Eva Xu (Marketing Manager)
Company – DoFine Games
Location – 2#, Building 2, 69 Rd. LuoJin. 200237, Shanghai, China
You can follow DoFine Games on Facebook to keep up to date with their latest projects.
(Related – Kerry Keith Murdock is working with DoFine Games to have his Realm Warfare series made in bulk)
Interview
1. How many games does your company make each year?
We will have a exact data at the end of year.
2. What is the minimum amount of games you will print for a customer?
500
3. What is the average number of games your customers have printed for each game?
3000, 5000
4. What is the largest order of games you have ever made for one customer and who was it for?
The largest order of games we have made is 50,000 copies for Lo Scarabeo (see what Lo Scarabeo sells here).
5. How long does the process usually take from the first time someone requests a quote to you delivering them their games?
- Inquiry and quote: 1-3 days
- Make prototype: 7-10 days
- Production time: 30-35 days (for 1000-5000 copies) 40-45 days (for 5000pcs-10,000 copies)
- Shipping time: 30-35 days
6. Do you offer to ship the games directly to backers of a successful Kickstarter campaign?
In general, we ship to our customer’s forwarder directly, then their fulfillment company can help them deal with the shipping with backers.
7. Where do you offer to ship the games?
All of our orders ship from Shanghai China. We only ship in bulk.
8. Most of us here are first time game designers. So what are some things we need to know about talking to a manufacturer like you?
In general, we will discuss with designer about the game specifications. Then we will quote to them with a competitive price.
Our business model is as below.
- Firstly, we will do prototype before mass production. Then send to customer for approval.
- Secondly, once we get the approval, we will start to do mass production.
- Thirdly, after finishing the mass production and before shipping, we will send sample to our customers which spot check from mass production.
- Last, after getting the approval from customers, we will arrange shipment.
Our business model can make sure our customers can trace their order in the whole process.
9. Can you tell us some of the most common qualities of cards people have printed?
- 300gsm gloss paper
- 350gsm paper
- 270gsm grey core paper
- 300gsm black core paper
10. What sized boards for board games do you make the most often?
It has too many kind of size for game boards. It’s just according to customer’s design.
11. Do you offer custom game pieces? If so, [what] do you offer?
Yes, we can offer custom game pieces, such as Miniatures, Dice, Meeples etc.
Summary
Eva ended the interview saying “Thanks so much for your time and interest in us. Have a nice day!”
She was really nice and helpful getting the interview done even though they were in a busy season (end of year).
Again if you have any questions you want me to ask in the future to manufacturers then leave a comment below.
Read More from SLG
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(Interview) The do’s and don’ts for pitching to a publisher
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