Custom Boxes for Board Games
So in my ongoing mission to find a local printer, I was handed the details of this company: ANC Packaging (http://www.ancpackagingkzn.co.za/)
Their sites states the following:
Their sites states the following:
I haven't tried them yet or look at prices, but I thought I would share in the meantime. I have sent them through my requirements and I am waiting for them to cost it for me.Manufacturing of corrugated board
Manufacture and print on corrugated boxes
Die cut and customized packaging solutions
No quantity to small ie: – one box
Thanked by 1dammit
Comments
A while ago we were talking about sharing the costs of a die between a bunch of us, but to be honest I don't think that's going to work because we all probably have different needs for boxes.
That said, most big companies have a set of standard sizes that they use over and over which makes things easier for everyone, even if the box ends up a tad too big for some of their games, they'll just use it. (Using inserts to really customise the inside to fit the components).
I recall the thread about sharing the cost for the box ... but maybe if we all agree on one size box then it could work ... *shrug* ... I guess that is the dilemma.
Anyway ... as I make progress, I will share my findings and the contact details of the organisations who hopefully will be able to help me. 8-}
I assumed poker sized cards (MTG) games would be the most popular, so surely you could start with that.
I assume that GameCrafter are manually printing their cards somehow, i.e. not doing massive runs.
Chances are that there isn't a break-even point, mostly because shipping is going to be your major cost per item and that really doesn't scale well at all. This sort of business works way better in central shipping hubs close to the markets they're servicing, SA is definitely not that. You also have little to no control over shipping costs (and the freight industry is currently having a really bad time due to the oil value drop) so it's not like you can invest in anything to drive those prices down...
I realise this is just a random speculation on your part, but this sort of basic business breakdown is the sort of thinking that helps make better decisions (yes, even in game development). I am, as always, totally cool to be wrong. This is only 5 minutes of thought, after all ;)
Capetown based HQ and JHB based warehouse.
They can make any type of packaging or mass print required and the prices were very good.
BUT, like @dislekcia says, SA is a bit of a pain to ship from. DHL etc is insanely expensive, you are looking at ±R 1000 minimum for individual orders. The Mass Shipping remailers (lick and stick) that redistribute your goods in the respective host countries are a good option but you need to have a large stock order (most are 4k USD minimum) and you need to get it through US/UK customs which is a heck of a process.
If there's not enough of that (I don't think there is), then nope, I don't think we should do that here.
So I got my quote back from ANC Packaging.
Description ........................ Deluxe Carton Lid + Base
Pre Press ........................... Print ready PDF to be supplied
Lid + base .......................... Paper- Sinar Venda 360 gram white
Printing .............................. 4 Process + machine varnish
Finishing ............................ Die cut and supply flat
20 @ R 533-00 each ex vat
500 @ R 28-00 each ex vat
1000 @ R 19-00 each ex vat
The costs for a small run is pretty high but he did warn me about that.
So it looks like it is an overseas path that I will have to take anyway ... kinda sucks because of the exchange rate ... but anyway.
ludofact.de/en.html
... look at those meeple options.