{"id":110295,"date":"2023-10-01T10:53:53","date_gmt":"2023-10-01T08:53:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/packhelp.com\/?p=110295"},"modified":"2025-06-27T00:28:36","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T22:28:36","slug":"board-game-packaging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/packhelp.com\/board-game-packaging\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Design Great Board Game Packaging"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you were asked who Uncle Milburn Pennybanks<\/em> is would you know? Unless you\u2019ve got a mind for fun facts, the answer is, probably not. And yet his face is recognisable the world over. This is all down to great board game packaging. To you and me, he is more commonly known as \u2018The Monopoly man.\u2019\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to a board game; packaging is everything<\/strong>. The entire brand of a board game rests upon its (usually) colourful box and unique design. And in Monopoly’s case, on a well-known game character. <\/span><\/p>\n

Monopoly’s red and white logo and fictional brand ambassador, have become a huge part of the overall image of the Monopoly brand. It is integral that a game’s packaging helps to create that brand<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On that note, let\u2019s discuss how to design a great board game box…\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Monopoly
Source: Board Game Geek<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Monopoly<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0Source: Pinterest<\/a><\/p>\n

The basics of boardgame packaging<\/span><\/h2>\n

When it comes to board game packaging, essentially you need to be assessing three main criteria:<\/span><\/p>\n

Appropriate box style:<\/b><\/h3>\n

The box is usually as small and compact as possible, while still being able to hold all of the contents of the game and the board itself. After all, why have an unnecessarily big box if it can be made smaller? However, some box styles will suit better to particular types of game; like Jenga for instance, where the box reflects the tower of bricks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Attractive\/ unique design<\/b>:<\/span><\/h3>\n

The design and motif have to be as attractive or unique as possible to entice the game player in. Whether on a bookshelf at home, or on the shelf of a toy store; if the box looks dull, people’s gaze will pass over the game.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Be Informative<\/b>:<\/span><\/h3>\n

The board game box has to convey a certain amount of information about the game. A catchy tagline, a recommended age and the number of players needed, for instance. It also has to convey information about the theme of the game itself.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Once it has ticked those 3 boxes, your board game packaging can pretty much take on any form. <\/span><\/p>\n

And yet, most seem to adhere to two very basic box styles: games that come in <\/span>cardboard boxes with lids<\/a>,<\/b> and games that come in <\/span>small cardboard boxes<\/a> with fold ins.<\/span><\/p>\n

The second option is <\/span>perfect for travelling editions of games. Usually containing a set of cards as opposed to a full board. More on that later.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Choosing the right board game box<\/span><\/h2>\n

Two-piece product boxes<\/span><\/h3>\n
\"Slopes
Slopes and town:<\/a> Two-piece product box<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cluedo, Monopoly, Scrabble; a lot of the classic board games have used the same simple packaging set-up for years. A, usually, rectangular box, with a thin cardboard lid.<\/span>This is perhaps the most well-known set-up for a board game box. <\/span><\/p>\n

The classic games are all packaged in cardboard boxes with lids.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

These boxes are <\/span>(two-piece) product boxes with lids.<\/span><\/a> A base box containing your board, instructions and game pieces. With a lid, that has the name of game and your main design, printed onto it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The cardstock material of these boxes makes them fairly light- and cheaper than more heavy-duty boxes. These boxes are also great for children\u2019s games, where the card is softer and lighter for little hands.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Two-Piece Rigid boxes\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Some games, however, have fancier packaging, as a way to distinguish them. The games that want to give off an air of elitism. Sophisticated games, for sophisticated players. Which of course, need sophisticated packaging to match.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this category, we put \u2018Trivial pursuit\u2019, \u2018Articulate\u2019 and \u2018Who Wants to be a Millionaire?\u2019 Games that require intelligence on the part of the player, in order to win. These games are often packaged in a more durable, heavyweight box. Something which (quite literally) adds weight to the game itself.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Furthermore, games that require knowledge rather than luck or cunning, often arrive in square boxes as opposed to rectangular boxes. A further way to distinguish them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Rigid<\/a><\/p>\n

This variety of cardboard boxes<\/a> with lids are usually <\/span>Custom rigid boxes<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you want your board game to really stand out, then the two-piece (box and lid) rigid box, is a good choice.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s made of thicker card than with the two-piece product box, and it shows. This box is elegant and more durable. It\u2019s made from premium quality cardboard and more likely to still look the part even after the game has been played time and time again.<\/span><\/p>\n

The rigid box with a lid is also a popular model for \u2018board\u2019 games that are entirely card-based. Those that do not require a board at all, in the case of \u2018Cards against humanity.\u2019\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the case of \u2018Trivial pursuit\u2019, \u2018Who Wants to be a millionaire\u2019 and most question-based games that also require a board, there is usually secondary packaging inside the main box. A two-piece rigid rigid box for instance, that holds the question cards. Packed inside a larger (main) rigid box that holds the board and the playing pieces.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re designing your own board game packaging, these are all important factors to consider.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Read how to choose the right box for your product<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Mailer boxes\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

The world of board games is changing. More and more games are being created in bitesize, travel versions. Almost as if their creators have realised most people have more time to play games when travelling or on holiday! People don\u2019t want to have to drag large, heavy board games on holiday with them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n