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Juzek
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Does anyone feel that The Game Crafter's boxes are a bit steep? I was looking at the mint tin challenge winners and the mint tin box is $4.75 just by itself. An 18 card hook box is over $2, and a medium sized box adds $8 to your game.

Has anyone had success selling a card game just shrink wrapped without a box?

Another thought I had was to use large Mason jars. They are solid, clear, and are under $2, and can hold a lot more than 18 cards. Would you be ok adding a glass jar to your board game box bookshelf?

Thanks

Jay103
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Large and heavy and doesn’t

Large and heavy and doesn’t stack with the rest of your stuff. Seems like a weird choice. But small Ball jars aren’t that big or pricey, so maybe it’s not ridiculous.

TGC boxes are definitely expensive. I’m guessing it’s one of their main profit items. Even the blank ones are expensive. If your game is just a deck of cards you can probably just rubber band it, but really depends on how you’re selling them. Does TGC do shrink wrap? My last order with cards just came in a ziplock.

questccg
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I have struggled with this issue too...

And my conclusion was that if TGC packs cards into a plastic baggie... Well that should be enough wrapping for the "X" number of cards. Like one of my current WIP is planned to have a "collectible" reward tier. What this means that IF you ONLY want to "collect" the artwork, you'll get one of each card and insufficient cards to PLAY the game.

But this is an OPTION available to all collectors. If you like the art and don't want to pay the full price for the game, simply choose the "collector" reward tier and all I will do is ship cards in a baggie...

Where you put those cards is your business. For collectors, I would assume a binder with 9 sleeves per page... And enough pages to hold your collection. That would be a logical use and place to store the cards.

However generally speaking on a UNIT-BASIS (One-at-a-time) TGC prices are rather expensive. Sure Bulk pricing at 100 units starts to be interesting especially if you have a good set of cards and then you can see real nice price breaks. Same with boxes... Pricing goes down with more volume.

For the occasional prototype, it's acceptable. Or maybe a few (like 6 or so) reviewer copies... that too is reasonable. But one-at-a-time selling, is rather expensive (plus you have that 70/30 split also)... That's why I can't see my games selling on TGC ... But I do use their services for prototypes, reviewer copies, and plan to use Bulk Order for a project too. All those are realistic and pricing as you approach 100 copies becomes more realistic.

So generally I agree with you.

From the 2nd perspective, I'm not so sure about GLASS jars. If they fall they will shatter. If a Game Box falls, no harm or foul. Maybe source your OWN Mint Tins (I have seen some pretty nice ones and very affordable too)... It's maybe TGC's version which are costly. I also know of another Game Designer that uses TGC for cards and parts but uses his own source of Boxes that he has specially made (well what I mean custom printed but larger, stronger boxes) that he uses to sell his TGC games.

There are alternatives especially if YOU accept "re-shipping" (not direct ship from TGC). What I mean is that you buy the materials/components and assemble them with the box sourced from wherever you prefer (and maybe less expensive too)...

Jay103
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$5 for a tin with printing on

$5 for a tin with printing on the metal actually doesn't strike me as terrible.

questccg
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For alternatives look at...

https://www.amazon.com/Tamicy-Metal-Rectangular-Empty-Hinged/dp/B07HF23W4P/

40 tins for $25 + shipping. That's LESS than $1 USD per tin. Like I said, IF you package the end-product ... There are a BUNCH of ways of saving money. And like I said TRUE TGC Designers (some not all) buy their own boxes and fulfill from their homes. Order in Bulk get at TGC discount, get the box elsewhere in Bulk (and also save money as in the link provided)...

Cheers!

Note #1: This was just an EXAMPLE. The size may be incorrect for your product. I'm just saying you can google or search Amazon for the right size and bulk for a cheap price point. These might be too small for actual playing cards...

Note #2: Amazon couldn't yield anything... but I googled and found this tin:

https://www.containerandpackaging.com/products/90/rectangular-tin/M556

$0.77 each. That's way less expensive that $5.00. Minimum order: 30 tins. I know it's not the most "beautiful" tin around... You can google and find others (I'm sure). I just figured I'd give you a reference. Something with dimensions more appropriate for cards.

Also THIS link/URL allows for COPPER Tins too. The Black ones look okay too... But the Copper ones look really artisanal. I'm guessing you are talking about a box for the stained-glass window game. COPPER could be real NEAT!

questccg
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YMMV

Jay103 wrote:
$5 for a tin with printing on the metal actually doesn't strike me as terrible.

Never took a look at the TGC mint tins... I agree with @Jason: for $5.00 USD and printed on both the TOP and BOTTOM is reasonable. To me, the price validate the superior "Quality" look of printed tins.

The two (2) sample tins on the product page look freaken awesome! It's just a matter of find the right designer to make something appropriate for your game...

If you were trying to cut corners... I wouldn't on the mint tin. I would go with TGC and custom printing. But that's my own opinion. The option of buying in bulk tins from other sources is possible... But then you are stuck printing UPCs and Labels for description of the contents.

With TGC you can design a custom-looking mint tin (isn't that like totally awesome???)

Of course YMMV.

wob
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if your willing to be

if your willing to be creative with your packaging your options are endless, especially if your doing the packing yourself (i guess you are if your looking at mason jars).
if your pieces are flatter and less fragile a printed envelope works well (a la cheap ass games). i also remember seeing games sold in vhs boxes ( but i cant remember which). you could also pick up large match boxes, and skin them with a nice pic etc.

larienna
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There has been various type

There has been various type of containers used in history. It really depends on the components of the game.

If your game is made of a stack of card, ziplog bags can do a pretty good job. Any flat game can fit in a ziplock.

A mason jar could work for game that have 3D pieces like blocks. For example in some dexterity games.

My personal favorite that I have seen are VHS boxes. If they were no studs one one side, it would be even better. As long as your pieces are not too big. They store very well. Not sure they are easy to find now.

Tim Edwards
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larienna wrote:There has been

larienna wrote:
There has been various type of containers used in history. It really depends on the components of the game.

If your game is made of a stack of card, ziplog bags can do a pretty good job. Any flat game can fit in a ziplock.

A mason jar could work for game that have 3D pieces like blocks. For example in some dexterity games.

My personal favorite that I have seen are VHS boxes. If they were no studs one one side, it would be even better. As long as your pieces are not too big. They store very well. Not sure they are easy to find now.

Yes, a la Steve Jackson games. I think years ago they also used vinyl record sleeves to package games.

I've been trying to work out where to get the boxes that cummerbunds come in. I think they would make a great low budget game box.

Snorka’s Board Games
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No box

Glory to Rome had a clear plastic container, and it caught a lot of flak for it. I think splurging on a good box from TGC or boardgamesmaker.com could be worth it, at least if you are sending the game off to other people. Early prototypes can use Amazon cardboard boxes or cereal boxes or whatever. My general prototype box is a nice laptop box. It’s nicer quality than most game boxes I own.

questccg
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Window Pane — I believe...

Snorka’s Board Games wrote:
...I think splurging on a good box from TGC or boardgamesmaker.com could be worth it, at least if you are sending the game off to other people...

I believe, correct me if I am wrong, he is trying to lower the COST to produce and SELL his game at Museum Gift Shops. So it's a retail play.

Going with home printed labels on a mint tin (bulk not TGC), is not a bad play... It will reduce the COST of the item and if you use like a COPPER tin, that gives it a bit of "WOW Factor".

So yeah, I think this is for RETAIL... Here is the connecting thread:

https://www.bgdf.com/forum/game-creation/publication/help-someone-wants-...

(I could be wrong... It may be another game. But I THINK it's the Window Pane micro game...)

And if it is, I can understand trying to lower the COST to bang out a few more bucks. Also the point is to better understand the nature of the Gift Shop pricing. Maybe $19.98 for the item is too expensive, IDK. But @Juzek was using a Hook Box (that costs $2.00) and it's not a very professional option. TGCs Min Tins (with printing) are very Professional but cost $5.00. So I think @Juzek is weighing his options...

Jay103
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If you want something sturdy,

If you want something sturdy, it's hard to find cheap boxes.

$2.45 for 8x8x3 sturdy box

https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-13215W/Retail-Boxes/Colored-Maile...

Here's a 4x4x4 cube for $1.50.. that's not bad, and it's a little funky.

https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-16840W/Retail-Boxes/Colored-Maile...

But if it can be made out of cereal-box chipboard, you can look at something like this:

https://www.uline.com/BL_2637/Glossy-Gift-Boxes

Which is 4x4x2 for only $0.30 (plus shipping)

questccg
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Nice @Jason ... Some good options there!

Jay103 wrote:
But if it can be made out of cereal-box chipboard, you can look at something like this:

https://www.uline.com/BL_2637/Glossy-Gift-Boxes

Which is 4x4x2 for only $0.30 (plus shipping)

I personally think the 4x4x4 for $0.44 might be a good one too... Thanks for pointing those out to us @Jason. Yeah I don't think he needs a SHIPPING BOX, I think it's something that will look NICE in the Gift Shop. Like a Glossy Silver Box would look nice... But a RED one would probably "Stand-Out". That's the thing, you want your product to stand-out when in the Gift Shop... To attract potential buyers.

Just an aside here, we talked about a $19.98 price point, meant that the store pay $9.99 and makes $9.99. But I "think" @juzek's concern is lowering the cost to MAKE the game ... Because $5.00 Mint Tin is HALF of his earnings... Leaving him with the cards and rules to be less than $3.00 of profit. I think this is the real issue... Allowing for MORE profitability in selling in the Gift Shop.

Jay103
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Uline is a great resource for

Uline is a great resource for stuff like this.

These are pricier, but actually might be perfect for your game if the cards are the size of a gift card.

https://www.uline.com/BL_5639/Gift-Card-Boxes

(but you'd probably want to be sure before spending on a pack of them)

Juzek
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This isn't for any specific

This isn't for any specific game, I am just lamenting about TGC's box prices. I suppose if I was doing a big print run of something, an unlabeled box from uline and some sticker labels would be a good combo.

questccg
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Now I understand what you meant...

Juzek wrote:
This isn't for any specific game, I am just lamenting about TGC's box prices.

Ah my apologies, I was not sure if it was for "Window Pains" or not. As I mentioned well known TGC Game Designers like "Jason Glover" (Plague, Dig Down Dwarf, Four Tribes, Zogar's Revenge) from Grey Gnome Games who actively make and sell games on TGC also dabble in making their boxes from other sites and do the fulfillment themselves. I've seen Jason's boxes and they are much more sturdier (and a bit bigger too...)

Juzek wrote:
I suppose if I was doing a big print run of something, an unlabeled box from uline and some sticker labels would be a good combo.

No harm buying things in BULK if you have the need and customers for it. But you've got to admit the Mint Tins over at TGC are really AMAZING! The fact that you can print on the (Top & Bottom) is real neat IMHO. But yeah if you want to save some money, bulk and labels is the best way to go.

Cheers!

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