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Packaging size

17 replies [Last post]
Sun, 11/30/2008 - 18:33
stevem
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Hello all

First time poster - I'm interested in whether anyone has an opinion about the optimum size of packaging. Does the size of the box have an impact on how the game's value is perceived by the customer? I have a game that consists of 2 dice and three decks, each of 33 cards, and it would fit into a tuck box not much bigger than a standard deck of cards. But I'm worried that the perception of the game on the shelf would be that it was poor value for money.

What do you think?

Steve M
http://www.pointzerogames.com

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Sun, 11/30/2008 - 19:48
#1
benshelmars
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Upset

I would probably be upset if I bought a big box with little in it, however if the box had a clear cover (like greeting card boxes) and the contents displayed elegantly, now that's another story:)

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Sun, 11/30/2008 - 21:54
#2
clearclaw
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Boxes: price expectation and retail support

The primary functions of boxes are to set a relative price-expectation for the buyer and to then support that expectation into the retail channel via appropriate marketing/presentations on store shelves.

I strong suggest talking to experienced game store retailers.

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Mon, 12/01/2008 - 10:26
#3
gameprinter
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clearclaw wrote:The primary

clearclaw wrote:
The primary functions of boxes are to set a relative price-expectation for the buyer and to then support that expectation into the retail channel via appropriate marketing/presentations on store shelves.

I strong suggest talking to experienced game store retailers.

+1

Box size sets strong value expectations. I would suggest getting info on what the game would cost to manufacture in various packages (tuck box vs. 2pc box, for instance), and use that to project a retail price for both cases. With a little research at your FLGS, you should then be able to to figure out the best way to package the game.

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Mon, 12/01/2008 - 18:56
#4
InvisibleJon
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Retailers can give you good examples of box sizes.

gameprinter wrote:
clearclaw wrote:
I strongly suggest talking to experienced game store retailers.
+1
+1
Retailers also have strong opinions about preferred box sizes. Any experienced retailer will be able to tell you their preferred box sizes, or at least point you at the games that are sized they way they prefer.

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Tue, 12/02/2008 - 08:10
#5
stevem
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Thanks everyone for your comments

I've just costed three different variations of box size. Just FYI: if I go for the smallest, then the retail price that I'd need to charge would be so high that my belief is that it would make the product look really expensive, particularly as it would probably get stocked next to much cheaper items. On the other hand, if I go for the largest, as benshelmars said, it looks a bit of a cheat when the box gets opened (although I'm putting clearly on the box what the contents are). So I think the "sweet spot" is somewhere in between.

Thanks again.

Steve

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Tue, 12/02/2008 - 20:38
#6
FunkyBlue
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I think the size you're

I think the size you're looking for is similar to Race For The Galaxy. The box is a little big for what's inside, but it seems to fit the price expectation.

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Thu, 03/26/2009 - 21:36
#7
Chris Picone
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How relevant is this?

I've found a number of printers that can do custom size boxes but the reply from one of the printers (quoted below) made me think twice.

"I am assuming that you have seen a number of boxes that you would like to do but we suggest you go with a practical box size of 250x 250 x 100 . . . we also suggest this size as on sellers don’t have a lot of space to give you to show case the product." - Brent from Wilkinson Printers.

For those of you that have your games on shelves already, how relevant is this?

I'm not sure I've ever even seen a game box that size on a shelf. Not sure the pieces to any but the simplest games would fit into that box either, just quietly.

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Thu, 03/26/2009 - 23:43
#8
The Magician
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gameprinter wrote:clearclaw

gameprinter wrote:
clearclaw wrote:
The primary functions of boxes are to set a relative price-expectation for the buyer and to then support that expectation into the retail channel via appropriate marketing/presentations on store shelves.

I strong suggest talking to experienced game store retailers.

+1

Box size sets strong value expectations. I would suggest getting info on what the game would cost to manufacture in various packages (tuck box vs. 2pc box, for instance), and use that to project a retail price for both cases. With a little research at your FLGS, you should then be able to to figure out the best way to package the game.

I'm not keeping score. What is it.....John is at (3) I lost track after that.

Is it reasonable to design a game board and backage with box size in mind from the beginning? Are packaging reasonable concerns in early design? It kind of matters to me because as my game designs have gotten simpler, the board size hasn't gotten any smaller and I'm not so sure that it should. But packageing and size of box and material and how it folds has always been on my mind.

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Thu, 03/26/2009 - 23:52
#9
The Magician
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stevem wrote:Hello all First

stevem wrote:
Hello all

First time poster - I'm interested in whether anyone has an opinion about the optimum size of packaging. Does the size of the box have an impact on how the game's value is perceived by the customer? I have a game that consists of 2 dice and three decks, each of 33 cards, and it would fit into a tuck box not much bigger than a standard deck of cards. But I'm worried that the perception of the game on the shelf would be that it was poor value for money.

What do you think?

Steve M
http://www.pointzerogames.com


Steve, I wish I could give you an informed opinion to your question, it's an interesting one. I have a question of my own to you and a request. Can you tell me about the name of your web page you posted here as a link. It is of meaning to me and wanted to know what you thought about it. Please send me a personal message if you don't mind the time. I would send you one but when I started this forum, I was not vary aquainted with the PM feature.

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Fri, 03/27/2009 - 08:26
#10
seo
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250x250x100mm = 10x10x4"

Chris Picone wrote:
"I am assuming that you have seen a number of boxes that you would like to do but we suggest you go with a practical box size of 250x 250 x 100 . . . we also suggest this size as on sellers don’t have a lot of space to give you to show case the product." - Brent from Wilkinson Printers.

For those of you that have your games on shelves already, how relevant is this?

I'm not sure I've ever even seen a game box that size on a shelf. Not sure the pieces to any but the simplest games would fit into that box either, just quietly.

I'm assuming those measurement were millimeters (any other standard unit would result in an absurdly huge box). That's equivalent to 10x10x4 inches. 12x12x3 or 12x12x4 I think would be a bit more standard, if we could talk about standard game box sizes, but the suggested size sounds reasonable for a game including a 19x19 quad-fold board and many other components.

From your description of your game, that seems like a huge box. 11x8x2 inches (aprox. 280x200x50mm) sounds more like a reasonable size for the three decks, the dice, and a 1/2 letter (or A5) sized rulebook, all niftily placed in a molded plastic base:
8x11 box

If a molded plastic base is out of the question, I would go for a slightly smaller 9x6x2" (aprox. 230x150x50mm) box, with a scored cardboard base (side view, top view):
9x6 box

But by all means, try to get feedback from any FLGS owner you can get in touch with, and compare with similarly box-sized games for a better idea of the price range/contents/type of game you'd be competing with.

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Fri, 03/27/2009 - 10:44
#11
NativeTexan
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Size question

Wow. We've made it through 10 comments without a single 'I always thought that size didn't matter' joke. I'm impressed!

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Fri, 03/27/2009 - 15:55
#12
Taavet
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Size

NativeTexan wrote:
Wow. We've made it through 10 comments without a single 'I always thought that size didn't matter' joke. I'm impressed!

And of course this would come from a Texan! LOL.

Size does matter, and we all know it. Bigger is usually better and +1 to most of the other comments above.

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Fri, 03/27/2009 - 17:03
#13
NativeTexan
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All states are created equally....except TEXAS

Taavet wrote:
NativeTexan wrote:
Wow. We've made it through 10 comments without a single 'I always thought that size didn't matter' joke. I'm impressed!

And of course this would come from a Texan! LOL.

Size does matter, and we all know it. Bigger is usually better and +1 to most of the other comments above.

Is it my fault that every other state is small and inferior by comparison? No. Is it my fault that no other state in the union can fly its flag at the same height as the US flag? Of course not. We all must accept the cards that we are dealt, even if the Texan cards are twice as big and 5 times as powerful!

:-)

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Fri, 03/27/2009 - 21:19
#14
JuggernautJ
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Joined: 02/14/2009
BIG ego :-)

Well, speaking as a denizen of another previously independent Republic, who're you calling "small and inferior"?

"Jed, California is the place you want to be...."
Oh, and the Cowboys are REALLY annoying, too. Go 'Niners!

J.

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Fri, 03/27/2009 - 23:36
#15
The Magician
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Joined: 12/23/2008
Which packaging are you talking about here.

I don't know how the discussion got to such a low gravity place. It's not even tastful. The more divided the designers mind is with such things the more they shrink to the size of a meeple. Meeple mind? That's no package to boast about. This is a site for creators. The premise of this site doesn't say "how big of a fan are you!?"

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Sat, 03/28/2009 - 04:07
#16
JuggernautJ
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You are correct, Sir Magician

You are correct, Sir Magician and I apologize.
However, I do want to point out that I believe we both had our tongues planted firmly in cheek during this minor exchange.
I KNOW I was just joshing and it sure seemed like Texas was, too.
Never-the-less I shall "fan" no more.

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Sat, 03/28/2009 - 11:00
#17
NativeTexan
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Tongues, cheeks, and feet

I was certainly jamming my tongue into my cheek. I fear now, that I may have also inserted my foot into my mouth at that same time! I, for one, blame the inability of my simple emoticon to effectively and sufficiently convey my sarcastic tone. A curse upon both your houses....errr....upon your punctuation....you fowl and impotent emoticon!

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