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Do you know who Uncle Milburn Pennybanks is? Unless you’re a fan of fun facts, the answer is probably not. And yet his face is recognizable all over the world. This is all thanks to great board game packaging. To you and me, he’s more commonly known as ‘The Monopoly man.’

When it comes to board games, packaging is everything. The entire brand of a board game rests upon its (usually) colorful box and unique design. And in Monopoly’s case, on a well-known game character.

Monopoly’s red and white logo and fictional brand ambassador, Mr. Monopoly, have become huge parts of the Monopoly brand’s overall image. That’s why it’s integral that a game’s packaging helps to create and support that image.

You can design your ideal packaging here online: Pacdora

With that in mind, let’s discuss how to design a great board game box.

Understand the Boad Game packaging

You can design your ideal packaging here online: Pacdora

When it comes to board game packaging, you need to consider the following:

The size and style of the box

It’s important to have a box that’s compact enough to save on space, but also big enough to hold all of the contents of the game, including the board. You don’t want an unnecessarily big box, but sometimes a bigger box is necessary for certain types of games. For example, Jenga requires a taller box to reflect the tower of bricks.
Some box styles are better suited for certain types of games. For example, a simple cardboard box might be best for a family-friendly game like Candyland, but a more elaborate box might be better for a strategy game like RISK.

Attractive Design

It’s important that the design and motif of the game are as attractive or unique as possible to catch the attention of would-be players. If the game is on a shelves at home or in a toy store, and the design looks dull, people will likely pass over it.

Stay Informative

Informative boards games are always a plus. The box should always have the recommended age, number of players, and a catchy tagline. The theme of the game is also very important to show because it can make or break a game. Even if the game follows those three steps, the form of the box can still be basic. Most games come in cardboard boxes with lids or small cardboard boxes that have to be put together.

Find your board game box

Many of the classic board games have been using the same type of packaging for years – a simple, rectangular box with a thin cardboard lid. However, this set-up is beginning to change as more and more companies are opting for different types of packaging to set their games apart from the competition. Some companies are even starting to experiment with alternative materials, like plastic or metal, to give their games a more premium feel.

At the end of the day, though, it all comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer the classic cardboard box set-up, while others are more open to trying something new. Whatever your preference may be, there’s sure to be a game out there that’s just right for you.

These boxes are made of cardstock material, which makes them lighter and cheaper than more heavy-duty options. They’re also great for children’s games because the card is softer and lighter for little hands.

Two-Piece Rigid boxes

Do you want to feel like a true sophisticate the next time you play a board game? If so, you’ll need to seek out games that come in two-piece rigid boxes. This type of packaging is commonly seen on games that want to give off an air of elitism, such as Trivial Pursuit, Articulate, and Who Wants to be a Millionaire. These are games that require intelligence and strategy on the part of the player in order to win, and they deserve packaging that looks the part. Two-piece rigid boxes are more durable and heavyweight, which makes them perfect for housing these types of games.

Furthermore, games that require knowledge, rather than luck or cunning, tend to come in square boxes as opposed to rectangular boxes. This is another way to distinguish them.

Games that require knowledge and lack of luck often come in square boxes to distinguish them fromrectangular boxes. Furthermore, this variety of cardboard boxes with lids are usually Custom rigid boxes. If you want your board game to look more luxurious and elegant, then the two-piece (box and lid) rigid box, is a better choice than the average two-piece product box. This box is made of thicker and more premium quality cardboard which makes it more durable and sturdy. Even after multiple uses, this box will still look like new.

The rigid box with a lid is a popular model for ‘board’ games that are entirely card-based, such as ‘Cards against humanity.’ In the case of games that require a board, such as ‘Trivial pursuit,’ ‘Who Wants to be a millionaire,’ and most question-based games, there is usually secondary packaging inside the main box. For instance, a two-piece rigid rigi box that holds the question cards may be packed inside a larger (main) rigid box that holds the board and playing pieces. when designing your own board game packaging, these are all important factors to consider.

Mailer boxes 

Board game creators have started to design more travel-friendly versions of classic games, and it’s about time! Nowadays, people want to be able to play their favorite games without having to lug around heavy boards and pieces. Not only are travel-sized board games more convenient, but they’re also perfect for when you’re on the go. Whether you’re on a long car ride or taking a break at a cafe, these smaller games are the perfect way to pass the time.

Card-based games, much like the well-known ‘Uno,’ ‘Monopoly Deal,’ or the add-on packs for ‘Cards Against Humanity,’ have been on the rise in recent years due to their portability and easy set-up. The box that a deck of cards comes in is a perfect example of this type of game packaging. Mailer boxes are another great option to consider if you’re looking to design your own board game packaging. When thinking about board game packaging, it’s important to keep in mind our first rule: it should be of minimal size.

Special boxes

These are designed to be custom boxes for unusual games; specific games that deal with a niche market or niche gaming idea. They are often ‘special edition’ versions of popular games, and come with complementing special packaging.

As the masters of game creation, Hasbro loves to create special edition versions of their games. With hundreds of variations on the original, including your favourite movie franchise, TV show, different places and even a cheater’s edition – there’s bound to be one you love!

Hasbro is known for their originality when it comes to their Monopoly boxes – each edition is designed to stand out from the rest. However, every now and again they will release a special edition that causes such a stir among fans and collectors that it becomes a sought-after item. The Special edition Monopoly Box from Singapore is a perfect example of this.

You don’t need to be as popular as Monopoly to warrant a special box for your game packaging. Pacdora offers all kinds of one-off, unique designs for customers. And with our online editor, you can even add your own design to your packaging. Your special box doesn’t have to be anything too elaborate to stand out either.

Let’s take Chop Stix as an example. It’s a simple stacking game where players use chopsticks to stack pieces (that look like dried noodles) on top of each other. Think of it like the opposite of Jenga, where instead of removing pieces from the stack, you’re adding them.

The makers have created a game that resembles the set-up of simple oriental cuisine. So with their packaging, they haven’t just chosen any old game box. Instead, they’ve gone one step further and continued the Chinese food theme. Presenting their game in a small takeaway food carton, the kind synonymous with eating noodles, gives it an extra touch of authenticity.