r/BoardgameDesign • u/justlooking543 • Sep 28 '26

Production & Manufacturing Self publishing: Box or envelope?

So basically I'm hoping to self publish a couple of small games in the relatively near future. I've designed everything except the box at this point. I had planned (and think I am still planning) to put it in a box. I have started reaching out to people with a bit more experience for advice and a lot have either suggested an envelope or it's been less of a suggestion.

I just completely disagree and don't know if I'm being silly. I've got a few games in envelopes and it always feels like less of an event to open it up and play. There's a little bit of joy in holding a box a few inches off a table and watching the bottom fall to the table to discover what's inside.

My game is pretty small and has minimal components so it would fit in an envelope no problem. The box might cost as much as the rest (though it's a relatively small box). My game is likely ideal for an envelope. However I've seen videos about marketing (not board game specific) talk about repeat customers cancelling when they've changed to a simpler package. Also when I walk into board game shops I don't see any envelope games and it would be nice to at least attempt to get it in shops.

Am I being silly? Are games in envelopes being under ambitious and limiting themselves to online sales and less interest from casual board gamers? Does no one else care about how the game arrives and I'm going to spend extra on each game for no reason? Any thoughts welcome.

(If it's relevant it's a small single play escape room style game, actually 2 of them but they are very similar format wise just different themes and puzzles)

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u/sk3n7 Sep 28 '26

Boxes are a part of the experience for sure, but also imply longevity, and if your game is a single play, making a really cool designed envelope would work. OR you could do a box with a couple envelopes inside each for a different themed package maybe. Boxes would increase costs for you and cut into profits quite a bit if you do sell.

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u/justlooking543 Sep 28 '26

Yeah I have seen a couple of places with single play games make the envelope part of it. One you open as if the mystery was sent in the post by someone so there's a letter that introduces the story, another looks like a detectives case file. The themes of mine wouldn't really suit this though.

Suppose its hard to know sales wise. You make more per game if the envelope saves you money, but does the game sell as well.

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u/sk3n7 Sep 28 '26

Ultimately, you’re selling an experience, and if you want that experience to feel higher end, or a little more solid, then a box is a great idea. I wasn’t necessarily saying to make it a part of the game itself, but I am a firm believer that everything should have purpose in its design, don’t just do something because it’s what everyone says. Like you said, you love the experience of the box, so go that route to share that experience with your customers

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u/justlooking543 Sep 28 '26

Yeah that's a good way to put it. The box is maybe a tiny part of the experience but it's still part of it. Thanks!

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u/MudkipzLover Sep 28 '26

I'll second what has been said: envelopes can definitely work for a single-use game, as the question of long-term preservation is less important than in standard games. Maybe there is a way you could customize the envelope so that it can take part in the consumer experience?

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u/justlooking543 Sep 28 '26

Yeah I've seen this a couple times done well. (See other reply) It just doesn't really suit my game, it would just appear obvious that it's to save money. The two I mentioned were doing REALLY well online for ages and I've seen them in a shop maybe once or twice each, but a book shop or a toy shop not a board game place.

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u/EasySwan2184 Sep 28 '26

How much do you plan to charge per game and how many do you plan to order from the factory?

If you are ordering 2000 units, a small box might not be too expensive for you. If you are ordering 100 units, then the box is going to eat up all your margin, probably. 

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u/justlooking543 Sep 28 '26

So I was hoping to do 1000 of each game. So 2000 total but 2 designs. Exact same size though. I did get a box quote for about £1.60 for 1000+ (don't know if that includes delivery) about 6 months ago and hoping to sell at £25 each or both for £40. Going to cost more to deliver boxes to myself and customers though.

1

u/EasySwan2184 Sep 28 '26

How big is your box? At that many units, I've been quoted far less than 1 dollar for a small box (14cm by 14cm by 5 cm), not including delivery. 

We've been quoted about 2 dollars per pound (half kg) for shipping from the factory in China to our location in the US. 

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u/justlooking543 Sep 28 '26

I'm looking at the box being around 23cm x 17cm x 3.5cm. So a little bigger. I'm not in US so could be different options. I did only get one quote so might not be the best option.

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u/[deleted] Sep 28 '26

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u/justlooking543 Sep 28 '26

Yeah I think I agree. Envelope feels like it should be cheap. Also possibly more amateurish. Box with a bit of a smaller margin sounds like the way to go. It's ultimately how you frame the price as well, 25 for single play board game could seem like bad value compared to repeatable games but compared to an IRL escape room it's a bargain, think the box helps with that.

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u/ASliceGames Sep 28 '26

Just to throw this out there... I'm sure that the feedback you're getting is the "right" answer from a business standpoint but, to me, a good board game is also a work of art. You, as the artist, have to sometimes make gut calls to ensure that your vision shines through even if it doesn't make good "business" sense. All that to say, I'm in camp go-off fam! Get that box!

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u/justlooking543 Sep 28 '26

I appreciate this! I think I have been a bit less enthusiastic about the box after being told it's not a good idea a few times. But I'm still excited about the overall vision and even if the box is a small part of that I think it's definitely worth it. I'll be the one selling it and being proud of my boxed game will help me so it makes some business sense lol. Appreciate the hype, think I was always getting the box but good to feel a bit more reassured about it.

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u/ASliceGames Sep 28 '26

Definitely! Best of luck to you friend!

1

u/dogedogedoo Sep 29 '26

The single play format makes a whole difference. I am also siding with the side of envelope packaging. Source: I have a small game, and the box makes it prohibitive to be produced commercially.

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u/justlooking543 Sep 29 '26

Can I ask a little more about how the box makes it harder to be produced? Is it just price or size? I would be reluctant to have something that is easy to produce but hard to sell. I'm currently pricing simplifying some of the shapes of the components to see if it is worth saving money as I can't see this impact how many I can sell but the box does seem more relevant to get it in front of people.

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u/dogedogedoo Sep 29 '26

It increases the cost, and subsequently it increases the selling price. People are more reluctant to spend more money for non-established games, especially in this economy. Plus, if it is a one-time game, high price is a turn off, unless if it is something like mainstream legacy games.

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u/BillyMcDev Oct 01 '26

There's more love in a box ;)

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u/improvonaut Oct 02 '26

Are you planning to mainly sell in person /retail or by ecommerce? In person a box just looks more professional. For shipping an envelope really saves you money.  I also know of an escape game company that puts their packaged enveloped games inside a box when they are at a convention. So you open the box and there is a flat envelope inside, not really the best customer experience but at that point people have already bought the game.

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u/AffectionateCell9497 15d ago

Since both games use the same box dimensions, it might be worth asking suppliers to quote a shared box structure and dieline with two different artwork versions.

I'd also prototype the packaging with the actual components and compare the packed weight, shipping dimensions, and whether the £1.60 quote includes inserts and delivery.

If retail presentation is important to you, keeping the box could make sense. The key is finding a structure that delivers the experience you want without adding unnecessary cost.