A Look at Sunday Games
For board game designers and publishers, selecting the right manufacturer is a pivotal step toward success. One factor stands above all: production quality. Whether you’re creating a casual party game or a complex strategy experience, the quality of your components directly influences player satisfaction, the game’s durability, and your brand’s reputation. In this article, we’ll explore why production quality matters and how manufacturers like Sunday Games deliver exceptional standards to help your board game thrive in a competitive market.
1. Why Materials Matter
Quality materials are the foundation of a good board game. Inferior materials can lead to worn-out cards, warped boards, and broken components — a sure way to ruin the gaming experience. For instance, card thickness is critical. Industry standards for playing cards are typically between 280-350 gsm (grams per square meter). For premium feel and durability, 310 gsm with a black core layer is a popular choice, as it prevents transparency and enhances the card’s lifespan.
Sunday Games uses materials such as:
- 310 gsm black-core cardstock for cards
- 1.8-2.5 mm chipboard for game boards
- High-quality plastic and wooden tokens, compliant with international safety standards like ASTM F963
These high standards ensure your game components stand up to frequent use and handling.
2. Precision in Printing and Finishes
Another essential aspect of quality is print clarity and durability. Board game art and icons must be crisp and vibrant to engage players and maintain the designer’s vision. Finishes like linen coating not only add a professional texture but also enhance durability by reducing scratches and wear.
According to a 2023 survey of board game players by BoardGameGeek:
- 67% of respondents said they value premium finishes like linen texture and UV coating.
- 72% noted that poor print quality significantly reduces their likelihood of recommending the game to others.
Sunday Games uses offset printing with high-resolution outputs (typically 300 dpi or higher) and offers a variety of finishes like linen, UV coating, and matte lamination to meet designers’ needs.
3. Durable Game Boards and Tiles
Game boards and tiles are often subject to frequent folding and unfolding, making durability critical. For game boards, the thickness of the chipboard matters — 2.5 mm thickness is ideal for sturdy boards that resist warping. Additionally, proper lamination and coating protect against spills and moisture.
Sunday Games incorporates these standards by offering:
- 2.5 mm thick boards with reinforced edges.
- Anti-warping technology that ensures longevity, even in different humidity conditions.
4. Case Study: How Quality Impacts Success
Let’s take a real-world example. In 2022, the board game “Wingspan” by Elizabeth Hargrave, published by Stonemaier Games, sold over 1 million copies globally. One of the standout features praised by players and critics alike was the component quality — from the bird cards with linen finish to the robust egg miniatures and dual-layer player boards. This attention to quality helped secure the game’s success and multiple awards, including the Kennerspiel des Jahres (2019).
Manufacturers like Sunday Games adhere to similar quality principles, ensuring your game doesn’t just play well but also feels premium.
5. Quality Control Processes
Even the best designs can falter without rigorous quality control (QC). According to Game Manufacturer’s Association (GAMA), approximately 8% of board games encounter manufacturing defects due to poor QC procedures.
Sunday Games combats this with a multi-step quality assurance process:
- Pre-production samples for client review.
- In-line inspections during each production phase.
- Final random inspections (AQL 2.5 standard) to catch any defects before shipment.
Conclusion
In a world where over 3,000 new board games are released annually (according to ICv2), standing out requires more than just great game mechanics — quality manufacturing is key. By working with manufacturers like Sunday Games, who prioritize premium materials, precision printing, and rigorous quality control, designers can ensure their board games not only impress players but also endure for years to come.
Invest in quality, and you invest in your game’s success.
