Custom Plastic Pieces Built to Perform

Plastic Pieces

Choose the Right Plastic

The right material depends on how the component will actually be used.

ABS is a strong all-round choice for rigid parts such as pawns, dials, bases and housings.
PP works well for flexible clips, snap-fit parts and components that need repeated bending.
PS / HIPS offers an economical option for simpler rigid pieces.
PVC can be used where a softer or more flexible feel is required.

Material selection affects stiffness, durability, surface feel and molding performance, so we recommend choosing it together with the part structure rather than as a separate specification.

Designed for Fit and Function

A plastic component may look simple in CAD, but small design decisions can have a major impact on molding and assembly.

Before tooling, we review wall thickness, draft angles, undercuts, ribs, parting lines, gate locations and critical dimensions. Plastic naturally shrinks during cooling, while mold design and processing conditions can also affect the final dimensions.

This is especially important for custom plastic board game pieces that connect, rotate, clip or hold another component.

Common issues we help prevent:

• Card stands that grip too tightly or feel loose
• Dials that jam or wobble
• Snap-fit parts cracking during assembly
• Warping or sink marks
• Excessive flash around parting lines
• Unnecessary mold complexity and tooling cost

Side undercuts, for example, may require additional mold mechanisms, which can increase cost and create more opportunities for visible mold lines or flash.

Color and Finishing Options

For most plastic game pieces, molded color is the most practical option because the color runs through the material and remains durable during repeated handling.

For additional detail, we can also provide:

Pad Printing
Suitable for logos, numbers and small graphics on curved or irregular parts.

Silk Screen Printing
Best for relatively flat surfaces and larger simple graphics.

Spray Painting
Useful for custom colors, gradients, metallic finishes or selected visual effects.

Transparent / Translucent Plastic
Ideal for gems, crystals, energy markers and other components designed to transmit light.

Custom Mold Texture
Glossy, matte or textured surfaces can be created directly through the mold.

Texture should be considered during mold design because rougher surfaces generally require more draft for clean demolding.

DFM Review Before Tooling

Before the mold is made, send us your 3D files for review.

We check:

• Dimensions and wall thickness
• Draft angles and undercuts
• Parting lines and gate locations
• Assembly and snap-fit clearance
• Critical tolerances
• Surface texture
• Printing areas
• Material selection
• Box and insert compatibility

The purpose of DFM is not to redesign the game piece unnecessarily. It is to identify problems before they become expensive tooling changes.

Prototype, Approve, Then Scale

For parts that fit, rotate, clip or snap together, we recommend checking the structure before final tooling.

Once the design is confirmed, we produce molded samples for approval of:

• Color
• Surface finish
• Dimensions
• Assembly
• Movement
• Warping
• Flash
• Printing position

After approval, the confirmed specifications are carried into mass production.

From Simple Pawns to Custom Mechanisms

Whether your game needs custom plastic pawns, tokens, standee bases, clips, dials, gems or injection molded game pieces, the objective is the same:

make every component feel like it belongs in the game—not like a generic piece of plastic.