Punchboard & Tokens

A punchboard is the carrier of the tokens in a game, and not only tokens, you can also punch out tiles, coins, standees, etc. It enriches the content of the game and contribute to the playability of the game.

Here are a few tips for punchboard & tokens making:

1) Materials

The materials usually include paper, plastic, acrylic, wooden, metal and composite (paper+plastic).

Paper punchboard may not be as durable as the others, but it is light-weighted and lower in cost, most commonly used in tabletop games.

Plastic punchboard is waterproof and stain-resistant, and of course higher in cost, mainly used for high-end/deluxe board games.

Acrylic punchboard has top texture and good looking, anti-wear and waterproof, but higher in cost, usually used for high-end or exquisite board games.

Wooden punchboard has a natural texture, more durable and longer serving life, but higher in cost, suitable for deluxe or vintage style board games

Metal is usually not to be made into big punchboard, but small round pieces or square pieces, usually used in deluxe edition games. One disadvantage that is often overlooked is that some metal tokens have a plated layer which may wear off after longtime use.

Composite punchboard is usually the compound of plastic and paper with medium cost. If you want both the printing effect of paper and the durability of plastic, choose composite punchboard.

2) Craftsmanship

Several craftsmanship can enhance the performance of the punchboard.

Varnish includes Glossy Varnish and Matte Varnish with different visual effects. Glossy Varnish is shiny, presenting a brighter, mirror-like effect, but easy to leave fingerprints on the printed stuff. Matte Varnish looks steady, soft, not bright, presenting a strong sense of sophistication, no fingerprints to be left.

Film Lamination including Glossy Lamination and Matte Lamination is durable, waterproof and anti-wear, and Glossy Lamination goes more to enhance the glossiness and visual effect.

Linen finish increases the texture and tactile sensation. The effect is just like linen fabric. To a certain extent, it makes the punchboard more sturdy, enhancing the wear resistance and scratch resistance, which hence prolongs its service life.

3) Layout

The most important part of the punchboard layout is to understand the 3 lines - Margin Line, Die-Cut Line and Bleed Line. The graphics listed above are examples to show you 4 different shapes of tokens with 3 different lines.

The internal Orange line is the Margin Line where the important part of your artwork should be laid within this line so that it won’t be trimmed off because of the cutting deviation while in production and the content is kept intact.

The external Green line is the Bleed Line. You need always to extend your artwork to the Bleed Line. Otherwise your artwork on the token would be cut with some unexpected element on because of the cutting deviation in mass production.

The Purple line in the middle is the Die-Cut Line, also called Trim Line where the artwork of the token is cut right there. There might be a little cutting deviation while in production, which is why the Margin Line and the Bleed Line exist.

So to sum up, the design and the production on the punchboard and totkens are a precise and exquisite job. It is related as well to players’ experience that you cannot ignore.