Frequently Asked Questions About Board Game Design & Production

Tenmato is a board game design and production studio specializing in turning prototypes and game concepts into professionally designed tabletop products.
We can design the board, cards, illustrations, icons, rulebook, packaging and production files within one visual system.

Yes, if the core game concept and mechanics are already developed enough to define the required components.

You do not need professional graphics before contacting us.

A prototype made with paper cards, temporary graphics, spreadsheets or basic digital files is enough to begin discussing the visual development.

Tenmato specializes in this stage of board game development.

We can take a tested prototype and create the professional board, cards, illustrations, visual identity, icons, rulebook, packaging and production-ready artwork required to move toward manufacturing.

Yes.

Tenmato can manage both the visual design and production-preparation process.

Board game manufacturing is coordinated through selected production partners, allowing the manufacturing solution to be matched to the game’s components, quantity, budget and destination.

Tenmato is a board game design and production studio rather than a single manufacturing factory.

We coordinate production with selected printing and manufacturing partners.

This allows us to choose different production solutions depending on the requirements of each project.

Yes.

If you already have a manufacturer, Tenmato can work with their templates, technical specifications and production requirements.

We can prepare or adapt the design files for that specific manufacturer.

Yes.

A complete project can include:

• visual direction
• game logo
• board
• cards
• illustrations
• characters
• locations
• icons
• tokens
• player boards
• rulebook
• packaging
• production files

You can also hire Tenmato for individual parts of the game.

Yes.

We accept projects covering individual game components as well as complete games.

For example, you can hire Tenmato specifically for board design while keeping your existing card artwork, packaging or other components.

Yes.

We design standalone card games and card systems used within larger tabletop games.

We can create a reusable visual template and apply it consistently across the complete card set.

Yes.

Large card libraries are handled using scalable design systems rather than treating every card as a separate graphic design project.

We first establish card categories, templates, typography, icons, artwork placement and information hierarchy.

The system can then be expanded across dozens or hundreds of cards.

Yes.

Tenmato creates original artwork for board games and card games.

Illustration may include:

• characters
• creatures
• environments
• locations
• items
• objects
• maps
• card artwork
• board artwork
• box artwork
• key illustrations

Yes.

The visual direction is developed according to the game’s theme, audience and desired positioning.

Reference images can be used to communicate qualities you like, while the final visual system is developed specifically for your project.

Yes.

Tenmato designs professional rulebooks including page layout, typography, diagrams, setup instructions, gameplay examples, component explanations and reference sections.

We can also create quick-start guides and player reference cards.

Yes.

Board game packaging can include cover artwork, front and back layouts, side panels, component information, technical elements and manufacturer-ready dielines.

Yes.

We can prepare production-ready artwork according to the technical requirements of your selected manufacturer.

Depending on the project, this includes:

• CMYK preparation
• bleed
• safe areas
• dielines
• manufacturer templates
• component layouts
• print-ready files

Yes.

Prototype production can be coordinated before mass manufacturing.

A physical prototype helps evaluate component sizes, readability, material choices, packaging and the overall tabletop experience before committing to a larger production run.

Yes, in many cases.

Manufacturing costs are influenced by decisions such as:

• box dimensions
• board size
• number of cards
• number of punchboards
• custom shapes
• materials
• special finishes
• component quantity

Considering production requirements during the design stage can prevent unnecessarily expensive component choices later.

The cost depends on the number and complexity of the game’s components.

For example, a small card game requiring one card template and packaging will cost significantly less to design than a large strategy game requiring a board, 200 cards, dozens of illustrations, player boards, tokens and a rulebook.

Tenmato divides quotations into clear project components so clients can see what each part of the project requires.

The most useful information includes:

• game rules
• prototype
• component list
• number of cards
• number of unique
• illustrations
• board dimensions
• rulebook length
• reference artwork
• production quantity
• target release date

If some information is still missing, send us what you currently have.

The timeline depends on the size of the project.

Smaller card games may require only a few weeks of design work, while large illustrated tabletop games containing many components may require several months.

For larger projects, Tenmato divides production into approval stages so the visual direction is confirmed before large quantities of artwork are produced.

Yes.

Tenmato works with tabletop projects intended for crowdfunding.

We can create both the physical game design and separate Kickstarter campaign assets.

Kickstarter design services can include:

• campaign section graphics
• component presentations
• game feature graphics
• stretch goals
• product mockups
• advertising graphics
• social media assets
• campaign banners

These assets are usually quoted separately from the core board game design.

Yes.

Companies can commission custom board games and card games for purposes including:

• marketing
• education
• employee engagement
• events
• promotional campaigns
• customer products
• brand experiences

Yes.

Publishers can use Tenmato as an external production partner for complete visual projects or specific areas such as illustration, card systems, boards, packaging or rulebooks.

Yes.

You do not need to be an established publisher.

Independent game designers can contact Tenmato with a prototype and receive help developing the professional visual side of their game.

Yes.

Board game projects can be managed remotely with creators, companies and publishers internationally.

Production options can be selected according to the intended destination and market.

Yes.

Localization can be considered when designing cards, boards, packaging and rulebooks.

Planning for multiple languages early helps account for different text lengths and makes future versions easier to produce.

Yes.

Confidential projects, prototypes and unreleased game concepts can be handled under an NDA when required.

Tenmato’s primary specialization is board game visual design, illustration and production preparation rather than complete game-mechanics development.

We can identify usability issues and suggest visual or production-related improvements, but extensive game balancing and mechanical development should be treated as a separate discipline.

Commercial rights and ownership are defined in the project agreement.

The appropriate rights can be transferred or licensed according to the agreed project scope.

Send whatever best represents the current state of your game.

This might be:

• a rulebook
• prototype photos
• PDF cards
• a spreadsheet
• Tabletop Simulator screenshots
• sketches
• temporary artwork
• a component list

You do not need to redesign your prototype before contacting us