At RiverCross Diorama, we don't just design inserts: we engineer experiences.
Every tray, every compartment, every token slot is the result of deliberate choices made millimeter by millimeter.
This post pulls back the curtain on how we think, design, and obsess over the details that most people might never notice but will always feel.
1 We start with the game, not the box
Before a single line is drawn in the software, we play the game.
We study the rulebook, handle every component, and map out how players interact with the pieces during setup, play, and teardown. The insert has to serve the game and not the other way around.
2 Tolerances are not suggestions
FDM 3D printing has real-world variance. We design every slot and tray with printer-agnostic tolerances, then test across multiple machines and filament types. A token that rolls out of its box is a failure. A card that won't slide out is a failure. We iterate until neither happens.
3 Expansion-first thinking
Most games grow. If we already got the expansions, we design our inserts to accommodate them from day one, even if you don't own them yet.
Reserved place, modular tray layouts, and stackable components mean your insert won't be obsolete the moment a new box arrives.
4 Sleeved cards are the default
We assume you sleeve. Every card slot in every RCD insert is sized for sleeved cards. If you play unsleeved, the fit is still snug but we never leave sleeve users scrambling for workarounds. Make sure to check out which sleeves thickness we used to test. Assume that the starting base is 80 microns thickness. In some cases we even manage to accommodate 100 microns. Do you have doubts? Double check by sending us a message.
5 The lid must close
This sounds obvious. It isn't. We've seen inserts from other makers that require removing components before closing the box. At RCD, the lid closes fully with everything inside, sleeved, and ready for the next session. Non-negotiable.
6 Aesthetics are part of the function
A well-organised insert should also be a pleasure to look at. Clean lines, consistent wall heights, and negative space are design choices. When you open the box and everything sits exactly where it should, that moment of visual order is part of the experience we design for.
— Michele, RiverCross Diorama
🔬 What happens before you see a product listing?
Every insert goes through: concept mapping → CAD design → first print → component fit test → iteration → final validation → photography → listing. From first sketch to live product, a complex insert can take 3–6 weeks. We don't rush it.
Have a game you'd love to see an RCD insert for? Drop us a message. WE READ EVERY SINGLE REQUEST
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