🎮 Six principles. Every insert.

These are not aspirational values on a wall. They are the actual constraints we design within, every time, for every game. If an insert cannot meet all six, it does not ship.

1 We start with the game, not the box

Before a single line is drawn in the software, we play the game. We go through the rulebook, handle every component, and figure out how players actually interact with the pieces during setup, play, and teardown. The insert has to serve the game, not the other way around.

A game like Darwin's Journey Collector's Edition has dual-layer player boards, a cascade of mini expansions, and components that work differently at different points in the game. There is no way to design a tray layout for that from a spreadsheet. You have to play it.

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 compartment is a failure. A card that won't slide out is a failure. We iterate until neither happens.

This is why our inserts work whether you print them yourself from the STL files or receive them ready-made. The tolerances are baked into the design, not tied to a specific printer.

3 Expansion-first thinking

Most games grow. We design our inserts to handle expansions from day one, even if you don't own them yet. Reserved space, modular tray layouts, and stackable components mean your insert won't be obsolete the moment a new box arrives.

Our Scythe insert holds the base game plus Invaders from Afar and The Wind Gambit. Our Hegemony insert is built for the full expansion set. Buying the base game insert today should not mean buying a new insert tomorrow.

4 Sleeved cards are the default

We assume you sleeve. Every card slot in every RCD insert is sized for sleeved cards at 80 microns. If you play unsleeved, the fit is still snug, but we never leave sleeve users scrambling for workarounds. In some cases we accommodate 100 microns. Not sure? Send us a message before you order.

5 The lid must close

This sounds obvious. It is not. At RCD, the lid closes fully with everything inside, sleeved, and ready for the next session. If it doesn't close, the design goes back to the drawing board. Non-negotiable.

6 Aesthetics are part of the function

A well-organised insert should also be satisfying to look at. Clean lines, consistent wall heights, deliberate negative space: these are design choices, not side effects. When you open the box and everything sits exactly where it should, that moment of visual order is part of what we're designing for.

🔬 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 to 6 weeks. We don't rush it.

Browse the results in our Board Game Inserts collection.

📖 Want to know what to look for when buying an insert?

Knowing how we build is one thing. Knowing what questions to ask before you buy from anyone is another. We cover the full checklist, sleeve sizing, expansion support, lid closure, and more, in How to Choose the Right Board Game Insert for Your Game.