Puzzle me this... Can you recommend a puzzle manufacturer?
March 14, 2018 12:11 AM Subscribe
For the last 4-5 years I have co-published a certain puzzle game that has gone viral many times over, so much so that it's become a full-time occupation for some in our company. For the last year we have been desperately been trying to move our production away from China and lift the quality of our upcoming releases, but having a real hell of a time finding a new factory. I know this is a bit of a longshot on the green, but can anyone recommend one at all?
For further context, our products require a certain amount of detail and finishing that the language barrier is not really conducive to - these are not your standard puzzles by any means. We also have had some terrible issues like having the product counterfeited, or some contractors in the supply-chain over-manufacturing and selling extra copiesonline, etc.
We've tried working with a few companies who act as agents to find and vet companies on alibaba etc, but that has also led to disaster including having sample money stolen and having our email impersonated.
So we've basically thrown in the towel with manufacturing in the region, and now looking for factories in North America or Europe to see if we can get a better result.
Given the recent explosion of board games in general, I thought someone in the green must have some sort of referral or friend of friend that might be interested in having our business. We're also contacting some manufacturers direct to see if they do third-party printing B2B, but haven't had much luck there.
If anyone can help, please chime in below, or MeFi mail me anytime! Thank you :)
For further context, our products require a certain amount of detail and finishing that the language barrier is not really conducive to - these are not your standard puzzles by any means. We also have had some terrible issues like having the product counterfeited, or some contractors in the supply-chain over-manufacturing and selling extra copiesonline, etc.
We've tried working with a few companies who act as agents to find and vet companies on alibaba etc, but that has also led to disaster including having sample money stolen and having our email impersonated.
So we've basically thrown in the towel with manufacturing in the region, and now looking for factories in North America or Europe to see if we can get a better result.
Given the recent explosion of board games in general, I thought someone in the green must have some sort of referral or friend of friend that might be interested in having our business. We're also contacting some manufacturers direct to see if they do third-party printing B2B, but haven't had much luck there.
If anyone can help, please chime in below, or MeFi mail me anytime! Thank you :)
Best answer: Are you familiar with game & jigsaw publisher Ravensburger? They produce nice stuff, and I believe their North American location is in hell-and-gone northern Vermont.
https://www.ravensburger.us/service/contact-us/index.html
They do custom photo puzzles, so maybe they can also do a short-run of bespoke stuff. No idea, but worth a phone call.
posted by wenestvedt at 9:28 AM on March 14, 2018
https://www.ravensburger.us/service/contact-us/index.html
They do custom photo puzzles, so maybe they can also do a short-run of bespoke stuff. No idea, but worth a phone call.
posted by wenestvedt at 9:28 AM on March 14, 2018
Not sure of your distribution scale, exactly, or your price-point, but my family is super into Liberty Puzzles and the precision, finish, and general quality have been excellent. They specialise in wildly-fiddly piece-shapes, if that's of help. They do single-run custom puzzles, but if your production run is small enough, maybe they could handle your needs, or point you to someone who can.
posted by halation at 11:16 AM on March 14, 2018
posted by halation at 11:16 AM on March 14, 2018
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posted by xyzzy at 12:37 AM on March 14, 2018