Manufacturing guide / Published July 1, 2026

How to Get Custom Dice Made: A Step-by-Step Guide for Tabletop Publishers and Kickstarter Creators

Getting custom dice made comes down to five stages: lock a spec (material, color, numbering, branding), request a quote and physical sample, approve the sample, run production against a minimum order quantity (MOQ), and clear QC and export documentation before shipping. A first-time order typically takes 4-10 weeks from RFQ to finished goods, most of it in production rather than paperwork.

This guide walks through each stage in order, with the decisions that actually change your cost, timeline, or risk — so you can brief a factory clearly the first time instead of losing weeks to back-and-forth revisions.

Multi-SKU dice bundles assembled for a crowdfunding fulfillment run

Step 1: Define what you actually need

Before contacting any manufacturer, write down the parts of the spec that change tooling, material, or finishing:

• Material: acrylic, sharp-edge resin, zinc alloy metal, natural gemstone, or liuli (glass-look) — see our material comparison guide if you haven't picked one yet.
• Set composition: standard 7-piece polyhedral set (D4/D6/D8/D10/D12/D20/D%), single-die runs, or a themed multi-SKU bundle.
• Numbering and finish: engraved, pad-printed, or foil-filled numbers, and any color effect (marble, glow, liquid core, custom color match).
• Branding: a custom face (logo replacing one number), engraved logo, or private-label packaging.
• Packaging: gift box, dice tray and bag, display case, or bulk poly bag for retail repacking.
• Approximate quantity: even a rough number helps a factory quote accurately, since price breaks by volume.

You don't need final artwork at this stage — just enough detail that a factory can tell you what's feasible and roughly what it will cost.

Step 2: Request a quote and a physical sample

A serious manufacturer will not ask you to commit to a full production run sight unseen. Instead, expect a two-step process:

1. Quote review: the factory confirms material feasibility, MOQ, sample lead time, and production lead time based on your spec.
2. Pre-production sample: a physical sample is produced so you can check color accuracy, weight, number legibility, edge quality, and finish before any bulk commitment. Sample lead times run roughly 7-10 days for acrylic, 10-16 days for metal and liuli, and 12-21 days for resin, gemstone, and liquid-core effects.

Never skip the physical sample step for a first order — screen renders and color swatches do not reliably predict how a resin pour, metal plating, or natural stone batch will actually look and feel.

Step 3: Approve the sample and confirm the MOQ

Once the sample matches expectations (or you've requested one round of revisions), you confirm the order: final quantity, per-set price, and delivery terms. Most dice manufacturers, including ours, set a standard MOQ around 100 sets per SKU for dice, and around 300 pieces for accessories like trays, bags, and packaging. If the number feels high for a first Kickstarter run, read our MOQ guide — there are practical ways to structure a first order around it.

Step 4: Production and six-stage quality control

Production for polyhedral dice generally follows: incoming material inspection, molding or casting, numbering and finish application, and set assembly. Each batch should pass through defined QC checkpoints rather than a single final check. Our own line runs six stages — incoming material, in-process dimensions and finish, numbering and foil/paint, set completeness, packaging inspection, and export documentation — detailed in our step-by-step manufacturing process breakdown.

Total production time after sample approval typically runs:

• 18-30 days for acrylic and glow acrylic
• 25-42 days for metal, hollow metal, and liuli
• 28-50 days for sharp-edge resin, natural gemstone, and liquid-core effects

Step 5: Packing, export documentation, and shipping

Before goods leave the factory, packaging should be verified against your spec (retail box, tray and bag, or bulk pack) and export paperwork prepared. For international buyers, ask specifically about English-speaking sales support, EU/US documentation experience, and shipping terms — EXW or FOB from the origin port are the two most common arrangements for factory-direct orders. Third-party testing can usually be arranged if your market or retailer requires it.

Custom dice manufacturer vs. dice reseller: how to tell the difference

Not every "custom dice" storefront runs its own production line. Resellers can be a fine choice for small, low-risk orders, but if you're planning a recurring Kickstarter or wholesale program, working directly with a custom dice manufacturer usually gets you better pricing, tighter QC accountability, and more material flexibility. A few signals that you're talking to an actual factory rather than a middleman:

• They can describe specific production steps — casting, molding, plating, or engraving — rather than only "we can do that."
• They offer a physical pre-production sample, not just renders or stock photos.
• They quote a real MOQ and lead time tied to material, instead of a flat price for any request.
• They can speak to QC checkpoints and export documentation, since that's factory-side knowledge a pure reseller typically doesn't have firsthand.

A simple pre-RFQ checklist

• Material shortlisted (or ask for a recommendation)
• Approximate quantity and number of SKUs
• Numbering style and any custom color
• Logo or custom face artwork, if applicable
• Packaging direction (retail box vs. bulk pack)
• Target ship date, working backward from your campaign or retail launch

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get custom dice made?

Most programs take 4-10 weeks from approved sample to finished goods, depending on material — acrylic is fastest, resin and gemstone effects take longest. Add 7-21 days upfront for sample development before production starts.

What is the minimum order quantity for custom dice?

A typical MOQ is around 100 sets per SKU for dice, and around 300 pieces for accessories like trays, bags, and packaging. MOQs cover mold setup, batch dyeing, and finishing line changeovers.

Can I get a physical sample before placing a production order?

Yes — expect a pre-production sample in 7-21 days depending on material and complexity, so you can confirm color, weight, numbering, and finish before committing to the full MOQ.

Do I need a finished game design before requesting a quote?

No. You need enough detail to scope the job — material, approximate quantity, numbering style, and branding — and can finalize color codes, finish, and packaging during sampling.

How do I find a custom dice manufacturer for my board game?

Look for a manufacturer that provides a physical sample before requiring a full MOQ, publishes clear material and lead-time details, and can describe its QC checkpoints — a factory that shows its process, not just a catalog, is the safer choice for a first order.

What information does a dice manufacturer need to give me a quote?

Material preference, approximate quantity, number of SKUs, numbering and finish style, and any branding or packaging needs. More detail sharpens the first quote, but none of it has to be final.

Can a custom dice manufacturer help with Kickstarter fulfillment packaging?

Yes — most manufacturers serving Kickstarter creators also produce gift boxes, trays and bags, and display packaging under the same order, so reward-tier packaging ships from the same production run as the dice.