Manufacturing guide / Published September 13, 2026

How Are Dice Numbers Made?

The four ways numbers get onto dice

Whether it's a 20 on a D20 or a custom icon on a board-game D6, the number is applied by one of these methods:

1. Engraving + ink fill

The number is cut (mechanically or by laser) into the face, then filled with paint or enamel and wiped flush. Because the color sits inside a recess, it resists wear — this is the premium, long-lasting choice and the standard for metal, gemstone, and quality resin/acrylic. It's usually one fill color per die (gold, silver, white, black), though multi-color fills are possible at higher cost.

2. Pad printing

A silicone pad picks up ink from an etched plate and stamps it onto the face. It's fast and cost-effective for simple 1–2 color numbers or logos at volume, and it can print flat artwork engraving can't. The trade-off: the ink sits on the surface, so over years of heavy play it can scuff or wear.

3. UV / full-color printing

Digital UV printing lays down detailed, multi-color artwork or gradients directly on the face — the method for illustrated icons, logos, and color images. Confirm scratch/rub resistance on a sample, since it's a surface layer.

4. Moulded (embossed/debossed) numbers

The number is formed directly in the injection mould, so it's raised or recessed in the same material with no ink. Common on cheap mass D6; often combined with an ink fill for contrast.

Which method for which die

Material drives the choice — see the metal dice guide, resin dice guide, and material comparison guide.

Durability, cost, and font

• Durability: engraved-and-filled > moulded > UV > pad print (surface inks wear first).
• Cost: pad print is cheapest at volume; engraving and multi-color fills cost more; UV sits in between for color work.
• Font & fill color are part of your brand identity. A custom font or signature ink (gold, holo) makes a set unmistakably yours — see how to design a custom dice set and how to start a dice brand.

What to check on your sample

1. Fill is flush and complete — no gaps, no overspill.
2. Color and font match your spec under daylight.
3. Rub test printed numbers to gauge wear resistance.
4. Legibility at arm's length, especially the 6/9 distinction.

Frequently asked questions

How are numbers put on dice?

By one of four methods: engraving the number into the face and filling it with paint or enamel; pad printing ink onto the surface; UV printing full-color artwork; or moulding the number directly into the die during injection. Engraved-and-filled numbers are the most durable and premium; pad printing is cheapest at volume.

What is the most durable way to number dice?

Engraving with an ink or enamel fill. Because the color sits inside a recessed cut rather than on top of the surface, it resists scuffing and wear far better than pad-printed or UV-printed numbers. It is the standard for metal, gemstone, and premium resin and acrylic dice.

What is the difference between engraved and printed dice numbers?

Engraved numbers are cut into the face and filled with color, so they are recessed and highly wear-resistant, usually in a single fill color. Printed numbers (pad or UV) sit on the surface, allow flat or full-color artwork, and are cheaper — but the ink can wear over years of heavy play.

Can dice have full-color or multi-color numbers?

Yes. UV printing applies detailed, full-color artwork and gradients directly to the face, and multi-color engraved fills are possible at higher cost. For a single premium color like gold or silver, engraving with one ink fill is the usual durable choice.

How do I make sure my custom dice numbers last?

Choose engraving with an ink or enamel fill for durability, and on the sample check that the fill is flush and complete, the font and color match under daylight, and printed numbers survive a rub test. Also confirm the 6 and 9 are clearly distinguishable.