What goes into a manufacturing quote?

A board game quote is usually a spreadsheet listing every component with its material spec and either a per-unit price for the whole game or per-component pricing at each quantity. Read the specs as carefully as the prices. The quote is the document that defines what you are buying: 300gsm blue-core card stock versus 280gsm grey-core, 2mm greyboard box versus 1.5mm, linen finish versus smooth. If a spec is missing from the quote, do not assume the good version.

Look for one-time costs listed separately from unit price. Plastic miniatures require steel molds (tooling) that can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars per unique sculpt, paid once and usually owned by you. Custom dice, embossing dies, and unusual die-cut shapes may also carry tooling charges. Sampling and pre-production copies are sometimes charged, sometimes credited back against the production order.

Check the trade terms and what they include. EXW (ex works) means the price covers goods at the factory door and everything after, including getting the cartons to a port, is your problem. FOB (free on board) means the factory delivers the goods onto a ship at a named port, which is the most common term for board games. The difference between an EXW and FOB quote can hide meaningful cost. Also confirm carton packing specs, since how many games fit in a master carton drives your freight bill.

Finally, note the payment schedule and validity window. Typical terms are 30 to 50 percent deposit to begin production and the balance before the goods ship. Quotes are commonly valid for 30 to 90 days because paper and freight prices move. If your crowdfunding campaign will not fund for six months, expect the numbers to change.