Perfect Fit: Designing Custom 3D Printed Inserts for Smarter Game Storage

Every tabletop gamer understands the frustration that comes from opening a favourite box only to discover a jumble of cards, tokens, boards, and miniatures all mixed together. Once you sleeve cards, punch out tokens, and add expansions, the once-orderly storage transforms into a puzzle of zip bags and rubber bands. Before you even take your first turn, you spend precious time sorting through the mess. That’s where custom 3D Printed Board Game Inserts come in — turning clutter into clean, well-organized systems that make setup faster, protect components, and keep your games looking like new no matter how often they hit the table.

The Problem with Loose Components and Cluttered Boxes

Every gamer has experienced the chaos of a box gone wild. You lift the lid only to find meeples mixed with dice, miniature pieces jumbled together, and shuffled decks losing their order. The issue isn’t just annoyance — it’s efficiency and preservation. Without proper organization, components wear down, cards bend, and small pieces go missing. What should be a relaxing hobby turns into unnecessary maintenance. A disorganised game box can add ten or fifteen minutes of prep time before you can even begin playing, cutting into valuable game time and dampening enthusiasm.

Custom inserts solve this by bringing structure back to the hobby. Each piece has a dedicated space, protecting against damage and loss. In effect, the insert acts as the backbone of the box — sturdy, predictable, and reliable. Well-designed inserts not only help with storage but restore the joy of preparation, so when you open a box, everything is exactly where it should be.

Why Custom-Fit Inserts Make All the Difference

A custom-fit 3D printed insert is not merely about neatness; it’s about transforming functionality. When every component has a specific, tailored fit, setup becomes intuitive. You can lift out an entire tray of tokens, place it on the table, and start playing immediately. Cleanup is just as easy — drop everything back into its slot and close the lid, knowing it’ll all stay in place until the next session.

The benefits go beyond convenience. Well-fitting inserts protect components far better than generic foam or cardboard dividers. Cards remain straight and unbent; miniatures avoid unwanted pressure points; boards and tokens are stored flat, preventing warping. Smart modular designs even leave space for future expansions, making your purchase a long-term solution rather than a quick fix. Many gamers who switch to custom inserts report that setup time drops by half, and boxes finally close neatly again without the lid popping up.

Ultimately, these inserts elevate every session. You don’t waste energy managing pieces — you focus on strategy, storytelling, and fun, which is what board gaming is truly about.

Designing for Different Genres

Every category of game demands a distinct design approach. The best 3D printed inserts respect those differences and adapt to the needs of each title and playstyle.

• Eurogames: Known for resource management and efficiency, these games often rely on numerous tokens, cubes, and tiles. Inserts for Eurogames prioritize compact layering with separated trays for resources, player pieces, and money tokens. Clear sightlines let players instantly identify what’s needed without confusion, enhancing smooth setup and accurate cleanup.

• Deckbuilders: Card-heavy titles need inserts built around accessibility and flexibility. Modular trays with labeled dividers let you store sleeved cards safely and add new expansions over time. Detachable card holders can be taken straight to the table, speeding up deck preparation for each play session.

• RPG Hybrids: These games merge storytelling, miniatures, and cards, requiring deep compartments for figures and complex setups. Inserts balance depth and organisation, providing cushioned wells for painted miniatures and shallower trays for tokens or dice. Accessibility is everything — each component should be ready to use without the risk of breakage or clutter.

The magic of a great insert lies in customisation. A well-designed storage system aligns with how a specific game flows, anticipating the player’s needs at every step.

Material Matters — Strength, Flexibility, and Finish

At All Crafted Creations, precision and reliability define every project. Our inserts are made using professional-grade FDM printing technology — a process known for consistent structural strength and refined surface quality. The choice of material is critical: we primarily use PLA and PETG, two of the most reliable filaments for durability, sustainability, and aesthetic finish.

PLA offers rigidity and crisp definition, perfect for inserts that need precise measurements and a clean look. PETG, on the other hand, provides greater flexibility and impact resistance, useful for component trays that will be handled frequently. Both materials can be printed in a variety of colours and finishes, allowing complete personalization — from matching your game’s theme to colour-coding trays for faster identification.

Beyond strength, surface finish plays a major role in usability. By applying fine layer heights and optimised print settings, we produce inserts that feel smooth to the touch and slide snugly into place. Gone are the rough ridges and uneven textures associated with hobbyist prints. Each piece is crafted not just to perform, but to look like a natural extension of the original box design.

Inspiration from the Community

The 3D printing and tabletop gaming communities share a remarkable passion for innovation. Across online forums and design platforms, creators experiment daily with new ideas for 3D Printed Board Game Inserts, showcasing clever ways to streamline play and protect beloved games. Community-driven designs for titles like Gloomhaven, Terraforming Mars, and Spirit Island demonstrate how imagination transforms simple storage into works of functional art.

These maker-driven projects inspire the professional design process at All Crafted Creations. By studying player needs and community feedback, our team refines each concept into a polished end product that fits perfectly and endures heavy gameplay use. Whether it’s designing modular towers for a massive adventure game or sleek interlocking trays for a compact card game, every insert we produce is built on the principle of balance — combining form, function, and aesthetics to support better play experiences.

Custom inserts also open doors for true personalisation. Want to engrave player initials, add faction icons, or print thematic colour accents? With 3D printing, those details are entirely achievable. Every build becomes unique because it’s made for your collection, your preferences, and your gaming table.

Smarter Storage, Better Play

A perfect insert enhances more than just how your game fits in the box — it enhances the entire flow of play. Setup transitions from tedious sorting to quick assembly; cleanup becomes relaxing; and components stay pristine for years. Great storage isn’t just about neatness; it’s about valuing your time, your collection, and the experiences you share around the table.

All Crafted Creations believes that every game deserves the same craftsmanship as the designers who made it. Our custom 3D Printed Board Game Inserts are engineered with precision and purpose — practical enough for everyday use, attractive enough to display proudly, and robust enough to withstand regular gameplay. We measure success not only by how efficiently the pieces fit, but by how much better the entire gaming experience feels afterward.

When your inserts work seamlessly, you play more and worry less. Each time you lift the box lid and see everything perfectly arranged, you’ll know it was worth the investment — a celebration of effort, craftsmanship, and love for the hobby.