Launching a board game through Kickstarter is an exciting and ambitious endeavor. You have spent months, years, developing the mechanics, playtesting prototypes, designing art, building a community, and now you are ready to bring your creation to the world. However, one of the most important (and often underestimated) steps comes after the campaign is successfully funded: the board game fulfillment.

Choosing the right fulfillment partner can mean the difference between a seamless delivery process and a logistical nightmare. Backers expect timely delivery, secure packaging, and transparent communication. A solid fulfillment partner helps you meet (or exceed) those expectations while keeping costs under control.

In this blog post, we’ll provide you with the steps you need to take to select the right fulfillment partner for your board game Kickstarter. Covering key factors to consider, red flags to avoid, and how to make an informed decision that aligns with your campaign goals.

Jump right in: How to Choose a Fulfillment Partner for Your Board Game Kickstarter

• Why Fulfillment Matters So Much in Board Game Kickstarter Campaigns
• Understand Your Fulfillment Needs
• Knowing the Different Types of Fulfillment Partners
• Compare Costs but Look Beyond the Base Rate
• Ask the Right Questions
• Evaluate Their Tech and Communication
• Consider Global Fulfillment Strategies
• Factor in Scalability for Post-Kickstarter Sales
• Red Flags to Watch Out For
• Summary

Why Fulfillment Matters So Much in Board Game Kickstarter Campaigns

Fulfillment services are more than just shipping boxes. They encompass receiving and storing your inventory, picking and packing orders, managing international logistics, handling customs paperwork, dealing with customer service inquiries, and more. And when you are shipping a heavy, bulky product like a board game, often to thousands of backers across dozens of countries, the process becomes exponentially more complex.

Your partner will become an extension of your brand. They will be interacting with your product and your customers’ orders. A great partner can protect your reputation, while a poor one can quickly erode trust with delays, errors, or poor communication.

Step 1: Understand Your Fulfillment Needs:

Before you begin researching partners, take stock of your project.

Here are the questions to ask yourself:

• Where are most of the backers located? (You can estimate this using audience data or past campaigns.)
• Do you know how many SKUs you have? (A base game? Expansions? Add-ons? Stretch goals?)
• Are you offering region-based shipping or a Flat Rate? Don’t forget to factor in dimensional weight.
• What is your fulfillment timeline? (How quickly do you plan to ship after production?)

Understanding the complexity of your campaign will help you find a partner equipped to manage your specific needs.

Step 2: Knowing the Different Types of Fulfillment Partners

There are several types of fulfillment partners in the board game world. Here is a quick breakdown:

Full-Service Kickstarter Fulfillment Providers:

These companies specialize in crowdfunding campaigns and understand the unique challenges of fulfillment after a successful Kickstarter. They often offer project management, customer support, and even VAT handling.

Pros:

Industry expertise, smoother integration with crowdfunding platforms, and backer-friendly.

Examples:

#1 eFulfillment Service

• Best for: Campaigns that need flexible, no-minimum order fulfillment.
• Strengths: Transparent pricing, no setup fees, crowdfunding experience.
• Perks: Human support, international shipping, and scalable for small creators.

#2 BackerKit Fulfillment

• Best for: Creators already using BackerKit for surveys and pledges.
• Strengths: Seamless transition from pledge management to fulfillment.
• Perks: Pre-vetted 3PL partners, integrated tooling.

#3 Fulfillrite

• Best for: Small-to-medium campaigns with quick turnaround.
• Strengths: User-friendly dashboard, great customer service, Kickstarter experience.
• Perks: Real-time tracking, automated order import, fast setup.

#4 ShipBob

• Best for: US-based campaigns scaling post-funding.
• Strengths: Tech-forward platform, US & international warehouses.
• Perks: Inventory analytics, Shopify integration for post-Kickstarter growth.

Standard 3PLs (Third-Party Logistics Providers):

Traditional logistics companies that serve e-commerce brands. They can be a good fit if you are planning to continue selling post-Kickstarter and want to integrate with an online store.

Pros: Scalability, potentially lower long-term costs, better e-commerce integrations.

Cons: Less familiar with the quirks of Kickstarter.

Regional Fulfillment Centers:

Using multiple partners across different regions (US, EU, Asia, etc.) to minimize shipping costs and avoid VAT or customs issues. Often coordinated by a primary fulfillment manager.

Pros: Cost-effective shipping, faster delivery to backers.

Cons: More complex to coordinate, potential for inconsistent quality.

Step 3. Compare Costs but Look Beyond the Base Rate:

Fulfillment quotes can vary widely with the services they include. When evaluating costs, do not just look at the per-shipment fee. Pay attention to the following:

• Storage fees (by the cubic foot or per pallet)
• Receiving fees (per pallet, per unit, per SKU, or hourly rate)
• Pick and pack costs (base + additional items)
• Packaging materials (included or billed separately?)
• Customs and VAT handling
• Shipping carrier rates (Do they offer discounted rates through FedEx, DHL, etc.?)

Also, some fulfillment providers offer “all-in” pricing that simplifies budgeting, while others itemize everything, which can lead to surprises later.

Tip: Ask for sample quotes based on your projected backer count, game weight, and add-ons. This will give you a realistic picture of the total cost.

Step 4. Ask the Right Questions:

When you are interviewing potential partners, ask these critical questions:

1. Have you fulfilled board game Kickstarter campaigns before? If so, how many?
2. Can you share references or testimonials from game creators?
3. Do you offer DDP (Delivered Duties Paid) shipping to the EU/UK/Canada?
4. How do you oversee communication and project updates?
5. Do you offer integrations with pledge managers like BackerKit or Gamefound?
6. What is your average turnaround time once the inventory arrives?
7. Do you manage customer service or returns?
8. How do you manage lost or damaged packages?

A reputable partner should be able to answer confidently and provide proof of past success.

Step 5. Evaluate Their Tech and Communication

In today’s world, visibility is everything. You want a fulfillment partner who offers clear reporting, easy-to-use software, and real-time inventory tracking. A modern dashboard can help you stay on top of shipments, backer addresses, and order statuses.

Also, you will want to pay attention to their communication style. Are they responsive? Are they initiative-taking in problem-solving? Do they offer diverse ways you can contact them, email, ticket system, instant chat, Google Meet, or phone call? These soft skills can be just as important as logistical capabilities and can determine if the end process of your campaign is successful or not.

Step 6. Consider Global Fulfillment Strategies

One of the biggest challenges for board game creators is international shipping. High shipping costs, customs delays, and VAT headaches can frustrate you and your backers.

To address this challenge, creators often use regional fulfillment by shipping bulk products to warehouses in regions such as the US, EU, UK, and Asia. From there, the last-mile delivery is completed by the local post, ensuring faster and more cost-effective shipping to customers.

Make sure your partner (or network of partners) has experience managing this kind of operation. Companies, like eFulfillment Service, do not have regional locations, however, they make up for it with their crowdfunding expertise and international shipping discounts.

Step 7. Factor in Scalability for Post-Kickstarter Sales

While your primary focus might be on delivering rewards to your backers, several campaigners continue to sell after fulfillment via late pledges, pre-orders, or e-commerce sales. A good partner can help you transition into ongoing retail or online sales without missing a beat.

Make sure your potential partner offers free e-commerce integrations (like Shopify or WooCommerce), inventory management tools, and support for restocking and re-shipping. Are they connected with affiliate partners that can help you scale?

Step 8. Red Flags to Watch Out For

Here are warning signs that a fulfillment partner might not be the right fit:

• Vague pricing or hidden fees.
• Lack of board game experience.
• Slow response times during your inquiry.
• No references or case studies.
• Inflexible systems or outdated tech.
• Bad reviews in creator forums or Facebook groups.

The board game creator community is vocal and helpful. Check places like Board Game Geek, Reddit, and Facebook groups for reviews and experiences with specific providers.