The right number of custom dice to order is the number of dice each player, kit or guest actually rolls, multiplied by how many of them you are equipping, plus a small cushion of spares. Get Custom Dice starts at a minimum of 12 dice, returns a free mockup within 24 hours, and ships in about 2 weeks, so you can order small and reorder later.
- Get Custom Dice has a minimum order of 12 dice.
- Count dice per unit first: per player, per game box, per kit or per guest.
- Add spares for loss, damage and late additions rather than guessing a round number.
- A free mockup arrives within 24 hours and standard turnaround is about 2 weeks.
- Keeping the approved design on file makes a matching reorder simple.
How do you work out how many custom dice to order?
Work out a custom dice quantity by starting from the unit that uses the dice, not from a round number. Ask how many dice one player, one game box, one gift bag or one table needs, then multiply by how many of those units you are filling. That base number is what you must have on the day, before any spares.
The unit changes with the job. A board game publisher counts dice per box. A game store counts dice per house table. An event planner counts dice per guest or per goodie bag. A roleplaying club counts full polyhedral sets per member rather than single dice. Getting the unit right is what stops an order from coming up short or leaving a box of unused dice in a cupboard.
Once you have the base number, add spares, then check it against the minimum of 12 dice at Get Custom Dice. Small groups often find the minimum already covers their needs with room left over, which makes a first order low-risk.
- Name the unit: player, box, table, kit or guest.
- Count the dice that one unit needs.
- Multiply by the number of units.
- Add spares for loss, damage and late additions.
- Request a quote with the final number.
How many dice does each player, box or kit actually need?
The dice each player or box needs depends on the game or activity, so read the rules or the event plan before you count. Some games need one die per player, some need a shared pool in the middle of the table, and some need several dice of different colors so players can tell their rolls apart.
Watch for these common counting traps:
- Shared pools: a game that rolls a handful of dice at once needs that full handful per copy, not per player.
- Player colors: if each player has their own color, count dice per color, not just in total, because each color is its own decoration run on the quote.
- Polyhedral sets: a roleplaying set is several dice of different shapes, so count sets, then let the quote expand them into dice. See the polyhedral RPG dice sets page for set options.
- Demo copies: convention tables and store demo games need their own dice on top of retail or player stock.
Write the per-unit count down for every color and every shape. That breakdown is the most useful thing you can put in a quote request, because it tells Get Custom Dice exactly how the run should be split before the mockup is drawn.
How many spare custom dice should you add to the order?
Spare custom dice should cover the realistic ways dice disappear: they roll under furniture, go home in pockets, chip on hard tables, or get handed to a guest who was not on the list. The right cushion is small for a one-time gift and larger for dice that will be handled every week.
Think about spares by use rather than by a fixed rule:
- One-time gifts and giveaways: a light cushion for late RSVPs and a few to keep as samples for your own records.
- House dice in stores and clubs: a more generous cushion, because loss is steady and a mismatched replacement looks wrong on a branded table.
- Board game production: spares for replacement-part requests from buyers, since a missing die is one of the most common customer service tickets.
- Giant and foam dice: fewer spares, since they are hard to lose, but consider one extra for display. The giant and foam dice page covers those styles.
Spares cost far less to add to the original run than to make later as a tiny separate order, because setup is shared. If you are unsure, ask Get Custom Dice to quote two quantities side by side so you can see how the spare cushion changes the total.
Should you order everything at once or stage reorders?
Order everything at once when the date is fixed and the quantity is known, and stage reorders when demand is still uncertain. A single run guarantees every die matches and arrives together. Staged reorders keep cash and storage free while you learn how fast the dice actually move.
| Situation | Better approach | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Wedding, conference or one-day event | One order | The guest count is known and there is no second chance after the date. |
| Board game first print or crowdfunding fulfillment | One order sized to backers plus spares | Every box ships at once and needs identical dice. |
| Game store resale dice | Start near the minimum, then reorder | Sell-through tells you which colors and styles to repeat. |
| Club or league dice handed out over a season | Staged reorders | Membership changes and new players join mid-season. |
| Corporate branded dice for ongoing promotions | Initial run plus reorder on the same design | The approved artwork stays consistent across years. |
Staging works best when the first order is treated as the master. Keep the approved mockup, the material, the color and the decoration method recorded, and quote every reorder against that record so new dice match the old ones on the table.
Does the style of dice change how many you should order?
The style of custom dice changes the quantity math because different styles are used and lost in different ways. Small acrylic dice are easy to pocket and easy to lose, so they need more spares. Heavy metal dice are kept and treasured, so fewer go missing but each one matters more. Giant dice are counted per display rather than per player.
- Printed or engraved standard dice: the everyday choice for games, giveaways and house tables. Count per player or per guest and add a normal cushion. See custom printed dice.
- Metal dice sets: often given as premium gifts or backer rewards, so count recipients exactly and keep a small reserve for damaged shipments. See metal dice sets.
- Engraved wooden dice: suited to keepsakes and family games, where each recipient gets a fixed number. See engraved wooden dice.
- Precision and casino dice: used in matched sets at a table, so count per table and keep spares that match the set. See precision and casino dice.
If you are ordering more than one style for the same project, plan each style as its own line with its own count and spares.
How does the minimum order of 12 dice affect small projects?
The minimum order of 12 dice at Get Custom Dice means even very small projects can have fully custom dice without buying far more than they need. A dungeon master equipping a home table, a family making a keepsake game, or a designer testing a prototype can all start at 12 dice.
For small projects the question is less about the minimum and more about whether to round up. Rounding up a little gives you spares, a few dice to photograph for a crowdfunding page, and samples to show friends or a store owner. Because every order starts with a free mockup within 24 hours, you can see the design before deciding exactly how far above the minimum to go.
Small projects also benefit from staging. Order a first run close to 12 dice, use them at the table, and reorder the same approved design once you know the dice read well and people want more. Board game designers in particular use this approach for playtest dice before committing to a production run, as covered on the custom dice for board game designers page.
How far ahead should you place a custom dice order?
Place a custom dice order early enough to cover the mockup, any revisions, and about 2 weeks of production and shipping before the date you need the dice in hand. The mockup arrives within 24 hours, but the clock only really starts once you approve the design, so build in time for decisions.
- Fix the quantity and the per-color breakdown.
- Request a quote and send your artwork.
- Review the free mockup, which comes back within 24 hours.
- Ask for revisions until the design is right; revisions are unlimited and free.
- Approve the design, since you pay nothing until you do.
- Allow about 2 weeks for standard turnaround, or ask about express shipping if the date is close.
Late quantity changes are the most common cause of delay, so settle the count before approval. If a guest list or backer count is still moving, order to your best estimate plus spares and plan a small top-up reorder rather than holding the whole run. The how it works page shows the full ordering process.
What should you include in a quote request so the quantity is right?
A quote request for custom dice should give the total quantity and the breakdown behind it, so Get Custom Dice can quote the run exactly as it will be produced. A single total with no breakdown often leads to a second round of questions and a slower start.
- Total number of dice or sets, including spares.
- Split by color, shape and style if there is more than one.
- Decoration on each face: logo, numbers, pips or custom symbols.
- The date the dice must be in hand, and the delivery location.
- Whether this is a one-time order or the first of planned reorders.
- Your logo or face artwork, in the best file you have.
Ask for more than one quantity on the same quote if you are deciding between a lean order and a generous one. Seeing both side by side is the fastest way to settle on a number. Start with the custom quote form.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the right quantity of custom dice for a board game print run?
Custom dice for a board game print run are counted per box first: multiply the dice in one copy of the game by the number of copies, then add spares for replacement-part requests and demo copies. Count each color separately if players have their own colors. Get Custom Dice can quote the full breakdown so every box ships with matching dice.
Should I order extra custom dice for guests who RSVP late to an event?
Custom dice for events should include a small cushion for late RSVPs, unexpected plus-ones and a few keepsakes for the hosts. Adding those dice to the original run is far easier than placing a tiny second order after the guest list closes. Order to your best estimate of attendance and add the cushion before you approve the mockup.
Is it cheaper per die to add spares now or reorder custom dice later?
Custom dice spares are usually more economical when added to the original run, because setup and decoration preparation are shared across the whole order. A separate small reorder repeats some of that work. Get Custom Dice can quote two quantities side by side, so you can see how a larger spare cushion changes the total before deciding.
Can I split one custom dice order across several colors?
Custom dice orders can be split across several colors, which suits games with player colors or clubs with team colors. List the count for each color in your quote request, because each color is planned as its own part of the run. Get Custom Dice shows every color in the free mockup so you can check them together.
How should a store decide how many custom dice to stock for resale?
Custom dice for store resale are best started near the minimum order of 12 dice per design, then reordered once sell-through shows which colors and styles customers prefer. Keep the approved mockup on file so each reorder matches the first batch. Get Custom Dice can repeat the same design whenever stock runs low.
Do I count polyhedral dice by the set or by the individual die?
Polyhedral custom dice are easiest to plan by the set, because a roleplaying player needs a full matching set rather than loose dice. Count how many sets you need, add a spare set or two, and let the quote expand that into individual dice. Get Custom Dice lists set options on its polyhedral RPG dice sets page.
What happens if I need more custom dice after my order ships?
Custom dice can be reordered on the same approved design after the first order ships. Get Custom Dice keeps the mockup details, so the reorder uses the same material, color and decoration method. Request a new quote with the extra quantity and the date you need the dice, and allow about 2 weeks standard turnaround.
How many spare metal dice should come with premium backer rewards?
Metal custom dice for backer rewards are rarely lost, but shipments can arrive damaged, so keep a small reserve to cover replacements. Count your backers exactly, then add a modest number of spare dice or sets. Get Custom Dice can quote the reward run with spares included, and you pay nothing until you approve the design.
Can I approve a mockup before I finalize my custom dice quantity?
Custom dice mockups from Get Custom Dice arrive within 24 hours of your request, and you can review the design before the final count is locked. Settle the quantity before you approve, though, because late changes are the most common cause of delay. Give your best estimate up front and adjust it during the revision stage.
Does ordering giant foam dice follow the same quantity rules as standard dice?
Giant foam custom dice are counted per display, booth or game area rather than per player, so quantities are usually much smaller than standard dice. They are hard to lose, so fewer spares are needed, though one extra for display or photos is useful. Get Custom Dice still applies the same minimum order and mockup process.
Should a club order a full season of custom dice upfront?
Custom dice for a club season can be ordered upfront when membership is stable, or staged when new players join throughout the year. A staged plan starts with enough dice for current members and reorders the same design later. Get Custom Dice keeps the approved artwork, so dice from later batches match the first ones.
What information helps a supplier confirm my custom dice quantity quickly?
Custom dice quotes move fastest when you send the total quantity, the split by color and style, the decoration for each face, the in-hand date and the delivery location. Mention whether reorders are planned. Get Custom Dice uses those details to prepare an accurate quote and a free mockup within 24 hours.
Get a free mockup for your dice
Send your logo or idea and the quantity you have in mind. Get Custom Dice returns a free mockup within 24 hours, you approve the design before anything is produced, and standard turnaround is about two weeks with faster options available. Get a custom quote.