How much does a screenwriting cost on a B2B game in 2026?

For a single color screen on a standard A4 format box, print 1,000 copies: a fixed investment for the creation of the crans, then a moderated surcharge per copy. A contained part of the budget of a standard B2B game project. For several colors, multiply by the number of passes (each color = one screen).

Is hot gilding more expensive than serigraphy?

Slightly, but the difference is small. For a simple gilding on box A4 print size 1,000: a fixed cost for the matrix plus a unit surcharge. A share of the budget comparable to the screen printing. The difference is more in the visual effect (metal luxus vs opaque flat) than in the cost.

Can we do silkscreening or gilding on maps (not just the box)?

Yes technically, but the cost/effect ratio is not favourable. On maps: the surcoet per card becomes high (the scratches/matrixes do not amortize on the total surface). The practice of B2B is to reserve these premium finishes with the box (most viewed) and to keep the cards in standard quadrichromy or with local selective varnish.

Screen printing vs hot foil stamping on a B2B game (2026)

Q: How do I know if my project justifies a premium finish?

Three criteria for decision. (1) Is the box seen/manipulated by a VIP recipient (high-end customer gift, corporate anniversary event) ? If yes, premium justified finish. (2) Is the game distributed in-house in bulk (training 1,000 employees) ? If yes, sufficient standard finish. (3) Does the corporate brand impose a specific visual effect (gold logo, fluo color) ? If yes, technique imposed by the charter.

Q: Serigraphy or gilding: what is the most sustainable in time?

The hot gilding is technically more durable. The metal sheet applied hot + pressure resists friction, light and humidity better than the ink. On B2B games handled intensively (100+ sessions over 24 months) or stored in variable conditions, the gilding preserves the new appearance longer. On games distributed as customer gift (low handling), both last indefinitely.

On the box of a high-end B2B game, the choice between screen printing and hot marking conditions the customer's first impression. Both techniques produce very different visual effects for a comparable cost - but they are intended for different projects. Here is the technical and operational comparison, with numerical examples on 33 documented B2B projects.

The technical principle of both finishes

There screen printing The layer is used to apply an opaque ink through a screen (tightened canvas with blocked areas and open areas) to the support. One layer per color. It allows printing of bright and opaque coloured flats (including white, fluo, standard metal) that the offset quadrichromy cannot return as intensively. Additional cost: fixed investment for creating screens, plus a variable material cost per copy.

THE hot foil stamping (or hot gold, foil stamping) applies a metallized sheet to the support by pressure and heat, via an engraved metal matrix. The sheet (gold, silver, copper, hologram, mirror, matt or glossy) transfers its fine and shiny layer to the pressure zones. Additional cost: fixed investment for the engraving of the matrix, plus an additional material cost per copy (metal sheet).

The two techniques are: Additional printing passes This is in addition to the main printing (offset or digital) which requires additional time (3-7 days) and more complex manufacturing coordination.

When to choose screen printing

Screen printing is the right choice in 3 situations. Situation 1 - a bright and opaque coloured flatA vibrant red, a fluo orange, a deep purple: silkscreen returns these flats with perfect opacity, even on a dark background. The offset quadrichromy cannot reach this intensity on the colors off gamut.

Situation 2 - a textured matte effect. Screen printing allows printing a matte ink that contrasts with a brilliant background (gloss filming + matte screen printing on it). Sober luxury effect, widely used on premium B2B game boxes for big brands.

Situation 3 - a standard metallic effect. Gold, silver or copper in silkscreen (metallised inks). Less luminous than hot gilding (which uses a real reflective metal sheet) but often sufficient in most cases and more economical in large series.

Out of 12 screen-printed B2B projects delivered, the additional cost per copy remains moderate (standard A4 format box) on a 1,000-run. The overall cost, including screens, represents a contained part of the budget of a standard B2B game project.

When to choose hot gold (hot marking)

Hot gilding becomes unavoidable in 3 situations. Situation 1 - a logo or title that must shine at first glanceThe reflective metal sheet gives an unparalleled luxury effect. Ideal for premium customer gift boxes, corporate anniversary editions, VIP event games.

Situation 2 - a hologram or mirror effectThese special leaves (bold rainbow hologram, mirror, brushed) are only made in hot gilding. Highly different effect, used on games with very high perceived value.

Situation 3 - an ageing-sensitive project. Hot gilding is more durable than screen printing in the face of friction, light and humidity. For a B2B game distributed as a regional kit with 100+ game sessions over 24 months, gilding preserves the new look longer.

Standard cost for a hot gold plate on A4 format: a fixed investment for the engraving of the matrix, plus a unit extra cost in series of 1,000. The overall cost represents a reasonable share of the budget of a standard B2B game project, comparable to screen printing for a more pronounced luxury effect.

Comparison side by side on 5 criteria

Criterion 1 - Visual effect. Screen printing: bright and opaque coloured flats, matt or glossy textured. Dorine: glossy reflecting metal, hologram, mirror. For maximum luxury effect: gilding. For a bright non-metallic color: silkscreen.

Criterion 2 - Colour Pallet. Screen printing: infinite palette (any reproducible Pantone color in opaque ink). Dororry: limited to standard metal sheets (gold, silver, copper, metallic red, metallic blue, hologram, mirror). For a precise non-metallic color: imposed screen printing.

Criterion 3 - Additional Cost. Standard box screen printing 1,000 ex: additional cost content. Dorour: comparable and marginally higher cost. Not a significant difference, the choice is not budget but aesthetic.

Criterion 4 - Sustainability. Doride: excellent (resistant 5-10 years without degradation). Screen printing: good (may be used after 3-5 years depending on manipulation). For a game handled intensively (100+ sessions): preferred gilding.

Criterion 5 - Additional time. Screenprint: +3-5 days on the overall time frame. Doror: +5-7 days (matrix engraving). For a tight calendar project: slightly faster screenprint.

Screen printing + gilding combination: ultra premium effect

For premium B2B projects (VIP gift, major corporate event, anniversary collector edition), it is possible to combine silkscreen + hot gilding Example: black matt film-coated background, gold gold gilding logo, opaque white silkscreen central illustration, metallic accents in copper gilding.

Combined cost: higher cost (cumulative of both finishes). Reserved for premium projects where high-end perception justifies the investment. Of the 33 documented B2B projects, 4 use this combination - typically very high value customer gift projects (executive gift box, brand anniversary event).

Decision criterion: if the perceived value of the box directly conditions the perception of the mark in the recipient (VIP gift), the combination is justified. If the box is a functional packaging (mass-distributed training kit), only one of the two finishes is sufficient. Recommendations on physical eco-design: ADEME (eco-design publications).

Sources: AFNOR (games and toys standards) · ADEME (eco-design publications).

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Questions frequent

How much does a screen printing on a B2B game cost in 2026?

For a single colour screen printing on a standard A4 format box, print 1,000 copies: a fixed investment for creating screens, then a moderate extra cost per copy. A contained part of the budget of a standard B2B game project. For several colors, multiply by the number of passes (each color = one screen).

Is hot gilding more expensive than screen printing?

Slightly, but the difference is small. For a simple gilding on A4 format box 1,000 print: a fixed cost for the matrix plus a unit extra cost. A share of the budget comparable to screen printing. The difference is more in the visual effect (metal lux vs opaque flat) than in the cost.

Can we make silkscreen or gilding on cards (not just the box)?

Yes technically, but the cost-effect ratio is unfavourable. On cards: the extra cost per card becomes high (screens/matrixes do not dampen on the total surface). The practice of B2B is to reserve these premium finishes to the box (most viewed item) and keep the cards in standard quadrichromy or with local selective varnish.

How do I know if my project justifies a premium finish?

Three decision criteria. (1) Is the box seen/handled by a VIP recipient (high-end client gift, corporate anniversary event)? If yes, premium finish justified. (2) Is the game distributed en masse internally (training 1,000 employees)? If yes, standard finish sufficient. (3) Does the corporate brand impose a precise visual effect (gold logo, fluo colour)? If yes, technique imposed by the brand guidelines.

Screenprint or gilding: what is the most lasting in time?

The hot gold is technically more durable. The metal sheet applied to hot + pressure is more resistant to friction, light and humidity than the silkscreen ink. On B2B games handled intensively (100+ sessions over 24 months) or stored under variable conditions, the gilding preserves the new look longer. On games distributed as customer gift (low handling), both last indefinitely.