Art toys, also known as designer toys, are created by artists and designers and are often produced in limited editions by small independent toy companies. These toys are made using a variety of materials such as PVC, vinyl, wood, metal, latex, plush, and resin. Many toy artists have backgrounds in graphic design, illustration, or fine art, but some are self-taught. The first art toys emerged in the 1990s in Hong Kong and Japan and were based on characters created by popular Lowbrow artists.

     According to illustrator Jeremyville's book Vinyl Will Kill!, the designer toy phenomenon began when Hong Kong-based artist Michael Lau showcased his customized G.I. Joe figures at a local toy show. He had transformed them into "urban hip-hop characters, wearing cool streetwear labels and accessories." This led to the emergence of the term "urban vinyl," which later became "designer toys."

     One example of designer toys is the Qee series produced by Toy2R in Hong Kong. Qee figures come in various sizes and designs, typically with the same basic body type but with different head sculpts such as bears, cats, dogs, monkeys, or rabbits. Blank Qees are also produced in various sizes, which can be painted by collectors. Another example is the Dunny series produced by American company Kidrobot. Dunny figures resemble anthropomorphized rabbits in a cartoon style and come in different sizes.

     Some notable creators of designer toys include Michael Lau, Devilrobots from Japan, Carlos & Ernesto East "The Beast Brothers" from Mexico, Frank Kozik from the United States, and James Jarvis from the United Kingdom. Designer toys continue to attract collectors and enthusiasts worldwide due to their unique designs and limited availability.

The characteristics of injection molding toys：

● The limitations of the original design are low and can be complex or simple.

● PVC injection craft allows producers to split the molds according to the color and structure of the original design, so that the details of each part can be clearly presented.

● The internal structure of PVC injection molded toys is solid, which makes the overall weight of the toy heavier than that of many materials.

● PVC plastic is a commonly used raw material for injection molding toysin designer toy field, and according to the design needed, the producer will also combine with ABS injection craftand even vinyl carft.

● The production of injection molding toys requires the use of large injection molding machines, and the production of molds is usually made of steel. Most enterprises have introduced fully automated equipment, which brings higher production efficiency. For large production orders, it can greatly shorten the production time and reduce the production cost.

PVC injection molding toys also have unavoidable disadvantages. First of all, the production cost of steel molds is relatively expensive. In addition, there may be split lines and splaymark on the surface of PVC injection molding toys. But split line can be smoothed by polishing and experienced operators can adjust temperature, hardness to avoid the spraymark as much as possible.

The following is the mainly production process of PVC injection molding toys:

● Design: First of all, the designer will design according to the design requirements of the toy, including graphic design and 3d model, color matching.

● Mold making: Making the steel molds for injection, and setting up the molds in the large injection molding machines.

● Mass Production: In the process of injection molding, plastic raw materials will enter the mold through the nozzle of the injection molding machine, and cool and cure into parts in the mold. After the parts are trimmed and inspected, they are painted, assembled, and finally packaged according to the customer's needs to become the final product.

In recent years, "designer toys" have become a popular trend among young people, captivating them and enticing them to spend money on them. Do you really know whay are they?

The common types of designer toys are rich and diverse, and there are mainly the following types according to the material: vinyl toys, injection molded toys and resin toys. Here will give you a detailed introduction to the characteristics of vinyl toys, so that you can have an in-depth understanding of this type of toy. 

Vinyl toys, as the name suggests, are toys made of vinyl as the main material. The surface of this toy is smooth, without any complex craft lines, showing a simple and delicate beauty. At the same time, the structure of the vinyl toy is hollow, which makes the overall weight of the whole toy relatively light, and there will be no much feeling of weight in the hand.

In terms of shape design, the vinyl toy is relatively simple with few complex details. This simplified design style allows people to pay more attention to the overall shape and color matching of the toy when appreciating the toy. In addition, the raw material of vinyl toys is mainly PVC, which has strong stability and makes the toys have high durability.

Regarding the disadvantages of the vinyl process, because the splitting process of the vinyl toy is simple, it limits the structural design of the toy, making some complex and fine parts unable to be produced. At the same time, since the vinyl toy is hollow, they are easy to deformation because of the great temperature difference,  which will affect its beauty and service life.

On the other hand, vinyl toy didn’t have great weather resistance, with improper preservation it will be prone to fading, falling off and other problems. In addition, due to the need for high temperature firing in the production process of vinyl toys, if the process is not in place, the surface of the toy may appear bubbles, surface is not smooth and other phenomena, which is a common quality problem in the production of vinyl toys. This requires that the factory must be equipped with experienced process masters to avoid quality costs to the greatest extent.

In addition, the production mold of vinyl toys is mainly copper mold. In the production process of copper molds, seed mold and bulk molds are the main classification. Seed Molds are mainly used for the production of small batch samples, while bulk molds are used for mass production. The process of making vinyl toys can be roughly divided into the following steps:

● Design stage: Designers design characteristic graphic and 3d model according to market demand and creative inspiration.

● Mold opening stage: make seed mold and bulk molds for trial production.

● Production process: Start the mass production for the order including vinyl crafting, painting, assembling and packaging. 

LTNC STUDIO is one of our most valued customers, and we have had the pleasure of collaborating with them on numerous art toy projects. Some of the most notable collaborations include the CASINODEAD ART TOY, HAPPY FACE ART TOY, ASTRODEAD ART TOY, LIBERTYDEAD ART TOY, and many more.

 

 

The CASINODEAD ART TOY is a true masterpiece that comes in two distinct colors, gray and red. Each color variant is limited to a production run of 150 pieces, making it a highly sought-after collectible. The figurine is made from a combination of PVC and ABS materials, which are known for their durability and versatility.

The CASINODEAD ART TOY stands at 5.1 inches tall and is meticulously crafted to perfection. Its intricate design and exquisite craftsmanship are a testament to our dedication to our craft. The figurine is not only a mere product but a work of art that embodies the very essence of creativity and imagination.

 

 

 

v What is vinyl?

Vinyl is a type of plastic material that is commonly used in the production of various consumer products, including toys, flooring, and clothing. It is known for its durability, flexibility, and resistance to moisture, making it a popular choice for many applications. In the context of collectible figurines, vinyl is often used due to its ability to hold intricate details and vibrant colors.

v What are vinyl toys?

A vinyl toy is a type of collectible figurine made of plastic material.

The main material used for vinyl toy is a paste resin blended with polyvinyl chloride, plasticizers, softeners and other additives. The material used in vinyl toy is soft and has good properties. It is generally used to make vinyl figures or art toys. They are usually hollow, but there are also solid ones. The cost of solid ones is high.

Vinyl toy is actually made by a special technique (Rotocast ) of PVC(Polyvinyl Chloride) production process. It is often designed by artists and can come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. Vinyl toys are popular among art collectors and enthusiasts due to their unique designs and limited production runs.

v The history of vinyl toys

The origin of vinyl can be traced back to the world's first vinyl machine, the ROTOCAST, which was invented in Germany in 1924. The first toy produced by this machine was the "chocolate bunny." Since then, vinyl has become a ubiquitous material in our lives, and vinyl toys have become a popular and energetic toy.

There are many different types of vinyl figures, ranging from the earliest and most popular Hong Kong street culture to the various classifications that exist today. Because they are designed by internationally renowned designers, good vinyl figures can be considered works of art. In any case, they are a popular and energetic toy.

The term "toy figurine" (公仔) is a term that originated in Hong Kong and refers to dolls or action figures. In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards more realistic dolls that have their own unique personalities. In an era where toys are marketed for their individuality, dolls that are ugly, short, and fierce may be a symbol of personality.

v Why vinyl toys are popular

Vinyl toys have become increasingly popular in recent years due to a number of factors.

Unique and Creative Designs: Vinyl toys often feature unique and creative designs that are not found in traditional toys. They are often designed by artists and designers who bring their own style and personality to the toys.

Collectibility: Many vinyl toys are produced in limited quantities, making them highly collectible. This exclusivity can drive up demand and increase their value over time.

Self-Expression: Vinyl toys are often used as a form of self-expression, allowing collectors to showcase their interests and personality through their vinyl collections.

Nostalgia: Vinyl toys often tap into nostalgia for childhood toys and pop culture icons, which can be a powerful draw for collectors.

Artistic Value: Many vinyl toys are considered works of art in their own right, blurring the line between toy and sculpture.

Overall, vinyl toys offer a unique and visually striking alternative to traditional toys, appealing to both collectors and art enthusiasts alike.

v Types of vinyl toys

Vinyl toys come in a wide variety of styles and designs. Here are some common types of vinyl toys:

Designer Toys: These are artist-designed vinyl toys that often feature unique and creative designs. They are highly collectible and can range from abstract shapes to characters inspired by pop culture.

Urban Vinyl Toys: Also known as urban vinyl figures, these toys often depict characters from urban culture, street art, or graffiti. They can have a more edgy and contemporary aesthetic.

Pop Culture Vinyl Toys: These are vinyl toys that are based on popular characters from movies, anime, TV shows, comics, or video games. They often have licensed designs and appeal to fans of specific franchises.

DIY Vinyl Toys: These toys come in blank or unpainted forms, allowing collectors or artists to customize and personalize them with their own designs. They are popular among artists and enthusiasts who enjoy customizing toys.

Mini Figures: These are small vinyl toys that are typically around 2-4 inches tall. They come in various styles and themes and are often sold in blind box packaging, adding an element of surprise to the collecting experience.

Sofubi: Sofubi is a term used for soft vinyl toys that originated in Japan. These toys often have a distinct Japanese aesthetic and can range from cute and whimsical characters to more detailed and realistic designs.

These are just a few examples, and the world of vinyl toys is constantly evolving with new styles and designs being introduced by artists and manufacturers.

v How vinyl toys are made

Vinyl toys, also known as designer toys, are typically made using a process called rotocasting. The first step in the production process is to create a 3D Models according toy sketch of the toy using computer-aided design (3D Max) software. Once the Model is finalized, a PU sample is created using 3D printing machine.

The PU sample is then used to create a mold, which will be used to produce the final vinyl toys. The mold is typically made in two parts, with each part representing one half of the toy. The mold is then filled with liquid vinyl, which is heated and rotated in a machine to evenly coat the inside of the mold.

After the vinyl has cooled and hardened, the mold is opened and the toy is removed. Any excess vinyl is trimmed away, and the toy is inspected for quality control. The final step is to apply paint and other finishing touches to the toy.

Overall, the process of making vinyl toys requires a combination of artistry, engineering, and manufacturing expertise to create unique and visually striking