Demeng Toy, a trailblazer in the art toy industry for over a decade, specializes in custom vinyl figure manufacturing. Having mastered the complex processes of vinyl rotocasting and sofubi production, we seamlessly integrate traditional plastic toy making with modern 3D model printing.
Next, we will explore how we mass-produce artist-designed vinyl toy collectibles into limited-edition releases.
What is a vinyl?
Vinyl toys, also known as rotocast toys, originated from a specialized plastic manufacturing technique. Contrary to common misconception, "vinyl" refers not to the material itself—which is actually PVC—but to the unique rotational molding process used in their production. This art form has evolved significantly, intertwining history, culture, and innovation within the collectibles world.
The technique began as a method for creating hollow molded products. It involves electroplating copper onto a prototype to form a metal mold, filling it with PVC paste resin (adjusted for varying softness), and heating it under rotation to ensure uniform distribution and cooling—a cost-effective approach that enables precise control over texture. This process gives vinyl toys their signature soft, hollow structure and tactile quality, distinguishing them from solid PVC toys produced by injection molding.
As a leading manufacturer in the custom art toy industry, Demeng Toy delves into small-batch customization of vinyl figures, specializing in:
Low-cost production of vinyl designer toy prototype samples;
Anti-counterfeiting technology for limited-edition toys;
Integration of diverse art collectibles production techniques.
Sofubi (ソフトビニール), a Japanese term for soft vinyl, refers to a category of vinyl toys characterized by their soft texture and resilient tactile quality. The production process involves mixing PVC powder with plasticizers and additives, then heating the mixture in rotating molds submerged in industrial oil baths. This technique—distinct from standard rotocasting—imparts a unique matte finish and flexible durability to the toys, elevating their status among global art-toy collectors. Specialized vinyl toy manufacturers leverage this method to produce sought-after kaiju sofubi and urban vinyl designs.
Transforming a designer art toy concept into a premium vinyl collectible involves intricate processes. Traditionally, artisans carve a clay prototype, followed by a wax model to compensate for material shrinkage during mold production. The wax model then undergoes electroforming to create a copper master mold for mass production. With the advent of 3D printing, many contemporary designer toys now originate as digital models, which are directly printed into master molds. Additionally, 3D printing enables low-cost prototyping of vinyl toy samples, significantly reducing development expenses.
Labubu Series: Elf shape (not rabbit), such as the "Spring Wilderness" series blind box