What Is the Difference Between Resin, Vinyl and PVC Figures?
Resin (commonly referring to resin materials, especially unsaturated polyester resin used in resin crafts), rotocasting (Vinyl/Soft PVC), and PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) exhibit distinct differences in toy and figure production. Resin is hard and brittle with high detail precision. Rotocasting creates hollow, flexible products with a soft texture, while PVC is solid, harder than vinyl, and cost-effective. Rotocasting and PVC both utilize PVC as a base material, with rotocasting being a specific manufacturing process.
**Key Differences:**
Feature | Resin | Rotocasting(Vinyl/Soft PVC) | PVC (Vinyl/Hard PVC) |
Hardness/Texture | Hard,brittle, ceramic-like | Soft, elastic, smooth | Harder, more durable than resin |
Structure | Solid (usually) | Hollow (generally) | Solid (usually) |
Surface Appearance | Smooth, highly detailed | Soft, friendly texture | Smooth, moderately detailed |
Manufacturing Process | Mold casting (resin pouring) | Rotocasting process | Injection molding |
Weight | Heavy | Very light | Moderate |
Product Features | Fragile, non-impact-resistant, durable | Impact-resistant, squeezable, may deform | Durable, fast production speed |
Applications | High-end collectibles, statues | Soft vinyl figures, piggy banks, bath toys | Capsule toys, PVC figures, plastic products |
**Advantages and Disadvantages of Resin, Soft Vinyl (sofubi), and PVC:**
**Resin:**
Advantages: Exceptional detail, capable of intricate designs, smooth surface, best for premium collectible statues.
Disadvantages: Fragile, not suitable for children.
**Rotocasting (Vinyl/Soft PVC):**
Advantages: A process using PVC with added plasticizers, resulting in hollow products. Soft texture, durable, impact-resistant, ideal for medium to large complex toys.
Disadvantages: Less detailed than resin, prone to surface deformation.
**PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride):**
Advantages: A common thermoplastic resin, often referring to solid hard PVC injection-molded products. Affordable, cost-efficient, suitable for mass production.
Disadvantages: Moderate detail, less refined surface finish compared to rotocasting if plasticizers are misused.
So, which material should we choose to make toys from?
- For intricate detail and premium collectibles, choose resin.
- For soft, impact-resistant toys, select rotocasting (vinyl).
- For cost-effective, solid figures, opt for PVC.